Google doesn't archive private fora so the likelihood of a passerby/newbie discovering it is nil. I understand the idea and reason for it but as snoboy suggested, the current PM/PF system is rather versatile
as an admitted forum whore my observations are the signal/noise ration seems to be a constant for active fora and the noise just takes different forms STFU NOOB vs. 5 page grammatically correct diatribe about water fluoridation. If you are browsing for an answer both are worthless.
The other observation is that with the exception of computer forums the people out doing things rarely post so forums are mostly populated by no-nothing asshats with really fucking high post counts who like to talk in absolutes and make laws