I'll throw in my two cents to the subject as a member of the other side of the age spectrum: young, stupid and still figuring out how the world works. 

I know my posts tend to be nothing but sinful pics of the band, word games, chatting, "spur of the moment" stuff and what I'm listening to at the moment, but I still remember the main reason why I came here in the first place: the fact that none of my friends have heard, or are into, Judas Priest. I come here in order to be at home with the people who love Judas Priest as much as I do. Finding Judas Priest fans whom I could talk to face-to-face is pretty rare in my part of the world, so this site is a helpful tool in finding such fans. In other words, it would really kill me if the Noticeboard closes down. Where AmI, I'm pretty sure that your idea of having only threads containing messages from JP and to JP is how the Noticeboard first began, but it just grew into the complex, close-knit, chatty community that exists today. There just isn't enough Judas Priest fanatics out there, dang it!! This is the place where friendships begin and frequently stay, because our love for the band is what keeps us here, random talk and everything. Granted, I'm not the person who broke a bone or two during a Priest concert, but the need for Judas Priest in my life is alive and kicking. Heck, I listen to them everyday!! 

		Where AmI wrote:
		I see your point and respect it: those are your choices to make as to how you contact friends. Everybody has their own preferences though I fail to see how this website is any more personal than the cellphone texting, email and instant messaging and I also fail to see how a different jp.com would change what you have going on with your friends and your lifestyle. I understand you and at the same time I don't get it. I would assume that people don't adapt themselves to my preferences, so I don't expect them to. I really do think that many times this place is just talking to increase post count, and that is all. Unfortunately it seems a respect issue is directly related to how many worthless posts someone has under their belt too. My deal is: In November Judas Priest toured South America. How many south american heavy metal solid fans have decided to say hello here? Few, and how many really attended the concerts? Bunches. Where are the photos? The reviews? The active engagement of Judas Priest members here. KK Downing at least is making an effort but he is only one-fifth of JP and he's got his own website that he controls better. The other one is Rob Halford. Same thing. They don't seem to take the internet as their prime means to connect to people. They use it but it's by no means the only way. Thankfully, in that respect they're somewhat normal. I really appreciated some feedback from Rob Halford a few months ago here. It felt for a moment like a good effort to please computer addicted morons like me. My point is, though you are a very agreeable, thankfully intelligent and witty individual to whom is a pleasure to reply and whose posts I enjoy reading, guido, I still come here for news, photos, artwork by fans and overall fandom stuff and not to read through loads of small petty talk, nude pics of women, rude posts and such that the ignore button doesn't seem to keep me from reading through. I really don't like to feel an outsider to someone's conversations in a public forum where it's supposed to be for all. If only Messages From Jp and Messages to Jp were the only features available, I think there would be a clearer ideal behind this place, and the overall personality disorders that shine through like a beacon in the night around here (guilty) would not be so visible. The personal messaging in the website allows you to contact your friends in prety much the same way you are doing now publicly. It simply avoids everybody who isn't interested to read it too.  As you can see, popularity isn't my main concern I can't stop from speaking my mind. Edited at: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 7:10:37 PM