"...I think it is time some decisions were made and some action was taken before the rot goes any further. Again, as I have said before, this board is loosing credibility and that can't be good for Randy's business. Randy may not be the 'policeman of the world', but in my view his decision to expand this board (however well intentioned) started the problems and he is the only one who can put it right..."
I, for one absolutely concur!
And from the past, as Merry noted:
"...It is very simple, I have held the view that WE have managed to maintain a level of decorum and sevility which is unusual in such a forum.
Recent events have blown that theory out of the water. We have commercial sponsors and their commercial interests have recently become plain.
For my part this forum is no longer what it was. Every time I post now I consider how the post will sit with our hosts.
I am not saying that there is anything wrong with this, simply that it is not what I expected from this forum.
My view is that InsideFlyer was able to gain some insight from this forum, an insight which was as a result of sensible mature discussion - with a little bit of friendly humour - I am very dissapointed that censorship has recently become apparent.
I think it is time for me to consider if I need to find an alternative forum, where I do not feel concerned about voicing my opinions.
Nick"
and
"...Right, down to business, I think we have made our point very ably, hopefully WebFlyer Corp or Inc or whatever it is will take notice of our concerns, after all this board is here to keep WebFlyer the premier provider of FF information and therefore ensure we buy their magazines and products.
It is by no means a philanthropic endeavour.
The point has been made. Our work is done..."
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001057.html
"Ok, I think we have all heard this argument enough times that it is becoming a pain.
Doug: Do you not see how hypocritical your posting is? You are saying this is a "public" board so "you" should not apply an etiquette. But that in itself is applying an etiquette.
My view is this. Generally the users of this forum get on well with each other. There is no abuse on this forum. The users of this forum get on with the sponsors of this forum.
My personal view, if people don't like it here, they shouldn't come here..."
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001003.html
"Oh dear, oh dear we are getting in a pickle aren't we.
There seems to be much debate about this BB at the moment and I thought I would share my observations with you...
When I first came across this Board in 1998 I thought it was fantastic. A hard-core of people shared experiences and the board was largely focused on FF program related issues.
Mid-way through last year, I changed jobs and drifted away from the board. When my life had calmed down a little I came back to FylerTalk thinking things would be largey the same. They weren't!
Rudi, Premex etc. were still around, but (no offence guys) they didn't seem as prolific as they once had. But apart from that the board had changed in other ways...
The focus had gone. This was no longer a forum about FF programs but a general travel forum, which is fine but general travel is an immotive and diverse subject and when you start talking general travel you risk getting awash with comment which is largely irrelevant to the majority.
In other words there is so much information around you can't find what you want or what interests you.
That is what I think has changed here. Maybe that is what people want, but it isn't what I used to liek about Flyertalk.
Now I am going to attribute responsibility for this change on someone (not blame because this may have been waht people want)... and the person is... Randy.
Randy has tried to make this forum all things to all men [and women].
I think things got out of control during the time of PiP. I think Randy jumped on this "community" band-wagon and that was it the focus was gone. If you are talking community you are allowing people to talk about things which effect the community, but I once thought this Forum was not for that, but as I have said things have changed.
Another thing which I think is happening now which is very ugly is that people are attaching themselves to this forum and using it as a way of beating the travel industry with their Customer Service Complaints. Personally I don't like the practice of publishing letters to/from airlines/hotels etc. on this forum WHAT VALUE DOES IT ADD to the reader??
In a nutshell, this forum used to ADD VALUE by providing information - that seems to be a minor part of it's role now.
That's fine. But some of the people I consider the key-speakers have drifted away (when was the last time Baobab posted?) and the reason being is this forum has become to ambitious and has forgotten its reason for being here.
If you don't believe me, take a wonder through the posts and see how many actually give you some information which enables you to earn extra miles etc... This forum has drifted so much that there are 'orphan' web-sites which actually tell us what we used to seek here.
My view is if you want to get this board back to the great forum it once was, take the community stuff off-line (go so that somewhere else). Delete the threads such as OMNI; Community; Buzz etc.
Randy: Read your description of what this board is for and make the necessary changes so it gets back there.
I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but if things carry on as they are, the travel industry will start to think of this forum as a joke/pain and that will tarnish your Freddies and everything else you have worked so hard for.
If I was in Customer Service for an airline, I think I would be wary of anyone who allowed a forum which publicised Customer Service issues.
I mean this in as constructive a way as possible.
Nick"
and
"My point is that, this board used to (I am not sure about anymore) havea message when you first logged on specifying that it was about FF programes - general travel chat was directed elsewhere.
By creating the extra forums, this board has been allowed to loose focus, and as I result I think is a much less vibrant and relevant place (my view only, I accept other disagree).
Because there is a lack of focus, some people feel legitimate in posting about non-FF topics.
Get back to the origional reason-detre and you have solved the problem?..."
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000302.html
Shocking as it may well prove to be to some, I absolutely agree with Nick!
Again, also kindly please recall:
..."it seems that there's again been a substantial increase in bickering and a (related?) decrease in information sharing! 
What is the problem after all?
I hope Boomer won't mind my quoting him here!
"My best suggestion to Catman and everyone else? Treat Flyertalk for what it is, a place to share ideas and comments, no more, no less. We aren't talking about world peace here, we're talking about miles for heaven's sake. This isn't life and death, lets not treat it that way."
For heavens sakes, perhaps we can remember that the boards are/should be a great place to learn and to be somewhat playfully entertained for 24hrs/day. Specific personal feelings regarding one anothers' differences should NOT be discussed online in FT, IMHO.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Not a "new" suggestion! 
As Randy noted after the last ugly episode that became so egregious as to lead to deletion of the thread:
TALK TRAVEL
Were talking airlines, hotels, miles and points! Perhaps's we can maintain some focus and have threads dealing with these specific issues and NOT bearing remarks about posts and posters! 
Let's PLEASE ALL let the other silliness go!
We will surely ALL benefit! 
Mark"
And lastly, thanks again to Randy & Co for providing this outstanding forum for ALL of us!
[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-24-2000).]