One tool point is equivalent to one US dollar. You can buy tool points anytime, and certain site tools deduct from your current tool point balance. In the future, DSLR Mail, a new optional email service for site users will debit your toolpoints account also. Look for future announcements about this.
10mb to 100mb - 0.25 tool points (works out to be 13 USD a year) 100mb to 200mb - 0.50 tool points (works out to be 26 USD a year) 200mb to 300mb - 0.75 tool points (39 USD a year) 300mb to 400mb - 1.00 tool points (52 USD a year)
A service will either cost a certain number of Tool Points to use, (even fractional amounts), or will deduct a certain number of Tool Points for as long as it is in use.
An example is line monitoring: After the first week of free service, 1 Tool Point is deducted, in advance, for each week it is active. If there are no Tool Points left, the service is suspended, and unless you purchase more Tool Points, it will be deleted.
At the present time, tool points are also required for certain other enhancements, such as animated avatars, and premium site status. In some cases, these enhancements do not deduct tool points from your balance ... you must simply have them in order to take advantage of the option.
For tools and options on the site that cost small amounts of money, it is not practical or economical to pay as you use them, other than by this method.
The Tool Points system is a way of remembering how much you've paid, and allowing the site to deduct gradually from that as you require.
The demand for certain tools out-strips our ability to supply them. In particular, line monitoring services are expensive to maintain for large numbers of users. Charging a small amount for the service is the easiest way of ensuring that those who need it most have access to it.
You can donate tool points to another user. This is done from the the tool points page in the main site menu.
If you attempt to donate tool points to a new member, you will receive the following message:
New members must be registered site users for 30 days before tool points or other priveleges can be donated to them.
Tool point donations can be anonymous (there is a checkbox for this) or not, as you prefer. You can also donate animated avatar ability, or premium account status. To donate animated avatar ability, use the appropriate checkbox and enter 5.0 tool points in the box provided. To give premium status to someone, use that checkbox and enter 10.0 tool points. An IM will go to the recipient, but will or will not mention your name as you prefer.
To donate, you must enter your site password in the appropriate field.