I don't think anyone "lost" per say. Richard hasn't given the word that "I can't allow this other sorting method! It won't work" and it may, in all reality, be possible and implemented in a timely manner. It's far to early to tell.

Regardless, the fact that the poll was there and it did at least give thought (plus the years of critisms, Emails and various other comments Shrapnel has recieved, no doubt) to allowing both methods instead of picking a forum software that only needed reverse order.