Houellebecq:"that has to be the ugliest web site I've ever seen"

The site has just passed 50,000 registered users, of whom many hundreds are active at any time, as well as the lurkers. It covers an enormous variety of subjects and has more sub-forums than i've ever seen anywhere. It allows users to upload photos, exchange personal messages and doesn't limit the size of posts in any way other than by restricting the maximum photo file size for individual photos. As for "ugly", it allows you to select from several "skins", one of which might suit you better.

I've never seen the site down except for periodic upgrades in over 5 years of visiting it.

I believe it is now very close to cost-neutral for Neil because of the advertising he started carrying about 2 years ago, none of which interferes with te user's experience in any way.

It's as close to state of the art as I've seen and it's all done with off-the-shelf software.