Manufacturers pushing their products and agenda in the forums.

I certainly get the sentiments of the OP.

It can be galling if a thread is invaded by manufacturers or salespeople practicing gauche levels of self promotion under the guise of "helping" or offering their valuable experience. (And some do have valuable experience to add).

But fortunately I’ve found quite a number of manufacturers to be quite restrained and actually sharing what seems to be sound, valuable information. Roger Modjeski’s thread is perhaps a highwater example.

My instincts do not tend towards censorship. I never, ever ask a mod to delete intemperate posts even if they are aimed my way, and I prefer to see as many voices as possible having a say. A manufacturer’s or salesperson’s reputation is his/her own to guard, and it’s fine by me if some handle the responsibility of posting well, while others shoot themselves in the foot. I’ve learned which posts to skip reading so it doesn’t slow me down too much.  I take the good with the bad and there's some great stuff to be had here and there.

     My take is that this entire thread is a bit ridiculous and has been going on far longer than the topic merits.  I believe the OP, viridian, likely intention was just to stir the pot since I doubt anyone would have such delicate sensibilities, and such a lack of confidence in their own abilities to discern between shilling and informing, that they'd plead for some sort of censorship and protection.

     What are you so worried about, viridian? What's the worst thing that could happen?  My suggestion is you either get a backbone or rent one, call your mommy, get some counseling or buy a pacifier.


Love,
Tim
XOX

It’s a brave new world. 

I agree generally with the OP, but feel that any banning would need to be done on a case by case basis. At this point, I know of just one poster/retailer here who blatantly hawks the products he sells on various threads, and trashes those he doesn’t sell; all of it under the guise of providing useful, albeit unsolicited information. Then, he gets into arguments with other members when he is called out for it and criticized publicly.