Discussion boards are so varied in purpose, aims, style and membership that it seems rather pointless for anyone from one board to take a swipe at another board. Mudcat is a wide-ranging and very free board with a very wide-ranging and varied membership. The fRoots board is an adjunct to a magazine and is more tightly controlled and moderated. if that's how Ian wants it, that's his prerogative.

If you want to see a board that's screwed down tighter than a duck's arse (mmm... is it possible to screw down a duck's arse...), then take a look at the MIMF (Musical Instrument Makers Forum) which is run by the most severe Moderator I've ever seen. You get a really good telling-off at the MIMF!

But to criticise one from the standpoint of another seems a waste of breath.