It has been a while since I have been active on these forums. Upon my return, I noticed that there is a lot of rule bending going on here. I have seen a lot of convo-posting and posts of little relevence to the topic (spam), a lot of stuff that wasn't tolerated a year ago. I am requesting that everyone please read over the rules and remind yourself of what they are. We can make this place a lot cleaner and easier for new members to feel welcome.
Quote from: Jack on February 22, 2005, 10:41:35 AM
Hi everyone and welcome to the Desert Colossus Forums (version 2.0)! I've used a new forum software, YaBB, that is relatively much simpler than the old one, so working with it should not be much harder than before.
Moreover, I've added barebones forum sections throughout here, so if you have ideas for new ones, please use the Instant Message feature of this board to suggest them to me.
Anyways, as for the rules, they are quite simple and are as follows:
1. Be civil. No insults, put-downs, slurs, etc.
2. Be helpful.
3. No profanity.
4. (The "joe" rule) NO SPAMMING. Spamming is replying to every single topic with a silly one-word response or reply that has no relevance to the topic at hand.
5. When replying in a topic, keep your reply relevant to the topic.
6. The forums are not for conversations. If you must communicate one on one with someone, use PMs. That's what they are there for. If only you and one person are posting in the same topic for six replies or so, and the topic of conversation has moved away from the original topic, then it's a conversation.
7. Don't do anything that will stretch the page. Examples include a huge line of dashes or periods, or just pasting the URL of a link into the reply box. Rather, break up long lines of stuff with periods, and use the URL button on the reply page (it's the one with the globe).
8. Proper grammar and spelling please. The occasional number-as-letter substitute is fine, but if that's all you post with, you make it exceptionally hard for others to read your posts. This is more common courtesy than anything.
9. This is less a rule than a suggestion--it is considered exceedling polite to have more than just "lol" or "haha" or "I agree" as a reply. Not necessary, but preferred!
10. Have fun!
11. The Golden Rule: if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all!
Learn 'em, live 'em, love 'em, buy 'em dinner.
Thank you very, very much for this reminder.
Remember that this is not only for the members, but the mods as well.
Especially towards the mods, who seem to forget that spamming is a violation of the rules but let many do it and punish those who call them out on it.
Nice work old friend, maybe the "mods" will actually act like ones now.
Yes, I can think of two people who need to have their spamminess cease at once...
I'll sticky this. It would be a waste for this to sink.
Thank you, Gamefreak; I meant to do that.
Hey, yeah, I've noticed that this meta king guy seems to be doing a lot of spamming, like, in the wii/ds codes he just made this random smilie and I really don't know what is up with that guy, but he has major spamming issues.
Thank you for pointing that out. Was this recent, because if it is, he's getting a warning.
I'm not sure, but it happened when rugby or whoever locked the Wii/ds codes thing.
bgrugby, what do you mean me, Gamefreak, and ZV don't act like mods? We each were chosen because we follow the rules and point out when things get out of hand or when rules were broken. You're seriously playing favorites.
You know, gamefreak does have a point, I think they're doing a good job. and I see DW already found the spammer.
My name is 'The Artist Formerly Known As Whocares', not Gamefreak. I have the laser beems in my sig, remember.
Quote from: The Artist Formerly Known As Whocares on April 10, 2007, 12:15:44 PM
bgrugby, what do you mean me, Gamefreak, and ZV don't act like mods? We each were chosen because we follow the rules and point out when things get out of hand or when rules were broken. You're seriously playing favorites.
I am not playing favorites, I just feel you guys are not doing your jobs when it comes to spammers and it has gotten to the point where it is a serious headache. And thank you for unlocking my topic without asking, maybe it will improve but lord knows how many times I had to tell people not to spam in there.
You actually could have told us that your topic was spammy, you know. That's what everyone else does. And spamming is a much more minor offense compared to insulting and cussing.
Yeah well I lost my temper with that one but again, maybe if people would take care of spammers because I never tolerated spamming like this. And it is my topic and I think I have the right to lock it, but you want it, have fun with it.
And yes it is a minor offense...until people keep on doing it, then you have a problem.
But whatever buddy, your the moderator you do what you want, besides you shouldn't really be getting all defensive just because some people (and trust me their are people) who think you could be doing a better job. Instead you should be listening to them and do better.
