This may be late, but --

1. I seldom read the "general" fora ("Buzz" to "Coupon Connection") except on weekends, so this is the first time I've seen the fuss that's developed since last Sunday. I am, however, heartened by two observations:

- (a) it's nice that the Troll(s) got so little support and the "good guys" (of both sexes) so uniformly rallied 'round.

- (b) the "invasion" seems to have been encysted promptly, which is the sign of a healthy body and of a viable and effective defensive system.

2. I second the notion that the "good guys" (see above) ought not to leave the scene because of the Troll(s). You are what made the site what it is, and you are why we're here - part of our communal body. You are, quite literally, part of us. (However, if someone decides to reduce participation for other reasons, that's up to him/her. To them I can only say, "Please come back when you feel you want to; you're always welcome.")

3. I agree that a working e-mail address should be required. It allows potential misunderstandings to be worked out, in private, before they metastasize into a flame war, publicly hurt feelings, and (in the worst case) emnity.

4. I respectfully do not agree that the e-mail address must be a private ISP rather than a "free" internet address such as hotmail/yahoo or the like. Even e-bay does not require that. The reasons have already been given (ease of access while travelling, preventing "harvesting" of personal account addresses by spammers, etc.). If the "anonymity" of such addresses is a problem, Randy can require a "real" e-mail address be provided to him at the time of signing up, but that address should remain known only to Randy and the owner absent some major development such as a subpoena.

5. Now - let's get back to miles and smiles.

Don