Is that really so scary? you know.. a forum where we can speak like freely huh?

It's not scary, it's HORRIFYING!!

It's not scary. It's just too demanding, too time-consuming, too punishing, for co-ords and mods to be expected to handle the occasional flare-ups. They have to put in alot of effort and get little or nothing in return.

The OT forum has been removed. The Den has been removed. I think mateo_sancarlos is right, forums like those take a lot of effort to moderate. I've been active in the Den, and flare-ups were plenty, including attacks on the moderator. No, I don't expect a new kind of OT forum here. The coords and mods don't need this kind of hassle. But this may be an idea: why don't we agree on going to a site that is designed for this kind of discussion? THere's plenty of discussion sites on the Net, some heavily moderated, some totally unmoderated. Let's take our OT discussions to one of those sites and point members who want to get something off their chest over there. Maybe even include a link in the forum headers.

You do not need a site for discussion.
There is Usenet.

There's also Cheryle's 3D-related OT forum, which I understand is "invitation-only" now, but they'll probably IM you the URL if you ask nicely.

Thats right Mark! we at digital Cheryl's are always keen to invite members with a modicum of wit, charm and erudition, which is why it is a M.S.C* free zone. Our policy of Invite Only is simply to keep Trolls and Quislings at bay. If you are at all interested?, please IM me and I will provide you with the necessary details. No need to ask nicely, just ask! * M.S.C. Moronic Sycophantic Carpers As always!..the pleasure has been mine.

From what I've seen, this is the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for any gripes/unhappinesses that one has towards a given site:

When one discovers that yelling in the forums of the "home" site doesn't achieve the desired results, then all that one need do is to simply go to another site -- and post "anti" messages there.

This method has several good points. First off, it's a fantastic way to seek out allies of like mind (I.E. - persons that are every bit as bitter as oneself). It's also a way to vent one's rage in full measure without unduly risking warnings or even bannings. And it's a super way to be in with the "in" crowd -- which is a place where everyone that's anyone desires to be (right?). The pinnacle of the "in crowd" -- those incestuous groups of individuals that sit around and congratulate each other upon how cool they all are.....and how much more broad-minded they are than those other people.....the brainless un-cool squares that they've left behind.

The people that were just s-o-o-o-o-o-o-o sorry to see them go away.

By choosing this method, one can feel that one has validated oneself. Through the community and the fellowship of the likewise embittered.

BTW -- these comments aren't necessarily directed at digital Cheryl's. I've never been there. So I wouldn't know. It might be a great place, overflowing with sparkling personalities.

But I waste entirely too much time in the forums already. I don't need to become involved in another one.

It's a matter of perspicacity!, is it you?.... or non-you?

Nonesuch.

Sussed!

"It might be a great place, overflowing with sparkling personalities." It certainly is!