Many forums have a high signal to noise ratio. Private flying isn't too bad in that respect, but you do often have to pick through the nonsense to get to some really good info.
I've been posting here on Pprune for over 8 years and reading it from the very beginning, when it first came out. I was a student trying my hardest to get a PPL and found much of what was on Pprune to be more aimed at the airline world which I eventually wanted to join.
The standard has been variable over the years and I've certainly noticed that I take a lot less interest in the place now than I did a few years ago.
A lot of the really knowledgeable people have left never to return. Of course there is still an awful lot of flying talent and experience on here, but not in the same quantity as say 5 years ago.
F3G makes a very good point about being part of a peer group. You are part of the PPL world now, but in terms of experience and knowledge, you are right at the bottom of the pyramid, hopefully you'll survive long enough to expand on your knowledge.
What is the Private flying forum all about. Everything that has been mentioned. Fuji has probably put it in the wittiest way. You get all sorts of stuff here, arguments, discussion, fights and the occasional all out war, but most of the time it is relatively good natured and there is an awful lot of good stuff here if you care to read and digest it properly.
The key is, to not get all huffy about how someone posts. Bulletin Boards are notorious for fights starting even amongst people saying the same thing. Because you don't have the benefit of seeing or hearing the person you are conversing with, it is very easy to make assumptions and get the wrong end of the stick.
People may come across as being rude, when they really don't mean it. So it is up to you to realise this and not get your knickers in a twist and makes sure you really read what someone has written BEFORE you hit the reply button.
Most of the time it is blatantly obvious that someone has just read 2 or 3 lines before firing back a retort, this is when threads start to degenerate. From the looks of the last few threads you've been involved in, does any of this sound familiar?
Most people on here are normal, well adjusted human beings and when I've met up with Ppruners, we've nearly always got along well despite the ding dongs we may have had in the past. The artificial nature of typing replies instead of conversing in a more natural manner, tends to cause the problem, rather than the individuals themselves.
Oh and never forget, that whilst many people won't admit to reading Pprune. Virtually everyone in the industry does. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you come across as a dangerous idiot. It will be noted, especially if you p*ss off certain people.
Enjoy flying, enjoy posting, but don't spout bo11ocks, you will get picked up on it and you will get a pasting. That would be the same in a clubhouse or on here.