I unlocked it because you could just modify the post or even put more posts in if you wnated to so peopel could just go directly to the code rather than ask you.
And I do listen to people: I'm much kinder than when I became a mod. You should have seen how controlling I was.
Hey, we are getting off topic. If you two want to continue this, I suggest you take it to PM's.
Quote from: The Artist Formerly Known As Whocares on April 10, 2007, 02:00:57 PM
I unlocked it because you could just modify the post or even put more posts in if you wnated to so peopel could just go directly to the code rather than ask you.
And I do listen to people: I'm much kinder than when I became a mod. You should have seen how controlling I was.
Well first, you had no right to unlock it without asking me junior, I created the post, I can lock it whenever I want. I tried everything to stop the spammers but alas it failed so I did what I thought was best, and again, you had no right to unlock it.
And as for your temperment change, well that is your problem. Why did you become kind just because you became a mod? You are supposed to be tough as a mod and not be nice. That is your problem.
Now I say all this because in the short 4 months I have been back I have noticed, Moderators trying to convince members to believe what they do (aka "this Zelda was first because" threads), Moderators making poor decisions (ala making a thread in the rules listing all the words NOT to use...nice work), and Moderators allowing spammers to roam freely because, quote, "it is a minor offense". If it is in the rules it is NOT a minor offense. Granted people spam sometimes but they should be told so and if they are not corrected should be kicked out, but the current mod team seems to not care.
Oh and before you make a statement, I was a Moderator on here, I was one of the originals, and if you do not believe it ask Wyndisis.
Metaking has done enough spamming for a banning I feel, but it really wouldn't be fair to give him all three out of the blue like that...
Yes, I can't warn him out of the blue as you said for stuff that has not happened recently. However, in part due to bgrugby's words (and others) I'm going to try to shape up a bit as a mod. Granted, I'm not entirely guilty of bgrugby's first two points he made, but I have been a bit lenient on spamming lately.
Ummm, bgrugby, didn't you notice Gamefreak say to move it to PMs? We'll continue there if you want to argue, but I see no point in arguing over this anymore.
Also, one last thing, you've pretty much directly insulted me.
and thats against the rules...
and bgrugby, the mods are doing a great job, they are tough when they need to be and they really cant do anything about spammers but warn them and delete/lock their topics, jacks the only one who can really drop the hammer on them, cut the mods a break they are doing what they can.
i just had to get my two cents in, BOT
Also, I'll say one last thing: my views on what a mod should be are much different than yours. In my opinion, mods should put the rules and modship second, while what should be most important is getting along with other members. If we don't have a good relationship with the members, than we'd both loose a huge reason to come here and the other members would think we're just abusing our powers. We should have fun with the other members, be happy like the other members, and noly when needed our position as a mod should come into play. The other members are more important than the rules.
Ok this (I hope) is the last post I will ever make on this site again as I have already said my peace to all the mods who decided to PM me.
Being a Moderator is not much different then being a teacher. Your first job is to express your expectations and rules. After that you build rapport with others and attempt to build stong, healthy relationships. Of course, there will be those who do not live up to the expectations or break the rules, and they need to be reminded what the rules are. However, some will constantly continue to break them. Now if you were a teacher in a classroom, would you allow this student to go about breaking the rules even though you stated from day one that it is not accepted? Or will you let him go because you do not want the student to not like you? Seems ludicrious there does it now? That is why a moderator needs to step in after telling a member that they have broken the rules too many times and issue them warnings and if need be, a ban. As with teachers, a teacher's job is to teach...not be friends, a moderators job is to moderate...not be friends. That is all I have to say, and I hope for the sake of this site that it does not fall like I have seen many other forums that allowed spammers to run around and do what they wanted.
Well, bgrugby, I said 'only when needed' will I intervene as a mod, but when I'm not needed to do anything with members that explay bad behavior, then I enjoy my time on this site and have a good time with the other members. You've misunderstood where I said 'only when needed' will I need to use my abilities as a mod.
Also, the way you explain things, it seems you don't at all want to both enjoy being a member and having fun with other members.
And we don't allow spammers to run around, the only reason you think so is because when you came back you expected all of us to act like you and the other members did back in 2005, but because we didn't, you got sick of us.
