I come back to EoFF after a short absense, and all Hell breaks loose!

[Craig]

wtf is going on :confused::confused:

[Meat Puppet]

nah

[eestlinc]

BoB started dropping acid. Or perhaps I should say Ugmo Lou.

[-N-]

:shifty:

[Meat Puppet]

too bad you didn't make this thread -nell-, because then that way you could cLOSE IT

[Raistlin]

Yams decided to make up for lost time. For some reason, he went senile during this process and forgot to ban me.

[eestlinc]

we made a conscious decision as a staff not to ban you, Raist.

[Raistlin]

Because you all love me so much? :love:

[Cloud No.9]

they were nice to me too. but i didn't like yesterday shenanagins either. frankly it seemed like an abuse of power by an enpowered minority and took no regard for the rest of us.

[Yamaneko]

I've already quoted Proto's most famous line numerous times yesterday, don't make me do it again.

[Shoeberto]

Yeah, man. We totally forgot that, as staff members, we're not allowed to make jokes or have fun or try and lighten the mood of the community. I apologize completely for this.

I mean, what the hell were we thinking? Surely we couldn't have assumed that everyone in the posting community would have a good sense of humor regarding an obvious joke!

[Cloud No.9]

never assume. it makes and ass out of you and me.

my main problem was that it was disruptive.

[Rye]

I thought it was highly amusing. If you don't like it, you should have left EoFF for a few hours. No one was forcing you to watch it.

[Cloud No.9]

yes but i don't like being ruled by a select few. if anyone else had tried that they would have been banned. examples need to be set.

[edczxcvbnm]

Yeah, man. We totally forgot that, as staff members, we're not allowed to make jokes or have fun or try and lighten the mood of the community. I apologize completely for this.

I mean, what the hell were we thinking? Surely we couldn't have assumed that everyone in the posting community would have a good sense of humor regarding an obvious joke!

You know...you could always ask Bleys how to do this kind of thing as you guys suck at it.

[MecaKane]

Stop complaining cloud9, it's not the end of the fucking world if you can't post your stupid crap in eotw for a little while.

[Shoeberto]

You know...you could always ask Bleys how to do this kind of thing as you guys suck at it.
Quiet, you.

[Cloud No.9]

it's not about that at all mecakane and do try to tone down the language a little.

it was about a small minority disrupting the forum purely for their own fun by using their power while not bothering to consider the thoughts of the majoirty.

i'm okay with power being used. but not purely for those who have it's own amusement sake.

[Rye]

I think the banned people had fun too, not just the staff. I was banned and I thought it was hilarious. People really need to stop having a bug up their ass, it's harmless fun. No one was permenantly banned, no one (besides BoB) was "abused" (if you can even call it that) and he was one of the people who started the joke. I'd say the banned people had just as much fun as the staff did, with their second accounts.

How were you affected by it, anyway? You scarcely leave the EoTW forum and you weren't banned in the joke?

[Raistlin]

The Staff had fun for a bit. They do it...two, three times a year, maybe? I can only count three times(including this one) that the staff has done anything big-scale in the past 10 months or so, and one of them was April Fools - a mandatory prank time.

Quit whining. You weren't hurt by it. The only forums affected were - as far as I know - GC and Feedback.

[bipper]

I hate it! booo!
Its like when you watch a movie, and it was all just a dream (the movie.. not you watching it...) ... your like WTF did i just watch this!? Thats the feeling I had.. I still feel confusion - but thats cause i have been reading too many of maxx power's posts again :confused: :confused: :confused:

You guys killed santa clause :cry:

Bipper @#$@

[eestlinc]

just don't come to the forums for a few days. then, either youi'll come back and everything will be like it was; or you'll realize you like life better without coming to eoff, and then you won't want to come back.

[bipper]

heh, I could care less now that its over - you got me with a joke... no reason for me to stay angry about it. But teh headaches... ugh lol

Bipper

I mean... i knew it was a joke all along :rolleyes2

[Yamaneko]

Didn't Bleys take heat for his stunts also? The only difference is that back then we had a more mature member base that could actually deal with something like this.

[eestlinc]

Yea, and then Bleys couldn't take it anymore and shot himself.

[Resha]

if anyone else had tried that they would have been banned. examples need to be set.

In case you didn't notice, most of us were banned. :p Including people like Agent Proto, so nya.

