I think this is more of the same. And it must meet a need or people wouldn't continue to utilize this format to vent and complain. Since most of the world is going "politically correct" it becomes increasingly difficult to say what one really thinks without an attorney showing up with lawsuit papers in hand.

For me I'm trying to use the PM format to visit with folks that I have questions of motive or that I lack understanding for what they are saying. The public piece took me a while to figure out. So PMs made the transition for me from public idiot at times to a private one. Eating Crow is difficult enough so PMs allow me to put a bit of salt on the tail feathers before crunching my favorite lunch.

And the threads are certainly plain enough to figure out which are musical in nature and which aren't. Goes back to the theme of don't read what you don't want (I know - been said a jillion times). It took me some time to figure that one out also.

I like this forum, am willing to assist it financially, and firmly believe it is a "Free Speech" area that isn't found elsewhere.

My only issue with it is the music room. And that is not a Mudcat issue per se - it is one of members not participating for a number of reasons. It is rarely utilized and sparsely attended when it is open. I think that is why most of us that play on line don't often look for it as it usually isn't open. I'm going to get involved with that for a couple of weeks and see what comes of it. If it gets used and appears to meet a significant need I'll see about continuing my participation as the one who opens and moderates it for a space in time on Sundays. I know of at least two other music rooms that operate without password as a result of the Snug not being available for new musicians.

So the bottom line for me is - if it isn't what you want - then ignore it or become part of the solution. I'm certainly moving closer to Jon Freeman's camp of separating the threads and in the interest of space removing those that have no bearing on music after they have dropped from a couple of days of no postings. Or simply putting in a, what is it, a thing that would separate the threads based on prefix. And maybe there is something already that does that - I'm still figuring out what all is available here. Another thought is if we are going to need to begin regular financial contributions to support the Cat then does this becomes a public entity and not a private one? Do the financial supporters then have more of a say about how they want this forum to change and the direction it will have for the future. And if so cost will begin to factor into what is retained and what is no longer available.

That's my $00.02 worth.

Steve