Why doesn't tribe simply offer paid accounts? It would help offset their expenses and would provide an option to people who want to have tribe the way it used to be (and should be IMHO).

Paid accounts could offer the following:

- No advertising

- password protected or "friends only" mature content

- a different TOU/TOS which severely limits tribe.net's rights to make use of user posted content (many of the artists here take severe umbrage to tribe's TOU on user poseted content...and there are a LOT of artists)

- perhaps throw in a few more profile styles

Many people don't like how tribe has changed and I believe most of them would be willing to pay a monthly fee to have the old tribe.net back. It's mutually helpful; a win-win situation. At least this way people would have a real option. Tribe can still have its free accounts with the ads and the new rules, and paid members can have relief from the same.

On the side, I really enjoy what tribe has been up until recently. It was a place that, for the most part, had much more maturity than LiveJournal and MySpace and also felt more like a community. I liked the idea that I could be free to be an adult and talk about adult things, have adult posts, etc. I didn't feel like anyone was trying to police me or play mommy.

However, like any community, when people feel that their community is changing for the worse, they will get vocal, and sometimes their courtesy and rationality departs, and I think you bear it well, Elliot. However, if no option is given to the great many people who feel they are losing the freedom that tribe used to have, then it may turn out that all you'll have is another MySpace, with legions of petulant teens posting nothing but useless fluff.

I believe the paid account idea would solve your concerns and those of the masses here, and I hope you take it into consideration. I've tried the new format, as you've asked of us, and I don't like it. If what you are seeking to have is just another MySpace, then you'll probably get it. The people who want to be allowed to be adults and make use of the rational internet rule of "if it's offensive, relief is just a click away", will likely go elsewhere. It would be really unfortunate to see something that was such a good place for so long turn into just another corporate "safety forum".