David, I joined the forum in 2004, when Eddy, Rezor and Tech did much of the work. I remember when you came on the scene after Eddy pulled back. Yeah - I"ve been here - and check the forum pretty much every day.
I think you misunderstood my point. I am well aware that IYogi is no longer on the scene and was expressing my disappointment that the same behavior is continuing on with the new people. It is not right, and I sense from the tone of some of your own posts - that you do not think it is right either.
And as to the benefit of the forum - you"re preaching to the choir - I totally agree with you. I watch you, and others, try to try to help people here every day. But I suggest to you that most people who use Avast are probably effectively computer Illiterate, and they would be apprehensive to display that publicly on a forum. In fact it would never even cross their minds to do so. I don't think any of the people in my extended family, friends, or people I worked with would sign on, and come into a forum to get help for their computer. They would call support, ask a friend, or take it into a computer shop. Pretty much in that order. ymmv
So, yes if they would come here first, they would be treated, well and most often helped; but I firmly believe that most who have problems won't.
I like Avast, support Avast, and have recommended Avast. Maybe I am too old, and been around too long, but I remember years ago when I had trouble getting a software accelerator to work with my dial up vendor I had two different Avast developers come onto the forum and help me to get it going. My have things changed! Think back, can you imagine the things we're hearing now happening back then.