ICD asks: "Was your purpose to harvest trading ideas or to make advertising money?"

I think we've done much more than work toward either of those shallow objectives in the forum. Harvest trading ideas? Not a chance. Advertising? Yes, but ...

The underlying intent at the time the forum was established (when was that, anyone?) was to be an advertising-supported service. It became evident -- almost from the start -- that it would never be self-supporting. The forum has not generated revenue remotely close to the cost of monitoring/updating, etc.

Why did I keep it running? I believe it has been an altruistic gesture -- a contribution to the trading community. It fulfilled that role well for many years -- although at disproportionate personal cost in time and stress. Unfortunately, it seems that the forum might no longer fulfill a positive role in the trading community, since most posts are foul, name-calling, dogmatic political arguments.

Will I keep it running? That depends on the type of posts I see, going forward. On the present trajectory, I think not.

Best to all,
Mike