I'll add my tuppence-worth.
People coming onto MN for the first time, after all these 'forum-wars' may think everyone is terribly horrible to eachother. There is lots of challenging going on, and if you can't take it, it can seem mean.
The first couple of days I ventured onto MN I felt a bit scared to say anything, as I thought I might just get flamed. Someone disagreed to something I said once and I took it personally.....
However, now, a few weeks in, and I am actually waiting for someone to challenge something I say, to be ever-so-slightly mean (how sick is that?? ). I get disappointed if noone wants to challenge something.... If I am not challenged, or sworn at(!), I can't have said anything particularly interesting!!....
....because, I realised, this is not real life! 'One' comes on here for the support and help and advice, but also for a bit of bloody fun!!
How often can someone have a really good debate, really disagree, really thrash things out, and not have to worry that so-and-so won't speak to you again. We are using these sites because we know there are others with different opinions out there, and we want to hear them!
There is masses of support in MN, masses of good advice, help, conversation, and loads of sensible information from all walks of life. But there are people making me think too!!, justify myself! That is why I chose to stick around.
The only thing is, and I have never used any other sites-nor intend to-, I cannot for the life of me understand why there are people using any other? If the pettiness and sensitivities of others on other forums bothers you, don't go. There's enough going on here, so why? And then, why bother coming back here and moaning that the other sites are no good? Pointless, time-consuming, and although amusing, it's all been done before!