Oooops, me and my big mouth. Didn't realise I'd be starting such an emotional thread.

Deliberately not posting makes the accusation of an elitist forum a self fulfilling argument and therefore valueless. Further, the Vue forum is anything but elitist. I started posting in a limited way just over a year ago and, despite only a few images in my own gallery, have received great encouragement and help from many people for which I am extremely grateful.

Questions should always be welcome and indeed this is the case in the Vue forum. Not posting does not exclude anyone from posting otherwise the voice of Vue newcomers would never be heard. The concept of right to freedom of speech is a given.

However, there is no such thing as a right to be listened to. Within Renderosity we see and hear only the galleries and posts. These alone are the means by which respect is earned and, by extension, the chance to be listened to gained.

The exception to this is, and I hope always will be, a reasoned, respectful, factual argument from anyone, irrespective of gallery size or number of postings. Sadly most of the negative criticism fulfils none of these criteria but rather are subjective, emotional discharges that erode the atmosphere of the forum and dissuade newcomers from participating, hence my starting this thread.

My own contributions to this and other forums have been small in comparison to the enormous benefits I have derived from them. I can give only a little at present but I try to contribute where Im able.

And this surely is the basis of good virtual community: that whilst we take what we need, we always give what we can.

Cheers,
Mark