OK. Mark, I don't entirely agree with you.

First - you say a forum should be viewed as a place to 'let off steam.'
But that is assuming we often have 'steam' to let off in the first place, not everybody has.
Now be fair, you have always had a lot - I don't mean that unkindly either.
Your brain seems to be almost permanently in overdrive and I don't think you can deny that.

Next - I agree with you about keeping emotions on an even keel, but everybody handles their emotions in their own way. Some will shout, others will argue, some get drunk, and others just weep . . . etc etc.
Again, I am sure you know that too. So on that thought, will you also see that we don't all get psychological relief from shouting on a forum. Because it may bring you some sort of satisfaction, it is pointless telling everyone else that it is best for them.

Maybe I am one of the lucky ones, because I honestly do not have many 'demons' to exorcise. I have a mini-rant from time to time, but I like to think I would scrutinise how I lived my life, and organise changes if I needed to bluster my way through every day.

I hope you understand what I mean, and that I am not condemning you in the slightest, but you do seem Mr. Angry quite often, and I am sure there is more to you than that.

No time like the present, so what about today? Could you not withdraw from outside influences for a while, and dedicate the rest of today to yourself only, and go and do something that really brings you pleasure and peace of mind, total indulgence if you like. Good luck.

You lot are like children
Forums like this one are there for people of all kinds to chat to each other nothing more nothing less, preferably politely .

who said that?

Yes. Does it matter if they exist or not? You can be banned from a forum so your contacts might as well never have existed in the first place. You can choose to make them far more than just a forum acquaintance but that is incidental. A forum is a public speaking platform and as such it is meant to be your online sound box where you can speak your mind.

Your very reply above conveys meaning to others. It is laced with concern - intrigue - I can even see a tinge of annoyance there. These are emotions that will stay hidden, likely to fester unless you speak out. YOU are using it as intended as do I .

I can't tell you what all forums are for but I can tell you what this forum is for.

I have always been fond of a lot of the older people in my life, whether in real life or those I have met on other forums I admin. I've found so many of them to be understanding, patient and kind - the sort of people I like and respect. So I wanted to give them something back - a place they could go to to make friends, get support and talk about things that they might not be able to in real life due to perhaps being alone or isolated.

When I factored that we had lots of over 50s folk on other forums I admin, and that I am a bit of a online community nerd (I find human behaviour fascinating), it was a no brainer

So the forum was meant to be an online community for those over 50. Somewhere they can share their ups and the downs, get support, and be a sanctuary for when they want to forget about the troubles in their life.

It was never intended to be a place where people air or spread hateful views, bully others or just add a net negative impact on the community rather than a positive one.

One thing I have always done, is gleam what I can from any given situation - so even if sometimes it might feel like we stray from this ethos, analysing it all helps me shape future projects (the biggest of which I am hoping to be a social network - if I ever get around to it, it's going to turn the industry upside down ).

I can't tell you what all forums are for but I can tell you what this forum is for.

I have always been fond of a lot of the older people in my life, whether in real life or those I have met on other forums I admin. I've found so many of them to be understanding, patient and kind - the sort of people I like and respect. So I wanted to give them something back - a place they could go to to make friends, get support and talk about things that they might not be able to in real life due to perhaps being alone or isolated.

When I factored that we had lots of over 50s folk on other forums I admin, and that I am a bit of a online community nerd (I find human behaviour fascinating), it was a no brainer

So the forum was meant to be an online community for those over 50. Somewhere they can share their ups and the downs, get support, and be a sanctuary for when they want to forget about the troubles in their life.

It was never intended to be a place where people air or spread hateful views, bully others or just add a net negative impact on the community rather than a positive one.

One thing I have always done, is gleam what I can from any given situation - so even if sometimes it might feel like we stray from this ethos, analysing it all helps me shape future projects (the biggest of which I am hoping to be a social network - if I ever get around to it, it's going to turn the industry upside down ).

I like that Azz, and fully agree.