[Molly]

I agree that knowing if a certain feature is available both by gameplay and payment would be valuable info. But then again, so would info about the magnitude of what rewards you could get for the payment, (for instance a mainly cosmetic tag for donating 10 $, versus various powerful advantages for an unlimited sum of $).

However, unlike the 4 options, which are fairly straightforward, both seem a bit ambiguous, and could too easily be dodged by mudowners interested in obscuring the truth. My own feeling is also that adding too many options to the system would make it so complicated that the average player wouldn't bother to use it.

Also I get the feeling that this discussion is headed into another 12 pages lap, which would delay the upgrading of the search engine that most of the posters think would be a good compromise and a valuable addition.

So here is a suggestion to Lasher: How about implementing the 4 option choice (with a text area for elaboration) to the search engine now?
Meanwhile keep the discussion open about further options that could be added - (probably best as drop down menus) - and if this leads to some kind of conclusion about what is feasible, it could always be added later.

Since you asked:

I am for 4 box system and I would check d, since I run a Circle based Mud, but also out of conviction that in-game rewards skew the balance of the gameplay.
In a 2 box system, I'd check 2.

I wouldn't hesitate to play a c Mud however.