You're always going to hear stories about the bad side of things. Balmung is not "a glorified chat channel for themselves and their buddies. They're dismissive of questions, casually spoil major plot points, kick people for ridiculous reasons...and then even if they're kicked they find a way back in." from what I see when I am around. People chat, yes, but would you rather the Novice Network just be silent all the time?