[b]<font color="darkblue">Whenever someone posts how they don't feel supported here, I do an Advanced Search on that screen name and view the threads they began, the number and quality of posts in response. Once again, the feelings aren't supported by the data...

But, if a member here does feel left out, then they do need to let others know about it. I, personally, don't keep track of who needs more hand holding, who likes to meet in chat, who enjoys jokes most... (but I'm thinking about beginning a notebook!)... but we all have different needs...and even at different times need different things!<font color="purple">

Des, you do give support here, and you do receive it from what I can see... but I hope this thread shows you that you are a valued member!

As a note, and I don't wish backlash on this ... it's just a thot... when I first joined, if someone received 10% replies to views, then that was average. With the site much bigger, I thought that might change... but it still appears that it's a good indicator... 10 ppl read for each 1 who posts... for average interest threads... for more obscure topics, of course it will be a smaller number of posts...and might have MORE reads than normal too, due to a "weird" subject line? You know what I mean.<font color="blue">

I'm sorry to read that members feel there is one "in crowd" here. From my observations, there are several groupings here of members... ages, interests, times onsite, availability for chat... I think all are in play for that. A member might have to reach out more to others online when they are, to find their group? Do you view the "who's online" very often, to begin to recognize those who commonly come on site when you do? Do you PM them, ask to join you in chat? Do you seek out their posts, and respond quickly to them? IMO these are all ways you can develop a grouping.

Some members fall into several groups... there is no caste society here... and everyone can join in the fun chat, social games, polling etc at any time!

I hope this can help everyone feel like this is a safe, fun, supportive place to be! No one is left out, and hopefully the other members can make you feel at home here. TC