@driftdiver
Personal note, I was active at FR for over 17 years, never so much as a warning. I was recently banned for being an anti-Trump, LOL, totally bogus charge. My account was restored after a few weeks but every post I make is reviewed by management before being made visible. It took me two posts to realize that was happening and I have not posted there since. I will not post under a heavy hand of censorship by JR and his mods. Free Republic will go one without me but their loss is TBR gain. Besides it is much more challenging here at NeverTrump HQ. The belly of the beast if you will.
I do like FR user interface better. I reverse engineered it years ago, I still have the code and occasionally toy with the idea of starting up a web site of my own. I'd have to spend a few weeks improving the code but it would be easily doable. Now buying band width is not so easily done.
@jpsb IMHO the aspect of FR that helped make it popular was the ability to have a conversation with people. You could easily see when people replied to you. Other parts of FR software were archaic; the search function for example. This site has some nice functionality and the recent changes have helped improve the ability to hold a conversation with people.
They don't ban people here but the majority of posters seem to fall in two categories. A few who think Trump walks on water, and the majority who think he can do nothing right. Most of those in the middle don't seem to be around much any more. If you make a comment remotely positive about Trump the attacks and insults start immediately. They don't ban people here but its still no fun.
Back at FR I was put on the admin review status for making disparaging remarks about Trump. I think my account is still active and no longer under review. I haven't been to FR in a month and don't think I've posted for 4 or 5 months. FR is a cesspool anymore of people who attack anyone who doesn't adhere to the party line 110%. This place is becoming the same thing unfortunately.
There are seemingly few threads which aren't attack Trump threads. Little mention of Hillary and even less actual discussion. There are many fine posters who came from FR here but most dont seem to post much. Maybe I'm just missing their comments.