Community Moderators

Well, there are two aspects to consider.

First, how has this site and forums reached this level of popularity? One has to assume it is the content and lively debate. Now, unless the visitor numbers to the forum are falling you would have to question the need to change anything in particular. If, however, visitors, members and posts are diminishing, it would need careful consideration as to why. I suspect it would be more to do with the general nature of things, rather than the dislike many people have for nastiness. Of course, I'm willing to be proved wrong.

Second, and more important, if this change is to improve things and maintain or increase visitors, who will benefit? I don't wish to appear overly cynical, but I'm certain no money will come my way! Basically, DPReview will reap the commercial reward and I think it a little rich to expect people to do their job for nothing. Certainly, the facility is here and is free (on the face of it), but see how long it will last if there is a membership fee! Also, I said 'on the face of it' as anything that requires expenditure from a commercial venture will eventually come back to the consumer to foot the bill: the adverts cost, so the manufacturers/sellers include that in their accounts and adjust their prices accordingly.

It would be lovely to think of DPReview as a purely altruistic venture, but to do so is very naive. They often express themselves as though forum members should be eternally grateful, but I think that view is somewhat upside down!

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2012 : My new year's resolution -
To be decided...