If you guys really really think it's necessary, I'll add it, I don't want this to become an elitist walled garden.

This is a completely public forum

Personally I'd rather have it be completely transparent. You may call me the OverLord, but I will also do what you tell me to if there's a strong majority for it :) I just think keeping the forum open is good for community building. I can just see this forum dying and the closed one taken over. I can see a closed forum for planning future post themes, but beyond that I don't think it's necessary. But please comment and voice your opinion, because mine isn't always the right one :P

I, too, was noticing that it's mostly-if not all-bloggers using the forum. I think it would be great to get readers involved, especially with suggestions for themed blog days and what they're looking for with regard to page design. I know you mentioned the blog forum in a recent post, but perhaps we could get some more traffic with a post about the forum, highlighting that it's open and we're looking for input.

Well, it's all about "marginal utility". People want something more, the more they know they can't have it.

...so, why not create a 'fake' sub-forum that looks really active from the outside, that no one can get into. That drives up interest. When people ask how they get in we tell them to just be active in the forums and you 'earn' entrance to the walled-garden.

Except, of course, there is no walled-garden. There's just a subroutine randomly changing the date, time and user name of the 'last post".

Evil Genius Powers Activate!

@Tideliar - I love it! You are hereby invited to join my new world order, once I take over this rock. I've already put my world domination plan into motion. Sounds like you'll be really handy to have around.. :)

@Evie: I accept! I'll give you the special group discount on "Machiavellian Manipulation and Use of Propaganda 101"