I do understand at a logical level why they are doing this but I would have been happy to put some money on the piggy bank if they left the BBS open, in addition to substack, even if the threads about articles are not created.
/rant on/
It reminds me when my favourite chinese restaurant did a complete overhaul of the decorations, reduced the menu and upped the prices. I congratulated the owner (longtime friend and occasional client of mine) but I told her that, even if I understood the necessity of this to compete with the other restaurants… the move alienated people like me, who loved the difficult-to-find-elsewhere dishes and the affordable prices… and for which the decoration spoke of “generic chinese chic restaurant” – good for attracting the more affluent customers, but not me 
(I’m happy to say the restaurant thrives… and the only one that lost was me - it is now a place to order very occasionally instead of going there twice a week)
/end rant/
In any case I’m happy to see so many known faces and thanks again for inviting me. I second (third? fourth?) gaghalfrunt, doctor_faustus, teophrastus and I would add if they are not here already or in any list Simon_Clift, bakaneko… I don’t know how invites work and how secret is this place so for now I haven’t said anything to anyone (who doesn’t love a good cabal of conspirateurs? 
)
Anyway, thanks again!