As a personal side note, when I first started playing Aces High I was a squeaker at 13, if I'd seen these boards back then (didn't know of them until 2 years ago), I can't guarantee I would've played. (Or if my parents would've allowed me to).
I'll respond to that, and then I promise to sthu.
The boards are what they are. Nothing ever has changed, despite the continuous moderation. Back then, or now, there has, and always will be, complaints and ripples in the pond like the 12 hour rule debacle. This is my point. You can say "oh em gee, the boards are awful, good thing HTC is moderating it, I agree, those guys are all tards and dweebs and should be png'd, hurray, now everything should be smooth sailing". Well, guess what, it won't be. There is a list as long as you block of people that have been PNG'd over the years, and the future will yield just another long list. The effect you're telling me about, the one that would "keep you here", or "not have discouraged you from joining" - it doesn't exist, and that's the simple reality. It just hasn't, and can't, happen. You even said it yourself in your post - the boards back then - well, they are no different now. So, the net effect they could have had on you, or another new player joining, or not, is nil. Honestly, with free access to the bbs for anyone, what is the difference I ask regarding viewing it from the perspective of a new player, when they see either a bunch of "#rule4" posts, with "moderated by xxx" at the bottom, as opposed to what was actually said there. New player sees the edited post, and the effect is the same, even arguably worse.
I'm not saying I have the answer I don't, and when HTC refers to the damned if they do or don't, I think this entire thing sums it up better than anything else. I don't envy their position, I can tell you that for nothing.
Anyhow, I remember when you first came around Tinkles, your posts IMO have come a long way, and I respect what you're saying. Be well.