What Happened to ORP?
 

It seem that you can't start new threads or reply to posts in that forum. Heck, you can't even access it directly.

Any idea what's up?

Randy has been under an extreme number of tight deadlines lately and really does not have the time available to answer/observe/referee the content posted there. It was decided to take the forum down until such time as he can freely post again.

Between now and May 7 his time has been spoken for many times over but we're sure he will want to return to answer members questions.

FYI you can still read existing posts in ORP at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=383 if you want to see what was posted prior to the closing.

Well that's interesting.

Too bad. :(

Its not the first time that Randy's needed to do this...

Gotcha.

I didn't think the conversation was out of control or anything. Shrug.

I think that your reason is exactly the point! :)

I do not think Randy has done this.

:confused: why not?

If I recall correctly, Randy did close the ORP forum a while back.

I don't remember why; and I don't remember for how long.

dh

I recall it being gone for quite some time... about the same time as OMNI was 'on vacation'.

Right around the time of the great SW RV Tour, wasn't it? :D

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

Ah, yes - I remember it well! ;)

One theory
 

These closings tend to "coincidentally" closely follow flurries of administrative activity, vanishing posts/threads, and/or bannings of long-time posters known for level-headed postings. When FTers who don't normally pay attention to FT politics start seeing "banned" (oops, I mean "suspended" :rolleyes: ) under the handles of multiple respected posters who have been around for years, readers naturally begin to wonder if it might be that these long-time members have a better understanding of the TOS than a few of the authorities instead of the other way around. They turn to places like ORP and start asking questions, which is of course itself a violation, which then spirals into more and more such posts. (Check out your favorite forums and see how many 5-year+ members, original members, Flyertalk Evangelists, and/or members held in such esteem that they are mentioned by name in the glossary, are banned. )

Such questioning and dissent naturally has to be censored--uh, I mean squelched--quickly, and forum closings seem to follow. Go read ORP from 10/04 for a nice case study. I think that's also when OMNI went on vacation.