Just joined LL this morning... not banned yet from RG.
But I think Michael Kravit is now sailing close to the wind and a number of us have supported his views.
I think RG is the crazy one for being willing to lose so many excellent contributors. (I don't think that this language is immoderate, given his own comments).
I am now really close to my MFDB purchase and I wouldnt be where I was without the help of quite a few of the banned people.
Perhaps the manufacturers should talk to RG about his policy as it is doing their business no good at all.
It may only be a rumour that the presence of advertisers has influenced the moderation on that forum. Either way, the rumour will happen simply because of the presence of advertising.
Overall the vendors are helped immensely by open forums. Sure. If a particular product does not come up to the mark, then an open forum will savagely attack it. But then the vendor knows instantly what the market perception is, and can put it right.
And in any case. There are as many positions and opinions on different products are there are photographers. Manufacturers can only gain from openness if their products are up to scratch.
It would probably be hurtful to me to read a forum full of my ex-clients views of me! But boy would it help me improve my work and my business.
Anyway... to quote
"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!”"