Suggestions

It has been noted that if you click on the send message of someone who no longer subscribes and therefore unable to continue to use the boards that a message pops up saying that the account has been deleted.

Does this mean that if we decide that we no longer wish to subscribe our memberships will not default to free as was the case in the past?

Not my understanding at all.

Free Members make up by far the biggest percentage of member types on the site and it has always been possible for subscribed members to send personal messages to them too.

I believe it means the member has been deleted altogether. Either because they choose to do so themselves or have been removed by GR for failing to comply with the rules of the site.

I have tried to send a message to someone who is no longer subscribes to the site from the boards and got the following message

It is not possible to send a message to this member. Their account may be deleted.

Hence my question

Phil Moir confirmed in one of his earlier posts that the member in question who had been queried had actually been deleted.

If you think the person is still a member can you see them if you do a name search? If so try sending them a PM from there.

I haven't seen the post you mention but then again I've been busy helping on other sites.

I am considering whether or not its worth my while to continue my subscription on this site and so would like a definite answer.

I think people have experimented and if they click on somebody who has lapsed their membership they don't get the message. If they clicked on somebody who has been deleted for whatever reason you do get the message. If you just don't renew, your account is not deleted.

Ann is quite right. You should only see the message if someone has deleted their registration. If someone has simply not renewed their subscription you will be able to send them a message. They can also reply as it's free to reply to any messages sent to you.

Thank you Estelle for clarifying it is very much appreciated

I would have to disagree that Free Membership allows messages to be sent and replied to...My membership lapsed (May 2011) and I became a "Free Member" I was only able to use the message facility for approx 1 week when it was stopped.

I think you have misunderstood.

A Free Member can not initiate messages, nor post on the boards. However, a subscribed member can send a message to a Free Member who can then reply to that message. So, when your subscription lapsed you would only have been able to reply to messages sent to you.