[Brac]

Now potential new members can no longer see the soapbox. unregistered members can not see it, registered members can not see it and now only subscribers with 5 posts under their belt can see it. So this should tackle most of the 1st impression issues. Everything David and Flotsam say above is pretty spot on. Without the soapbox I think we'd have trouble keeping moderators on board and keeping dustups out of the general forums..

I may be missing the point here (it's late) but if only subscribers with 5 posts can see it, does that mean that subscribers with less and people who are members but not subscribers will now post their controversial contributions in places other than the soapbox (because they can't see it)? If so, that seems rather to defeat the stated object.