Thanks AKSAR for starting this thread. You have written far more eloquently then I could on the seemingly slow demise of this once great forum. I too share your thoughts and also have substantially curtailed my active participation here for quite some time.

I find that that this forum no longer suits my primary interest of outdoors adventure - and survival as the direction here is turning more concentric to just general commentary rather then advise and tips on how to be equipped to survive.

Much of this commentary and discussion can be off-putting as many times it turns into a long drawn out thread and which, 75% of the info is not relevant and only presented in a misguided game of one-upmanship of quickly (but not researched) internet gleaned "knowledge" wars with fellow posters.

I am contemplating in purchasing some semi-remote land for vacations, long weekends etc. Currently investing time, research and some money on solar and other alternative energy technologies with real world testing during longer camping trips to see if this would actually be right for us.

I have often thought about starting a thread here on this topic but do not think it would be all that worthwhile as another aspect of this forum is it does not seem to have many people who are actually outdoor active, let alone into short term, semi-remote living and survival.

That all said, I still check the forum multiple times per day hoping there will be some good threads to read and comment on...