I tried posting this in another thread but I typed too slow and the thread was deleted before I could finish. hehe
Anyways it went something like this -
As of late there have been a few disagreements regarding the decisions that some of the mods have made (hey there are a few that I thought were bad judgment on the Mods part aswell - Angels welcome thread and Nude beaches to name two). Always remember this -

Ziroc and the Mods are giving up their time (for free no less) to give us a nice friendly place that we can chat and enjoy ourselves.

Remember that there are kids on this forum and that their parents might not want them to be reading about nude beaches or stumbling across what might be construed as sex talk.

As someone recently wrote (forget who) - Type on this forum as if you were talking to people in real life (Would you start a conversation about nude beaches and start swearing/blaspheming in front of a 10 year old that you've never met)?
A couple of quotes from "Z" to finish
"As for free speech remember this is a house. If you insult anyone or act a fool inside Ziroc's house, He will ask you to leave."
"Remember, this is not a democracy. This is a semi-benevolent dictatorship."
This isn't as good as the other post I typed but I think it gets the message across - Please respect your fellow man/woman/mod/whatever else so we can all get down to having some fun and not have to get angry or upset at one another ;)

Edit: Agreed with your comments regarding posting disagreements so removed that sentence. I did intend it to be done so that people would continue reading and be put off posting but I see how it might not be construed in that way. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Downunda ]</p>

Agree 100% Downunda. Too many people forget that there are kids that visit this forum.

:( And some of us don't need to remember that kids visit the forum since we usually have at least one reading over our shoulder!

(teehee, Agility just said "why are you always talking about me!")

I agree, freedom of speech on this forum does not exsist, you agree to follow the TOS and is you don't bye bye...

Democracy...hahahaha [img]smile.gif[/img]

Personally my feelings are that if they don't agree with the mods or their decisions then they don't have to post here. Simple as that. I stand by any decisions the mods makes whether "I" like it or not. Its their forum and their rules and if I didnt like it or agree to it I wouldn't come here. But I do come here quite often, and enjoy it none the less. I just thank them for making this a good place to chat and post. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance:
:( And some of us don't need to remember that kids visit the forum since we usually have at least one reading over our shoulder!

<hr></blockquote>
Garnet, I thought that you murdered them all. Good to hear that they got a reprieve.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Downunda:
I tried posting this in another thread but I typed too slow and the thread was deleted before I could finish. hehe
Anyways it went something like this -
As of late there have been a few disagreements regarding the decisions that some of the mods have made (hey there are a few that I thought were bad judgment on the Mods part aswell - Angels welcome thread and Nude beaches to name two). By all means post these disagreements and tell the Mods you think they were wrong, but first, remember this - <hr></blockquote>

Nope...PM or e-mail the mods if you're going to question a ruling, but do NOT bring it up on the forum. Everyone is entitled to question a decision, but keep the dirty laundry to yourself. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>
Ziroc and the Mods are giving up their time (for free no less) to give us a nice friendly place that we can chat and enjoy ourselves.

Remember that there are kids on this forum and that their parents might not want them to be reading about nude beaches or stumbling across what might be construed as sex talk.

As someone recently wrote (forget who) - Type on this forum as if you were talking to people in real life (Would you start a conversation about nude beaches and start swearing/blaspheming in front of a 10 year old that you've never met)?
A couple of quotes from "Z" to finish
"As for free speech remember this is a house. If you insult anyone or act a fool inside Ziroc's house, He will ask you to leave."
"Remember, this is not a democracy. This is a semi-benevolent dictatorship."
This isn't as good as the other post I typed but I think it gets the message across - Please respect your fellow man/woman/mod/whatever else so we can all get down to having some fun and not have to get angry or upset at one another ;) <hr></blockquote>


Thanks for saying this, Downunda. It's a pity it has to be said so much. :(

Thanks,

I can imagine all the hard work involved moderating this place, so just wanted to thank the mods for their time and patience [img]smile.gif[/img]

Hi,

Thank you folks, but remember mods and members alike have to play by the rules. No one of us is trying to be a goody two shoes tiddly wink player, but we have to help retain that this is a family type environment.

