OK, I'll offer my thoughts, although I am 100% sure it will not be a well-received opinion, and most of you don't know me from Adam, although I've been around several forums for quite a long time - I just don't post often.
Altie is one of the wittiest posters I have seen on Alabama forums... he has a polarizing personality much like Kingpin did back on Tidesports. He is entertaining. He is intelligent (I suspect extremely so). He enjoys rustling people's jimmies, and he's quite good at it. He loves attention. He holds grudges.
He adds life and interest to an otherwise flat landscape of like-minded, well-mannered Alabama supporters. I think he adds an interesting dynamic, and he can be extremely funny if you understand his motivations.
Any forum is more interesting with him than without. He encourages discussion, via a multitude of channels. I was thrilled to see him here. Not because I love everything he says (a lot of times I can only shake my head and laugh), but because I know I will be entertained.