Michel,

A very good comment. I really hate to say this but the chatter sections have become a place of drivel and whining. In the earlier days of the Fox community there was a lot of laughter that went on in the chatter sections of compuserve and here. Chatter was a place to unwind and have a good laugh, sort of like the local pub. Occasionally there was an argument but mostly it was friends talking and joking about almost any subject. Lately it has been a place of blood and guts, a place with danger and anger and gnashing of teeth. Basically a very uncomfortable place to be.

I am sorry to say that I don't believe that anyone can set up a set of rules that will make things any different. If a group of adult professionals cannot police their own behavior then no set of rules will control things. Your threat is probably the right action to take. That is shut down the chatter sections completely. That way the only messages will be in the technical sections and that may be a much better place as people wont feel so free to be antisocial jack asses.

It bothers me to be saying these things as I was one of the people who worked with you to get chatter sections going a long time ago. But that was with a different group of people and at a different time. Today there is just too much anamosity and whining. I, for one, would certainly support your decision to shut down the chatter sections.