After careful consideration, we have decided
to close the forum. Unfortunately, it has become a place for
people, with nothing better to do, to attack us publicly.
It is most unfortunate that we have to take this action. We
are not, however, prepared to be subjected to such abuse.
Neither Jackie or I are offensive to people and administering
a forum which has become less interesting of late as well
as a place for undeserved attacks on us, is not something
we need.
One of the suggestions which has been brought up many times
has been the idea of verifying new members before they are
allowed to post. This goes against the principles on which
the forum was founded where new members could sign up and
instantly post a message, particularly when those new members
are people from around the world trying to trace their family
history or old friends. It was a conscious decision not to
implement that change and one that was agreed between forum
members a number of times. It was not a matter of our 'incompetence'
that this feature wasn't enabled.
Also, some of the worst behaviour on the forum has been displayed
by previously trusted members, which no automated process
can account for. Three of those people who were our biggest
critics had previously been given moderator status and been
unable to cope, two of those within just a few days of being
moderators. We have lasted over 8 years!
Our apologies to those who have supported us and those who
have maintained decent standards of behaviour. It just isn't
worth continuing anymore, we have better things to do.
