I joined roughly the same time as you did OP. I'm of the opinion that i don't think think it needs changed at all. This place would be archaic and an absolute ZOO if it wasn't controlled somehow.

I'ts fairly obvious what most new people come here for, so if you want to rank up and get to those levels then its only fair you should be expected to make some decent constructive posts and put some effort into actually participating in the forum, as opposed to just coming here for financial gain and offering nothing in return.

Its a two way street....unfortunately the vast majority of newbies can't quite grasp that!