Wow. In the other thread, LPR and Wheatpenny insist that it's okay to link to trusted external sites so long as they are not freebies or 3D marketplaces (acceptable examples including Amazon and Youtube) They state that they don't understand how there can be so much confusion over this. When I tell them that I don't believe this until there is an official announcement made, they tell me that they will try to get Hope to make an announcement about it (which I do greatly appreciate, guys, just to clarify)

Instead, she locks the topics and tells us to sitemail us. No announcement. Claims there is "nothing more to discuss"

Result: more people are leaving. Not helpful, at all.
I question the wisdom of the "PM me" policy. Whatever it is you have to say should be announced publicly-- I can't imagine anything that should not be announced.