O.k. It may have been true that in 1999 no rules were needed, and members could be expected to post responsibly. However, since then things have moved on, and rules now appear to be necessary.

What are the reasons why members could be expected to post responsibly in 1999 but not expected to do so in 2006?

As many of the members are still the same members in 1999 as they are in 2006 - what is the main element that has changed in this time?

Could one factor be that there are now many levels of poster and that all are now encouraged by the example set - to publicly judge the worth of each other? Even though the site's owner is still happy to invite everyone to contribute to our forum?

Guests, named-guests, named members with edit buttons, unamed members with edit buttons and members without edit buttons and Joe Offer, The Chief of the Mudcat Editing Staff?

I make that six levels of poster.

Perhaps when all posters post once again on equal terms and are encouraged to concentrate on their own posts and once again to tolerate the posts of others - the imposition of more and more rules will not appear to be necessary at all?

Especially when all those who do not accept Max's principles of opening our forum to the public - will have left to form their own private members forum which conforms to their own tastes.

Do you need to be censored?