It was only a better place when access was gatekept by universities and research institutes. Once the general public was allowed in, carpetbaggers from Florida (the same sorts who would get into crypto a generation later) realised that you could flood the discussion forums the trusting natives had built with spam for no cost, and if even one person out of millions took the bait, you’d come out on top. It became a blasted wasteland soon after that, with people retreating to mailing lists.