Members conduct

[Excillon]

I'd like to preface by saying this is my favorite site, and the only one I post on. I owe this site a lot. I've met so many cool people, got some really good deals on stuff, and not only discovered Macross but other unrelated anime's, toys/models, etc. just by being here. Now, I'll admit Macross isn't my favorite anime series or hobby, I'm more into Gundam myself. And this site gives me more opportunities to talk about Gundam than even most Gundam forums. Pretty classy of the owners to even allow off macross topic chatter, let alone so much off macross topics like Tf's, GiJoe, Neon gen, etc. I used to love this site, and I still do, but I'm seeing trends I don't like. These trends are:

An entire long running thread about objections to a members permaban

A thread that was only designed as a feeble attempt to passive aggresively bait a mod

A tattletale thread about a mods comment about fast food cuisine

Now, this has gotten out of hand. I'm no mod, just a DISGUSTED member at this point. I'm disgusted in certain fellow members BS crusade to fight Macrossworld injustice. I mean, this is a toy and cartoon forum. How f***ing hard is it to keep it about toys and damn cartoons?! What the hell do you think your fighting against?! All you're doing is making people uncomfortable, and running crap off at the mouth. At first, I threw my two cents in and didn't care. Then, rather than lock the thread, the mods left it open in good faith to allow discussion and debate. That got abused. Then, I see poor EXO get harassed, and although it was, as I mentioned, passive agressive BS, he stood up and responded, even to the point where he was obviously getting upset. Man, leave him alone and let him do his job. Maybe it's hard to imagine, but there are PEOPLE posting these responses and topics. This is not a way to treat people, especially people that have come together on here because of a common interest. We're supposed to be friends on here, right? At the very least, respect each other, and keep it simple. It's all about cartoons and toys, not personal drama, vendettas, and BS. It's not about politics.

I'm sorry, and feel free to lock this thread, but I'm so damn fed up...

[sketchley]

I'll second this.

[Roy Focker]

Btw the way Burger King Stuff is a joke. A member started a topic about no more Orange Drink at McDonald's in Canada. Since it was off topic I closed it. In my closing message I mention about how the Loaded Steak House Burger would be worthy of starting a topic. It was a joke. Which a couple of members here are running with.

[eugimon]

I agree with what you're saying but I would just like to say, that in the same way you obviously care about the culture here other people care just as much but that passion manifests in different ways.

In the case of Ryno, a lot of members here are friends with the guy, both on board and through real life, it's perfectly understandable that they would go to bat for their friend. Did it go to far? Or was it not handled in the appropriate way? That's open to debate but lets be fair, there was plenty of hash being thrown from both camps.

In the same way you got to express your views, other people have that right as well. I think it's wrong to expect that the thread should have been locked just because the voices that echoed yours got their say.

[jenius]

No offense Excillon but aren't you just adding to the stuff that you're complaining about:

1) An entire long running thread about objections to a members permaban

2) A thread that was only designed as a feeble attempt to passive aggresively bait a mod

3) A tattletale thread about a mods comment about fast food cuisine

4) Yet another not Macross-related thread commenting on members and the mods who have to deal with them

I get where you're coming from but all this will pass. The mods were letting some venting get done and letting some people be playful, it's all just part of the natural cycle. Somebody start that Lion King song.

[Excillon]

No offense Excillon but aren't you just adding to the stuff that you're complaining about:

1) An entire long running thread about objections to a members permaban

2) A thread that was only designed as a feeble attempt to passive aggresively bait a mod

3) A tattletale thread about a mods comment about fast food cuisine

4) Yet another not Macross-related thread commenting on members and the mods who have to deal with them

I get where you're coming from but all this will pass. The mods were letting some venting get done and letting some people be playful, it's all just part of the natural cycle. Somebody start that Lion King song.

Yeah, but it's not so much meant to complain as it is to state that apparently we ALL (who are active members) need to take a good long hard look at ourselves individually and collectively. I'm sorry, but poor EXO was getting baited and harassed. That's not right. People added input into that thread, and it was constructive, but he really didn't deserve to be treated like that. Nobody does, and had it been the other way around, I'd say the same thing. Having differences of opinion are one thing, but to REPEATEDLY go after one person, mod or not, is wrong. I'm not trying to stick up for him, he's already shown he can do that himself. However, it's still wrong. Maybe I'm getting holier than thou on a soapbox, but it's just rediculous. No one deserves aggravation when they're on a HOBBY site, member or mod.

