Not limited at all to Moderators, it's just more convenient because there are 80+ mods who are typically very active in their own private forum vs. 9 TB members who generally aren't that active if there is not much put forth from members for their consideration. It really has nothing to to do with mods vs. TB vs. members. It's really just a matter of practical convenience. And actually, the mods do not even engage in conversations re: the future of FT, etc. if you think you're being left out. IB remains content in their choice to continue having me run FT and that leaves much of any "future" in my hands. As noted, FT can pride themselves as being more organic because of its members and no real need to change that. I certainly don't wield spreadsheets and a Brooks Brothers or Dockers approach. As for changes related to tech you'd be a lost bet if you thought that IB always consults the Mods on changes. What is often lost is that IB owns more than 100 other Web sites, so they obviously have a laboratory of other practices and performance issues from some of the successes of those other Web sites and as such there is certainly going to be times when they put into play something that while emotionally isn't to our liking because of the past, it works in other similar environments with other online communities. Can't say I'd argue against that and while we always think we're pretty different and special (come on, we know we are!) it doesn't pass that someone will have a better idea, or at least a different one. Just look at our members success at forums. We've seen members politic for the establishment of certain forums only to see that they did not pan out with projected traffic and other similar ideas. No big deal, we made the changes to scale them back.

As for TB and IB, there just doesn't seem much in common to chat about since IB still entrusts me to run FT and as a practical matter, tech issues aside, nothing much if any thing has changed with me and TB as compared to prior to IB entering the arena. In April, many members of TB will meet in person (we did that a few years ago as well) and I've invited some of the executives of IB to stop by and say hello. So we may see a new level or channel of dialogue, but the fact is, IB really doesn't want to interfere with the organic nature of everyday life on FT and has shown so through the past few years. We should be fairly happy with that type of situation.

Anyway, not sure if i correctly addressed your question and please let me know how better i can do so.

Randy