Seriously, cut it out both of you. Or I'll give you both warnings.
Actually, bgrugby just left. He said he didn't want anything to do with TDC anymore and that we destroyed the site.
Another topic has fallen to ruin, in part to some few that shall remain anomynous.
ZV Told me that he doesn't know what Jack was thinking when he appointed those who he appointed as mods.
It is of high priority that you exercise proper judgment in relation to the rules. To "Have fun" as whocares so eloquantly stated may have caused the forums to fall somewhat into disarray.
It is not up to you to tell how the quality of your work has been, it is up to others who bear witness to it, rather than the one facing bias to his own favor.
Quotenoly when needed our position as a mod should come into play
Despite mispelling only, this is a key part. Only when something begins to get out of hand or when it is out of hand do we need to act as mods, but when the site is at peace we are only normal members.
Also, sorry I got out of control Just now. bgrugby pretty much insulted the site and mods repeatedly, and through that the members, and through that me. All the ones who were banned at least enjoyed being here, while bgrugby (who isn't banned) admitted he hated this site and 'we' (exactly what he meant by that, the mods or current members, is unknown) and that 'we' ruined it. He had become obsessed with the fact that because he was older he was higher than the members, and that his former position as a mod both enforced this and made him think that the current mods, not just me, suck. And I was the one who took it the worst, too, being directly insulted.
Very good final point, JQ. I don't know exactly what others think of how I do, but I still try. Neither do the other mods and Jack. But recently, me and Gamefreak had this meeting and talked about... Well, I can't really tell you. It's far too important to post publicly.
And just which time he made mods do you mean? The time bgrugby and Darth Wyndisis was one? Phantompig and ZV and Evilslayer and DW? Or now?
I guess no one really knows why they were picked as mods.
I didn't feel insulted at all by what Bgrugby said. You seem to be the only one that takes offense. And what can you say? You are only one member here.
It seems that you take offense over every little thing that he says. Swallow your pride, why don't you? People have their opinions on how they should work things out, just because he's older makes no difference and to think otherwise shows conceit. If you cannot take his beliefs on what a mod should and shouldn't be, then don't go off about it saying that you feel insulted by it.
it has...been very very easy for people to spam and not get in trouble for it. Metaking is a very good example. This new member thing shouldn't be used as an excuse, I didn't fill up the forums with ungodly amounts of spam when I joined. I think the new members should be warned just as strictly as veteran members, because if they aren't reprimanded, they won't see any reason to stop.
There's a little thing called 'grace periods' and 'verbal warnings'. Verbal warnings are warnings that don't count, but if he continues with that behavior, he gets a warning. Works for Gamefreak at least...
Well, we can't just say that if a newb does something wrong they get a warning. We should at least give them a tiny break.
But it isn't entirely the mod's fault we can't keep up. We don't have enough time to look everywhere, and PMing us is also a good idea. (If you 'Report to Moderators', then it only emails us, and it could take days for us to get on the computer again, whilst PMing a mod that's on, who would notice it almost immediately, would be mcuh quicker)
Quote from: The Artist Formerly Known As Whocares on April 13, 2007, 01:14:20 PM
Quotenoly when needed our position as a mod should come into play
Also, sorry I got out of control Just now. bgrugby pretty much insulted the site and mods repeatedly, and through that the members, and through that me. All the ones who were banned at least enjoyed being here, while bgrugby (who isn't banned) admitted he hated this site and 'we' (exactly what he meant by that, the mods or current members, is unknown) and that 'we' ruined it. He had become obsessed with the fact that because he was older he was higher than the members, and that his former position as a mod both enforced this and made him think that the current mods, not just me, suck. And I was the one who took it the worst, too, being directly insulted.
Sigh I come to reply to an innocent PM from a friend and I am drawn to this. Whocares, you may be one day a great politician by turning nothing into facts. Well let me get you ready for real life and how it is:
FACT: I never put down the site, just some "members" (aka spammers) and "mods" (who allow spammers to do what they want)
You take that as being an attack on the site, well it is not, it is still a great site with many great people involved.
FACT: I have seen many sites be destroyed by spammers and turned to crud.
