Buckskin;683442 I think most everyone agrees that we need to stay a forum. There is some discussion about newbie questions, especially the ones we have seen 811,721 times. I can see the advantage of some tutorials, but people ask questions to get human response, not to be shuffled off to an encyclopedia. I have always admired those who realize that the tired old question being asked is fresh and new to the asker, and answered it as such. There are those who have the patience to do that, so let them. If you don't, then move on and resist the quick tart comment about, here we go again! These new people are our new blood, cultivate them.

I have no desire to know about what shotguns are being made in Scotland these days. Hunting pics on a link the way it has been offered would be enough if I cared to explore it. I would like to see a place for Celtic weapons in an historic/re-anactment setting.
I am sorry I wasn't with you 4 years ago - going through the agony of the first kilted experience together. I wasn't with you when 'The Question' was asked for the first time. I missed making the fashion mistakes then. But I am here now; and going through that agony now; and making those mistakes now; and struggling with 'The Question' now. Whatever support and guidance, comradeship and loyalty you got then - well I need that now. More often than not 'Search is not my friend' - I really do not want to know what people thought four years ago. We've had a war since then and a recession - what I and all the other newbies want to know is what people think today - now. I for one am more than grateful to all those who take the time to answer the same questions again and again.

I also agree with Buckskin on the topic of weapons. Would it not be possible to have a VERY time limited and heavily modded forum of say three months tops for the discussion of weapons and side arms used by the Scottish regiments and/or the Celtic peoples up to 31st December 1918. At the end of the third month, the forum slams shut at the stroke of midnight with a bang and then the mods discuss the pros and cons. Has it worked or not? If not, then it could be held up as the failed experiment, never to be repeated. If on the other hand, it wasn't an unmitigated disaster, then maybe a limited thread might be allowed. Just a thought.

Regards

Chas