Probably but I am sure they knew what they were gettting into with this group - After all how can you ask anything of the Active Rain Community and not know that you are getting chaos! 

You have to be careful when you suggest improvements. The conversations turn negative very quickly. I have learned my lesson.

Bob,

I don't think so.  I am sure that they knew what was afoot when they made the decision to buy Active Rain.  A

I've been out for a few days but I guess, they won't have to complain about not getting enough ideas.

Good morning Bob. Like any company asking this kind of question, will produce some good, bad and ugly requests. They are smart enough to figure out what is really important, including asking the question.

 Good Wednesday morning Bob. One needs to be careful on what they ask for. While it's good to get input from the masses, the final decision has to be up to the leadership team. You cannot make everybody happy.

My guess is that they welcome the suggestions, so they can sort through them and make a better AR.

No, I think both of them can handle any crap that comes with the good suggestions.

No especially Bob Stewart he knows what he is getting into.

I think Bob is.

Know, they do not regret asking for input.

The poor sole who was assigned the task of analyzing the data and presenting it in a meaningful way may have a different take on soliciting input.

Like you, they  may realize meaningful input can not be obtained through open solicitation.

However, the new owner was pre-emptive in providing a high level survey that actually hinted at (by the context of the questions asked) where the priorities lie. Using a survey means you don't have to read through a whole bunch of drivel.

Ben will eventually show the flag then we can all decide what to do based on the merits presented.

Meanwhile, folks like you and me should be serious regarding a fair consideration of monetizing AR and bringing additional value to those who participate. Then we wait for Bob, Ben, or the Director of New Business and Retention to call us.

Those things offered without invite are seldom valued highly.

Bob, It's admirable that they are asking. It is to their benefit to know their users. But we, as users, tend to want to drive a ship that is not really ours. I wish them well as they make difficult decisions. I wish us well that we may find success in using this platform in a way that is beneficial.

Bob, you are so right. You can't go back to the old days and move ahead. Thomas Wolfe said "You can never go home again." You can never go back to the past, you just have to build on the future. If we went back to the old days, half the great people who are here wouldn't be around...

They need a place to start and they can't start anything without a direction.

I don't think so.... they both are familiar with the AR community.  And they want to know what we think.  They are human, though, and I'm sure they respond better to positive criticism and suggestions.  

What do you think the opposite reaction would have been if they hadn't asked ?  

No way, i am sure they already knew before asking and way before agreeing to buy AR. I think the largest factor they offer everyone is HOPE. Most people who were active in Trulia saw their site nose dive into spam and scams and had a great fear that would happen here through a non caring owner. With Bob and Ben, I feel they will give AR the time and resources it deserves,

No,

 I think that they really want to know what went wrong, what we like and how to get us back on top.

I'm sure they knew what they were asking.

It never hurts to ask--at some point they will see a trend towards certain issues/requests.

I am willing they turned off their hearing aides days ago.

There will always be room for improvement, that is certain Bob. Some suggestions make perfect sense and should be implemented but it is impossible to please 200,000+ members!