I have PalTalk because there isn't anything else. Frankly, the pop-ups drive me nuts. I wouldn't mind if they didn't keep trying to dump cookies on my computer or otherwise interfere with use. (I have MSIE set to ask me to accept cookies.) The UCE (Unsoliceted Commercial E-mail) they send me is a pain, too. I've been told there are free programs available to block pop-ups. I'll look, and if I find anything, I'll post something.

The rows over public/private rooms have soured me quite a bit on Mudcat Song Circles. Not the creation and existance of the rooms but what I saw as political maneuvering on the part of some and a later refusal to discuss it - "shut up, I don't want to hear it." I don't want to discuss this myself, because people have all made up their minds, and frankly, I have as well. What has happened is in the past, but will forever influence my feelings about the rooms and about people.

Back to our regularly scheduled discussion: I would dump PalTalk in an instant if something uncommercial were available, no matter how simple it is. I might even pay a reasonable amount for it. At this point, HearMe seems like a very happy memory. PalTalk have given me no reason to feel any sort of loyalty. I also strongly doubt they'll listen to what 50 or so Mudcatters think out of their thousands of members. Especially considering we take what they give and don't give anything significant back.