Have we finally reached maturity?

[Ramster]

I don't think anyone wants to "shut the door" on newbies. I was a newbie once.

Supply & Demand

I think the days where you can start this business with ZERO investment are near an end. A newbie will need to own a domain or 2. He can still use some sponsor content. He can still get listed at most link sites without paying. He can still get listed at some tgps without paying.

But realistically a newbie must be willing to dish out $200-1000 a month for hosting and listings on link lists and TGPs on a regular basis. Simply a cost of doing business. Otherwise a newbie will always be dealing with the "grade b" traffic places. And things will continue to go that route.

You can't "advertise" your product (gallery or free site) in the brick and mortar world for free so why on the internet now that the demand is outwaying the supply.