Firstly, your ranking for the phrase 'business forum' is very good, I will swear on the life of my children, my post was in no way a deliberate attempt to undermine your efforts, by stating my designers site ranked in position 3, I probably just said it out of surprise as Dan had been complaining about his ranking a week earlier and I didn't realise he was targeting this term.
I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say you have got to know Tom and Gordon well, it implies that regardless what is said you will favour their side, even if this was not intended it will be seen that way by many. I guess there is an element of human nature in everything we do or say. I own 3 forums myself, taking a back seat in their running to prevent things like this happening.
Forums certainly are a good medium for the passing and sharing information, they can however be ruined at times by business related competitiveness or one-upmanship, this makes it very difficult if not impossible to spot genuine helpful people, from the rest. Look at the way Tom is behaving now, deliberately trying to prove a response, even though I have just spent 20 mins of my valuable time presenting him with the issues on a site he designed, once the pack get green light from the leader, they very quickly move in for the kill. This of course only happens online, most of the online vermin have no stomach for face to face confrontation, especially not with a person who has fought on the front line in 3 wars and served this country well for most of his adult years. If Tom had half a brain he would realise my posts were based around client issues of web design, not designers themselves, anyone would think certain people had something to hide.
People will always be passionate about their work, in that respect I admire Gordon, it is perfectly natural and will generally lead to a defensive stance being taken, however if factual evidence is provided by both sides it should prevent tempers rising. In the end the debate on bounce rates fizzled out when boxby explained, her stance was taken because her site had a poor rating.
The trouble in a forum is when the site owner feels a need to step in and take a side, by doing so a precedent has been set for the whole forum going forward. Play by my rules, be weary of my friends or watch out. I have seen many a good forum perish due to this attitude. Of course if debates lead to personal digs a word should be had, be that with a friend of a complete stranger.
I really have enjoyed my time here, I tried to be helpful in spreading accurate information on the dark art, apart from advertising my reports (today) I have never tried to sell or use the forum for anything other genuine reasons, I do however feel now would be a good time to take a bow and exit stage door left. Otherwise I may be knocking on a few doors when I make my annual pilgrimage to Scotland.
I hope in future new people are made to feel more welcome than they currently are, even if they have a difference of opinion with a popular member.
I hope the forum prospers in the future, I feel it will
Pete