I agree on the possibilities of growth Carol but I just can't see it happening with the current format and I suspect the politcs and the rows will continue.

The situation I think we have at the moment is some wishing for music only, others wanting just about anything and some like myself somewhere in the middle. I simply see no place for something like the healing circle for the reasons of potential volume.

Looking at it from my angle, I see the possibilities of growth as desirable if this place is a community but I have difficulties in accepting the every post brought to everyones attention situation especially as some topics are of very limited interest to some "sub groups".

Referring back to Bruce O, I read at least one post that suggested that anyone who couldn't handle or didn't like the chat was in some way weird. Is that really a caring community? Do we really want to drive other members out? Or Should we perhaps look for ways that satisfy everyone?

I doubt that the main forum will ever split BS from Music and maybe Max is right - I don't know but I do know that there are certain areas that are always likely to resurface and almost guaranteed to spark of rows which is why I tried to make the offer I did which is as close as I can come to making it Mudcat without being on this site - I even (I think) have the technology to allow an individual 'catter to be the moderater of say a healing circle (something that is not of specific interest to me)...

Needless to say, I have had no responses. Maybe it's because of my personality - I don't know but even if it is, the fact remains that anyone (at least I think so - I've had things running on my PC but only got the notification of my domain, etc about 5 minutes ago - have yet to try) could set such a thing up - this one has cost me £50 for 12 months and should offer sufficient space to suit threads of a more temporary nature.

Funny really, we have had (what ended up back here) temporary solutions such as Aine and the song book, Alan and the MIDI, BBC and resources. Why can't options of us expanding in other ways be considered? why can't we try and look at the other sides? Why can't we look at perhaps making this place more attractive to all and may allow growth without shoving stuff up the faces of others?

Jon