But I noticed something just now that is very interesting. I was reading Chicago HotDog's Post when he told of being totally mistreated, but he still refused to name the perpetrator of the "no-show," and carefully read the many posts that followed. That's when it dawned on me as to just how this Board has totally changed over the past five or so years. I'm not saying it's better or worse, but here's the basic change:
Around five years ago, when this Board had so many diverse posters, guys could come on and either contribute or lurk, but they always received solid information--heads-up as to who's new and honest, who's new and dishonest, and other useful HOBBYIST information. It basically was guys getting legit information about the Hobby, and about individuals, from other guys. There wasn't a lot of shilling, but there were a lot of posts with good, solid facts about people.
Now, I'll flash-forward to Spring 2010, and let's look at who is posting: Checking the TER stats titled "Top Posters last 90 Days," we find just three are local Hobbyists, SIX are local Providers and the 10th is the relative newbie, this "Chicago Hotdog" character, who must like to watch himself post, because in the very short time he's been posting on the Phoenix Board, he's contributed the 7th most posts in the past ninety days!
So, here's my conclusion: It's a new world, and a new ballgame, compared to five or so years ago. Most Phoenix Hobbyists just don't post anymore, so we're relagated to reading post-after-post from the same Providers expressing their opinions.
I'm not saying this whole scenario is good nor bad, it just is what it is--a lot of "old-time" Phoenix Hobbyists, or as some call them, the "real Phoenix Hobbyists," have simply moved on.
I apologize for the length of this rant, err, I mean the length of this post.
Petrhaps can I elicit at least a couple responses from some male lurkers and/or Hobbyists, and not from the same six Providers? Thanks.