I guess I'm one of those folks who used to be around and have drifted away over the last year. Not comnpletely (obviously) and it is as much related to being busy as loosing interest.

I come here to reseach songs. I use the DT. I thumb through old threads of discussion. I research the subjects on other sites that have been referenced here ... and I can do all that without saying a single word to anyone in a thread. I do post some, or have recently - I enjoyed the Jean Ritchie, and posted a comment or two. Asked about Annie Laurie and enjoyed a little chat in the Paul Mills/Joanne Crabtree thread.

I've always ignored the hate=filled rages within some threads - so I can't say they drove me off. But it's true that some people do not know how to behave in public. An open forum can be an invitation to every idiot with an ax to grind. (I know, I know; we can ALL be idiots with axes to grind, every now and then). I guess that's why most forums are moderated.

Even though I've had little to contribute to discussion over the last year, and I'm away for extended periods of time - I do check in now-and-then. I still love the place. I'll do my best to contribute to upkeep and conversation.

I've linked to Mudcat from my website and have a blog entry on my Myspace profile about Mudcat.

I'd love to see it continue to flourish and connect folklorist and folks music lovers around the world forever. Max, I'll contact you off-line - but I am most grateful for the effort and expense you put into this place. I hope you can do it as well for the next decade as you have for the last!