jrstark wrote:

-snip-
I like that the posts stay up, my news server only holds posts for maybe
2 weeks. But I've never had a problem with web-based boards, especially
ones with good search capabilities.

2 choices to keep posts- www.groups.google.com
or use an offline newsreader. Forte's Free Agent is free -
http://www.forteinc.com/agent/features.php

I've never been to gardenweb so I have no opinion of it in particular,
but I've never found a web based board that was as convenient as
Usenet & a proper reader & filters. If I was reading Usenet with a
web browser I wold probably feel differently.

Jim