So remember, just because we are helping to enforce the rules, it doesn't mean we are not biting our lips at times to keep from saying what we'd really like to. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Best,

Scronan

I have to say thanks to all of you here. [img]smile.gif[/img] It is often the case that a decision is made and someone disagrees, but cannot understand that we do our work here FOR Ziroc at his request and for no pay, we are volunteers who care a great deal for Ironworks.

Mods and Z want this place to be a fun, safe place to interact with each other. Now if I were to walk into my neighbor's house and in front of her 11 yr old start cussing and talking about oral sex with my girlfriends do you think she'd like that much? Yes, that last bit is what was going on the the Angel thread (among other things) and it is definitely NOT appropriate to the Ironworks forums as Ziroc chooses to run them. My neighbor would have kicked me from her house and never let me back in! Ziroc has that option too and for the most part he rarely has to make such a call, but I see more people willing to push things to the limits and I'm saddened by this.

This thread makes me feel a whole lot better. Sometimes mods feel like they aren't appreciated for helping to keep this a good place to post for the vast majority of the members. This thread is proof some do care and do notice. Thank you. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color=lightblue>

I'm truly sorry and am on my best behaviour now. *shamefaced look* I really appreciate you guys too! ~hugest huggles all around~ And am thankful that you're here to show me the guide-lines. Thankiees to you wonderful, generous, giving and absolutely wonderful ppl! ~blows kisses to all the amazing Mods~</font>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cloudbringer:
I have to say thanks to all of you here. [img]smile.gif[/img] It is often the case that a decision is made and someone disagrees, but cannot understand that we do our work here FOR Ziroc at his request and for no pay, we are volunteers who care a great deal for Ironworks.

Mods and Z want this place to be a fun, safe place to interact with each other. Now if I were to walk into my neighbor's house and in front of her 11 yr old start cussing and talking about oral sex with my girlfriends do you think she'd like that much? Yes, that last bit is what was going on the the Angel thread (among other things) and it is definitely NOT appropriate to the Ironworks forums as Ziroc chooses to run them. My neighbor would have kicked me from her house and never let me back in! Ziroc has that option too and for the most part he rarely has to make such a call, but I see more people willing to push things to the limits and I'm saddened by this.

This thread makes me feel a whole lot better. Sometimes mods feel like they aren't appreciated for helping to keep this a good place to post for the vast majority of the members. This thread is proof some do care and do notice. Thank you. [img]smile.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

What are you on about Cloudy?? Mods just wanna be Mods so they can boss other members around and act like kings/queens! They are mostly power-hungry egotistical maniacs :D :D :D ;)

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ʆë®Ñï†Ý:
<font color=lightblue>

I'm truly sorry and am on my best behaviour now. *shamefaced look* I really appreciate you guys too! ~hugest huggles all around~ And am thankful that you're here to show me the guide-lines. Thankiees to you wonderful, generous, giving and absolutely wonderful ppl! ~blows kisses to all the amazing Mods~</font><hr></blockquote>

I did get your e-mail on this, Eternity, and you're fine, dear. [img]smile.gif[/img] Cheers!

-Saz

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vaskez:

What are you on about Cloudy?? Mods just wanna be Mods so they can boss other members around and act like kings/queens! They are mostly power-hungry egotistical maniacs :D :D :D ;) <hr></blockquote>

<font color=lightblue>ohhhhh ~outraged~ You bad bad bad baby! ~smack~</font>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vaskez:


What are you on about Cloudy?? Mods just wanna be Mods so they can boss other members around and act like kings/queens! They are mostly power-hungry egotistical maniacs :D :D :D ;) <hr></blockquote>

*thwacks Unca V from here to eternity and back again.* ;)

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cloudbringer:


*thwacks Unca V from here to eternity and back again.* ;) <hr></blockquote>

*adds third strike to Cloudy's tally* you're goin to jail missy!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cloudbringer:


*thwacks Unca V from here to eternity and back again.* ;) <hr></blockquote>

<font color=lightblue> *catches Vas and regrets smacking him so hard* ~kisses Vas better~ *grynz* heehee ~then hands him back to Cloudy~</font>

