Simple question. Basically I don't like discord and don't use it. I won't start a debate here as to why, I just don't. But every thread I read here seems to require it by default. So like... the question begs it self.

You can but it will likely limit the number of RPs you can join. Try asking, you might be pleasantly surprised. I'm doing or at least trying to do an Arena RP which generally seems to require the use of the RPGO Discord but I'm not going back there. It hasn't been a problem so far.

I've been in a decent number of RPs here over the years and only a few of them have had dedicated Discords.

That's a relief. I was already thinking I should go back to skulk in the darkness alone for another decade.
Speaking of joining games another question that I must ask is what's the etiquette on that? As far as I've gathered I am to look at interest pages but once the game starts in some way like an OOC thread or something that's it. I am asking because the rate of new games seems to be slow as in there are basically 2 interest checks going.

A lot of them will indicate if they are still Open or Closed. It never hurts to ask in the OOC Thread or Interest Thread or even send the GM a Direct Message. Even if the answer is "No, we're closed now," they might be able to direct you to another RP they know is open or they may be willing to put you on their short list for folks they will message when they start another RP.

I know I've made notes to message certain people when I get such and such an RP started and I've gotten messages from previous writing partners when they start a new RP or join an RP they think I might like.

Simple question. Basically I don't like discord and don't use it. I won't start a debate here as to why, I just don't. But every thread I read here seems to require it by default. So like... the question begs it self.

A lot of the time, the discords are for chatting only. OOC talk, and ways to ask the GM questions and get a response faster than posting in the OOC tab of a thread. I've been here a little over a year and I haven't seen many RPs that require participation in the discord (although it's always encouraged).

Some RPs with more complex gimmicks make use of discords roles and channels which forum RPs can't really duplicate but they aren't the norm.

Speaking of joining games another question that I must ask is what's the etiquette on that? As far as I've gathered I am to look at interest pages but once the game starts in some way like an OOC thread or something that's it. I am asking because the rate of new games seems to be slow as in there are basically 2 interest checks going.

Like Bango said above, the actual RP threads will have a tag next to the name that says "apply," "jump in," or "full." If you don't mind jumping into a story already in progress, you can browse the RPs still open and/or accepting character applications.

Simple question. Basically I don't like discord and don't use it. I won't start a debate here as to why, I just don't. But every thread I read here seems to require it by default. So like... the question begs it self.

Hello!

I often make a discord for my games, but it's certainly never a requirement to join. It's always nice to have an active OOC thread in your game; something I find since Discord has become more popular I see a lot less of.

It's totally okay to not want to use Discord and it shouldn't hold you back at all, as long as the GM and players are accommodating in the game thread as well :)

Take it from me, most certainly not.

I've have been in numerous ones where it's done through PM's or the forum itself exclusively.

For the record my objection to discord is that the thing monitors every process on your PC ostensibly to "detect games" which means it basically records every program you run and sends that to a remote server. And I find that to be a gross violation of my privacy. The reason I say this now is because I just discovered that there is a web version and want to know if it comes without this "feature". If I can confirm that it does and does not in fact spy on me I would have no problem with using the web version.

For the record my objection to discord is that the thing monitors every process on your PC ostensibly to "detect games" which means it basically records every program you run and sends that to a remote server. And I find that to be a gross violation of my privacy. The reason I say this now is because I just discovered that there is a web version and want to know if it comes without this "feature". If I can confirm that it does and does not in fact spy on me I would have no problem with using the web version.

The browser version cannot do anything of the sort, especially not without asking you in a prompt.