It's good and healthy to hear all opinions. Thanks for raising this point of view, Zap.
In addition to Walter's comments above, I would also point out that a great deal of the editing knowledge stored within the OFP-centric content on this site is just as applicable today for the newer titles as it was when first contributed - at least in terms of mission-making.
As for
overstretched, our traffic-to-staff ratio is as balanced as it's always been. Read into that what you will...
The point Zap raises is very similar to that regarding Internet Explorer 6. It too is about a decade old, it's insecure, it's clunky, it's not standards-compliant, and the argument could be made that anyone who continues to support IE6 (for example, by spending time making a website "work" in that browser) are perpetuating the longevity of this archaic bit of software, to the detriment of innovation and progress. If users of IE6 don't get support (i.e. the website looks broken, or is plastered with update advisories) they're more likely to think "huh, maybe I should use a different browser." instead of continuing with the same old same old.
The same can be said of Operation Flashpoint.
This is assuming they
can upgrade. They may be behind a corporate infrastructure which hasn't caught up yet. They may not be able to afford it. They may be in a country where technology is a few years behind. For whatever reason, there are still folks from around the world editing for OFP - bedges included.
In the final analysis, I am of the opinion that when folks from around the world
stop coming here asking about OFP, OFPEC will by default no longer be supporting users of OFP; that's without having to close anything, or lock anyone out, or be exclusive, or do anything. That's not to say that the
space devoted to OFP will stay the same: on the forum, the OFP boards have already been amalgamated to a degree to make room for the newer titles.
If folks in the Community come here seeking support for OFP as well as the newer titles, that's what this site will provide for them since it is, after all, and always has been: by the Community, for the Community.
You can start the tickertape parade now Walter...