Perhaps it's already obvious, but people, you're way over-generalizing. An online forum is just as good as the people who are a part of it. And many people are a part of both (now three forums, actually). Darin is arrogant and not very bright, but that's his problem and not something he can do much about. Fortunately, he stays absentee most of the time, and things are self-policed pretty well as the site has a pretty well-established pecking order where respected people command respect and attention and do a pretty good job of shutting down the idiot squad.
Lately, though, Adam Lucas-types are getting quite bothersome. While there will always be a SpikedSupra or Florida16 coming along, they assimilate or disappear in time. Until Darin vacates again, I'm out for a while.
I know 10 sites would be fine, but there are a limited number of people in the field with any interest in being a part of an online community. If we had one forum, I think that would be the best, actually. And one without many sub-forums since that tends to towards really sloooow moving discussions. With just 2 or 3 sub-forums, threads stay in view of everyone and stay lively. I'm part of a site outside of arboriculture that routinely has over 1000 members online at any given moment, and I think that justifies the 20+ subforums. Still, the main forum has 2-5 posts/second.
Anyways, I fully support the efforts of the TreeBuzz administrators and solemnly vow to be a more active participate in the future! To discovery! /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif
