Posted By: lockstock
...when the board worked, it was mostly a place for hobbyists to pool resources to find providers.
It worked pretty well. What about this new ad? Here's what I know. Here's what I think. Go. No go.
Report back with a review. That's where the juice and the excitement lay. And once in a while a provider would jump in and say, "You're talking about me, and I'm real," and then we would all get really excited and see who could get in first.
Very little of that happens anymore, for a couple of reasons, I think. First, because TER has made all this more difficult with shill and mini-review and other rules. Second, because the hobbyists seem to be afraid of offending the providers. The second one is crazy. Surely the number one requirement for a successful provider has to be a secure ego.
So now the board is boring. I don't think it will ever revert, but if the board is to be even useful, then people need to be able to say what they mean and have the courage to do it. Doesn't mean you have to be a little shit or a troll. But sarcasm, a bit of teasing here and there, the occasional snide remark even? Well there has to be some sign of life, and I don't think anyone has died from a board post yet.