some forum software allows you to paste anything on the clipboard (including graphics) directly into a message. Maybe this software has that ability, but it isn't turned on.

Regarding Noels' situation, it sounds like if he upgrades to a paid account (not that expensive.. about $100 USD per year, and you get a lot more space for the money) his links would stay active.

The fact that paid users didn't get the email suggests this is true, since they no doubt have links to files in their public folder, and they aren't being warned they will go away in March.