I think you took this as saying that TDC is crud because you and your fellow mods have allowed spammers to REPEATEDLY allow spammers to post spam. New members, if they spam, ok, just wordily warn them (cause you cannot verbally on the Internet) not to do it again, and if they do that is where warnings come.
And if you claim to have no time to investigate, well again as I have told you Whocares, you should not be a moderator.
Well, you had bad timing saying it now. ZV just quit and it makes me feel a little sad you said that while he's quitting.
Also, I'm done arguing now. Goodbye, bgrugby. Hopefully you might think otherwise one day and return.
Maybe I will, but that won't happen until some quality people are placed in charge, which of course is not you my friend.
Please stop insulting me, it's not nice. I'm done arguing, anyways.
And I'm dealing with something far more important right now. Whether or not we'll have a second admin.
Ok I will stop insulting you and stating the FACT that you should not be a mod. Good luck with everything kid, maybe you should learn from this experience and make TDC a better place as many people disagree with your actions. Instead of arguing, why not fix it...just some food for thought.
The truth must be heard
if you cannot swallow your pride and take it
then you are not worthy of the leadership you possess.
Hear, hear, and please, do take the advice of bgrugby, lestg you lose many key members.
And it will all be your fault, so consider such wisely, my friend...
Well, I didn't agree with his mod-ship from the beginning. I was quite surprised at Jack's actions. However, I think for a young as he is, he did a meteocre job in the beginning. Then it seemed as if he totally wanted controll... which would explain.... I have some investigation to do... ::)
God...I can't take this... :'(So many things...how did our family go to war like this?
Uhhh, yeah right ZV. You were actually the one who recommended me as a mod, and Gamefreak too.
Quote from: Zelda Veteran on April 13, 2007, 08:20:35 PM
Well, I didn't agree with his mod-ship from the beginning. I was quite surprised at Jack's actions. However, I think for a young as he is, he did a meteocre job in the beginning. Then it seemed as if he totally wanted controll... which would explain.... I have some investigation to do... ::)
I find that to be disrespectful to Whocares. You can have your own opinion on his work as a mod, but you were the one who recommended him(and me) to become mods.
Personally, I think Whocares has taken to much from this whole thing. We all get the point. Quite a few of you are upset over his actions in the past month or so. But we should just move on rather than reminding him in every post that we are unhappy.
The above quote is a bit old, and things change with the times... But it doesn't really matter, does it?
It is old, but I had to get that point across.
Sorry I just brought this back up, but I had to get it clear that ZV's lying. Why? I don't know.
Feelings change, memories are forgotten...it doesn't really matter whether he supported you at the beginning or not.
Actually, his post said he never agreed with me being a mod, which is a lie because he was the one who recommended me to be a mod, and Gamefreak, so if he recommended me and never agreed with my promotion, he'd either have split personalities or is clearly lying.
Or the more believable conclusion: He changed his mind soon after.
but why does it matter?
No, he was a clear supporter of me in the beginning.
And I wasn't like how I was today being a mod, JQ: I was much meaner! >:( :D
And it matters for a lying/insulting post that he only said because he didn't want to look bad for recommending me.
I think I might have made a bad choice bringing this up...
I was actually the one who brought it up, actually. You just followed me.
Does either even matter? Your making a mountain out of a molehill. Who honestly cares if he supported you in the beginning or not?
*all silent except whocares*
Don't be insulted when people state their opinions and think about something that seems a little odd.
You forgot Gamefreak, you know.
And I wasn't insulted actually, except by the lie, and because he's hiding the truth so he won't look bad.
He's stating his opinion, opinions cannot be lies, because they are not held in fact. Why don't you just ask Zelda Veteran yourself and end the issue?
He said what he said, let's leave it at that.
All right, guys. Let's all calm down and think this through. :)
Firstly, I believe that we are off topic (even though this topic didn't seem to call for too much discussion in the first place), so maybe those concerned with what ZV has to say about Whocares's modship should take this to PMs.
Secondly, this was in the past, so this discussion probably shouldn't have gone this far into the present. What's done is done. What has passed shouldn't influence our decisions for the future the forums unless they contribute to the welfare of the forums.
