See subject line, also see http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/3/23462

The Bugs forum allows people to see whether a bug has been reported, and thus save them (and us) redundant communication. In theory, it might also prompt people to report a bug that they wouldn't have bothered with because, apparently, no one has yet. We have enough trouble with people assuming we know about some bug or wrinkle without losing that potential. If we were to replace it with something, it would be a real, public bug-tracking system.

meh the bugs forum is a great source of amusement for me