It's very complicated issue as to what debate and explanation should be done in PMs, and what should be available for public reading. I think a lot of the opinions expressed here ought to be done privately, but some of it IS valuble for the members at large to understand.


I would HATE to see the BS section go, for at its best it is a delight and place to share humor, opinion...even controversial opinion...with others. We have some very astute and aware folks here, and I learn a lot...and get to refine and explore my own ideas. I even enjoy, in theory, the ability to log out and be funny or mischievous. (I have posed as Guest, Edgar A., (a long time ago, I guess)just to be cute).......but this freedom is seriously abused daily now by flamers, trolls and other folks with petty and abusive natures who accuse, label, call names, threaten, embarass, insult...etc.

Sadly, I am wondering if Joe is not right, and BS posting might better be limited to registered names. 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

I have wracked my brain trying to even imagine a system where the good parts could be retained while filtering out the vitriol and rancor. I am sure a lot of the problem is just technical...(managing cookies and sorting of IPs..etc.)...but it obviously would involve a policy decision that Max has always been reluctant to make.

Mudcat has always permitted a wider degree of freedom than about any site I have seen...and we STILL get compaints about the relatively minor bits of editing that are done. It kinda strikes me that, if we need to have 'some' censorship, it might as well be of a type that would reduce the workload on Joe and his team.

I have been here since 'almost' the beginning (late Oct.'96)...longer than even Joe. Only Bert, who used to be 'on staff' and Max himself have seniority on me...and I have seen it ALL. My opinion is not particularly 'better' than anyone else's, but I sure have some perspective, and I have posted in 8-9 OTHER forums in 10 years, NONE of which were as well-designed and interesting as this.....perhaps that's why we attract so many obnoxious 'anonymous' posts, as well as regular, friendly ones.

so...I'm rambling, I see.....well, this stuff is important to me! This forum has enabled me to chat with, and even meet, dozens of great people, from Max himself, right down the line to Jeff, Bert, Jeri, Big Mick, WYSIWYG, Amos, Carol C and Jack, Giok, Uncle Dave O., ...and many more .....the list is LONG! There are a number who I have NOT met, and sure WISH I could!

Think about it, my friends, (those I have met, and those I only 'see' in the forum), we need to figure this out...and if it means giving up a couple of privileges in order to keep the important ones, we need to consider that, too.

Be kind to each other, hmmmm?