I apologize in advance for the double posting, still mastering the “new” forum and the “search” function.

Having finally watched the National Geographic show, what I found most striking was the total lack of TIGHAR symbols/logos, which are usually plastered liberally over anything that TIGHAR has even a remote involvement in.

Gillespie wore a plain blue shirt instead of one of his TIGHAR-patch-adorned khaki bush shirts. Perhaps that was in keeping with his role of “paid consultant” (no mention of how much, it will be interesting to see if that is ever revealed, and where that money ends up, as operating costs or somewhere else).

Former TIGHAR archaeologist Dr. Tom King was only identified as the author of a book about Earhart’s fate, but then, he was unceremoniously drummed off of TIGHAR’s board of directors by Gillespie earlier this year for “conflict of interest” (by, among other things, writing books about Earhart).

Nothing substantive was found in the underwater search, or at least nothing that Ballard would admit to. But Nat Geo hadn’t had time to finish DNA testing on samples taken at the land site by broadcast time.

Gillespie seems to have washed his hands of the entire episode. We’re still waiting for the promised video of How TIGHAR Solved the Earthart Mystery in Three Minutes.

I think there’s a move in professional figure skating called the reverse death spiral. That seems to be what’s happening here – still.

When I was an active member of TIGHAR’s forums in the US, executive director Ric Gillespie unilaterally decided to restrict the previously open and free forums to only paid members. He said this was to improve the quality of the posts. In a matter of weeks the number of posts went from 15-plus a day to two or three, sometimes none. Whole weeks now go by where NOTHING is posted. I would post a graph here that I have of the precipitous decline but can’t be bothered with the new format here.

The TIGHAR forums have become a self-reinforcing echo chamber for the views of Gillespie and the chosen few who remain willing to pay.

But at least they serve that purpose, for Gillespie if no one else. I’m not sure what purpose Key sees its forums as serving anymore.

Well, having looked at this a few times on my new smart phone, if this redesign is supposed to be easier and more user-friendly on all the mobile platforms, I shudder to think what the old forum was like on a smart phone, because this … isn’t easy to read/navigate/use.

As we would say on this side of the pond, “Put that gun away before you shoot yourself in the foot … oops … too late …”

I always go in to a new air/naval museum knowing at the outset that they are kneecapped by how much funding they have to work with. You can get some pretty nice results working with basically nothing, but that only takes you so far. That said:

• Lighting. As others have said, I like to be able to see the exhibits, and the older I get, the better the lighting needs to be. Overhead banks of blinding fluorescents are not my first choice, but are far better than a few dim spotlights.
• Proximity. I don’t need to touch it, but the difference between 5 feet away and 50 feet away is enormous. Up close you can drink in as much detail as your brain can process. Being able to step back to take in the totality of the aircraft is a bonus.
• Information. I like to know what I’m looking at, and OK, am probably one of the few who reads every word of information presented instead of just skimming the headline. I want at least the basic details on the airframe I’m looking at, and a capsule history at minimum. More information is always better, for those who want it.
• Benches. Some place to sit, preferably where I can gaze in silent wonder at these magnificent machines. The older you get, the more important benches or chairs is.

What Steve611 said. I have run several forums and discussion boards, and it is truly one of nature’s most thankless jobs. You do it because you love the topic or the cause, not necessarily because you like the people you have to deal with.

Khalem has been nothing but helpful and courteous when I have contacted him in person. He deserves the same in here.

THAT SAID – I think it’s time for some of the “developers” and “administrators” to make an appearance here and attempt to explain this dog’s breakfast (did I use that expression right?).

One other thing in the bazillions to consider – not all of us have (or can afford) superduperblazingfast internet. The more graphics, banners and whatnot that are slapped on here, the longer it takes to load. And it already takes quite awhile.