With the right amount of digging this forum is an absolute gold mine of information. If it weren't for it I would have given up years ago (truly). I was making sub-par kits with inadequate cleaning and fermenting, and tuned in here for the wealth of knowledge and support from Thirsty Boy, MHB, Ross, Northside Novice... you know the rest. For me it was pretty easy to sort the chaff from the wheat (because in public forums every voice has the same megaphone) but some critical thinking is required. Back in those days people needed a PC to respond and for me that was a good thing. Not so many quick-fire remarks, more time to think about things before you respond, fewer users having an option. Anyway as time went on I think Pareto's principle applied - 80% of the good stuff came out quickly, and the remaining 20% will have 80% superfluous info or rehashing old topics, 20% new and useful info. Though some people do just like the bantz.
I have my reasons why I bailed but here I am posting, I'm not too proud to disown the forum that got me on the right track to good beer. Let's hope that can continue for all the new users. I don't post as much because in truth I don't brew as much as I used to. Just lost the mojo. Maybe I'll get it back, but I'll use the search function before I pick up my megaphone so maybe I'll sit in the ether hoping new users can do the same.
What I hate about closing forums is that all the info is lost. That truly is a shame, and I would hate to see the same happen here. It would be an incredible loss to the community. I don't think it will, but it hurts me to think of all the posts I put into *** that are sitting on a server somewhere never to be seen again. Barely anyone here got to see my pizza oven. A tragedy!
I promise my next post will be about beer, hopefully before 2023. I will also do my utmost to attend the next case swap, because apart from me making better beer that may be the best thing these forums had to offer, creating a community that wouldn't be possible without this kind of tech.