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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Insomniac, post: 790515, member: 21995&quot;]I&#039;m sure I&#039;ll be retreading some ground with my answer, but here goes:</p><p><br /></p><p>Pros: For some people, myself included, forums are the only way to connect with others in the hobby. In my own case, the nearest coin clubs are either across the border in Iowa or in Springfield (hours away in either case) and the closest coin shops are only marginally closer. A forum provides a place where I can learn about coins from people with experience and knowledge without plunking down $40+ on gas per trip, and aside from all the interesting and educational articles, one can meet and talk with some incredibly interesting people who one might never speak with otherwise. Forums allow people from across the globe to share info, and perhaps more importantly, pictures of their collections. Photos can&#039;t compare to seeing the coin in hand, but with some of the rarer or more interestingly toned coins, this could be the only chance at seeing a particular coin that one has. Simply put, an internet forum provides a way for people to connect in a hobby that, in many ways, promotes solitude and secrecy, hopefully without fear of being taken advantage of. For younger generations, again like myself, the internet is fast becoming <i>the</i> way of learning about something, and sites like this are definite treasure troves.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cons: Along with forums comes an unfortunate fact of internet life: trolls. Every board I&#039;ve ever been to has them, and I think there always will be at least one in any given place. Something about the anonymity of the internet inspires rudeness in people, and sometimes, they come here, ask questions without bothering to listen to answers and spread misinformation, sometimes (but not always) with malicious intent. Then, with specialized boards like this, there will always be those people who come for one post, ask the same questions that others like them have asked, and leave for good after they have their answer. It wears down the people who participate frequently and can breed contempt for these fly-by-nighters. Also, as good as pictures may be, there is no substitute for holding a coin in hand, and for the many on the boards who want to learn how to grade and don&#039;t have the experience to do so accurately, much difficulty can be had in learning. A photo can provide a handy reference, but there are likely far fewer photos available online than there are actual coins that one can hold and inspect, not to mention the fact that one cannot shift the photo the way one might a coin to see it from every conceivable angle. There are some things, like this, that simply cannot be communicated electronically.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks for the contest! I hope my answers were in any way helpful for all <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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