[tgreer]

Originally Posted by The Geek

... if you're that offended just copy the discussions they have in there and post them in the lounge. Or you could start up www.whatsreallygoingoninthecoderslounge.com That will start a revolution!

I'd rather have the site administration recognize that a private coding discussion is in direct conflict with the official purpose of the site, and rectify the situation.

A poll is useless; this isn't a "majority wins" issue. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Now, I can admit that maybe I'm wrong, but none of the reasons I've seen put forth in defense of a private forum hold any water so far. I'm listening, though. Convince me.

Arguments I've already seen:

Reason: We need a private forum because members bug us in public with useless posts.
Rebuttal: Moderate.

Reason: We need a private forum because sometimes we discuss security issues with our hacks.
Rebuttal: Your users deserve to hear about these security issues and how you plan to address them.

Reason: We need a private forum because the public ones aren't any good.
Rebuttal: Circular argument.

Reason: We need a private forum because we are the reason the site exists and are the ones contributing.
Rebuttal: One-dimensional, elitist thinking. The site exists for more than just hack-distrubution, and releasing hacks isn't the only valid way to contribute.

Reason: Most people don't want to see these discussions.
Rebuttal: Don't read them.

Reason: We want one because we want one, don't have to give a good reason, and if it's made public we're leaving, and taking our hacks with us.
Rebuttal: Good-bye.

Reason: It's a perk for hackers.
Rebuttal: At the expense of the rest of the community; grow-up.