Well I read the forum first and then the rules.
I can tell you from personal experience that if the rules are too restrictive you will not gain members. My own message board (there is or used to be a link in one of the forums that Jimmy allowed several months back) has a strict "no flame" rule. As such, lots of folks do the once over and decide it is boring and never return. So the first lesson is that a bit of conflict is good. My current membership tends to think alike, which actually limits the discussion.
I don't think the rules are too restrictive as of yet. Time will tell. Good luck Greg.
(PS I do miss some of the smileys though)
I can tell you from personal experience that if the rules are too restrictive you will not gain members. My own message board (there is or used to be a link in one of the forums that Jimmy allowed several months back) has a strict "no flame" rule. As such, lots of folks do the once over and decide it is boring and never return. So the first lesson is that a bit of conflict is good. My current membership tends to think alike, which actually limits the discussion.
I don't think the rules are too restrictive as of yet. Time will tell. Good luck Greg.
(PS I do miss some of the smileys though)