ams-ix - worth using?

In article <cistron.Pine.LNX.4.62.0608240010130.15997@uplift.swm.pp.se>,

Does it simply provide an easy way to privately connect to transit and
peers? Or can I also go crazy and peer with anyone who wants to peer
(like in the olden day!) ?

[..]

I'd say AMS-IX is mostly for peering with a lot of people, if that answers
your question.

Also relevant: the ams-ix is a service, not a colocation facility.
They basically run a ridiculously high traffic ethernet platform
that is distributed over four locations in Amsterdam.

Most of the peering is done on the public ethernet (v)lan, though
you can get extra ports or a q-tagged port and private vlans if
you want.

Mike.