I have found that people here are extremely helpful, both with musical and semi-musical (heck, even non-musical) issues. I don't mind most of the BS posts because I think it's interesting to hear from people as individuals, not just as musicians. I don't expect everyone to agree with me and I don't expect to be right all the time, and there isn't anything I can say that won't touch a nerve with somebody. Oh, well. It's to be expected since we're all three-dimensional personalities and there are so many different backgrounds represented here. I've found that, even when people strongly disagree, they are pretty good about not jumping on others, and expressing themselves in a coherent and reasonable manner.

My guess is that some of the "nastiness" is also tongue- in-cheek between more seasoned Mudcatters, but I know that glibness doesn't carry well over computer screens.