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.

By my recollection, This is the 3rd time ORP has gone on hiatus. All of the other times have corresponded with times he's been unavailable due to personal or business reasons...

You must be new to the intarweb.

Suspensions/bannings are always, always earned. The leeway that people get here astounds me sometimes.

sko,

You sir, are 110% correct! Sad how the Pacific Northwest Talking Points are so easily refuted by FACTS!

I'd agree. There were a lot of very long, red-hot over-heated threads at those times however. Not the case at all this time as you can see via the link offered earlier:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=383

My personal gut feeling was that Randy did not initiate this one. But as always, I could be wrong. ;)