While waiting for the 'Toot Your Own Horn' thread to be created, I'll add my 2 cents on the 'popularity' topic...
It's a little sad that this thread got hijacked with the (tedious) detractors. My take on the purpose of the thread was not so much popularity or notoriety, but something else entirely. I took it to mean a connection of sorts. Some poster or posters at the time that each of us joined hooked us. Someone or something gave us tug to stick around or come back and check again.
Some of those posters have moved on. Some are still here. I found it like listening to a songwriter tell about who influenced him/her. It helps me see a little more texture and depth to a person when I know who they looked to for inspiration, encouragement, insight, - or who outraged them.
I didn't take this thread to be about popularity at all. More about inspiration and connectivity.
Now I'm off to find that Horn Tootin' Thread...
-Aude.
Edited to Add: Also, In reading some of the names from years past, it's reminded me of a few people I'd chatted with and since lost touch with. Some I've gone back and searched a few of their threads. Thank you to whoever it was that started this one.