<font color=skyblue>
Amazing! I believe I finally found a theory suitable to Moderating that I wanna pass on to you all. This just now occured to me while I was taking a wonderful, hot shower. Okay...I can best explain my theory in an example...better than I can any other way, so here it goes. All characters and scenes are imagined...Please read all the way to the end, as I tie up my thoughts only then:
<font color=lightgreen>

LarrydaLoon is a new member on Ironworks. He comes to the General Discussion forum and begins to meet everyone. Before long, he has read a few posts and has seen that many opinions and cultures exist here, and he is excited to begin posting his own thoughts...but then learns that Memnoch does not like apples. Well, LarrydaLoon loves apples and wants to explain why...but before doing so, learns from what he thinks he sees, and thinks that he understands...if you have an open disagreement with a moderator here...you get punished for it quickly. So, LarrydaLoon does not post about his love for apples.
Soon, he sees another Moderator, Larry_OHF, posting his strong belief in Christianity, and it appears that if LarrydaLoon was to voice his own interest in the Ferret God Morphi, he would be in trouble with the Moderators. And he ain't even gonna ask what OHF stands for...he heard in a PM from a newfound friend, little bugger, that asking would get him in trouble.
Finally, there is a big debate about The Lord of The Rings. Everybody is posting their dislike about the movie. LarrydaLoon would not dare post that he enjoyed it, because Sazerac just now posted that this was the worst movie in this century! Since LarrydaLoon sees that the majority of the vote is in favor against the movie, and that nobody seems to have liked the movie, even the moderators...he will not post, thus becomes tired of this site, and leaves, never to return.</font>

What I have tried to portray here is that I have been too opinionated on issues, and I have seen no other Moderator speak so adamantly about a given topic, unless it dealt with board regulations or such. I have heard that A moderator should remain Neutral as much as possible, never taking sides in an argument...because what happens is that the some posters will get scared away from posting. If I was a new poster, and knew that most of the posters on here beleived in Christianity...but I didn't, and wanted to share my views...I would have the good feeling that after I posted...the moderators would give me fair chance to post my views, and not let anyone flame me becaue of it. If I thought that the Moderators would turn their attentions away and let everyone bash me for my views, because the Moderators only allowed the Christian side to win...I would not bother posting.

So, now I understand what Neutrality is. It means that I do not openly state my opinion and seem only to agree with the Christians, for example, on the board...but I must show every new member that I encourage them to post their non-Christian beleifs...and I will not supress them..
That is the key, I think. I will not suppress you, for your viewpoints, cause I, (a Mod.) disagreeing with you is scarier than a normal poster doing so.

Now...everyone...Have I stated this theory clearly and correctly? Have I gone off the point, or made an untrue assumption?
It is now your time to teach me, as I eagerly look forward to your opinions on this.

Is this what a Moderator's Neutrality means?</font>

[ 02-05-2002: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by ʆë®Ñï†Ý:


<font color=lightblue> *catches Vas and regrets smacking him so hard* ~kisses Vas better~ *grynz* heehee ~then hands him back to Cloudy~</font><hr></blockquote>

Oi(handing me back)! *Thinks this is a conspiracy between the ladies*

Larry...your theory doesn't apply to me....I don't care if my opinion is the complete opposite of all moderators....I have a right to post it and damn well will (well guess you lot know that about me alread [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) :D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Larry_OHF:
<font color=skyblue>
So, now I understand what Neutrality is. It means that I do not openly state my opinion and seem only to agree with the Christians, for example, on the board...but I must show every new member that I encourage them to post their non-Christian beleifs...and I will not supress them..
That is the key, I think. I will not suppress you, for your viewpoints, cause I, (a Mod.) disagreeing with you is scarier than a normal poster doing so.

Now...everyone...Have I stated this theory clearly and correctly? Have I gone off the point, or made an untrue assumption?
It is now your time to teach me, as I eagerly look forward to your opinions on this.

Is this what a Moderator's Neutrality means?</font><hr></blockquote>

By cracky, I hope not! I'm one opinionated S.O.B. and I certainly am NOT changing, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I do treat others in a forum with respect, however, and that's all I ask in return...to me and to each other.

You don't have to agree with me. In fact, you can disagree with me coming and going. But as long as you are respectful, we can interact, and maybe even learn from each other.

