Good points Joe - though I almost didn't read this thread!

I too feel the tone has changed. Though I've been around along time (I've used three different names I think), I've only been active sporadically - and that usually in regard to technical or academic questions. I did, however, always feel that my questions were warmly recieved and generated thoughtful, pertinent responses. DT was a very enjoyable classroom with the best teachers I've ever had. I never felt part of the "in crowd," but I felt very welcome and even, occasionally appreciated! It is quite a neat feeling to be able to help someone else - most of the time others, more knowledgable than I, get there first!

I'd felt a change for a while, but I was still rather surprised to the responses to the thread a bit ago about the link categories (and I wasn't the one to start the thread). The discussion went in a direction that made me uncomfortable, frustrated and irritated - something I have NEVER felt at DT. I shrugged it off, but decided that I would not venture beyond information requests much in the future (and here I am.)

I've striven to avoid the BS, though I sometimes check in on them because sometimes there's not much else I haven't read. And while I don't mind a bit of suggestive fun, the vulgarity disturbs me. I react to it the same way I do at parties, shrug and move on. The political discussions I avoid entirely because they often become vituperative. And I don't know why people deign to answer personal attacks at all - though I understand the desire to defend the person attacked.

I suppose the gist of all this is that I too sense a subtle change in DT that disturbs me. While I don't feel part of the "in group," I don't feel frozen out or left out. But I do feel sad that there is less that interests me and occasionally a mean spirit. However, I am back to frequenting newsgroups and I have seen a lot worse. DT is still a valuable resource with interesting people so I'll just continue a low profile and look for the occasional gem (the John Jacob Niles thread is still one of my favorites - short, sweet, fascinating, funny and a great help to me).