I really don't agree with the paid support model however. Let's look at it from another point of view.

Say that Abracadabra Magic Widgets is a small company which is trouble shooting the software issues the have had with their program they bought to build their web site. Even though it was freely made available without a penny, they just don't like to reveal their secrets. So, in the fashion of magicians, they pay to keep it covered. In this case, removing the branding as lots of companies see more do for the privilege of taking the Powered by or designed by off of. Now, to get said support, they are forced to pay an annual fee for the privilege of talking to someone who is either running off of a canned answer sheet or can provide the help. Who here has called Symantic or say Microsoft for an issue with their software? First time or two, it is free, but then BAM! By the hour. Not saying this is the same model, but pretty close. Anyway, the magic company now has a choice, pay an annual fee to get support on software that should already be very well programmed or go to the internet and grab assistance.

While modmysite.com and the like do what they can to help for free, it isn't the same as getting help from the actual programmers. Instead the magic widgets company decides to toss the project and look for something new with support. IPB is one of those models that you have to buy the software so support comes with it. Same with Boonex, should follow to a point. If I PAY for a license then I should get paid support for free not be wrangled into paying for support because there are sometimes "children" asking the questions.

I disagree with the suggestion that because I don't want to pay for support that it means that I am not serious about it. In fact it is far from it.

Perhaps a connection through Getsatisfaction.com would work?

Like mickeyb I have been eyeballing other software as well and am sort of holding on, however the deciding factor is a checkout.php issue I have asked for help on, but yet to receive.