Originally posted by: MrNeutrino
This is completely hopeless!
What's the holdup now, Gary?!
Sadly, I (and I'm guessing hundreds/thousands of others) couldn't agree more.
Kind of reeks of the tactics of nightly news shows..."..87 of your neighbors killed in bizarre accident-details 'next up', after this word from our sponsors" (only to actually be an hour later into the broadcast).
Having been an avid anandtech-ite from very nearly Day 1 I can only hope this isn't a sign of things to come....certainly wouldn't have been acceptable practice in the "old days".
Anyone (well, almost anyone) is perfectly willing to understand and accept that "things change/shtz happens and everyone faces rough spots in their personal lives from time to time. Those things are "reasons", not "excuses" - taken on face value out of respect at first. Requiring some explanation and communication if the situation continues. Then ultimately making the transition to "excuse" and resultant lack of respect/trust in the speaker.
You are absolutely correct in saying that you (and I'd suggest - "most people") "would have appreciated getting a frank and honest....."
Before the shills jump out of the woodwork waving the A-tech flags and spouting verbal diarrhea, allow me to say this is in no way meant as an attack on Gary/Jared/AT or anybody else. Intended solely as constructive criticism/commentary in agreement with your (and many others) frustrations - and to hopefully provide a nudge to get AT "back on track" when it comes to their responsibilities to their "customers".
We all know all the arguments ("you're not paying anything/these guys have a life of their own/etc") - no need to rehash those.
Back in the early days when it truly was a "labor of love" and a staff of 1 it was totally understandable that a "big term paper due tomorrow morning" would delay posting a review.
Those days, for better or for worse, are gone.
Today AT is, in fact, a "real" business with income, expenses, staff, and all the perils and pleasures that go along with being so.
Advertising revenue depends on all of our "eyeballs" and like it or not, getting those eyeballs to return requires not only content but also a sturdy bridge of trust.
That "bridge" is fragile and I for one would hate to see it fall into disrepair when preventing that from happening is as simple as keeping the lines of communication open and alive.
"Communication" is, after all, the business they are in.