Subscription be damned Sir JR2. All I can say is that I landed my Spitfire here on a cool wet night because Combatsim.com wanted me to pay for landing rights. Turned out it was my good fortune to find SimHQ.
It would be a disaster more because it would likely have a major impact on our BoB site, one that is the most unique and enjoyable of any I have ever been to. Lets just hope the SimHQ chaps are getting it together and all remains as it is albeit a bit faster.
Sir JR2, I know of ICQ but do not use instant messaging so I havent much knowledge or interest in such things at present.