One of the troubles I have had in leaving Mudcat is that as I was around a while and still have contacts here, I get to hear about certain threads and can't resist reading. I have read this one now so here goes...

I see what was (although discussed many times over) a reasonable suggestion by Celtic Soul and I see it now turning into in-fighting.

Why? My own opinion which could be wrong is that many of the guest posts here were a troll by one person but it makes little difference except to say if you think it's a troll, stay out - you can't win but can end up drawn into fights.

Either way, some posters here have yet again managed to supply fuel to arguements. Whether the poster is genuine or not, the worst thing you can do is insult - in this case, all the insulters do is draw justification to the plight of the Guest and their mistreatement by members (and I believe there is some validity there - esp when it comes to making controversial comments) and in the worst case, an innocent person could have been offended for giving thier view point.

IMO, the biggest single problem in this forum is not one of guests or IP addresses or anything like that - it is a simple matter of failing to see the other side.

In my time here I have seen what I could call an "anyone can post anything as long as I approve" attitude and an "I can post what I like regardless of what anyone else thinks" attitude...

The set up of Mudcat makes it IMO one of the biggest challenges amongst internet forums i.e. how to exist as a pretty well unmoderated forum with people who's only guaranteed common interest in life is folk/blues music. We don't even know backgrouns, whether some prefer to me loners, whether others prefer a community or what.

We tend to fail at the first hurdles such "as how do we make life enjoyable for the BruceO's of this world and still have it fun for the Catspaws?" There must be a way and I feel sure more effort could be made by all.

Mudcat can still grow (Max willing) but in my whatever time I've been here, I've seen circular patterns rather than any forward movement. Is there no way that we can: Learn to cope with Guests whether they be trolls or not (most aren't and many give good contributions) and maybe accept and work on the fact that our only common interest is music and at least try to understand and help the other side (just in case anyone wonders, I am pro BS but also in favour of moderation or looking for alternative channels that maybe even Max could provide).

Just my rant and thoughts and maybe a hopeful plea.

Jon