Barbara has stated publicly (here) and privately (to many members) that her disappointment with Mudcat stems almost entirely with her lack of interest in much of it's current content. Seems fair enough. Different strokes, right?

I know she takes great pride in having started the "resources" section, but some might remember that at the beginning, many members found 'that', not to their liking, and I'm sure a few left. They probably thought that pictures and personal e-mails meant that this site was getting less "folky" and too "personal". Once again...fair enough.

It's simply "change" and it's unavoidable.

When I first joined about two years ago, a question or post on rock bands would have gotten it's share of snotty rejoiners, but now, a thread on "favourite records" will be virtually ALL rock or at the least highly commercial 'folk'. That's certainly "change".

"Thoughts of the day", "Quotes of the day", "Healing Circles", "Cyber Taverns", "Creative communal story telling", etc. These have all happened in the last couple of years, and my guess is, drove many away....and encouraged many to join.

The amount of personal information given by many in either happy or stressful times has been staggering. Shows an amazing level of trust (or reckless desperation). A few have gotten burned for this, but the vast majority have not. Amazing!

And through it all....despite everything....through defections and bored flamers, through celebrations of good times,........YOU CAN STILL ASK A QUESTION, AND GET AN ANSWER! If it's about folk music, it'll take a little longer, but you'll get it. ('cept when I needed a Panamanian folk song!)

Rather than do the "pleeeeeese come back..."thing, I'd just like to thank Barbara for her efforts. Duane and David too.

Rick