ftil wrote:
BTW, yesterday, I read what I_am sarcastically commented that people who visited this forum didn't "get a juice" as there is a subforum
only for a few to access it.
Is it true?

On the "few to access it " part, no. But yes there is a members only forum.
I cant recall exactly what I_am said over there, but i will say that I_am doesnt know how many people have access, even if she herself had access to the members forum, she wouldnt know the numbers that do. Only myself and Frog know the percentages. Before seans latest stunt/thread that brang a large amount of new members here which havent been added yet, at last count around 90% of the members had access. Most new members are added when we have time to add them and get around to it. The admin here have been busy installing a new chat system among other things the last few days, right when this large influx of new members arrived thanks to seans thread devoted to little old us over there.
Its not exactly a secret society and i will say more next. Even one dual member (here and DIF) that was critical of this forum in that thread over there, and had a bit of an epic battle here with members (before apologising)... has access, and did from the start.
ftil wrote:
You mean private? Why not make is open. Why don't we break a pattern of secrecy.
It was made as an attempt to basically keep out trolls/troublemakers and those with prying eyes whos sole intentions for reading was to ban our members from other sites. It was also made as a place for the community to discuss issues relating to site direction and so on, without prying eyes.
Just as the DIF has a hidden moderator section where they can discuss issues, we too have a section to talk about the direction of the site and other issues away from prying eyes...but where members who arent trolls can also be invited.
There really wasnt a strict policy for adding new members despite the rumors. Basically if you werent a troll and we knew a little bit about you, you were in.
The situation and system for adding new members as they arrive is being reviewed at the moment, its been on the cards for a while but this latest large increase in membership has been a catalyst for the review that is currently underway.
I hope that answers yours and other peoples questions sufficiently.