I just gave one example. They are all over the place, especially in the archives. The Portnoy and Petrucci forum were the most popular after the official (and pre-official stuff like UACM, YTSEJam, IRC). So there were plenty of places to go that were very popular for a DT fan. DTF itself is not only a reaction to DTItchy, but 58, so the idea that this place wasn't born out of bickering and fighting doesn't really hold up.
You've got that all wrong. I mean, you're absolutely entitled to your opinions about how DTF operates and so on - I can't tell you how to feel. But in terms of how and why DTF came about, your claims don't stack up.
Sure other DT-related forums existed, and I'm sure they got some increased membership with DT.net shut down, but what many of us wanted to retain was the community that we had. MP's forum was big but VERY different, and JP's forum was comparatively extremely quiet.
DTF was created to keep the community going - nothing more. Of course people were frustrated with Itchy at the time, but there was no big rebellion or reaction. In the long run, it worked out brilliantly, and I don't know anyone who holds any kind of grudge about it.
And with 5/8, you got it the wrong way round. 5/8 was created as a reaction to DTF.
I'm not denying that DTF and its predecessor have a history of drama and in-fighting. Hence the catchphrase "DTF: we know drama/llamas". I'm just not sure what point you're making. That's the history, not the (mostly) relaxed and respectful online community that we now have.