Originally Posted by
84fiero
Over time this aspect of FT may be its major risk, IMHO. There is little to no ability for members to have respectful but candid feedback and public discussion about its overarching areas for improvement. One has to walk on eggshells in some areas or face banishment. Eventually the emperor just keeps walking around naked, and nothing changes.
Again, though, that feature was baked into FT's DNA
by Randy.
Randy himself made discussion of moderation the cardinal sin of FlyerTalk from day one of the moderator corps. His volunteer staff were above reproach. Period.
Randy himself made decisions to ban posters 'for life.'
IMHO, our current Community Director is FAR more tolerant and reasonable than Randy was in terms of allowing discussion of the management of FT. She also does not respond to criticism with rambling overly-defensive posts, but instead directly addresses issues. And she stays engaged, contrasted with Randy's infamous '
seagull management' technique. If you have respectful and candid feedback regarding FT's management I strongly encourage you to PM Carol. It's night and day vs. FT's former management.
I think Randy does an AWESOME job of managing a forum that is lightly visited by dedicated members, like FT was when I joined in 1998 or like MP is today. So it is no wonder he is well loved there now. He's got the personality that is perfect for it. But I suspect if he saw the kind of growth there that he got here that allowed him to sell this place for ~$6 million he'd end up recreating FlyerTalk's mod practices all over again.