Ok, since Larry is giving examples: let's take a look at two statements a person can make in reply to an opinion s/he doesn't agree with:

1) <font color="#ffffff">That's an interesting point of view, XXXX. I've had a different experience myself, and I beg to differ with you on your opinion. My experience has been__________________. However, I'm interested in hearing how you came to your conclusions as well. Perhaps I've missed something along the way? Anyway, it sounds interesting.</font>

2) <font color="#ff6666">Well, that's about the most ignorant thing I've read on this forum yet. Did you even get a 4th grade education, or are you a reject from a state school? It's OBVIOUS you don't know what the *BLEEP* you're talking about, because if you'd have taken the time to research your subject you would have known __________________________________. Come back and talk to me when you get an education, retard.</font>

Now, which person would you rather interact with? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Is the first one so much harder to do than the second?

Mutual respect. That's all we're asking for here.

Cheers,
-Sazerac

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Vaskez:

Oi(handing me back)! *Thinks this is a conspiracy between the ladies*<hr></blockquote>

<font color=lightblue>

Would I conspire against you darling? ;)

~looks at cloudy~ *gglz*
</font>

I don't need to say any more - Downunda said it all. ;)

Hmm Sazerac. . . well the second one WAS much funnier. . . lets see here. . .

<font color=skyblue>Well I be blinkn' and a stinkn' Saz...Your viewpoint may be better than mine...

Maybe I have been led to believe in what I described because of recent events over the last few days...

I do not know which one I should follow, though, because my heart is with both sides. I want to make members feel safe to post against me, but I also want them to know my views...but I am afraid to be too open about them, due to people not wanting to contradict a Moderator...and I know, Vasquez,,,you have always been taht way, and you ahve no beef with me, ;)

The only forum where I have any control over is the RP forum...so if I begin to get stinky in here...everybody can do a hex ritual and banish me back to my plane of existance...deal?</font>

Ok, last spam post of the thread.. don't want to destroy Downunda's points by cluttering it up too much.

Aww Vask.. you couldn't face the day with a Cloudy moment, you know it! ;) *snicker til she's nearly purple* Besides I switched to rolled up newspaper for my thwacking and thumping practice, the fish got really smelly. ;) Uh sorry about the week old halibut, it's all the market had for free. :D [img]graemlins/laugh2.gif[/img]

Now, back to the program folks-

Lots of good points made and I agree, we mods DO have opinions but we also uphold Ziroc's rules and the integrity of the board.

Personally, I love Ironworks and its diversity! [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cloudy

[ 02-05-2002: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Nope...PM or e-mail the mods if you're going to question a ruling, but do NOT bring it up on the forum. Everyone is entitled to question a decision, but keep the dirty laundry to yourself. <hr></blockquote>

Sazerac....I have a question.

Would it not be more productive for a member to question a Moderators' decision in the forum (as long as it's done respectfully), so that the Mod could explain his/her reasoning for the decision.

It seems like this would help new members learn what is and isn't acceptable more quickly.

If I PM you with a question, I'll learn your reasons, but no one else will.

I also want to make a distinction between "questioning" a decision and "disagreement" with a decision.

"Questioning" - means that I don't understand what rule was violated or why the Mod decided to take the action they did. This is the type I feel should be Posted on the forum for all to see.

"Disagreement" - means that I know WHY you took a certain action, but I don't agree with it. This SHOULD be handled by PM, because posting it on the forum will undermine the Mods authority.

Just my [img]graemlins/twocents.gif[/img]

What happened to laindthar, was he banned? I'm guessing this is the thread in question.

<font color="lightgreen"> I agree with Ceric. If we were to openly argue with a mods ruling, then no, it is not right. If we were to ask why it was done, if we dont understand the reasoning, we would be correct to simply ASK.
If we were to disagree with a mods opinion and NOT a mods ruling, we would be well within our rights to do so, as anyone who had read the TOS would realise.
We are very lucky to have such a fair webmaster and mods... they do not make any ruling without good reason.

Saz- I agree with you entirely with those people.. someone who states their own experience in a polite manner is far easier to give empathy to then someone who simply says 'your wrong. thats all there is too it. reasons dont mean (censored), because im right.' ...

