But I an not a recent arrival - I know that there is a better way and as long as I remain a poster here - I will do what I can to see if we can return to this.

The Mudcat method has always been to react (and at times a little too late) rather than anticipate in its approach to providing "moderation tools", its forum policy, etc. Changes have been introduced as shortcomings in your "better way" emerged. A Mudcat system like the help formum which worked in 1997 would fail dismaly with Mudcat in 2006.

Also, some changes have been around a lot longer than you suggest. I think you will find Joe Offer was able to delete posts in 1998. So that need emerged very early on.