I have only been around since October, but I have seen some changes. I felt the same way as Twisterdog, that all posts had to be sweet and positive, and sometimes that just isn't possible. Now I see too many rude remarks being made, and it makes me mad. I really think this winter has gotten to a lot of us--I know it has gotten to me, and even to my husband, who never gets depressed. A lot of us don't know everything that is going on in everyone else's lives either--it's very hard to judge emotion from a computer screen.
Anyway, I really despise people joining under more than one name just to spark an argument or stand up for someone--I think everyone who has mentioned that is talking about the same thread. That happened in a board I was on last year while planning my wedding, and I was in a particuarly stressed out time, and I typed for an hour about how immature they were--not that I'm the authority, but they never came back. I don't think we'll hear from the other ones again either, unless they feel the need to defend again. I also can't stand the abbreviations and words spelled wrong--that is just a personal preference--I have always picked apart everyone's spelling--even on aim I am constantly correcting my sister (and she does it on purpose)
Overall, I love this board. Although I have never met anyone in real life, I feel as though I have made some good friends, and I hope someday I do have the opportunity to meet you all.
Karen and Paul--thank you so much for such a wonderful community--keep up your hard work!!!!!