[Miriel]

it's not about that at all mecakane and do try to tone down the language a little.

it was about a small minority disrupting the forum purely for their own fun by using their power while not bothering to consider the thoughts of the majoirty.

i'm okay with power being used. but not purely for those who have it's own amusement sake.
Dude, are you seriously complaining about something so completely silly and inoccuous as a bunch of people being banned for half an hour and the staff being turned into Care Bears? I mean, seriously?

[Cloud No.9]

that and it ruining the pms i was trying to send to eestlinc. and the amount of spam, closed threads and other general crapness i expect of lesser forums.

[eestlinc]

we like to remind everyone periodically of how good EoFF really is by showing you how much it could suck.

[edczxcvbnm]

we like to remind everyone periodically of how good EoFF really is by showing you how much it could suck.

Just link to a <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif">ty MB then to show us then :d

[eestlinc]

http://shinraonline.com/board/index.php

[-N-]

None of you stick-up-your-ass types were even around for April Fools, were you.

[eestlinc]

yea, we could do a lot worse.

[Raistlin]

if anyone else had tried that they would have been banned. examples need to be set.
I've done some pretty spammy <img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"><img src="/xxx.gif"> before, and not been banned. Like myself and a few others spamming up the Squeenix forum with Xenogears threads. And getting people to use Unne avatars to piss off Unne. And my various campaigns(RSL for Admin, Yams is the best, etc.). The staff will lighten up if they find your joke/prank entertaining, basically.

[Psychotic]

it's not about that at all mecakane and do try to tone down the language a little.You just broke EoFF rule #6. So how about we let the staff off in exchange for letting you off?
The only forums affected were - as far as I know - GC and Feedback.I made a thread in FFVII and I have no idea what happened to it as I was banned. 9 times.

[Reles]

I think the banned people had fun too, not just the staff. I was banned and I thought it was hilarious. People really need to stop having a bug up their ass, it's harmless fun. No one was permenantly banned, no one (besides BoB) was "abused" (if you can even call it that) and he was one of the people who started the joke. I'd say the banned people had just as much fun as the staff did, with their second accounts.

How were you affected by it, anyway? You scarcely leave the EoTW forum and you weren't banned in the joke?

I have the same view as Rye. I found it rather amusing and it kept me laughing from time to time. I knew it was a joke because after hearing Neel and Rye and others were banned for nothing at all I really didn't care that I was banned for half an hour. It was nice to experience some chaos around here instead of the threads being completely sane all the time. I think it helped a lot of us stay interested in eoff, I've even seen #eoff busier because of it. I think the whole experience brought me closer to some of the eoff locals.

EDIT: errors. :x

[Cloud No.9]

well psychotic since i was banned for ignoring someone else ignoring that rule. i say no.

my eotw ban was scarewed up for a while enabling me to post but not to create new topics. and now i can read the forum and warn people. so it affected beyond those two forums.

and mecakane proofs exactly why i oppose the swear filter. but that is another thing entirely.

[XxSephirothxX]

It's always been my opinion that message boards such as EoFF are more than places to share your opinions. They're communities, and doing something every once in a while to lighten the mood, laugh a little, and have a fun afternoon is a breath of fresh air. Sure, maybe it could have been "better," but it was pretty funny and quite enjoyable.

[Resha]

Majority wins! ^_^ Let's be democratical about this. :)

[Cloud No.9]

there are two replies to that.

either you are agreeing with me in the fact that it was a minority decision.

or if you are disagreeing i'll bring eotw outdoors. democracy sucks cos most people are stupid.

[Psychotic]

well psychotic since i was banned for ignoring someone else ignoring that rule. i say no....you got an EoEO for ignoring rule-breaking? By this logic I should have been banned from EoFF a long time ago.

[Cloud No.9]

yep. to quote eestlinc "it does in that specific thread because of the topic and the repeated requests not to do so." i trolled (don't get me started on why i didn't) and another member said not to, i was skimming the thread anyway and frankly i ignore such modwhoring. and here i am.

but this will be the last wor on the matter i don't want a big discussion on it.

[Yamaneko]

You seem to be of an even smaller minority who didn't find this in any way amusing.

[Lenna]

I think the banned people had fun too, not just the staff. I was banned and I thought it was hilarious. People really need to stop having a bug up their ass, it's harmless fun. No one was permenantly banned, no one (besides BoB) was "abused" (if you can even call it that) and he was one of the people who started the joke. I'd say the banned people had just as much fun as the staff did, with their second accounts.

