Sock puppeting never bothers me per se, but it does perplex me.

My experience:

A little while ago I registered. I posted. My account was deleted and my posts vanished. It was bizarre.

Here I am again, ridiculous as always.

Jeff Reed, idiot

It's my real name. It's just not how it is pronounced. I am not a big fan of anonymity on the internet. "Real" life is a different story.

This place looked like a decent enough place to hideout. It is good to be back. Thank you.

As an observer for a few months I can state that these forums are much more interesting than any other clothing related forums I have seen. I am not a deeply knowledgeable clothing guy, but I am well schooled (brag) in critical theory. And, as I think approaching clothing is like approaching any other art form, or if the term "art" is controversial--cultural component, it is one of the most useful, readily available subjects to study differences among segments of society, determine the values and aspirations of groups and individuals, and on and on. Analysis beyond "what is better" is rare on other forums, but it is remarkably common here. Thus, this place is interesting.

But, that is also probably why these forums here are slower. Analysis is not going to meet the needs of most people seeking out clothing forums. Imagine someone asks, "what time is it?" One person tells the questioner, "nine fifteen." Another person begins by questioning the a priori assumption that time exists...The typical questioner is walking away satisfied well before the second person can raise a forefinger for "point one".

The other forums lapse into profound trends of group think where one of the leaders pronounces, as an example, Alden's #8 in cordovan the only shoe colour, leather and last that one needs: then they all join in like lemmings. Wasn't Mofufannyannie up to about 8 pairs of Alden long wings in #8 at one stage a couple of years back?

If you also look, as another current example, at AAAC Trad What Are You Wearing Today, there is a plethora of bow-ties being sported at the moment.

I disagree with Jeff Reed though, anonymity is desirable on the internet for all the right reasons.

Another positive from FNB is that nobody tells anybody what to wear. Just what not to wear !