Personally I would hate operating a forum on a cloud service. I totally think that's more the solution for large businesses which need a forum, or for non-technical people who want a forum but don't understand how to set one up.

I was too busy playing poker during the NWP and DD days to get involved with running the forum from the technical side. I never offered to help Micon do it at NWP, and then the Lithuanians took over that task when Pokernews bought it. Then when we moved to DD, we brought lakingsfan12 into the mix, when in reality I could have just taken that role myself. I just didn't feel like going through the learning curve regarding setting up, modifying, and maintaining forums. So I didn't. Big mistake.

Then I left DD, and 5 months passed. A radio show listener and sometimes-DD poster (who doesn't post here anymore) was trying to get me to start my own forum. He tried to sweeten this offer by saying he would do all the technical work, and host it himself. I almost accepted this offer, but then started getting hesitant as to whether or not I wanted a partner in this whole thing. While I was thinking about it, the guy got insulted that I didn't respond to him fast enough, and he rescinded the offer. At that point, I made my decision. I learned all about vBulletin, and got to work setting up PFA.

And here we are.

That was the correct decision. It is very important to me to be able to be in full control of the software and its functionality. I can add or remove features. I can change what I want. I can even insert my own additional security measures, if desired (and I have, at times). That's why this forum has features you don't see on other vBulletin systems.

I would think 2+2 would also want such control, but perhaps not. Or perhaps they don't realize how much they need it.