How were you affected by it, anyway? You scarcely leave the EoTW forum and you weren't banned in the joke?

I was affected in a different way, but BoB already knows this.

I wasn't amused by "me" being banned, but that's because of previous experiences with abuse of power. Especially after a 4 and a half hour journey travelling home I didn't really want it.

I'm not saying stop it, by all means if everyone else enjoys it then let them enjoy it. I'm not stopping a bit of fun :).

I'd just have prefered if BoB hadn't gotten me banned, especially since he knew I wasn't keen on power abuse due to ffchat affairs too.

But yeah, if you didn't like it Cloud9 you could have just left EoFF for a few hours like I did.

I was really annoyed by the whole fact I was banned but like I said, I wasn't really affected by everyone else because I knew they were having a laugh. It's just previous experiences for me have made me sick and tired of this sort of thing and I'd just rather not be part of it.

[udsuna]

I was here for the April Fools gag. Almost left this place for that. My opinion of most of the mods involved STILL hasn't recovered.

As for this little gag... it didn't really affect me, and I'm still thoroughly disgusted. The "we were just having fun" excuse is pathetic, at best. That's the thing about having power... it comes with a responsibility to use that power responsibly. Which isn't supposed to be fun.

Mods were trusted to protect the forums from stupid bull**** (who exactly choses these people, anyways?) When they start creating that kind of chaos for no reason other than a cheap laugh... there is no excuse.

There.... I've completed my rant... I've been hunting for a place to do that.

[Kirobaito]

Almost all of the people that were banned were in on the joke from the beginning. They were aware that it was not for real.

[udsuna]

Well, that'd be acceptable, except for one word. *ALMOST*. And even then, of course, they'd have to consent to the joke.

[Kirobaito]

I put almost because I wasn't sure if everyone was aware. It's possible that everyone was.

[rubah]

We staffers were mercilessly drawn in on this whole ordeal ;_;

[udsuna]

You know.... if there was a warning of some form that this kind of (multiple expletives deleted) would go on... an ability to opt out of being involved... then I wouldn't mind. I'd simply smile and go back to what I was doing.

[Shlup]

Oh the hell your life must have been because of this cruel and sick idea of "fun" some people have. Thinking of how much pain you must have been would summon the tears of unfathomable sadness to any eye.

[udsuna]

Disgusting. And I used to respect you.

[Shlup]

I'm just sayin' is all.

[Psychotic]

Mods were trusted to protect the forums from stupid bull**** (who exactly choses these people, anyways?) When they start creating that kind of chaos for no reason other than a cheap laugh... there is no excuse.Maybe at other boards mods are there purely to enforce rules, heck on some boards I've seen they don't even participate in posting, they just moderate, but at EoFF they're here to make the forums more enjoyable for everyone, and if you ask me, what they did yesterday is fulfilling that role.

If you don't think the way they do things is an effective way to run a message board and stops you enjoying the forums, then EoFF really isn't the place for you.

From what I've seen, most people enjoyed it, and it's just a small minority that doesn't, and why put a minority before a majority?

[udsuna]

It was Jefferson who said "Your right to swing your fist ends before my face" Meaning that one's rights to do whatever they want are limitted by the potential for harming another.

In other words: What you guys did... not cool. Not cool at all.

[XxSephirothxX]

udsuna, your argument strikes me as the sort of "Don't say anything because it may offend somebody" type of approach. Sure, maybe one or two people weren't "in on it." But it was a joke. Yes, the staff have responsibility. And while they should be keeping the forum running smoothly, etc., bringing some excitement to the board is welcome in my eyes. They're people too, and if they aren't allowed to enjoy themselves, and attempt to entertain others occassionally, there's no point in having a forum. It's not like they're paid to be an uber-strict Nazi Death squad--they're here to have fun and enforce some rules that, in general, make the forum run more smoothly. However, maybe people would prefer a Nazi Death Squad. I'm sure it could be arranged.

[Shlup]

No members were harmed in the making of this entertaining moment.

[Raistlin]

If you people cannot take a joke, just stay indoors and unplug the computer, so the rest of us don't have to tolerate your bitching.

[udsuna]

By all means, have fun. Bring excitement. But leave people who don't want to be involved out of it. Seriously, how hard that it be? The general users of this forum deserve respect, too. Even Cloud No. 9 (seriously, it's weird being on the same side as him).