I don't really view this as the same thing, it's not adding to a fire. I'm just calling people on their own BS, to take a long hard look at themselves on here (mods and members), and what this site really means to them. For me, it's a way to talk to people I have something in common with, drool over mecha porn, and get away from my sorry little life for a little bit. It just seems so stupid to drag conflict into a place you come to escape from that stuff. It was just a rant from an insignificant member of 3 years with under 1000 posts.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Excillon

[jenius]

I'll bet every time you write "poor EXO" he wants to vomit. He has to have tough skin by now, I wouldn't worry so much about him. He let some whining happen and then said "Shut up and move on." so I'd have to say things are pretty much resolved.

[Excillon]

I'll bet every time you write "poor EXO" he wants to vomit. He has to have tough skin by now, I wouldn't worry so much about him. He let some whining happen and then said "Shut up and move on." so I'd have to say things are pretty much resolved.

I'm not feeling sorry for him, just using him as an example. As I said, he can fend for himself. I know he's not the only one to go through that, I'm just saying no one here should have to.

[ShadowerV2]

Somebody start that Lion King song.

There's a remake for that song now... and we shall call it.... "The Circle of Strife"....

[Agent ONE]

Btw the way Burger King Stuff is a joke. A member started a topic about no more Orange Drink at McDonald's in Canada. Since it was off topic I closed it. In my closing message I mention about how the Loaded Steak House Burger would be worthy of starting a topic. It was a joke. Which a couple of members here are running with.

Yes and I would like to add, that Roy broke the rules once (the rest of us do way more than him) and I have never let him forget it, because he is the Mother around here.

Just giving him a hard time, nothing else. I think he IS sexually attracted to me though... I don't blame him really... I'm hot.

[eugimon]

fever is a symptom of the swine flu, you should look into that.

[Agent ONE]

Excillon,

I've been here since before the Ikonboard so like 98 maybe... The site has never been moderated better than now (there are always slight ups and downs). The main site could have some better input from the owners, but whatever. They obviously are going to keep paying the bills.

There really aren't any problems here. If it were up to me I would prefer a tougher/meaner board where we could really pound on each other, a real digital anarchy, but I have been out-voted.

[mustang1]

Hey guys,

I am relatively new to the forum, or any forum for that matter. I think this is a great forum, but is this kind of thing a real problem here? I have had some great experiences with other members here both in transactions and all around great advise about many things.

Are we really beating up on each other now? That makes me really unerved for some reason.

[eugimon]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just like any large community you'll get personality conflicts and little cliques. I would be encouraged by the fact that we're willing to take time to discuss these issues and that there are members who genuinely care about the culture and climate here.

[Phyrox]

Hey guys,

I am relatively new to the forum, or any forum for that matter. I think this is a great forum, but is this kind of thing a real problem here? I have had some great experiences with other members here both in transactions and all around great advise about many things.

Are we really beating up on each other now? That makes me really unerved for some reason.

Nah, it's just a few small waves. Things are smoother now than they've been in a while (see Agent One's post above).

But when a place runs so smoothly most of the time, even the ripples are annoying.

[VFTF1]

I'm gonna chime in with 100% support of Excillion's views here.

This is probably because I am a relatively new member so don't have the perspective others have.

But here's how I see it:

A) Everything is great

B) Some people suddenly announce that things suck

C) I pour through threads looking for proof of things sucking - can't find any.

D) Some people persist in making a huge deal out of nothing

E) I still don't understand what the commotion is about.

There is NO mod abuse on this thread. There is NOTHING bad about the rules or the way the forum is run or about moderating styles.

While I do acknowledge difference of opinion and I DO support free speech in such contexts to let people vent it is my PERSONAL opinion that there is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO COMPLAIN.

This is the best site on the web for Macross and for Anime and hobby stuff in general.

People going to bat for their buddy who broke multiple major rules and never once felt compelled to stop breaking them and straighten up or people holding a grudge against a mod for moderating is uncalled for.

