What has happened?

And I totally respect that, But what about agreeing with the people that make this site, The Members

Knowone will ever get an 100% agreement on anything in this world, but in a modern 21st century society surely a large minority in favour of something counts.

May I make a suggestion and in that you open a thread with a poll with who is for or against a lounge type thread as that could put this issue finally to bed.

All those wishing to start a Chat Lounge could get their heads together and set up a new site. Membership by subscription only to offset the cost of such a venture, until such a time as the site became totally supported by advertising. Piece of cake really.

+1 for a poll of members

a forum doesn't have to cost a penny. I set up and run a forum (minute scale admittedly) and it costs exactly £0.00

I don't understand the reluctance to be honest - if a general chat sounds like something you'd not want to be within a ,mile of then don't go to that forum section just like people who have posted they got bored with the current groundswell in asking for a general section - easy don't click on the thread - you know what it contains ... surely you possess the intelligence not to click on a thread that holds no interest for you ?

+1 for a poll

If the precious traffic is generated by PU staff then fair play.

If the traffic that generates the income is generated by the forum and the forum users then perhaps a more open attitude is required.

I suspect the site caters mostly for middle aged white men, for who the simplicity and lack of options on the site are a boon, having missed the Internet cut off of a 1970 birth. (in the main)

Without more change and adoption of "normal" website practices I suspect this place will become an irrelevant backwater.

Only if I was a Psychic

How do I find out if the contents are of interest or not. Maybe the title of the thread would draw me like a moth to a flame

I was born in 1962 but I'm no luddite, fossil .... openness of mind is more relevant than year of birth

It does oft make me smile I'm more IT keen than most people I've worked with many years my junior

Evolve or die .... just ask the dinosaurs ... oh wait ...

Now that's just weird ... same year of birth as well as same name.

Do you own a Canon as well as Pentax?

Why bring Race into the equation ?

Born 1943

A very good question Stan. No more of that, it will not be tolerated.

A 500D and a G10 ... used to have two 50D's

There's been nothing stopping someone starting a thread which includes a poll. If the 'Yes to Off Topic posts' numbers are insignificant then this matter can be finally laid to rest.

Funny how nobody has.

The matter has been discussed by the team, a decision has been made, so it's time to accept that.

It would be a much better idea to start posting some photos or relevant discussions so we can all get on with the photography.

That already happened.

and there's been a few who have signed up elsewhere recently where general chat is accepted and people are still posting photos and talking pentax ... they are not mutually exclusive.