This meant to be constructive. From watching I think I have some understanding of the difficulty in creating a whole new 'Zone on short notice. All of you have done a very, very good job so far.

I stared at the space forum interface for quite a while before I realized what it is that is off-putting, to me. Drab and uninviting, it didn't seem to be "alive" or dynamic. There are several things working together which created that impression, in me.

It's absolutely fine if one is researching or determined to explore a particular subject. Everything is there and accessible. For me, as a more casual reader, there are aspects which turn off rather than turn on interest.

The dark grey background coupled with the pale white print seems more like a microfiche bibliography than a dynamic discussion group. A brighter background with color would be more appealing to me. The colored diagram on the registered member home page is attractive and generates interest in me, for example.

The fact that the topic headings box is a minor part of the screen, with relative massive static headings and things along the sides taking up most of the screen seems to indicate they are relatively unimportant.

That the responses with their headings are invisible except for the latest is another thing which may detract from creating interest. I would often find a topic uninteresting and/or the poster irrelevant to me, but find a response which I was sure needed my comments. As it is now, one can't see the responses while cruising past, except for the last one, of course.

It's sort of like walking by a house on an evening stroll. Maybe the house is set way back on the lot, with signs on the fiercly fenced walkway reading "Welcome - stay on path. Feel free to set on the porch a while, do not try the front door. It's locked. There may, or may not, be a party inside. Ask the administrator if you can find out."

The next house may be closer to the road, have folks on the stoop and porch and lively discussions drift out to the sidewalk. It would be easier to join the party. And easier, of course, for unpleasant guests to join.

I believe we generally devote our resources to that which is important to us. In the case of the present layout of the Boards the messages seem to get short shrift with bells and whistles and format dominating. The presentation of the messages is so drab as to appear almost camoflagued. I realize this is an artifact of the inherited program and only my impressions.

And the disclaimer. This is my reality, a critique, not a criticism. I truly wish the HZ well.

Arf