I appreciate that Randy has given us this time-out. However, as I read the discussion elsewhere as well as the messages he quotes in his post, I have the uneasy feeling that this does not compute. If we misdiagnose a problem, we can spend a lot of energy and yet not solve it. Therefore, having given myself about 1 day to settle on how the situation appears to me and how it could be addressed, I am offering my perspective.

If you read the complaints, it would seem that the problem is a new commercial attitude and lack of civility. The spirit of giving things away has evaporated, possibly due to the introduction of gift cards.

A. What is wrong with this analysis

I have a few questions for the complainers:

(1) What is preventing you from offering valuable objects for free to the community?

(2) During the past year, just which valuable objects have you offered for free in CC?

(3) If your focus is on not on giving things away but on receiving freebies, then how are you any better than someone who is at least offering a GC in exchange?

(4) If GC's are banned, what makes you think that miles etc can't be purchased for the same purpose? Are we going to ban frequent flyer miles next?

The answers are pretty obvious: Anybody who actually wants to give something of value to the community has always been and still is free to do so. OTOH those who are disappointed that not enough freebies are being offered them, well you win that point and I am left speechless. Nobody has to either offer or accept GC if they don't want to. If we ban GC's, miles etc can be bought just as easily. And, no, I don't think we are likely to ban frequent flyer miles from FT.

B. How I see the problem

I scan CC almost everyday. I have never seen a "seller" and a "buyer"---yes, I know Randy and many others don't like those words, more on this later---get into a bad argument or be uncivil to each other.

In almost every case, the responsibility with uncivil and pointless arguments rests with 3rd parties, who are neither offering a coupon nor seem to want what's offered, but post negative comments and get into argument amongst themselves.

Ironically, this behavior is facilitated by the CC rule that prevents OP from posting for a few days, but leaves the field open to these 3rd party debaters to call names and rehash the same arguments in every thread they visit.

C. Proposed Solution

(1) Now that a time-out is in effect, leave it in place for a while.

(2) Let's not fight English language; few have won that battle and FT probably won't. Words like "buyer" and "seller" come naturally to people in this situation.

(3) Let's not fight human nature; few win that battle, and we would be delusional to even try. Many people will want to get a lot and give only a little. We can only set a good example ourselves; that will influence the atmosphere.

(4) Split the CC board into two: CC Exchange and CC Discussion (inspired by the success of the MR Deals and Discussion split).

(5) CC Exchange Board should be limited to people who offer something or are interested in getting it. Third party comments should either be prohibited altogether or limited to 1 per person per thread.

IOW, people not directly seeking to exchange can express their opinion of the object or the deal ONCE. The CC Discussion board, if offered, will be the place for all subsequent discussion and debate (I would not be heart-broken if no such platform is offered).

(6) The above will eliminate the problem of uncivil arguments in the Exchange Forum. Elsewhere, they can be addressed as they are now all across FT: by deleting offending posts and suspending repeat offenders.

(7) Let's not waste energy on banning GC etc - as I said, people can just start buying miles or other instruments then.

My perspective may differ from yours but please take these thoughts in the spirit in which they are offered, with the desire to make FT an even better and more vibrant community for all.