My sentiments exactly C-flat, I think I have made some very good friends here. To the academics I say thanks for sharing your knowlege and please be patient with those of us whoes enjoyment in life comes from slightley less rarified heights! To the comedians amongst us, I say thank you for keeping a smile on our faces, especially when times are hard. To the permanently disgruntled and grumpy, I am sorry for your loss (of humour!) and I hope you feel better soon!

To answer your questions KP,

Though I quite understand C-flats points about noticing the extreems first, I have to say that I felt comfortable very quickly. It did help knowing one or two Mudcat "regulars" in person before I started looking on the site but I think I would have been an easy process anyway. I started looking on the site just over a year ago and came in right in the middle of the "Twillinsgate" Sagas and was completely hooked, just from the sheer entertainment value!!
I have explored most areas of the site now and found my way round fairly easily, but I have yet to explore the DT as I am not a singer. (I want online tunes, in standard notation, with sound please :-)
I enjoy the "local" element of the Cat, the fact that we have so many members in my part of the world (Yorks)and it makes organising local events and exchanging information SO much easier. However, I also greatly enjoy the international aspect of the Mudcat and I feel I have to consult now on matters of importance,(visits to the Doctor, Dentist, PC world, Music Shops etc etc) otherwise I would upset a great many people!! *grin*.
So, is it a community? It certainly feels like one to me. Its like walking down an "old fashioned" terrace of houses, front doors always open, conversations drifting out of open windows, kettle always "on the boil", jumpers for goal posts...................aaaaahhhhhhhhhh