Actually, the change in format was requested by forum members in that original thread in General...Arch didn't make this decision in a vacuum and actively solicited comments/suggestion/feedback in multiple threads. Many of the folks who do the buying and selling here supported the idea of a change, I don't recall who all piped in but I remember Bedrock and foolkiller both supported the idea.
Unfortunately, the implementation of the change is awkward and duplicative. I'd like to see "Comics Market - Forum Only Selling Area" broken down as follows:
1) Guidelines/Discussion (it's own sub-forum)
2) Golden/Silver/Bronze Age Only
3) Copper/Modern Age Only
4) Misc comic-related items (supplies, statues, TPB's, hardcovers, vintage unused 1965 Peanuts telephone books, etc.,.)
5) Virtual Comic Con (VCC) Hall
Please don't get Watson started on his boring rants.