Alright, alright, since everybody believes you are a bona fide researcher..
I started out from venturing into other non-homogenous forums where name-calling and insults were actively traded amongst rival fans. Literal violence is the name of the game. Intoxicating initially but boring and distasteful after a while. Then I thought why not seek solace amongst my fellow fans instead and thus I googled and landed here.
The "best organised forum with a little bit of everything thrown in" remains my best description for this place. But more importantly, you start to discover the human element of it, which is the soul of the forum, much like adding meat to a bare fishbone, giving it life and vitality. Truly, if not for some amazing characters and 'strange' relationships here eg man-bitch relationship, and united in one love for United, I doubt anybody would want to stay even if it provides the latest news or the best platform. It would be like a place to get information and then off you go..
Question 3 has been more than adequately answered by the thread mentioned by Salford Red...