I think I would rather watch my VCR version than something that has been messed with. So whether it has any effect or not I won't even buy the ultimate/special edition. For me it's more a principal thing than a protest thing, though it would be great if it did have an effect. I think the petition could have a real effect, but I don't think a boycott would be noticed to be honest. I will be interested to see if many people try to get a refund once they realise it is not the OT though. If you look on the official site they are promoting it as if it is the OT.
As for LOTR: I did know that stuff about the alterations, and the fact the Tolkien was extremely fussy about the "Elfs" and "Elves" stuff (which I thought was wonderful, I love slightly eccentric stuff like that). Actually it is about all I know, since I only got to read the introduction/prologue and half the first chapter before my copy was ruined
