I really like this quote. One thing I've learned arguing with people over D&D is not to underestimate the size of the pre-3E D&D fanbase, though there is little of it here at ENWorld. While I view the Old School Revolution as a small group of highly vocal and opinionated people, there is a large group of people behind them who are less strident and less visible, but still prefer things how AD&D(or other earlier editions) did things. A significant percentage of the 3E community during its day were using 3E/3.5E rules to play AD&D, ignoring or glossing over the changes 3E made, and these people continue to play the same as they always have. Some still playing 3E, 3.5E or even Pathfinder, some playing earlier editions or retroclones. They aren't defined by the OSR, but the OSR is more visible.
I play 4E and still play the way I always have. My style has not really changed through changes from B/X to 1E, 2E, 3E, 4E. I
am part of the pre-3E fanbase despite the edition I currently choose to play.
I think many people here are being treated unfairly, put into a "camp" based on the edition they currently enjoy. Yes, I currently enjoy 4E, but I look forward to an edition that might emulate my favorite parts of previous editions.
My issues so far from what we've heard and/or things I want them to avoid are:
* I
like a well-developed Skill Challenge. The comment about them "dying in a fire" concerned me.
* I almost quit playing D&D because of the System Mastery monster created by 3E's open multiclassing, frontloaded classes, imbalanced prestige classes, imbalanced (overpowered and 'trap') feats, etc. The team's decision to focus on the multiclass rules of one out of 6 editions has me wary. I'm not opposed in general, but they must find a way to balance this for my group's tastes.
* One thing they haven't touched upon, AFAIK, is 2E kits. If they explore those based on fan feedback I hope they keep them balanced.
* To meet my needs they need a better published adventure support system. I still think they should reach out to a respected publisher, like Paizo, to strike a deal that makes sense for both parties. This would require WotC to be generous enough in its offer (using Paizo as an example) to make it worth their while to abandon their own product, so I won't hold my breath. There are obviously other opportunities and options.
Just about anything else I'm willing to compromise on.