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VERY well said, Fish!
I've written for a few magazines and worked as the managing editor of one of them, only to discover editors were scouring forums to find content for their articles! Most people reading magazines assume the writers and editors possess a wealth of knowledge they can rely on. Well, that may be true in some cases, but it's not always the case. Many magazines are editorially biased and advertiser influenced. I've gotta tell you... in several cases, I've met writers (and editors) that had no interest in boating and never owned a boat! I don't know about you, but I don't want advice from anyone who hasn't been down in the bilge with me.
With Forums, you get REAL time information, by REAL users, REAL fast. With forums, you can search archives and find the exact information you need to make sound decisions. You can learn from other's mistakes and give a head's up to those about to make the same. You get press releases the same day they are released, not a month to two months later. You get a wide variety of opinions from users with hands-on knowledge. In many cases, you make new friends with a common interest. As a collective set, we have the ability to initiate change in the industry, as manufacturers quietly observe and address future product offerings.
Carl
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