Hello ATS. As usual, I hopped on ATS and looked at the recent posts box. I saw A title of a particular subject that I am interested in. I clicked on it ready to feed my brain. Uh oh, its too top secret for me. Sadly, I had reached a restricted sub-forum. Unlike most Internet users now days, I didn't create a blog entry (I dont even have a blog!) or some huge outlandish rant thread about my little disappointment. Instead I'll ask here. How come I cant eat the cake!? I was hungry, I sliced the cake, I went to eat it.. but I couldn't!
I was looking for something like an ATS mission statement but couldn't find it. I'm sure its on here somewhere. I know this site is all about informing and sharing! Soo.. why the restricted access?

Thanks guys for any help

[edit on 18-7-2006 by 8th]

RATS is kept from Google, so that you can post personal information there and it can't be found. Like if I was talking about things my company was involved in that could get me in trouble, I could post it in RATS and not worry about my boss searching on Google and finding it. It's also a more "mature" (for lack of a better word) area of ATS. You don't see the bickering and name calling in there.

Interesting fact, thanks Zaphod. I would love to read through topics without feeling that at the end 70% of it was a waste. I travle a LOT so I dont know how I'd ever rack up enough points to browse through, but maybe someday when my vacation hits

It's not an ACTIVE forum, like the rest of ATS, but there are some good threads in RATS. *I* personally think that the price is worth it.

No need to post a lot to rack up points.

Regular applause is 250 points.
Right now, PTS applause is 1500.
ATSNN story upgrades and podCasts also give big points awards.

So, quality posting and/or creativity can get you to RATS sooner than you think

There are interesting topics on RATS so I would recommend it, plus after you join its only 250 per month if you want to get in again.

Great I didnt know that thanks West