@Christopher: "(Undisclosed) is a way of venting with out responsibility for your venting ."
On most forums I'd agree that anonymous posts are just a way of hiding behind one's keyboard so one can be a douche, and I'm normally one of the first to say, if you're going to put something out there, you shouldn't be afraid to own it.
This is a different environment, though. It's not a place for web weenies, it's a place for professionals... meaning everyone here is an industry peer in some way... and there are a lot of us. Because of that, there's a very good chance that a perfectly valid vent about a supplier, subcontractor, manufacturer, could come back to bite you in the ass, especially if that other person has a particularly thin skin and vindictive streak (not pointing at anyone in particular, BTW).
Obviously, some people above are concerned about this exact thing with Avigilon: they like the products; they install and use them, and probably make some good money on them, and because they're generally good products, they have happy customers using them... but they're concerned that saying anything negative about the company could lead to them having future problems dealing with the company or getting product or support.
To be honest, I can completely understand that position. I've had instances where I love the products, but the company drives me batty with inconsistent if not downright lousy support, constant-changing policies, and underhanded tactics. I could lay some epic rants on you about one or two of them... but I would want to do be "Undisclosed" as well, because I know there's a very real chance they'd cut off the supply line, or at the very least make my life miserable when looking for support... because frankly, I know that there are some thin-skinned, my-way-or-the-highway types at the top of these outfits.
If you don't have any suppliers like that, count yourself lucky... but understand, they DO EXIST, and for a number of us, it is a valid concern.
The difference here is, nobody is TRULY anonymous - John always knows who it is, so nobody can REALLY hide behind their keyboards.
I've had posts edited and/or deleted as well, and yeah, I find it annoying at the time... but having moderated and admin'd numerous forums in the past, I understand that sometimes it needs to be done to keep things on-track, to avoid things getting out of hand, or to maintain the professional atmosphere. While it's frustrating at the time, looking back at the posts of mine that have been altered using more of a "moderator's eye", I find I generally agree with the decision on most of them. And at the same time, John's pretty good about allowing a bit of levity now and then, not forcing things to be TOO stodgy - it makes for a bit of camaraderie.