What's It All About?

As this is the free to do what ever you want area, I wanted to ask a couple of questions relating to how does this all work?

Questions:
Who owns the site? Individual(s) or a Company?
How is the site funded? Does it need funding? I can see lots and lots of advertising around this page. Is that my answer?
Are the moderators the owners or part owners?
Do the moderators get paid for their work here?
How did the moderators become moderators? They are all over the world. Although Memnoch won't say exaclty where! "Somewhere in your head" and Somewhere hot!!"
Are people working in their normal job whilst posting here like me, or are they out of work coders, retired, etc?

I'm just curious as to why people post here and who the moderators are and why are they involved.

It's obvious why people like myself post here, it's to learn!!! But it seems the moderators are experts and so why do they post here? DON'T STOP POSTING MODERATORS!! I'm really happy that you do post. Thank you!!!!

I did ask a developer the same question and he repiled, "I would post if I could answer a question quickly and I expect others post to keep their coding up to speed."

Just a few thoughts and questions if anyone is interested in replying.

P.S. That's another post for me and I'm very close to my Avatar!!

1. Developer Shed (I believe)
2. You guessed it. As this site becomes more popular, people will pay more for the advertising, allowing the site to do better and better things, making it even more popular and the cycle continues
3. People like you who enjoy helping others
4. No, somedays I wish that was the case, but then you would probably have to pay to ask a question so....
5. Some Moderators are invited by the Admins, you won't see them very often) and sometimes they are suggested, by other MODS. We are all over the world, mostly in the Americas and Europe and south Asia and a few other places. I live in the "state of confusion".
6. Most of use Hold Normal Jobs, or in school. Which is why some request go longer then others for answers.

Most people here are here because the don't know how to do something and then as they learn they begin to help others with there problems. Some are here for the more difficult challenges, and in the process of helping we learn even more.

You will notice that some a experts is some areas will other a bettter in other areas.

Keep posting and we will keep helping

S-

-what sbaxter said.
in addition - I'm not from the U.S. or Europe as you can see. So we're international indeed over here. I have full time job but posting here for some reasons:
1. It helps me sharpen my own skills, and I learn things while helping and reading posts.
2. I like helping ppl... so that's just another way to help.
3. I like challanges.
I'm not sure how long I can keep the high post rate I was used to since I've joined - soon I'll have much more work to do - but I'll do my best.
also, I believe this is the place to thank all the "normal" members who contribute much of their time and knowledge to help others... especially the Dude, John, nofriends and more - having such members makes those forums great place both for those who need help and those who seek friendly conversation.
so, happy coding everyone and hope to see more and more members helping around here!

...that would take away the whole point of these being the "free" ASP forums.