The return of free* accounts!
(*some restrictions on "free" may apply)

I heard about this a couple of days ago, but didn't really feel up to the task of writing the report on it. Fortunately, some anonymouse on wank_report did most of the work for me:

"Basic Account creation to be restored on LiveJournal!

Except that it isn't. It's the usual SUP double-speak.

What LJ are actually proposing is to impose ads on basic accounts. It's one of a range of revenue-raising options being aired for "discussion." An air of vague acceptance prevails as the options are examined. Then SUP's one functioning brain-cell, Marta, confirms, on questioning, that the ads will be applied not only to newly created Basics, but to the currently grandfathered existing accounts, too. The mood darkens as the realisation sinks in."

So they're eliminating the completely ad-free option entirely. Your only choice now will be either Paid or a couple of levels of "sponsored".

As a long-time freeloader Basic user, I'm not happy about this either; however, I'm pretty much resigned to it happening, no matter how many cat macros and threats of departure are posted in protest. And I'm running Firefox with Adblocker, so I won't see any change...

Annoying to see the continuing bait-and-switch tactics, though.