Oceania Going Icon-less to support the Mods...

This has been taken from the comms thread and posted here now that it has affected us.

Many of you may know, many of you may not. Any mod can fill you in on the details if you wish to know, but essentially, the whole blacked-out Mod names are due to this (as stated by Raven):

An element of site ownership has told the entire Mod Squad that we must provide him with our real names and addresses and such by registering at another message board and then passing on our user names there to him through G-S. If we do not, we get demoted. All future moderators will have to provide this information. This may be expanded to cover City Representatives as well.

The Mod Squad and Old Folks Home have two major issues.
1) The security of the information and the purpose behind the information gathering. As everyone is probably well aware, the Mod Squad is about as leaky as the Titanic. This has fostered worries about how secure this information would be, even though it?s being stored elsewhere. No system is perfect, and there is the worry that that information might come out and what might be done with that information. And we?ve yet to be told why we need to give it (though the guess that it is something along the lines of ?if LFL sues, it?s on the shoulders of the moderators?).
2) The way that this has been handled by site ownership. More than anything else, I think that?s what?s at the heart of this. The feeling in the Mod Squad and Old Folks Home is that an element of the site ownership does not care about the message boards and the users and moderators here in any way at all. We as a group have not been provided with reasons why the information is needed; we feel that we?ve been threatened; we feel that we?ve been insulted; and finally we feel that we?ve been ignored.

If you would like more information, or just feel the need to read TFN drama, check out the following Communications thread:

Why are the mods black with a line through?

Feel free to agree or disagree with the situation.

Those of us in the Phoenix Fan Force and Rocky Mountain Fan Force who are supporting our Mods, RSAs, GSAs and city reps have decided to go Icon-less - or "naked" essentially.

If you'd like to join us, "strip down" your icon, and add the line in my sig to your sig.

kreleia

P.S. An Icon HAS been created to support the Mods - if/when it gets uploaded, feel free to use it

We have lost HawkNC as our RSA. If oceania wants to show their supporter, I propse we go icon-less and join with other Fan Forces.
Also, the main icon-less thread can be found here.

Here is a list of the mods who have already been demoted:

DarthSapient
sideshow212 (an RSA)
stinrab
Mr. Neck or Yarael Poof
Protege-of-Thrawn
Rogue1-and-a-half
strawbary (another RSA)
Nabooty_Call
Jeff 42
Obi-Dawn Kenobi
VoidDancer
HawkNC (our RSA)
jp-30

Closed at the author's request.

 

That's only part of the list, milney - you're not counting the people who are staying around until a replacement is found for them, and will quit after that.

But thank you for your support, it's much appreciated. We're hoping that it doesn't affect Fanforce any more than it has already, and if it does...well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

 

Fifteen already? That was more than I thought.

It's a shame this had to happen, but I'm not about to bow to what I believe is an unreasonable demand. It was a pleasure serving you, folks.

 

It's a shame this had to happen, but I'm not about to bow to what I believe is an unreasonable demand. It was a pleasure serving you, folks.

Hell no, we would expect you too, Hawk. They have to be out of their mind to expect mods and reps to supply that kind of information. It's a shame you did have to resign, Hawk. You were such a cool RSA! Damn those evil admin <insert word one would be banned for>!

 

Hey, it's not like I'm going to ban you.

 

Lol...yeah, but I think I've pushed the bountries in the Wa forum already today, so I'm being good. Don't make me sign anything on that, though...

 

You're going Hawk? that stinks. what grounds can they demand these details from you?
Is anyone negotiating? from what I can tell the main issue here is one of security, so if those details could be promised to be kept secure, would that make a difference?

 

Asking for that kind of information on an unsecure board is a totally unreasonable request.

 

I personally agree with the mods on this one. Without justification for the request, why should anyone comply, and especially without guarantees of information security?

 

I disagreed with the demand for my personal information on three key aspects:

1) I had no assurances that the site was secure. If people can get into Mod Squad and post information from there, they can quite possibly get into the other site and get my address.

2) The way this situation was handled. If Philip Wise (2/3 majority owner of TheForce.Net) had discussed our concerns with us instead of relaying to us via one of the site admins that we were paranoid and "afraid of our own shadows" (actual terms used), then maybe a compromise could have been reached and this whole mess could have been avoided.

