Reply #7: I certainly think DU is more than "just another discussion board...." [View All]

[mike_c]

As for it maturing, that's hard to say. It has changed in some ways. I miss a number of the posters who were here a lot in the early days and who have either departed or who rarely post these days. Some of the early raw character of DU was smoothed over when they left, but at some cost to the quality of the debate, I think. There was more of both a free-for-all feeling AND a sense of community, at least for me. A lot of those folks left during the post-primary Dean pograms. On the other hand, there are lots of folks that have brought new perspectives to DU, so it has changed. I DEFINITELY think it has improved since the 2004 primaries and election. It borderline sucked in those days, IMO.