Hi Mark
It's a bit hard not to focus on the fraud incident as the catalyst to this, when Brandon states "One of the primary drivers for this was a fraud that happened a little while ago."
I completely agree with you, that forums are an incredible online 'meeting place' to exchange a wealth of information, ideas, ask questions and just generally chat about the subject.
My problem is that I have NO experience (I have to wait another 13 days for my first expedition), I only have the ideas of others to glean information from, I have asked questions, but it takes quite some time to rack up questions that have enough punch to warrant wasting the time of others to respond.
What about the message system? Do those posts count? (obviously not or would have the required 20) as quite a few times I will message someone for more info, or questions about things as I don't see the point to needlessly fill a thread. I make these points as I am sure I am not the only person in this situation.
And the other disappointing thing is that now I don't get to see what people are getting rid of, we are all tackle junkies right?...........And will buy things that we like when they are advertised.............even if we don't really need them? That might just be me
Well I feel for the blokes trying to sell things now as they have just lost a massive chunk of the market. Sales through this forum will now fall.
At this rate, I will only need to respond to this thread another 10 times and I will have made it! But that probably won't happen as there won't be any benefit to the rest of the forum, I will follow my own advice from here on 'if you have nothing of use to say, don't say it'
Cheers, Rhet