Creating a new registration process that is easier for new users to understand is a business decision. While I approve neither of what they have done or the way in which they have done it, there have not as yet been any inconsistencies in their public pronouncements on the subject.

Yeah, except that saying that "choose between Basic (free, no ads, minimum benefits), Plus+ (free, ads, medium benefits), Paid ($19.99/year, no ads, maximum benefits)" is too difficult for new users to understand is what's hard to swallow for me.

Thank you for creating the poll :)

1. Honestly, I think that the staff are making users out to be idiots, because even 13 year olds can figure it out.
2. It looks like a half-assed attempt to quell the tempers of people...nice try, don't collect 200 dollars.
3. I didn't see it anywhere.

Great poll!
I'm relatively new around here but I can see that LJ will suffer from bad decision making.

I particularly like the way they got themselves an impressive advisory board, who advised them not to do this, then they went ahead and did it anyway without bothering to inform them. I'm not that affronted that they've removed new basic accounts, but I was hoping that after all the public relations calamities of the past few years they might have learned a lesson or two.

Oh, but LJ has been bought out, which means the new overlords get to make all the same PR mistakes all over again! Quick, someone make me an icon with a nipple on it.

Old, but still good.

I rather like this one, from supergee:

He says "By Boobieblues, from Jokergirl. Credit them if you take it."

I may have missed something in all the buried news, but I was under the impression that the advisory board had been formed by or on the behalf of the new overlords so that they wouldn't make the same mistakes SA did.

I agree. I'm not that bothered that you can't create basic accounts. I'd just created a plus account if that's the only option. It's the lack of forthrightness that grates on my nerves.

You dont have to pay for accounts but have to put up with advertisements instead.

Wouldnt have stopped me rejoining but would annoy me somewhat.