There are a few reasons. 1. People are being banned a bit too much for stupid things. 2. The Market Place has become less profitable due to people willing to do work for pennies. Even though the work is low quality, people still keep buying it. 3. Shawn has left the forum and he left no one with the ability to fix any problems like Database problems and updating of the forum. These combined with some inexperienced and power hungry moderators have caused many members to try to find other places.
He has been gone for a while but I think now that may be part of it. I wish he would at least take the time to address some issues and update the forum. I guess he just does not care anymore.
There was a time when i strictly used PMs only and no posts in thread whatsoever... Now i am feeling much comfortable after a couple of 7 days BST bans....
I am relatively a new member and hence find the present state of forum itself, very thriving... Seeing OP's narration of the past, I surely did miss a lot of actions....it seems Regards, RightMan
Well may be 7-Days rules is key behind this and now a days it's DB issue creating lot's of problems. Also many people now not online much because of private life.