Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post

Mouse · 10-10-2001, 07:31 PM

First off – I originally wrote this some time ago, but with all that's been going on I thought I would dust it off, edit it a bit and repost as it encapsulates the way I feel at present. It is not aimed at any individual poster, but is purely my opinion, so please don’t take this personally.

Recently, it seems to me that some of us have become overly agitated about posting rules, slights (real or imagined) and other trivia. I would admit to having felt that that way myself. We have seen arguments and flaming where there used to be discussions and people announcing their intention to leave the board etc. There is a marvellously descriptive phrase “Throwing the toys out of the pram” which is used to describe childishly unreasonable behaviour. At times recently, Ironworks has resembled the aftermath of an explosion in Toys’R’Us………

IMHO the bottom line is this :-

This is the Ironworks Forum. It is owned and run by Ziroc. He sets the rules and interprets them as he sees fit. What it is not is a democracy. Ziroc and the Mods will make the judgement calls and if asked, they will explain them. Sometimes they will make mistakes – after all they are human. Before shouting the odds at a decision you don’t agree with consider the fact that none of them is paid for what they do and the flack (or praise) that comes with it. As far as I can see, they do it for our benefit and because they care for this community. If anyone does not like the way things are done here the solution is simple – stop visiting and posting.

If anyone feels threatened, insulted, or finds the atmosphere here unpleasant, remember that this site is a very small corner of cyberspace and there is a whole big wide world called reality out there just waiting to be explored.

Yes, we may state our opinions and discuss our differences, and it’s a given that on a board with a diverse membership, disagreements will occur both on the subjects of threads and on individual postings. It’s how we as individuals handle them that is important.

I would hope that if I posted something that another member considered inappropriate in tone or content, they would reply via the board or by e-mail with their concerns. If I did not alter my behaviour, then I would expect them to alert a moderator and abide by that moderator’s decision. I believe that such a course of action shows respect to fellow members and allows us all to use this board in a mature and sensible manner.

Personally, I have seen some people leave here recently whose absence I genuinely feel will leave our community diminished. I will miss them and wish they were still here. However, if they were not longer enjoying their time on the boards then I believe they have made the right decision.

I like this place and it has given me a lot of pleasure during the time I have been a member. But it is NOT the most important thing in my life, and if I ever feel threatened/abused/unwelcome then I will know it’s time to go as well.

------------------
Regards

Mouse
(Occasional crooner and all round friendly Scottish rodent)

[This message has been edited by Mouse (edited 10-10-2001).]

10-10-2001, 07:31 PM	#1
Mouse Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 2,788	First off – I originally wrote this some time ago, but with all that's been going on I thought I would dust it off, edit it a bit and repost as it encapsulates the way I feel at present. It is not aimed at any individual poster, but is purely my opinion, so please don’t take this personally. Recently, it seems to me that some of us have become overly agitated about posting rules, slights (real or imagined) and other trivia. I would admit to having felt that that way myself. We have seen arguments and flaming where there used to be discussions and people announcing their intention to leave the board etc. There is a marvellously descriptive phrase “Throwing the toys out of the pram” which is used to describe childishly unreasonable behaviour. At times recently, Ironworks has resembled the aftermath of an explosion in Toys’R’Us……… IMHO the bottom line is this :- This is the Ironworks Forum. It is owned and run by Ziroc. He sets the rules and interprets them as he sees fit. What it is not is a democracy. Ziroc and the Mods will make the judgement calls and if asked, they will explain them. Sometimes they will make mistakes – after all they are human. Before shouting the odds at a decision you don’t agree with consider the fact that none of them is paid for what they do and the flack (or praise) that comes with it. As far as I can see, they do it for our benefit and because they care for this community. If anyone does not like the way things are done here the solution is simple – stop visiting and posting. If anyone feels threatened, insulted, or finds the atmosphere here unpleasant, remember that this site is a very small corner of cyberspace and there is a whole big wide world called reality out there just waiting to be explored. Yes, we may state our opinions and discuss our differences, and it’s a given that on a board with a diverse membership, disagreements will occur both on the subjects of threads and on individual postings. It’s how we as individuals handle them that is important. I would hope that if I posted something that another member considered inappropriate in tone or content, they would reply via the board or by e-mail with their concerns. If I did not alter my behaviour, then I would expect them to alert a moderator and abide by that moderator’s decision. I believe that such a course of action shows respect to fellow members and allows us all to use this board in a mature and sensible manner. Personally, I have seen some people leave here recently whose absence I genuinely feel will leave our community diminished. I will miss them and wish they were still here. However, if they were not longer enjoying their time on the boards then I believe they have made the right decision. I like this place and it has given me a lot of pleasure during the time I have been a member. But it is NOT the most important thing in my life, and if I ever feel threatened/abused/unwelcome then I will know it’s time to go as well. ------------------ Regards Mouse (Occasional crooner and all round friendly Scottish rodent) [This message has been edited by Mouse (edited 10-10-2001).]