I've also been around for 6+ years now and just love the platform for what it offers as a product. I've never done a powerdown and just used the HBD not really minding much what the price or the platform for all care does at this point.
It does feel different between the old days where there was a lot more excitement and initiative around it. In the end, it does feel like the entire model has too many fundamental flaws to break out of a zone where it's just for a niche audience.
Look, I kinda agree there. It's always going to be niche. I'd be happier if it was up around $1 niche, but still. I have seen a lot of improvements over time but there's some inherent flaws that I cant see the answer to, perhaps because the big stake holders can't really be argued with unless you want to risk being DVd out of existence!