I probably wont make much sense, in my flu jab state, but I don't think there is a 'elitist' scenario for those in the tilers arms and those who are in the trusted advisors section. To me the trusted is not about how many posts you've done, its a mark of how well you know your trade and skills. If I have a problem I won't post it in the tilers arms, I'll come and post it in here, such as the case at Wimbledon, I know the lads in here will give me their input, and I trust your opinions and views on the subject. Just as if anyone where to ask my opinion Id give it, if I knew anything about the subject. I agree also with what a lot of you have already said, about posting stuff like welcome to the forum, no it shouldn't be counted towards getting in here, Deano has a very good and valid point, some of the posts in the open areas, are from people who think they can do the work, and they do it wrong and then gleam the info from those of you that have been doing it years and effectively times are bad, and work is being taken away from tilers.
So yes I like being the trusted advisors section, because its straight talking, no bull****, and no head games. I would be really sorry to see it go, because apart from pms, there is no place I would feel confident in posting something of a 'sensitive' nature.
I look at some of these postings in the open forum and as before someone pointed out, its blatant self promotion, of my dogs bigger than your dog tactics. If your good, your good, no two ways about it. You don't need to brag about it, as my grandad said to me.. keep your head down, your mouth shut, and get on with it. Two times this week, I have been given the hump in two sections of the forum, one which went of topic, when some poor sod asked for advice about suitable material for their home, and we got the sales patter of a street trader pushing his product. Another one were two people were bigging themselves each other up about how good their work was. In fact it was a pile of crap, but I kept my mouth shut.
I also got the hump about someones entry in the JOTM, and picked up a diabolical piece of workmanship, but again I kept my mouth shut, but then read the comments from others saying what a great piece of work. Now that tells me something, either people are blind, or they haven't got the skills they make out they have.
So in essence I would not like to see this closed section be dissolved, its the only place I can sound off and get advice that I value. As for the other forum, to many egos, for me, I know I am stroppy at the best of times, but at least I keep it real.
Your a great bunch of lads, your all great at what you do, so why think something is wrong in here?
Lynn