Now, will we please all get on the same page and get back to being one big, happy family? :)
I reccomended in the beginning 3 people. HNS, Whocares, and GameFreak. Little did I knbow how much trouble, hate, and anger would spout from my decision making. This is exactly why I'm quitting. I'm sick of being the one to make decisions because nobody else is. And what happenes when my decisons crash, burn, and cripple? I get blamed for it all. I had a nickname. I was Michigan's biggest screw-up. I was, and I always will be. But this isn't a pity party, its a discussion. I figured maybe I could achieve greatness if I stood out amoung a crowd, and led in the way a great man would. I realized that I'm just a 15 year old punk living in the outskirts of San Antonio. Nothing more I can do. Nothing more I can say. I'm finished.
(thanks JQ for your steadfast support, and notifications)
I never blamed you for anything. I just didn't agree with what you said. There's times in life when you do mess up. That holds true for everyone. But who's the better man? The one who runs when things get bad? Or the one who faces his problems? I think it would be a big folley for you to quit Zelda Veteran. All that would do is throw this into even more chaos. I didn't think you are a screwup. In the time I've known you, you've always made good decisions, kept your cool, and faced problems. But what would happen if you were to quit? Would it solve anything?
ZV, I won't stop you, but consider this: if you leave, you'll regret it forever. We're each good friends of you, and just leaving us behind will destroy that fact. And no, leaving won't solve anything.
So It will be my life's biggest regret. Is that it? Leaving problems behind is a good thing. You see, there is a seering headache in the back of my mind. This headache includes school, grades, the fighting and bickering here at TDC. You know, I used to come here, and relax? Thats right, this used to be a relaxing place. Maybe it will be if I quit being a mod. I'm sick of working at school, working at home, and working to keep things under controll here at TDC.
I'm sick of it. Don't convince me otherwise, I'm leaving modship. I'm not leaving TDC entirely, just the Mod Squad. I had a good time, yeah it was fun, but with Jack gone, I've been getting Pms left and right telling where to go, and who to argue with. I got back from a concert where I smoked about a pack and a half of ciggaretts through Second-Hand smoke, and I've got a throbbing headache, and the urge to go completely insane. I'm just so... tired.
Oh, you aren't leaving the site? We thought you were leaving the site, not the mods.
And ZV, this is why we're getting a second administrator. Jack comes too little to do enough, so a second one to fill the large gaps will make the site much better. And we've just gone through a very rough period, with bgrugby flaming and spam just being relized. It will be over soon, it won't be like this forever.
Quote from: Zelda Veteran on April 28, 2007, 12:49:48 PM
So It will be my life's biggest regret. Is that it? Leaving problems behind is a good thing.
There is a difference between leaving them behind and running from them. I don't blame you for anything, I think you've been doing great during this whole thing, and honestly I think we're just about healed now. we have our forum admin picked and have new mod(s) on the way...just hang in there, it'll get resolved. Then, we can leave it behind.
Yes, we have two mods: the new one that will come out of nowhere and my replacement.
Jack should choose the new one, me my replacement. If ZV quits, he should choose his.
Anyways, ZV, you shouldn't quit. We've gotten rid of bgrugby, and the fight over my modship should be over now with me quiting. We have a new admin coming to take care of what Jack can't, and a new mod. (Note: Techniqually, it's only one new mod with the second one being my replacement in this case) Everything will end quickly.
GameFreak-
Listen to this, and listen good. I'm not running from these problems. I simply have enough problems of my own. I don't back down. I'm simply prioritizing. I have priorities away from the site, and I feel its best to tend to those first.
Whocares-
It just seems so far away, you know? Its hard to hang on with the tip of your pinky finger. :-*
It does seem far away, but once we get Jack back on for just one day, we'd be there.
Also, I'm deciding my replacement. By an hour today, you'll know who it is.
Chances are, Jack won't be back until June, at the earliest. And for all we know, he's gotten married and gotten himself a kid...
Oh darnit, I'm scarred for life again, again! :-*
No, we'll contact him soon enough, he's out of school and colledge, and, although he does have a job and life, he shouldn't be hard to contact.
AHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA
In case you haven't noticed, I've already TRIED to contact Jack, via TML. As you can see, it's a tedious thing, and as memory should serve you, Jack is currently way way way too busy for anything internet related.
I really am starting to get worried...
I am unstickying this topic. It has been around long enough.