Hmm.. I don’t think the boards have demised. I think people’s tastes have changed, that’s all. I know mine has. This time last year I was quite happy to be involved in petty arguing and abuse, now.. it bores me. This time two years ago I was quite happy creating ‘serious’ threads to stir controversy.. now, it bores me.
I’m sure most others are the same. Our tastes change as do our friends. When a message board has been around for so long and all the same members have.. you’re eventually going to run into a brick wall as you drift from those friends, meet new ones, develop a different sense of humour etc.
Also, new members are rarely welcomed in a manner that would encourage them to stay and contribute. It’s been said a thousand times before, but I’m reminded of a post PB said quite a while ago that they provide the message board for free.. it’s up to you what you fill that free space with.
If you ignore new members, drivel on their threads, abuse each other on their threads… then you can’t really complain when the boards go a little quiet for a few months until things die down and new users get a chance to sign up without their posts getting dragged under with petty arguments.