It was a good topic, so thanks for the thread, sharkbyte. Unfortunately, they're like a rash that won't go away - and I agree that to leave this thread which is certainly not what you intended and delete the other, is at best a bad decision and at worst fraught with shades of cronyism and dishonesty.
Let's see how many of the sock puppets are banished, as well as what changes will happen to insure disclosure if you work for (i.e. DM, or "divecon", instruct, account,sweep floor, or get any form of reimbursement, be it cash or barter) a dive shop and post anything, no matter how remotely, about it.
Steven Ash is affiliated with one- and we all know it. He mentions it quite often.
ScubaJCF just bought into one - and it was the subject of its own thread. His posts never are chest-thumping, I'm the greatest, and my dive store is greatest. No one else's employees do so as near as I can tell.
Never hear about ElMar, or any of the others. They're classier than that.
No one who's read these and didn't already form an opinion would set foot in that shop-and to that I say, we have something they want, and it's MONEY. Keep it, or give it to another shop, and you've helped in the biggest way possible.
I'm very disappointed- discussions and even arguments are what brings out viewpoints, and are healthy in most cases. Censorship is never the answer.
And the next argument will be "they're individuals, I can't control them" which of course we all know is nonsense.
I'm probably done with this board if there isn't penalties dished out and some semblance of change to correct some people's posting habits. Diver2Diver is, unfortunately, more to my liking at this point.
Nice knowing all you non-pigs!