I think the last paragraph sums it up. If you take a more whimsical approach, then ON30 can be 2 ft gauge, or 3 ft gauge or whatever you imagine. don't worry about it. But if you are more of a rivet counter, then stay away from ON30, you will always be a little frustraed.
I think the comment :
"2. Remember it's a hobby, and leave the rivet counting, proto-fidelity aspect of your personality upstairs when you go down into the basement..."
is not appropro everyone. To some people, the hobby is the rivet counting, proto-fidelity aspect of their models. some don't even run them, they just like to build them very accurately. REMEMBER, that is THEIR hobby and they can do it that way and have fun. don't discourage them either.