If that was the reputation of the site sevenish years ago I don't see it as a sign of things going down hill, riding a plateau possibly.
Nice to read the TFN thread being every bit a wobbly bit contest than the worst found on here.
Any road up, looking at what people have actually posted on the site mentioned in this thread (before the opening post white dotted) it looks as if it's been a positive experience with OT.COMers not wrecking the place but having polite fun.