Hell, the April Fools gag nearly lost some of the best people I've ever seen on this forum (and the top 20% of this place is better than the top 1% of any other). Me, too, and I'd like to think I've done a lot of good for people in the EoEo area. Me and The Captain are the only two on this forum who actively go out of their way to give (effective) advice there.

And, while this one wasn't quite the same... not nearly as grandiose, that's for sure, it has the same influence.

And who amongst you stopped to consider what this impact would have on new members? The ones who came in right before this happened. Who knows what this community might have lost? Maybe a replacement for Cap, as he's stopped posting... I know I miss his calming influence. And the ones who stick around, now probably think this board is in the same kind of shambles as every other forum. And, thus, they'll treat it the same way as they'd treat those.

What people who play stupid jokes like this fail to consider is the consequences for their actions.

[Shlup]

Every action has consequences. I'll bet the thread in the staff forum about this even goes right into how much bitching they'll have to endure, but it was funny so it's worth it. I wouldn't accuse the staff of not considering the consequences; they do.

[udsuna]

Yeah, well... I'd love to see that particular thread. Because I think they underestimated what it feels like for most people to suddenly have other people flaunt how easy it is to **** with their lives. For no reason other than amusement?

Like I said before... the real irony is that it never hit me directly. But I've seen its influence wash down the boards... it will take months for the damage to heal. What about Firesky's recent thread... how many of support group don't even realize that she's having problems? I can't even guess. But she'll have to wonder why some of her friends haven't said anything to her. There is nothing in the world funny enough to be worth doing that to her.

Right now, that's the only example I have. It's been surprisingly stable for people lately. Which, considering the time is right there with returning to school and all that stress, is nothing but dumb luck.

[Shlup]

How did this "harm" you? How did it "fuck with your life"? How did it effect Firesky? I mean, really, where's the proof that it effected anyone in any significant way?

[Sepho]

I'm going to adopt a realist persona for a moment.

These fora are here for your enjoyment, but EoFF isn't a democracy. The staff has the freedom to do these things arbitrarily, just as you have the freedom to come and go as you please. You post here to have fun, and I don't imagine you'd stay long if you weren't having fun. There are million other message boards on the web, and I'd guess there's at least a few that are suitable for any given person.

I thought it was fun. That's why I'm here.

Now I feel like a jerk. Thanks a lot EoFF :mad2:

[Shlup]

You are a jerk, jerk. How dare you state the truth.

[udsuna]

In my experience, the worst violations are violations of trust. So many people out there trust this forum, and the staff with it. Even if that trust is misplaced. (Something I learned during the last of these... but I thought that was nothing but an annual thing).

And the last one certainly affected me, and this one obviously affected plenty. Amongst other lessons: we cannot trust the moderators.

As for Firesky, she'd have to speak for herself, but she hasn't been on the forum lately. I'm using her name to speak for a situation, not for a person. And judging from this thread http://eyesonff.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68641, I don't think we can really calculate the potential for danger. And it could have been anyone. It's like firing a gun strait up in a building. Yeah, it'll probably just get attention.... but the potential for ricoche is very real.

EDIT: Sepho... I'm not here for the community as a whole. I'm here for the individuals. Some good people, who have my trust and respect, have been and/or are a part of this place. I'm here because I like knowing them, and sharing an interest with them. I'm not here to watch people treat a legitimate community as some kind of playground for their own personal sadisms.

[Shlup]

If you can't say how the joke effected Firesky, you can't use her name to suggest that the joke may have effected her. If the only complaints people have are that they were briefly annoyed, or annoyed at the idea that someone else who hasn't spoken up may have been effected in some obscure manner, then you really have no complaint at all.

As for the matter of trust, that's on you. If you feel the ocassional joke makes the staff untrustworthy you are free to find a new message board to enjoy. The staff isn't going to stop pleasing themselves and others to satisfy people who are welcome to leave.

[Big D]

When staff don't do any crazy stuff, people say the place is dull and the staff are unimaginative.

I missed the start of yesterday's diverting malarkey, so I had no say in it, but for the most part it seems to be a positive. I disagree with the arbitrary bannings, since some people will inevitable think they're real. Some folks could've, and apparently were, under the impression that they really had been cut off from a valued mode of communication with people they like. But the rest worked just fine. It gave everyone something to talk about, anyway.

