Originally posted by: cubby1223
They read all the reasons. But they also know when they're not getting the full story. I read everything Derek said, but that doesn't mean I have to believe it as the full truth. Heck, Rollo already is the one who showed us why we cannot believe everything everyone says. And I already agree with you that I'm not "special" here in any way, but I can say I have never lied and deceived for monetary gains on this forum, if that's worth anything.
Rollo could have returned any time he wanted under a different name, or back when amnesty & forgiveness was first being offered, but he chose
now to return and under the same name that brings back many negative memories to a lot of the users. Someone is holding back something, that is not being said in this thread.
I now truly believe that Derek is being totally above the table with us. He would hardly have gone through all the work of responding to our questions in such detail if he were trying to hide something. It would have been far easier (and safer) for him to lock this thread and that would have been the end of matters. But instead, he is making every effort to ensure that we are being informed of the rationale behind his decisions.
Such an effort speaks very highly of Derek. I can't even begin to imagine how many hours he must put in to keep Anandtech running, much less to implement new ideas and policies. I'm sure those many hours cut into his personal life on evenings and weekends. But yet he still took the time to respond to many of us who had concerns regarding Rollo's reinstatement. Anandtech is VERY lucky to have someone that dedicated here.
We have come a LONG way from the days before Rollo's ban. Back then, the Video Forum was a no man's land where angels (and Moderators, apparently) feared to tread. We were basically left to fend for ourselves and it showed. Flamefests were the norm and when a Moderator DID happen to wander in there (completely by accident, I'm convinced), he would stagger back out hours later with his "thread lock" button smoking and a dazed look on his face.
Today, I can't tell you the last time I saw a locked thread in Video. Compared to back then, we now live in a state of blissful calm. Yes, there is still the occasional flareup or exchange of words, but no more so than any other forum. Part of this can be attributed to the banning of Rollo, but we mostly have people like Derek and the Moderators to thank. Their efforts at making our Forums a better place to visit have not gone unnoticed.
Will we always agree with the changes made to AT policy? No, of course not. Any change will always result in pleasing some people and upsetting others, especially with a community the size of ours. This thread is a prime example of the "upsetting others" variety.

But times change and Anandtech must remain flexible as well. These forums are a work-in-progress and will probably always remain so. Derek's willingness to maintain an "open door" policy will allow us to add our opinions regarding these changes and hopefully influence the direction Anandtech will take.
Thank you again, Derek, for taking the time to explain AT policy to us and for allowing us to voice our concerns instead of simply locking the thread, leaving us to stew in resentment and frustration.