Why don't you have a poll to see who's in favor of the message boards and who isn't?

Yes and why not?

Thanks, Ray, for asking your question. I've been thinking about this. So I address it to everybody out there and to the folks at imdb.

I believe it is essential that the imdb message boards be brought back. 
Each thread is sparked by a question, comment, or idea that comes from some detail of a film featured in imdb. Simple facts are easy to find--and most helpful--when looking for awards, bios, technical details, and trivia. But there is some information (like what Eli Wallach said in his two phrases of Italian in Baby Doll) that may most easily, or in some times only, be found through the vehicle of a message board--and then, perhaps, lovingly copied by someone to the area of Trivia, too.

What interests and intrigues fans about films--and when--is as important as the films themselves. And, indeed, how different movies ebb and flow in popularity during our lifetime(s) and during the different decades of this evolving planet are informative as well.
Including the message boards was a stroke of genius by the creators of imdb because each thread allows the whole world to be part of the fabric of each film. And movie fanatics worldwide can choose to become members of the film community. (I am reminded here how astounded and delighted I was by the film, McCabe and Mrs. Miller: Leonard Cohen's lyrics and music added so much texture throughout the film I felt them to be a character in the piece...but I digress.)

I have used imdb for years to enrich my movie absorption and reading the message boards has been part of my experience. Ironically, I decided to sign on to be a message board user just a few days before the boards were taken down; I read the imdb letter why. I was saddened by the idea of diffusing the larger community to smaller ones. Rabid and constant followers are hard to come by.

I still use aol. I have no other social accounts--nor am I interested in diluting myself further other than by choosing a few other well thought out communities. imdb is one of those communities (and, yes, it has taken me awhile to speak out). But, I have been actively engaged in watching and listening. Since I have not spoken out until now, I understand that imdb may not understand that there may be many more people than they know who utilize the boards and who are grateful for them. And, as a community, maybe we need to remember more often that the boards are not simple email accounts. Maybe we need to understand how pervasive our reach is and share our knowledge and curiosity in an always friendly way while always remembering that most people don't understand it when we make really personal and sometimes demeaning responses, even in fun, to people we know.

Newer software will arrive. But as long as the current format works, my vote is to continue using it. Be as accessible as we are hoping all of the films included on imdb are becoming as accessible to the rest of the world. In time, of course, the format will have to change. When that time comes, my vote would be to save all of the current message boards in an easily available archive and make sure that the new software is accessible and remains on the site. (Perhaps people could comb through the messages and add verifiable info to corresponding films--hmmm, with maybe a "reputed to be so" column added?)

If you have made it this far, thank you. And do you know what the two Italian phrases are that Eli Wallach said in Baby Doll? I can't find it anywhere and have had no luck with google translate.

Dan and Gromit, two highly respected volunteers, have voted this up? ... I'm on board!