I don't understand all the uproar.
If anything, a greatest hits compliation will give casual rock fans of today, that have heard of GNR but never really taken it upon themselves to buy any of their records, to get a taste of what the band is all about. Basically, Axl could use this as a publicity boost to give Chinese Democracy a jump start in sales, as it wouldn't be just the hardcore GNR fanbase buying his album.
The way I see things, Axl will reveal everything very soon - everything seems to point in the direction of a release date, with the tour, the greatest hits album etc. However, logic need not apply when discussing Axl Rose, so who the hell knows.
I've more doubts now than ever, though, as Dizzy Reed said that Chinese Democracy would *DEFINITELY* be out in 2003, and GNR fans got jack.
Time will tell, I guess.
UYI