Hey look, I'm all for new ways for preppers to get together...I'm all about teaching and bringing more people into the prepper lifestyle.
I hope that this INCH thing takes off...if it does, it could be a great way for someone like me who wants to expand the lifestyle to reach out to more people and I would certainly join up if it does!
As far as competition goes...there's no profit to be had here and I don't think any of the mods or even the owner for that matter are concerned about it.
The more resources the better!

Denob, the yuppies was in reference to Facebook not IPN. As far as dividing comments, perhaps being agreeable is what is wanted vs difference of opinion. People that disagree with a philosophy or thought process are not always trolling but rather giving a different perspective.

Greenguy, you don't have to share personal information. When you sign up with IPN you need a e-mail, just like with a social network. No need to share a photo if you don't want to. Social networks are a way to shoot the breeze with other people of like mind, if this were done on a forum the topic would die. INCH is not for profit either, but if it needs sponsors in order to get bandwidth I would not have a problem with that either. Profit no, but for content yes.

I know we butt heads sometimes but I really do think you take a lot of what I have to say as a personal slam, which it is not. However it is true that I don't like yuppies.

Trying not to be totally stupid here, but what does the acronym I.N.C.H. stand for?

INCH = I'm Not Coming Home

I think the forum and social network platforms are completely different. Forums are moderated to keep things civil and on topic. Social networks are just that...for socializing. I tried a general socializing thread here once and had to shut it down as it generated a lot of complaints about a wide range of things...mostly inappropriate comments. I also opened a chat room, which died because you had to be logged on at the same time in order to chat.
If you want to yip yap with like minded people, then INCH is probably the way to go. If you want to poke the brains of preppers from all over the world, the forum is the place to be.
Two different animals.

I think the forum and social network platforms are completely different. Forums are moderated to keep things civil and on topic. Social networks are just that...for socializing. I tried a general socializing thread here once and had to shut it down as it generated a lot of complaints about a wide range of things...mostly inappropriate comments. I also opened a chat room, which died because you had to be logged on at the same time in order to chat.
If you want to yip yap with like minded people, then INCH is probably the way to go. If you want to poke the brains of preppers from all over the world, the forum is the place to be.
Two different animals.

I completely agree. I find this venue MUCH better as everyone can see and respond to posts and there is a defined ideal here... although occasionally it can get a little sidetracked...LOL. All in all the mods do a great job.

JAB

Exactly, here you have to put up with complaints and decide what to do, so there is somewhat a censored feel to a forum, which for its purpose may be what is needed/wanted. Adding/deleting photos and comments are easily done on a social network as the posters leisure since the photos are collected in the users album. Both are different animals and should be treated as such but options are good to have. Open forums are good so everyone can see what others are working on but perhaps others like me have a problem with the world seeing their homestead and would rather a select few be the viewers of such personal things. I think that is what holds back forums in the way of a show and tell type thread. Photos are vague and rarely have a personal feel as to avoid giving away ones location to a lurker who is testing the waters of preparedness...this may very well end up being a nosy neighbor who hears through the grapevine that you are part of a forum and wants to check out your stuff.

IPN is a valuable asset to many.