Just as someone who asks a question is easier to talk to then someone who makes a ruling. And this comes back to having a fair webmaster and fair mods... if we didnt, they would just be making rulings all over the place, and locking/ deleting threads for no reason... and we wouldnt get a warning if we were breaking the rules.
Infact, in retrospect I have realised that I personally, am probably lucky to have not yet been suspended. In the past few months, I was becoming prone to spamming, and trolling. I got a warning, and I am probably lucky that it was left for so long. I am ofcourse sorry to all those who were negatively affected by this.

In closing, I say- in closing. [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>

Larry, just a thought : why don't you take another new name to post as a regular member ? I mean, having one login as a Mod and one as a member entitled to post his own opinions as everyone else. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Moiraine:
Larry, just a thought : why don't you take another new name to post as a regular member ? I mean, having one login as a Mod and one as a member entitled to post his own opinions as everyone else. [img]smile.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>

<font color=skyblue>
That would certainly make it easier for me to post my opinions in debates without carrying the moderator badge taht scares everybody except Vasquez [img]tongue.gif[/img] away...
But, everybody would know that LarrydaLoon would be me! :D

Actually, I doubt that Ziroc would approve of it, because if anybody found out that I was two separate entities here...everybody would try to do so, and we would have a big mess. I think.</font>

Larry! You are just as entitled to speak your mind as any of the rest of us.....It is *my* understanding that a moderator isn't so much neutral as he or she stands by ready to referee (ie. remind everybody they are supposed to be relatively mature individuals not 5 year olds!) if things get a little out of hand.

You feel strongly (to use your own example) about your Christian beliefs. This is a good thing and certainly should be shared with everyone since not only does it help explain you as a person (to a community where we are basically reduced to blind words on a screen) but also your broader view of the world. I am a pagan and a witch and approach *some* topics from a different direction than you because of my varying spiritual beliefs and experiences. This is good too as it helps explain *me* as a person and helps *you* (and other Christians) to understand that pagans are not all rabid tree-hugging, divinity-blasting, devil-worshipping radicals who want to cast evil spells and donminate the world at large. (on a lighter note...geesh, that is a funny image! ;) )

We *ALL* need remember, moderator, poster or ocassional visitor, that while we may be secure in our beliefs and eager to share them, we must temper ourselves just a little so as not to appear to be belittling the beliefs of others.

The finest pen in all the world cannot speak with eloquence if the writer is mute.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cerek the Barbaric:


Sazerac....I have a question.

Would it not be more productive for a member to question a Moderators' decision in the forum (as long as it's done respectfully), so that the Mod could explain his/her reasoning for the decision.

It seems like this would help new members learn what is and isn't acceptable more quickly.

If I PM you with a question, I'll learn your reasons, but no one else will.

I also want to make a distinction between "questioning" a decision and "disagreement" with a decision.

"Questioning" - means that I don't understand what rule was violated or why the Mod decided to take the action they did. This is the type I feel should be Posted on the forum for all to see.

"Disagreement" - means that I know WHY you took a certain action, but I don't agree with it. This SHOULD be handled by PM, because posting it on the forum will undermine the Mods authority.

Just my [img]graemlins/twocents.gif[/img] <hr></blockquote>


Cerek, NO, what it does it lead to speculation and arguing by some members who feel they have the correct answer and have the right to question Z's rules on his own forum. We've seen this erupt into flaming and outright disrespect for Z and his moderators. Ziroc, himself made the rule to pm or email any questions/disagreements instead of posting. It often leads to someone posting something offensive and rather than deal with it, Z says do such things off board.

The reason this is such an issue, is many people here will tell you of other places that went up in flames and ended up closing because of the horrendous atmosphere (troll haven!) that can occur when too much of that 'questioning' and outright defying of the rules happens. Z is strict because he wants to keep IW a comfortable, fun and useful place for all it's members. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cloudy

My question is: Do I have to show the same degree of respek to moderators of other forums who are posting on GD (such as Cludbringer) as I have to show moderators of GD (such as Memknock)?

Or are there degrees of respek?

