has changed since I joined. It is not the free-wheeling shoot-from-the-hip, "call it as I see it," "let the chips lie where they fall" forum I joined. Speak your mind and you get infractions. The subjects I most enjoy discussing are now verboten with or without papers. So I rarely comment on things. I use the forum just to learn about guns. Thus, the community that was formed initially no longer exits. It has been banished into silence. JMHO.
Many here have formed friendships, and these are evident by the interactions between them. But with the ability to dialog about current events, varying world views, political perspectives, it seems extremely difficult to form such friendships now. One cannot speak/write clearly and precisely because of the limitations placed on topics and expressions. Thus, no longer any reason to wear the INGO gear, purchase its swag, or even promote it. I also no longer see any reason for the 50-post minimum before one can use the classifieds or send PMs. There is no longer any community to protect. Might just as well go the gunbroker route and let folks sign up and bid, or buy. Again, JMHO.
So why do I hang around? Well, occasionally I will venture to comment on something, as in this case. Rare, now, but I do comment occasionally. I stay primarily to learn about guns. I guess that is what Fenway and the advertisers want. Fine. Their house; their rules. I have learned a great deal here, and am still learning. It is just not fun any more. I just use it like the library—come when I need to do some research and get out ASAP, most of the time.
IndyDave described the situation well, I think. It was fun while it lasted.
Agreed.
I must be missing something. I've been a member of many forums and none of them have had ANY sense of community, and they've all had rules that members whined about.
