Ten years, eh? I do remember it well.   I did not know I could cry over a computer keyboard about someone I never met who lives in Ohio, and that's what happened. I have learned a great deal about myself and how I work within a community that I have been able to take back to the face-to-face world. I do miss the "old" mudcat in some ways. It was a much smaller space. It was also a place where I could help others who needed information about some aspect of folk music. Now, I find I have less information to offer, because the answer is already stored away on some thread somewhere. I've done some unusual (for me) things, because of the Mudcat. I travelled to New Hampshire to Barry Finn's house for a singing gathering. I had met not a soul, but because of the Mudcat, I felt I knew many people and I felt I could "trust" them. Then I went to Annamil's, again not having ever met a soul and the result was just as positive. Finally, I went to a Getaway. A stranger named Dick greeted me by name as I walked in the door, because he was waiting for me to show. How special is that? Again I had ventured in to a territory where all I knew were names and personalities. FSGW and its network has become an important part of my life. I am not on any other sites like Mudcat, so I can't compare, but I know without a doubt it is a special place. Max has managed it with a very light hand and it has not fallen apart. I's looking forward to the upcoming changes Max has talked about. How far can a group carry on this friendly anarchy?

Roger in Baltimore