As Roy said in one of the earlier threads: Did Exo rape your mother? Did he call you mean names? Did he send you a trojan virus? What's the big deal? Why are these things even issues?

If people keep whining then the mods and admin will eventually believe there is something wrong and people will end up hurting a good thing that this forum is.

I mean - come on - not ONCE did I see any suggestion to change the rules. The mods base their decisions on the rules. There is not really such a thing as "moderating styles" to discuss because there are clear rules.

Not once did anybody say - hey look -the rules say X and the mod abused his power and did something with no basis in the rules.

If anything - the mods have been leniantly interpretting the rules the whole time I've been here.

To me - these complaints have about as much merit as Crescin's old thread about how MW is "dogs on a leash" or some other BS.

It's like - huh? Where is this coming from?

Pete

[eugimon]

Well, I'm not going to argue that the critics are going about it the right way because I agree that they aren't. But that doesn't mean we should automatically shut down the discussion. If they have something legitimate to say, they should be given an opportunity to do so.

[taksraven]

Is there any point to this? I think that we are all over it now. Anybody who wanted to vent or express themselves had ample opportunity.

Lets move on............

Here is a pretty picture of a sunrise to symbolise the new dawn that we should all be moving towards.

Taksraven

[Dante74]

Meh, this one's better.

[EXO]

hmmm... if I would have saw this thread earlier I probably would have shut it down because it looked like it was going to be another love or hate the mods discussion. But it didn't really so I won't close it for now... and everything I wanted to say have been said for me. I don't really want to hear "poor EXO" anything because like jenius said, you really have to have a thick skin to be a mod. And I honestly believe that even though we always say it's a thankless job, we actually don't want praise or anything like that. The quieter it is, the happier the mods are. While I guess I do appreciate the concern... lol.

Another thing I want to mention is that we don't really want to antagonize anyone. While I was a bit annoyed with Macrossman on another thread, I do recognize the fact that he's a great Macross fan and see that he points people towards the right direction when people ask questions. Mods don't really act on grudges, but they tend to show aggression when things go out of hand. And by out of hand, yes... I do mean the silly little internet arguments that we're too embarrassed to even discuss out in public. But that's what they all are, silly. But if we don't act on it as moderators, they become even sillier. Does the banning of Ryno make him a bad guy? I think we all agree that he's a nice guy that is super enthusiastic about Macross. But the fact is, he can't handle being a member that stay within the rules even when we give him the leeway that other people don't demand. It's sad but it's the truth. (and please don't ask for his return because that bridge has long been burned.)

I hear a lot of people say "it's just the internet" but that statement is so far from the truth... It's THE Internet... Where anyone can start a blog and become a voice wouldn't otherwise reach the public (hello Harry Knowles/Perez Hilton.) Where people can steal your identity and ruin your life. Where kids are in danger from strangers in their own houses. If there's one phrase I hate it's "Relax, it's just the internet." We're all on it and we're responsible for what we say as long as there are search engines to find it. If you say one wrong thing you can bet there's going to be someone that can find it and put it in your face when the time comes. So silly as it may sound, the arguments still need to be regulated by the members and mods alike.

I too think that MW has gotten better over the years as far as the tone and the harmony (oooh bad word to choose) of the community. There was a time were the mention of Robotech would spark venom and sometimes almost spill blood. But I think we're mostly over that. I'm still a critic of some stuff but man, it use to be a freakin witch hunt back then.

Oh... and since we're discussing stuff... you know what I can't stand??? When people pull up old threads, there's always someone complaining about "wow, way to resurrect a thread from the grave" But then when someone starts a new thread about something previously discussed there's always the comment "Already discussed here on freakin page 13"... and most of the time, it's the same person complaining, you know who you are!!! Make up your mind... new thread or search for an older one!!

So anyway, yeah.... don't worry about us mods. We can hold our own. We're used to being in the deepest ends of the love/hate spectrum. And as everyone else that said it, this is my favorite site, thanks for everyone that makes it so. (WTF... don't bring out the nice guy in me! Everyone should just STFU!!!)

[EXO]

frakk it I'll close it anyway....