Just a thought on one little part of the responses here.
More than one person has mentioned (more or less) the lack of tech talk and the prolific banter that is off topic.
I submit this thought. How often do you get a group of car people together and have them talk exclusively cars? You can only say so much about cars and then you run out. Eventually the conversation changes to other interests. That's what it's like in here, a group of people with common interests shooting the bull.
I like it this way. It doesn't get boring and you have the opportunity to learn a little about many different things. When it comes to banning off-topic conversations, then the place becomes like a dull party. At that point it's time to mosey on down to the next watering hole.
Of course, this is only my opinion, take it or leave it
Kate