I don't agree DanG
What makes this forum "the forum" for RE etc, is its structure. It is mostly civil, it is mostly on topic, it is mostly friendly and from Danb's response it works mostly as he had intended.
To have something as dymanic as this board, with as many differing cultures and skill levels all playing in the same sandpit is a tribute to those participating and those controlling it. It is not one group or the other.
As with all areas of human endeavour, it's the differences that evoke both friction and excellence. Friendly competition pushes the limits of what we can do, logical progression does not.
Sometimes it is the aside comment or off the topic discussion that can lead to the information you hadn't thought to ask for but wanted to know.
It's no use having a Q+A session, if your not sure what question to ask, or if a particular idea hasn't jelled in your mind yet, but something unrelated may just make it click.
If the disemmination of information is all that is called for, then close down the discussion forum.. no discussion.
No forum is required to spread info on RE. A good FAQ and perhaps a question board, where once a day Flux and Zubbly are wheeled out to answer questions would do the job admirably. The front page showing what the Dans are up to, and your idea of RE Q+A would be achieved. Much less bandwidth, no administration required, no data base to maintain, easier for everyone.
I have had discussion with even the grumpiest people on the board re:same question over and over.
It gives em something to grumble about i think. If it was really beneath their dignity, then they would not even respond at all.
I don't think that was what was intended with this board.
I can't see people paying 10-20c/min for access. I have probably the worst access on the board (usually less than 1kbs), and yet I want it to continue in its present form. The asides sometimes answer questions you hadn't yet formed.
Sanitising it too much will cause the reason for its successful existance to disappear, like minded people sharing experience on a wide range of topics.
If the price for those thousands of life years worth of experience is some deviation from your idealised perfectly formed discussion occasionally, well small price to pay.
I don't feel that dehumanising the forum experience has any positive side benefit, and would lesson the reason I check with it every day... not so much for the info, but for the fellowship as well..... I'm not alone in this judging from the comments even from Danb.... Dogs are always on topic. In your world maybe only as huskies, but for me, just for the friendship and for just being dogs.
I would hope that Tomw will see the responses and sabre rattle to keep us in line to some degree, whilst secretly letting it go. (maybe shooting someone in the foot every now and again just to let us know he's watching)
......................oztules partime threadjacker