A couple of people got upset when Dr Unne went on a rampage, banning everyone who used an Unne avatar; approximately nobody got upset when he went on a rampage, swearing at edczxcvbnm. Bleys used to pull some wild pranks back in his day, and they always got sorted out and looked funny in retrospect.

Udsuna, staff are human too. We run the place, and used to be regular members here as well, so we know full well what happens. But since we have this 'power' and 'authority' and whatnot, it's important to show that it's not taken too seriously. The occasional shenanigans keep staff in the spotlight, rather than just as some behind-closed-doors, secret society kind of thing.

Cloud no.9, EoFF isn't a democracy, it's basically a self-perpetuating oligarchy. New staff are chosen by current staff, based on staff consensus as to who's a responsible, rule-abiding, productive and harmonious member of the forum. EoFF isn't really "ruled"; staff basically just maintain and moderate the place.

For the most part, I agree with what Shlup's been saying - but in a slightly less harsh kind of way:p

[udsuna]

So, the bullet missed. Maybe. Since no one's talked to her recently, we couldn't know, could we? And even if everything came out fine, it was nothing but dumb luck. Gambling... with the emotional wellbeing of other people... that's just sick.

[Shlup]

"The bullet"? Oh, don't be such a drama queen.

http://www.costumesinc.com/Costumes/images/5002-1930705437.jpg

[Big D]

So, the bullet missed. Maybe. Since no one's talked to her recently, we couldn't know, could we? And even if everything came out fine, it was nothing but dumb luck. Gambling... with the emotional wellbeing of other people... that's just sick.Yeah, you should totally see the thread in the staff forum. Here are a few quotes:

"Hey, let's gamble with everyone's emotional wellbeing. It'll be totally cool!"

"Right on, I'm gonna go smurf with some lives."

"Hey, save some for me - you know I like unleashing hatred and mistrust, since that's the whole reason we're here!"

Actually, no. :)No harm was ever intended or hoped for. Look at things from others' perspectives for a while, and you might gain an appreciation of where they're coming from.

Edit: Look at it this way... I was an "innocent victim" of this prank, yet I'm stuck with a different avatar and username until Kishi decides to fix it. Everyone else got unbanned; all the spam got closed or deleted - but we're stuck with obscure game references.

[udsuna]

I've been saying that you're free to have your fun. No one's saying you can't. But that "fun" disrupted more of this community than people seem to realize. If nothing else, EoEo should be a safe zone where stuff like this shouldn't be able to touch. Let's face it, no one should expect general chat to be safe from anything (except, perhaps, sanity). And EoTW may be serious, but it isn't as emotional or personal.

Why can't you keep your pranks limitted to INDIVIDUALS? That whole thing with Unne... if I'd been notified, I'd probably have joined in. And I wouldn't have complained when the game was played back. I can take what I dish out. But people who weren't involved, didn't want to be involved, and rightfully got upset when they were forced to be involved... they're the ones I'm here defending. Me and whomever else around here has the balls to voice outrage.

And nothing about my bullet reference was "drama queen" material. Simply an analogy. You know something else that's dangerous, unpredictable, and utterly beyond your control once it's been unleashed? It was bullet or avalanch... and nothing about this should be glorified by giving it the status of an act of god.

Oh.... and "see from another's perspective".... I do believe I requested to see that thread. I asked already. I meant it. No sarcasm.

[Big D]

Why can't you keep your pranks limitted to INDIVIDUALS? That whole thing with Unne... if I'd been notified, I'd probably have joined in. And I wouldn't have complained when the game was played back. I can take what I dish out. But people who weren't involved, didn't want to be involved, and rightfully got upset when they were forced to be involved... If pranks were 'limited to individuals', then there'd be about a million Feedback threads from people outraged at being personally targetted for ridicule. When a prank's general, no-one's singled out. But when particular individuals are chosen, there's more of a risk they'll feel bad about it.
Me and whomever else around here has the balls to voice outrage.If you check the announcements, you'll find that staff have apoligised for the disruption and confusion caused by the malarkey.
You know something else that's dangerous, unpredictable, and utterly beyond your control once it's been unleashed?Well... there's killer viruses and bacteria, they're kinda nasty. So is malicious rumour and gossip - that can genuinely harm lives and get people in court too. Some wild animals are extremely difficult to control, too, once they've been unleashed.

