Fact: The bullsh*t filter is turned up to a maximum level of 100% 24/7/365 at the magic cafe. Meaning, if you come on and talk about things that you obviously do not know much about, you will get called on it in a heartbeat. At times, this will seem harsh to up and coming magicians, but the truth of the matter is, not all, but the majority of the members there do it to help you learn.
Old school does not mean obsolete, it means more experienced. If you fail to realize this, then the problem is with you, not with the cafe.
Basically, in just the card workers section alone, you have about 50 Ricky Smiths-like people who can look up any resource for you and give you page numbers. Now of course, there are some stubborn old men who only like to promote their own works (cough* Harry Lorayne), but they also DO know what they are talking about and will give you some honest critiques.
People who lurk the gambling forum can be pretty in your face hardcore about things, but they can also be extremely useful in terms of historical reference, gaming policy, laws, etc... Mr. England frequently visits this part of the cafe.
The table hoppers/ buskers forums are Amazing! They can give you years worth of insight and advice that will help you take your professional career to a new level. Lately, we have been blessed by Jamie D Grant's posts on this forum, but to tell you the truth, there are hundreds more posts like that (sometimes with more concrete advice) over at the cafe.
I could go on and on.
Now, I know people have their own preferences for what they like to read, but in my honest opinion, telling someone they shouldn't waste their time over at the cafe, is like telling someone who is interested in reading books to stay away from a library. It is just plain bad advice. Get over the past wrongdoings that were done to you there and discover the treasure trove of information.
