Try clearing cookies and all that stuff. Also, could be another program hogging your cam too. If you have background downloads or a slow connection, that can also sometimes mess it up.
Do you need to be slapped?
In all seriousness, ejay, what you write is often seen as prickly and sometimes inflammatory. Not everyone is out to get you.
We all see your stated (strong) opinions on the issue and obviously you do get responses from people. Unless its a straight up saying like I...
Forums were one of the first forms of mass communication on the internet and they remain to this day. Whether they are useful to you is your opinion. I dont think forums are really a "social platform" so much as a way to share information.