As a new comer to the site this is were i see it from. Some people will no doubt disagree, but this is only my opinion.
1) A persons experience status on here is by the post count, it is almost like if you don't have a large post count, then who are you to give advice.
2) when a person questions someones advice, then the posse comes out with " well they have been doing this for XX amount of years, so you better listen to them."
3) Chit chat threads get more attention than actual herp related threads.
4) If someone does a ask a basic question, it seems the end result is " well you shouldn't have reptiles, Just give it to someone who does"
What some people need to understand is this. They were only beginners at one stage to, they started were everyone starts. In a new hobby that can be overwhelming. And when their advice is questioned, I don't think it's to be a smart a$$, I think it's that you learn more when you understand the reason behind the advice.
I am only new to the hobby, but there was a lady that came one here to ask some questions and for some guidance and she got absolutely slammed, it was disgusting really. I PM'ed her and passed on very little that I knew and what had been working for me, explained the reasons behind the advice, tried to help her track down a rat breeder in her state, suggested some books that might help her and so on. I'm not sure if she has been back, but after her first experience I wouldn't blame her if she hasn't. But just because I am new, have a post count under 100, that doesn't make me fit enough to give advice and I certainly wouldn't have in the main thread, but no else was helping. After the last email she sent me explaining what she was doing, her enclosure and a few pics of her pet, I reckon she'll be doing ok, and her pet Coastal will probably live a great life now. But what she was doing was wrong in my eyes and without that little bit of advice and guidance I am not sure if her pet would have been happy and healthy.
Facebook is another factor. I wasn't using facebook when I joined up here, I would jump on the partners and look around the reptile pages. But now I have joined back up and use it solely for herp related stuff, and that is about it really. But you seem to get a larger, quicker response on there than you do a forum, and people seem less judgmental ( Don't get me wrong, I have still come across some well know herpers that think they are the mighty god of herpers ) but it is less overall. Not only that, it is a bit more specific on Facebook as in you can search groups from your state, or specific species groups, so on so on.
I mean, I still have questions in regards to why has one of my snakes gone off food when I haven't prepared her for breeding, or changed any routine, but I would ask them somewhere else, mainly because of the amount of replies I would get, and the quality of the replies that I would get ( if that makes sense ) I just wing it, and if I feel that concerned I will just take her to the vet.
Like I said, this just my view on it, and my opinion... Oh and I haven't seen a problem with the mods and the way they do things, I could be wrong, but I have never personally been affected unless they were trying to help.
Cheers,
Ben