Question: Could you build a membership site using Joomla and all free components? Here is the minimum you would need:

1. Joomla!
2. Free PayPal account (basic business)
3. ACL of some kind tied into PayPal
   
4. Ability to display teaser copy (intro text) and not main text to unregistered users.
5. Forum
6. Shopping Cart

Here are some nice to have options:

1. Photo Gallery
2. Video Player
3. Audio Player
   
4. Members Area/Pages
5. Forums
6. Auto responder (sequenced)
   
7.  etc.

So the project begins. First stop is finding an appropriate (and free) acl that ties into PayPal. I found one that is both free and good!