Just some comments from me:

It is truly impressive that FT has so many people taking such a personal interest in the well-being of this site. It is a credit to the site, and also to its faithful member/supporters. (This is starting to sound like it should be on Punki's thread, so I'll try and get back on subject.)

e-mail registrations: I agree that FT staff should have access to our e-mail address, but I would of course understand why many responsible posters would not want anyone and everyone (such as flaming "visitors") to see it.

FT could send the initial password to that address, to at least make sure it is "real" and to add a level of cumberance that would be acceptable to serious newbies yet enough of a pain to discourage some flamers. When prob's arise, FT sends that address an e-mail saying "Due to non-compliance with FT policy, your access has been suspended. If you feel there has been a mistake or otherwise want to regain your access, please contact us at FT@wherever. Your access will be revoked in 30 days if there is no response."

Since there are ways around Net "protections," though, the long term duty for us non-FT-staffers is just not to encourage such trolls.

Regarding NJDavid's 5, well thought-out ideas, my comments are:
1) I would not mind a fee, but as BB says it may limit otherwise desired newbies.
2) Interesting! Newbies should definitely be able to see everything - otherwise they would not get sucked into this wonderful world as we have all been!
3) Snailmail would bring unnecessary expense and inconvenience - especially considering the many non-N. America dwellers!
4) and 5) See above.

I'm sure among us the most appropriate solutions can be discovered. I do hope those that are on "indefinite leave" because of this incident can join us again soon. I would never leave this board because of such things (I chatted yesterday that I'm a duck, and that even the dirty water rolls right off my back).

This is perhaps mainly (at this point) selfish of me because I still gain so much more out of this site than I contribute. I would hope, though, that as I learn more and become able to spread more info than I read I would find a new (less selfish) reason to stay on thru the unfortunate-yet-occasional ugliness.

In other words, we newbies need you guys (and gals)!

-Always a Kid and a newbie at heart,
KP



[This message has been edited by kidpachinko (edited 07-13-2000).]