Reputation?  Yeah, maybe.  But if the word applies, then it applies to the sister websites as well.  QJ has a lower percentage of the “I’ve got time to visit, let’s talk about . . .” type of threads in comparison.  You may “like” reading about the dog shows in the Twin Cities or seeing  who wished who a happy b-day, etc.  If so, then QJ might not fit your style.  Personally I am not compelled to congratulate someone for making their 10,000th post.  One well written article in the BWJ has more value.

Cliques? Yeah, maybe.  Fraternity might be a better word, but for the most part, I see the majority of the group preferring to stand individually.   We get a new starting line up every so often and the spike of activity establishes their acquaintance with one another.  The former line up might seem “quiet”, but consider that when any member acknowledges your informative posting, he/she is speaking for any number of members. 

The Search Police? Theirs is a thankless job.  These guys usually display great capacity to sniff out a poster who will gather their research here and then post their thesis there.  It helps the respondants on the other forum to increase their number of postings.

Political forum? It wasn’t always one.  Generally speaking, that is recent.  Once the momentum built, it quickly turned into a spectator sport.  I support the view of hiding it.  The drawback is that I’ve no place to tell you about my dog, my b-day, my drama, my whathaveyou.  Seriously tho, there were many good discussions there, which I miss.

My interests in the forums are trip planning, fishing, and gear.  The rest gets a scan.  Trip reports rate as a favorite.  I know they are time consuming to create.  Your investment is appreciated.  Next would be a good photo sequence complimented with notes.

The time I have to participate on the forums has been quite scarce these past few years.  Work demand is the biggest culprit.  My boss is a corporate VP who has never been to the BW/Q.  If he ever decides to go, I will direct him on the shortest route through Badwater Lake and into the Wolseley Swamp.  He will be advised to make as much noise as possible along the way.  Then I will sit back, image, and delight in typing away at all the possible scenarios of what became of him. 

-YB