[rubah]

Why do you think we've been banning people that have been messing with your 'EoEO safezone'?

Really, I think you over estimate the value of most of the threads in eoeo. *many* (I did not say all, so dont' try to imply that I did xD) of them are teenage problems, as can be plainly seen by the impressively long 'kissing' thread. The serious threads are rather rare, actually.

Unfortunately though, I don't think we have an 'everything but eoeo' ban at the current time. Perhaps you should suggest one?

[udsuna]

If pranks were 'limited to individuals', then there'd be about a million Feedback threads from people outraged at being personally targetted for ridicule. When a prank's general, no-one's singled out. But when particular individuals are chosen, there's more of a risk they'll feel bad about it I meant people who chose to be involved. Plenty like the humor. I do believe I also suggested an "opt out" where people can label as not wanting to participate in these stupid little games. Naturally, those who start stuff should be willing to deal with it, but for the rest of us... can't you just leave us alone?
You know something else that's dangerous, unpredictable, and utterly beyond your control once it's been unleashed?
Well... there's killer viruses and bacteria, they're kinda nasty. So is malicious rumour and gossip - that can genuinely harm lives and get people in court too. Some wild animals are extremely difficult to control, too, once they've been unleashed.
Microbes fall under forces of nature/acts of god. Wild animals imply lack of thought or responsibility. And it's really hard to use gossip as an analogy. For anything.

And you're right, Rubah... at this moment, EoEo is in a relaxed slump. By which, I pointed out, is nothing but luck. And that "teenage stuff" has cost too many lives. The reasons may be idiotic, but the consequences are very, very real.... I thought that you'd have understood that.


EDIT: Checked the announcements. I see one person apologizing. One. Of how many?

[Leeza]

EDIT: Checked the announcements. I see one person apologizing. One. Of how many?
You want me to apologize? I wasn't even involved because I was at work, but I will apologize for any harm that has been done to you and now I've got this silly name till someone decides to change it back. (It's kind of cute actually. :))

I really don't see what the big deal here is. In the big picture, this is only a little forum in the interweb of a huge universe. Small potatoes really. And as rubah has said, the forums here that require trust are being taken care of as all of the EoEO Bannings should demonstrate.

[udsuna]

You want me to apologize? I wasn't even involved because I was at work, but I will apologize for any harm that has been done to you and now I've got this silly name till someone decides to change it back. (It's kind of cute actually. :))

I really don't see what the big deal here is. In the big picture, this is only a little forum in the interweb of a huge universe. Small potatoes really. And as rubah has said, the forums here that require trust are being taken care of as all of the EoEO Bannings should demonstrate.

You did nothing, and thus aren't responsible for any of the harm. Granted, it is hard to sort which of the staff were responsible for what. I didn't keep track of every minute detail. And I wouldn't have minded a sudden image change out of nowhere, for a cheap laugh. If done by someone who could qualify as a friend. Or something to that effect. Now, if it'd been someone I don't really know, or don't like, that'd piss me off.

And you're right, in the big picture, this forum is absolutely nothing. Then again, you can say that of any human life. So the transcendental philosophies can't be used in any sane way. And you have been protecting the EoEO pretty well (a little extreme, in some cases, but that's just a personal opinion, it's a judgement call)... except, one must ask, who's protecting the forum from you? (that's a royal "you"- nonspecifically applies to all staff)

[Shoeberto]

I wasn't here for it, either. I'll apologize, too. I'm so very, very sorry. There, that was sincere, even. I still stand up for what we did.

I feel it needs to be reiterated a few times:

I really don't see what the big deal here is. In the big picture, this is only a little forum in the interweb of a huge universe. Small potatoes really.
I really don't see what the big deal here is. In the big picture, this is only a little forum in the interweb of a huge universe. Small potatoes really.
I really don't see what the big deal here is. In the big picture, this is only a little forum in the interweb of a huge universe. Small potatoes really.

[Shlup]

And you're right, in the big picture, this forum is absolutely nothing. Then again, you can say that of any human life.
Good thing "any human life" has nothing to do with some Care Bear avatars and a few brief bannings.

[udsuna]

The forum doesn't matter much. But the people here are REAL... their relationships, their feelings, their hopes and fears, their problems... they are REAL. Well, most of them... this is still the internet, even if it's surprisingly well insulated from the rest of the online world. And no one could possibly know for certain what will happen when you play with people and their relationships so bluntly. I know that the consequences will certainly be real, too.

