As Southern and Northern hemisphere are not the same, it is much more fun to be where people see what you see, experience the same *@*&* clouds you see etc. so you can swear with them, but I also registered for "Astronomy Forums" for example (you can't read threads if you are not registered apart from just one a day or something like that so I mainly registered to read something about my telescope back then). I would also like to have a look at Cloudy Nights, but I haven't registered yet. I have just read some threads.
But we are definitely the best also in terms of quality.
CloudyNights although I'm going there less and mainly for the technical information. PAIG ( Progressive AstroImagers Group ) for more technical stuff, AstroForums occaisonally.
But I must admit that having gone through the worst part of the learning curve where all and any info is good I stick around here probably 99% of the time.
Astronomy Forum - I'm a mod there.
It's got a membership of 88,000... It's different from here - the guys on here are a lot more cluey(they didn't invite me to be a mod for a start....), and the AP here is amazing.
I've also been visiting Stargazers Lounge (UK) and CloudyNights (US) for years, but I've never made a post.
Like Brent, it's mainly for the technical info. (ATM etc)
I've also visited Astronomy Forum a few times due to Google search results for whatever I'm researching at the time. Frustratingly tho, after you've visited a few times the forum bars you from reading any more posts unless you become a registered member. I've not bothered.
Cloudy nights, occasionally stargazer lounge but spent a lot of time on Astronomy shed in the UK. I got and continue to get a lot out of that forum and the people there are pragmatic and friendly. Astronomy forum is new to me.
IIS still rocks.
Solarchat and SGL since I'm located in the northern hemisphere.
I signed up with CN and maybe posted 5 times, the place is very useful but I never liked the layout as a forum and think they have made it worse now.
I started as a member at another forum I will not name but thought they were horrible to beginners. It may not be a fair reflection on there member base though as it was only a couple of smart arses that got on my nerves. Still since then I have read some questionable advice and seen some questionable practices over there.
Without a doubt IIS and SGL are the two friendliest forums I have been on and the amount you can learn is impressive.
That goes for Solarchat too.
I really like the UK forum Stargazers Lounge , it is a lot like IIS .
