I know for myself the forum was the main attraction. I appreciated all the work Marco, VR, Johnny, and Bryan did to educate me, but the forum interaction was the place for me. And it was a perfect metaphor for what the ancient zen masters said about attaining the way, they used the analogy that we're all potatoes roiling in a pot of boiling water. Without the constant bumping, grinding and friction we never lose our protection or skin to see the world as it really is.
There been plenty of friction and disagreement in my stint with the forum and I wouldn't trade any of it. It's made me a better handicapper and a better bettor.