My 2 cents...

Just because someone doesn't agree with the "corporate position" doesn't make them cranks or crazy people. That attitude is condescending and largely unfair.

For my part, I try to make my arguments, provide examples, and go from there. People are free to disagree (and they DO).

The "vocal minority" argument is an old one that many people use to marginalize dissenting voices. In TV and radio, when we receive ONE letter from a viewer, that letter is considered by the Powers that Be, as representing HUNDREDS of viewers who didn't bother to post a letter to the station.

I don't know about most of you, but I don't have any "Internet Courage." The stuff I say here is the same stuff I say to your face. In the "Real World" I have worked as an arts advocate, serving on various boards to help artists with all manner of issues. Believe me, I'm a LOT more sedate on the web than I can be in person.

Rendo has taken an enlightened view, in that dissenting posts are not immediately removed, because any rational person would wonder what the company has to hide by yanking down negative posts. I had a talk with a friend about that recently (I'll mention that conversation in another post late, busy now).

In reality, by allowing dissenting views, Rendos forums are much more civilized. Some forums yank down dozens of posts. Are those posts somehow "wrong?" Are these people incorrect or simply not supporting the "official position"? Other forums give an unrealistic view of what people are actually thinking.

So, my advice is to read the posts, both Pro and Con, then make up your own mind.