@Bob - Well, sorry you feel that way. I have done my best, but in the face of a flood of other reports (Mats, ECW's rep) it seemed unreasonable to write up much of the same things again. I do remain gently skeptical but in general I am positive that Rossi has got something real, and I am not alone in that. If I had no hope, I would not have gone, but as someone there said to me 'This is the hottest ticket in maverick science'.
Nothing I didn't see has made me change my mind about Rossi's general flakiness, but nothing I saw has made me want to disavow the man. If donors thought they were paying for a Damascene conversion, they are doomed to disappointment, since I am not so easily bought. And anyone who would like their cash back on the grounds that they donated expecting me to rubbish Rossi on my return only has to ask. I should remind you that I never asked for donations, they were volunteered, much to my surprise -they certainly made it easier for me to go, and I did appeal for people to stop donating when it yielded enough to cover my flight and hotel. I remain grateful for the support, as it helps me to continue with my own support of researchers with materials and equipment 'pro bono'. I try to give back at least as much as I receive.
ps. Sincerely glad the market is looking after you, in 2008 I did a lot of looking after the market. But some things will defy gravity, at least for a while.
I am glad the market is looking good as well. Yes there are ups and downs as with most everything in life!
I fully agree and recognize that you did not ask for any donations. That was not the gist of my post. Perhaps this is related more to a personality trait than anything else.
If I were to state that I was going to give a full unbiased report, I would hope that I would make the call clearly stated on the facts that are documented. Not hoped for.
I.E. If I went to a demo that was making claims and the demo was shown to be completely invalid of those claims. I would simply report that in no uncertain terms. Such as "the claims are unfounded and cannot be backed up by the presented demo or data". Or "the demo was conducted in a manner that dramatically deviated from simple and standard scientific protocol. " Or "It is mysterious why such attempts to obscure or hide valid data or measurements". Or "then demo has followed a long history of blantent misdirection or simply incompetence".
By not being realistic in reporting, Rossi is simply empowered to continue to go down a path that deviates greatly from standard scientific rigor. When "scientists" refuse to call him on this, it dramatically tarnishes their own reputations. It does the LENR "cause" no good either. I do not really care that "other smart people think this or that". If they will not publish their thoughts, their thoughts are not worth reading, as I for one, cannot read minds.
I can be hopeful for someone, I can even have faith or some level of belief that something is real. But I can still call a spade a spade and I think that will actually improve the prospects for the subject in the long run.
For a long time, my statement has been this.... "Rossi believers dream up excuses, defenses and "how this could be done" because Rossi cannot or does not defend himself". As a matter of fact, it is apparent that Rossi reads his supporter's conjectures and then folds them into his story. This is NOT helping LENR become a reality. Rossi supporters NEED to start holding him accountable.
However, "most" are too afraid to stand up to him or just like Frank Ackland, you will get banned from the "inner circle" ! NO DOUBTERS ALLOWED!
This is no longer a "victimless" story! Rossi walked away with $11 MILLION dollars of money and the investors received ZERO from it. You apparently think that is OK and Rossi was justified. Rossi meanwhile, does not even think HIMSELF that what he got $11 MILLION for is worth pursuing.
And yet you seem to want to communicate that "Rossi's past licensees" are all happy and smiling! I do not understand your logic at all. Can you tell me this.... the demo was in Europe. Europe is under the license of Hydrofusion, which you have stated is all hunky dory with Rossi. Were THEY present at this demo? Did THEY sponsor and assist putting it on? If not, WHY NOT. They are the licensee!
... ah here 
