This site is useless without pics.

I think the "totally useless" comment, which was ironically self defining, is what struck the nasty chord and hence got that energy back. So I'm stating the obvious.

But, as far as actually being totally useless, I posted yesterday looking for advice on jury rigging a snow saw to some non compliant trekking poles. In return for my 30 seconds of advice seeking effort, I got several knowledgeable and informative responses, culminating with a invite to come over to someones house and check out their saw to evaluate the fit on my poles.

So, as powderherb says, totally useless.

I'm not going to call out any website, mode of transport (up or down), person place or thing as less or more valid than my own predilections.

All I can say is, this is a learning community, not a braggadacio fueled sports bar, and I enjoy it as such, and am thankful for the contributors who make it so.

But theres something for everyone on the web-possibly some of us are in the wrong place for what we want.

As a last thought, there are a lot of "older" riders on here.

Knowledge and caution typically contribute to longevity, a example that is a good one, IMO, to emulate.

And the soapbox is relinquished.

Ha, welcome Powherb. I didn't think we would see something this controversial since the annual snowshoes in my skintrack and all snowboarders are drugaddicts with pants that are too big rant. Post some reports here with pics that are within the guidlines sometime. I like the pictures and I like the text only reports. I imagine we will find some happy medium as time goes on. I'm just not that good of a photog so I usually snap a hundred before I get one worthwhile. I do like the format here that is usually all ski related rather than unrelated pics attached, but if you think otherwise then try changing it by example rather that introducing yourself by complaining that here isn't like some other place you like better.

PS-NWAC forecasts lack pictures-are they worth reading?

The TRs on this site are definitely boring, but that doesn't mean they're not useful.  I tend not to believe what people say unless they have some sort of pic to back it up, though, but I guess I'm just skeptical.  I'm certainly not going to base a decision on where to go on what some random skier says on the internet.  I go to the telemetry and the NWAC for that info.  But I often decide where not to go based on what I see on this and other sites (ie the slot last weekend) due to the crowds the TRs have the potential to generate at a particular locale.

But I do love the intrawebs  ! 

Oh, and powdherb, good troll. If you and your fancy camera ever want to take pictures of me for my mom, let me know.

Being a member here and at TGR, both of which I enjoy tremendously and both of which have enhanced my skiing experiences in numerous, universally positive ways, I have to say that if PH's post was the worst trolling we ever see here, I'm all for it. It sounded to me like a somewhat tongue-in-cheek attempt to give a little goose, maybe start a conversation. And conversations are good, right? Of course, so are pictures, and so is well-crafted prose.

Just as a character reference, I happened (prior to this thread) to meet a terrific young fellow last week at Red Mt. who has skied (I believe in South America) with PH and speaks highly of him as a skier and human being. But don't tell him I said that......

I like the site how it is, and the picture policy doesn't bother me so much. I usually link to a story that has more and, besides, there are thumbnails that we can use which keep things neat. If I want to post more photos, I do it elsewhere. And, finding a balance is difficult. This site is nice, friendly and uncluttered and tends to attract a wide variety of people who, I believe, would usually not post on a message board. In other words, it has a nice balance and on the informational/educational side, you are bound to get well thought out answers and not just drivel.

The only thing I would like to see more of, as a personal preference, are longer, more in-depth stories.  For the most part this site has one paragraph write-ups with a photo or two. There is great information in them, which is awesome, but I would think, with such a diverse crowd, we would have more great stories to share. Something that takes a week or two to write and not just a few minutes.