:D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Larry_OHF:


<font color=skyblue>
That would certainly make it easier for me to post my opinions in debates without carrying the moderator badge taht scares everybody except Vasquez [img]tongue.gif[/img] away...
But, everybody would know that LarrydaLoon would be me! :D

Actually, I doubt that Ziroc would approve of it, because if anybody found out that I was two separate entities here...everybody would try to do so, and we would have a big mess. I think.</font><hr></blockquote>
Bah It's not like you didn;t do it before
And besides
You can always be some part of K&Z [img]smile.gif[/img]

--------------

Off-topic
Ehm LarrydaLoon...
What have you been drinking [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Rikard_OHF ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Garnet FalconDance:

...I am a pagan and a witch... <hr></blockquote>


<font color=skyblue>OK....fun fact about my family!
Sorry, this is [img]graemlins/offtopic.gif[/img] , but is fun to share...to show that I can relate to others not of my belief.

Everybody gather 'round.
My Great Grandmother's Aunt was burned at the stake for being a witch. My aunt (my mom's sister), had a terrible divorce, and started getting involved in what we called the dark arts. She was prompted to do so, on account of our family heritage. She did alot of ritualistic stuff that caused her x-husband's house to catch on fire, and he almost died in it. Her daughter, my cousin, her name is Christina...saw the power that her mom apparently had and took up studying the Wicca way and stuff. If anybody put Melusine beside my cousin...Even I might have a hard time telling the two apart! The last I heard, se was living in Boone. Lord of Alcohol might know that Boone, Blowing Rock area has a growing Wicca population. That is located in the mountians of Western North Carolina, FYI...</font>

Sorry for asking again but what happened to Lavindathar? Was anyone offended by his post, was he banned becuase of what he posted (I cant find the thread in which he addressed some of the mods, namely Larry,Saz and Cloudy)

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Sigmar ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sigmar:
Sorry for asking again but what happened to Lavindathar? Was anyone offended by his post, was he banned becuase of what he posted (I cant find the thread in which he addressed some of the mods, namely Larry,Saz and Cloudy)

<hr></blockquote>
<font color=skyblue>
No, Lavi is not banned, as I can see his member profile is still accessible.
He deleted his own thread after he realized that he had not received a complete understanding of certain activities, and was advised to take it off before it got him into trouble. </font>

To make sure I understand you, Larry...

Your aunt studied the 'dark arts' and dabbled in some very negative stuff, right?

Your cousin thought, "hey, this is way cool" and began studying Wicca.

You are *not* equating the two women, are you? Cause what your aunt messed in and what your cousin is studying (if it is Wicca) is nowhere near the same, barely related, in fact......

Oh, and I am not Wiccan, nor am I one of those 'black arts' evil bitch witches, either. (Not going into it here as it is *way* off topic). But I'm glad you posted that anyhow [img]smile.gif[/img] .

OK, back on topic [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] Re. questioning the mods' decisions....I'm sure they think hard before taking action and the rules *are* clearly posted and reviewed periodically. So it's not as if they ban or suspend someone on a whim! We have all stepped over the line in the heat of debate, and they gently guide us back to (relative) sanity. They have graciously volunteered *hours* and hours of their time and resources to provide this safe and cozy place for us all to meet. If anything, we should at the least give hugs, kisses, salutations, heap praises upon their heads (you can stop me at any time, here, mods... [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] .)

(Edit for correction of familial relations)

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Garnet FalconDance ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cloudbringer:



Cerek, NO, what it does it lead to speculation and arguing by some members who feel they have the correct answer and have the right to question Z's rules on his own forum. We've seen this erupt into flaming and outright disrespect for Z and his moderators. Ziroc, himself made the rule to pm or email any questions/disagreements instead of posting. It often leads to someone posting something offensive and rather than deal with it, Z says do such things off board.

The reason this is such an issue, is many people here will tell you of other places that went up in flames and ended up closing because of the horrendous atmosphere (troll haven!) that can occur when too much of that 'questioning' and outright defying of the rules happens. Z is strict because he wants to keep IW a comfortable, fun and useful place for all it's members. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Cloudy<hr></blockquote>

OK, Fair Enough. I didn't think about how a legitimate - and seemingly harmless - question could still potentially lead to flaming of the Mods.

Thank you for the explanation.