This was just posted on Yourdon's forum.

RussBigDog Administrator (3/5/00 8:52:04 pm)

ATTENTION: Announcing The End Of Posts On The "Banning" Issue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- While there never was a requirement on the sysops here to discuss any administrative policies we have defined for this forum, we have both permitted and engaged in some discussion over the past few days about the subject of who was/is banned and why.

At this point, we believe that no useful purpose will be served by continuing to discuss either the reasons behind such decisions with respect to who may post (or not) or the people on such a list.

Those who want to debate this issue further should do so outside this forum.

In general, POSTING ON THIS FORUM IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.

Both now and in the future, we may restrict the access of anyone whether or not warnings or reasons have been provided to them or others. Those who know us realize we consider that a "last resort".

This thread is not open to further discussion about the issue. I will also close other threads that touch on this matter.

Finally, any INDIVIDUAL posts that accuse persons or sysops on this forum of engaging in "censorship", "dictatorship" or the like will subject that poster to being banned, either immediately or at the later discretion of the sysops. ...................................................................

I have to agree, Enough is Enough. It is time to move on if we have a subject that can be debated in a civil manner. I made my objections known in the beginning to their policy of Banning and I still disagree. They made a huge mistake. In all truth, I believe they now realize it to have been a collective blunder as at least 3 sysops have stated publicbly they did not vote to ban Flint.

This does leave questions unanswered. So Be it. My only disappointment has been watching a community divide itself beyond reason. TB2000 now has the ability to block SPAMMING and to continue the course of the last few days is to invite the use of this new feature. I stand for the RIGHT of each to speak out when a wrong is committed such as unjustified BANNING, but to continue the same line of questioning over and over, is spamming, plain and simple.

Admin. here and at TB2000 must, when confronted with such tactics use the delete key.

FAIR ENOUGH! I didn't think so.......

Tommy R

-- Tommy Rogers (Been there@Just a Thought.com), March 05, 2000

Answers

This has already been posted. Get a life.

-- (bigmouth@work.now), March 05, 2000.

Yeah dipshit whats the difference between the two boards? I was deleted here. so where is the free speach everyone seems to preach over here?

-- Manny (No@dip.com), March 05, 2000.

You're still here, aren't you, Manny?

There's your answer.

-- (hmm@hmm.hmm), March 05, 2000.

Finally, any INDIVIDUAL posts that accuse persons or sysops on this forum of engaging in "censorship", "dictatorship" or the like will subject that poster to being banned, either immediately or at the later discretion of the sysops.

The above is a wonderful read for the sheer unintended humor it presents. Let me translate ..."Anyone accusing us of censorship will be permanently censored." We are watching you. Thus sayeth Big Brother. The thought police. Orwell,"1984" remembered.

-- david (david@bzn.com), March 05, 2000.

I think arguing about "which board is better" is an exercise in futility, and distracts the visitors at either place from the issues at hand.

If you don't like a board and its policies, there are plenty of options available. There are better ways to spend your time than venting about "who did what", or "so and so said this"...people frequent this forum looking for information and ideas, not gossip about what others are doing.

If one thinks they can do better, then form a new board, and you can establish any rules you want. Give it a whirl. You'll find that you cannot please everyone, no matter how hard you try. That's why I love the Internet so much...there are tons of choices at one's disposal :-)

As for me, if I don't like a board, I don't return...I just move on.

Just my .02...

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), March 05, 2000.

Yeah, thas rigt!!! if you call the syop Hitler, he shulfd say "thank you!!!!" Not MBAN YOU!!!! THAT MASKES HIM HITLER!!! Right on!

-- Right ON! (master@bait.xxx), March 05, 2000.

Years ago, before the Net was a gleam in a CS majors eye, we had CB radio. And many people liked CB, and got on the air, and chatted with each other. And life was good.

And the popularity of CB grew, and as it grew, some real jerks bought CB's. And they would get on the air, and interfere with people just for the devil of it, or play music through their CB's, just for the joy of hearing other people complain.

People would get tired of that crap. So, in many locales, we wound up with 'channel monitors'.

Now you have to understand, a channel monitor has no official presence whatsoever. They are not appointed by anyone, unless a local CB club did the appointing. And it really didn't matter. A reasonable channel monitor simply tried to talk down the jerks, or, in some cases, would even identify them by name, in the attempt to keep the airwaves open for use by everyone.

Of course, some of the worst offenders appointed themselves channel monitors. And that was pure hell. Using a CB on those channels in such an area was simply impossible. These idiots had a small group of people they would allow to use 'their' channels, and woe to anyone else who tried to do ANYTHING on 'their' channels. Some of the worst offenders were tracked down and arrested by the FCC for violation of regulations. (Don't even get me started on the preacher in Nashville who was BROADCASTING on CB. {yeep! was his name Hyatt? not sure. couldn't be mike hyatt, he isn't old enough.})

The analogy to the CB channels and the current situation on Internet fora is clear and obvious. We are struggling against human nature.

There are natural bullies. And I, for one, will not post to a forum which is moderated by such persons. OTOH, there are many people who simply delight in making trouble for others, posting unexpected images or making trash posts in the middle of any discussion that doesn't interest them. Or who will follow around posters they have taken a dislike to, and attack them wherever they post.

Moderation of a forum is an art, not a science. You can't cut everything that some may find offensive. Otherwise, you are making the local bullies look GOOD, because you are spending a bunch of time cleaning up after them.

The analogy to the character holding down the transmit key and the character who spams a forum is pretty clear as well. Some people don't want ANYONE to be a member of a group where they don't fit in.

It makes a LOT more sense to allow a spam attack to complete, and then clean it up in a few seconds, rather than hang on the delete key as if you are in some kind of war. GET A LIFE! It's only a Net forum, and your attention will only make the attack last longer, as the attacker feels like SOMEONE is paying attention at last! Waiting till it is over (check every ten minutes or so) then cleaning up the mess afterwards in a few seconds, is a great slap in the face for the offender, as you made it plain that you can undo their hours of work in a matter of seconds.

Oh, well, like I said, it is an art, not a science.

-- Paul Davis (davisp1953@yahoo.com), March 05, 2000.

Attention! That is all spammers, and mortal idiots want. So don't give into their baiting. But as Paul said, hanging on the delete key and playing the Great Censor is even worse.

OK let's get on with the real descussions, about life, love and the pursuit of getting rid of beans and rice

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), March 06, 2000.

life, love and the pursuit of getting rid of beans and rice

stop Gilda, you're killing me! Too funny.

-- (doomerstomper@usa.net), March 06, 2000.

"OK let's get on with the real descussions, about life, love and the pursuit of getting rid of beans and rice"

Thanks gilda. I love it here.

-- Debra (thatwas@good.com), March 06, 2000.

Brinnnnnnnnngggggggggg..SLAP! (Hand descends upon alarm clock) What the.? Oh man its Monday morning and the rain is still here. The traffic will be a disaster and I forgot about the early meetingI better get my butt in gearwait, whats this I see from Gilda?

Thanks Girl, you have started my day off just right..ROTFLMAO.

-- Ra (tion@l.1), March 06, 2000.

Thanks folks, I'm so glad I tickled your funny bone. At my advanced age, do you think I might be ready for a stand-up routine in LA.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), March 06, 2000.

I can just see the Marquee now:

gilda & goldie

On stage live doing a remake of:

Private Benjamin

You guys can tell jokes about MRE's, your cat, and her gorilla. What a hoot! I think Rational should be your agent. S/he could take that imagination and writing ability and you both could make a fortune. (Well, ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit.)

~*~

-- laura (Ladylogic@....), March 06, 2000.