If paying a programmer was considered, we could do something like "$X.xx for every X amount of uses". That way, programmers are going to advertise/encourage people to join Codex/use their program.
With that said, I doubt that a free-forum site of this size can fully support a programming team financially. Really we need to advertise and get new members, NOT scare them away, and try to help them out as painful as it may be. When Lazer Wave released that plot program last year, we had hundreds of new members from just googleing "plot help" or whatever the keyword may be. It was a ton of nubs, but I'm sure some at least have stayed around and are semi/active. I think we need some type of premier program that will get people excited, and that is available to the public (like the Plot program was). From there, we should advertise on Neo as well as other places to get members who will stay (obviously some will leave).
We have to generate more interest from the Neo community. Nobody wants to join a Neopets cheating community if they aren't interested in Neopets. Simple as that.
But no, I think having a member pay for a program (no matter Elite or not) is completely counterproductive.
Edited by KyleBigMac, 29 October 2008 - 02:51 PM.