I agree with Jerry's last (er, that should be latest) post - I've been committed to folk music since ... oh God, it was 1967!!! And I'm a new boy here. And I really like it. I'd personally hate the sort of introverted music-theory-only exclude-the-riffraff forum being suggested, but hey, don't let me put you off! You want it, do it. You wouldn't want me in it, because I personally prefer to try and encourage anyone with an interest in this music to stick with it and learn, and I'll wilingly hand over any of the experience I've picked up to anyone who asks - or even who doesn't. But academic theory? Don't ask me, I just push the buttons.

Without the newbies, what happens when we oldies (oldbies? whatever) fall off the perch, as we will, even those of us from Venus.

(signed) Permanent Riff-Raff, Andrew (from Pluto)