I don't particularily want to see a members only room. What I would like is to able to identify, by name at least, whoever it is I am replying to. Topic and conversation are less important than being able to address an individual directly. Not for purposes of starting flames, but because it's simple good manners. We can't recognize each others voices so a screen name is all that we have to know who is talking.

I've always viewed the Mudcat forum as a wide open space to view all types of music and opinions and interests. Particularily I like the technical questions that help performers to perform better. I can learn stage craft from a gothic rocker just as easily as I can from a folk singer. All levels of performer and skill should be given the same weight of importance. To exclude beginners because they have beginners questions denies the availability of a wealth of knowledge that can be found only in a forum like Mudcat.

This may sound off the mark regarding this thread, but if you look back to where all the argument and bitterness seems to arise, it appears to come from some people not wanting to deal with questions and opinions they believe to be amatueristic and simple.

Don Meixner