Hi JJ,
MM can seem a bit overwhelming if you aren't overly familiar with sub-forums. I admit the board is now 13 years old and we've used three different software packages along the way - settling in with Invision Power Board. I like the skins!
I think the last update I did was back in 2008, and then my life took a turn which diverted my attention away from what it had been. We are running on an older version but it has been working fine - aside from the lack of not having the mobile app converter that the newer version has. There are annual costs associated with IPB so I made a decision to not renew back then. That can change easily if things really pick up - I'd have Peter do the update and I'd have tp renew in order to do it. It used to be $50 per year - not sure if that's still the same?
There was a time when I tried to respond to every single post on here, and it was really busy for about 5 years - I was happy I could NOT keep up. Word of mouth plays a key part, that and being faced with Facebook pages and groups and such (which we also have there). I've noticed however, that since I was urged to set them up there - there is even less activity there than here and I much prefer to keep the critting here. It has seemed to me that a lot of writers had changed their goals too over the years - some love crits, both to give and receive and others just wanted to exhibit there work. We have always been a forum where both are welcome - plus we do a lot of fun writing exercises.
It's really what the members make it. Hope this is the start of a new life here.
~Cleo