Strict and suffocating? You think so? :O I guess I don't have any comparison point...
As for the enthusiasm, again, no comparison point but the internet just isn't the same anymore. I know what you mean though, people were different back then.
We just talked about the past and present of forums, really. It's really interesting to think about, and i'm sure the questions will continue long after the inevitable death of forums as we know them
It was friendly and easygoing I guess. The smarter forum members either quit or went to other forums like Smogon. Not strict and suffocating like today, more activity per member.
Lot more enthusiasm back then, can't be found anymore. I think. On the bright side, the forum is has 10 times the active members now. Nice.
Lol, you actually sparked a rather long conversation between me and my friends (well, not you directly) about how they are so many old PC users and PC circles we'll never know. I think it's cool to think about. How was PC's culture way back in the day?