[kikimm]

Look, I'll make it easy for everyone, okay?


kikimm, if anyone doesn't like this, you're taking the heat.

Just direct your anger at me. :)

[Shlup]

The forum doesn't matter much. But the people here are REAL... their relationships, their feelings, their hopes and fears, their problems... they are REAL. Well, most of them... this is still the internet, even if it's surprisingly well insulated from the rest of the online world. And no one could possibly know for certain what will happen when you play with people and their relationships so bluntly. I know that the consequences will certainly be real, too.
What are you talking about?

[Leeza]

I would also like to add that although I am sorry if you feel that you have been wronged in any way, like Sheezo, I also stand up for what happened because nothing in it was done out of maliciousness. It was only a small release of fun for a few overworked Staff who deserved to have it. Believe me, a Staff of stressed out mods would be far worse than what went down here. :)

[udsuna]

At least you stepped up, I can respect that. No one yet has offered me a way to see said thread (except you, kikimm, who gives me one tiny quote). If nothing else it can be saved in a mode I can have emailed to me, no doubt. Hell, archive it so everyone can see.

[Big D]

Staff forum discussions are almost never revealed publically. Whenever that happens, people take things out of context and make all kinds of wrong assumptions about what's actually happening in that forum. Also, since most staff are extremely open and honest in there, it's not fair on staff members to make their thoughts public.
There's an almost-absolute "what's said in staff, stays in staff" rule.

If members can request one thread to be made public, then the same thing'll happen again when someone else wants answers, and so on and so forth until people are demanding that every little thing be opened up for them to see, and claiming bias if it's not.

[Leeza]

Yep. It's actually the #1 rule.

[Yamaneko]

Well, I've had enough of this. Hey, look I'm closing this thread which must mean that those dirty staff members can't handle what the members have to say, and like always just close the troublesome thread and get something witty in after everyone else. Although that's probably true, I'm still closing this thread, and all I'm going to say is I'm sorry if you fealt offended in any way by the events that transpired yesterday. That's all I CAN offer. Now, let's move along and do whatever the hell we do here.

[Big D]

Not that there's anything really interesting in the staff forum, anyway. Besides the 'warned members list', it's all basically Word Association threads and Kishi asking for fashion hints.

[Leeza]

...and porn, of course. :cat:

[Del Murder]

Sorry we're such creeps, but we do care.

[Loony BoB]

Since this was my idea (although kikimm DID personally authorise it :D), I suppose I should reply to this thread, even if I'm late.

First of all: http://bash.org/?367896

Okay, with that out of the way, back to doing things. First of all, one of the reasons much-loved admins have stepped down in the past is because people get like this after a small prank gets played. I mean, come on, guys. It's not the end of the world by any means. If you know EoFF enough, you should know that this kind of stuff happens from time to time. If you don't know EoFF that much, now you know it a little bit better. I assure you this will most likely not be the last time a banning spree goes ahead.

No warning was given for the same reason that Wyllius never warned me that he was going to call me at 3am in the morning just to get back at me for doing the same to him earlier. For the same reason that people don't give warning about what they're going to do on April 1st. etc.

I can give you 100% assurance that anyone who was banned during the prank was either informed or made so that they could not view the forums while they were logged in. ;)

If people say that all of this is us abusing power, then you can also say that the members who spam up a thread in our forums knowing that they won't get a ban for it are abusing their power, too. But we don't throw a hissyfit over it.

In the T&C of EoFF it states that the Admins & CK's can pretty much do whatever we want at any time. So that covers any "law of the land" issues.

I do not apologise for what went on, but I am sorry that people took it the wrong way in a few occasions. I've only received one complaint that actually had any real personal story backing to it, and I respect that. But I see no evidence of any physical, mental or emotional damage to any other members. If anything, I see a couple of members who either

a: don't like fun
b: don't want Staff to be able to have fun
c: are holding a grudge because they were banned
d: are holding a grudge for some other reason I'm not sure of
e: enjoy complaining about things like this
f: are a bit too serious for their own good (which is kind of funny given the past actions of one of the members - I trust you know who you are)
g: all of the above
eestlinc

If you assume that EoFF is a 100% serious place, then you've made the assumption, not us.

So that's my public statement. It seems that only one or two people have a problem right now, so they can feel free to PM me regarding it if they want to, because I think this thread may as well stay closed.