3) I don't see why I should have to give my address, or even my real name, to them in the first place. I was never given a valid reason for it, and the TOS on the site we were told to register our details at stated that our information was considered non-confidential and could be used for marketing purposes, sold, etc. No thanks.

Anyway, it's all one big bloody mess that isn't going to be sorted out anytime soon. It wasn't my choice to go, I made damn sure I went down in a blaze of drama.

 

So THAT'S what all the hubbub's about? Thanks for breaking it down milney, I couldn't be stuffed reading through 1500+ posts on teh drama.

Well in theory I support the opposition to the owner's demands, which is why I'll remove my icon after I finish up with this post. It's unreasonable, especially when they don't consider how much voluntary work mods put into the boards. But as for the FanForce half of things, I think it's pretty easy to get the details of members of staff because of the offline element. Regardless, the ownership can't justify their demands. If they try to enforce it, they're going to end up shooting themselves in the foot.

Sorry to see you go Hawk. You've been a great RSA and have helped out when I needed you to. I hope this doesn't stop you from posting in NSW.

 

Well, I'm now icon-less and sig-less. I loved my icon and my sig, but I love this place more, and it's my little show of support for those who need it now.

From what I've read, and what I believe, what the owners are doing is stupid. I still can't see any logical reason why the mods should give their personal details.

The internet isn't safe, we all know that. I can understand why you mods don't want to give your details, I know I wouldn't.

In one of these many threads I read that FanForce had a back up plan, I sure hope they do, as FanForce is my life. If these boards were to go, geez, I would have so much time on my hands I know I've only been here since May 02, and noone is asking for my address. I've posted at a few message boards in my time, but nothing has ever worked as well for me as this place, I don't know what it is, it's just special.

When I started reading that thread in milney's sig, I was thinking "what's the fuss about, it's just a message board" but then when I found out what the fuss was in fact about, I can tell you my thoughts changed. This place is more than a message board, it's a community. I wouldn't be the messicat I am today if I didn't have you guys

 

Well, I'm now Iconless and Sigless just to show my support for ALL the MODS!!

 

When I wrote the first post, those were all of the modrators/managers/administrators that had been demoted already.

I will keep you guys updated with this using this thread, if you would prefer not to read all of the posts in the main thread.

EDIT:

The following mods have been demoted:

Darth Sapient
sideshow212
stinrab
Mr.Neck
Protege-of-Thrawn
Rogue1-and-a-half
Jeff 42
Obi-Dawn Kenobi
VoidDancer
HawkNC
MaidenLumpe

The following mods have voluntarily resigned:

jp-30
Krash
Morgaine
Katya_Jade
MaidenLumpe

edit: Obey Wann, was it voluntarily?

 

add me to the list, too. Told PW what to do with my personal info, too.

 

I got rid of my icon to support the Mods!

I still can't get over something like this is happening. The awkward speechlessness as the news hits you. Reminds me of the downfall of the Republic, or the morning I found out Rare was bought by Microsoft.

While those things I briefly mentioned had an impact on me (bout the whole Nintendo/Rare/Microsoft thing), there was nothing I could of done. Now this time around, I'm not gonna sit helplessly as things ruins a great Community. I'm gonna do what ever in my power I can to help out and if all things come to an end (Which I hope should not become of this place), atleast I know I didn't go down without a fight or trying to make a difference.

Here's to you Mods.

You have my full support

 

That's only part of the list, milney - you're not counting the people who are staying around until a replacement is found for them, and will quit after that.

Oh, so that was an option? Good to know now I suppose. I had no idea that this could be done, and would of prefered it for the welfare of my forum. Hell, I didn't even get so much as a Hamper.

Just think of all the homemade jams and relishes I could of been feasting on now...

 

The JC is finally crumbling under it's own weight...very much like that inter-galactic Republic before the dark times, before the Empire...

 

P-o-T, if ever you're in my neighbourhood, let me know, and I'll fix you up with a nice homemade condiment, and perhaps a nice cold meat platter Failing that, I'm sure a crownie will make a fine substitue, right?

Anyway, I often find myself marching to the beat of a different drum. I'm loosing the icon, but I'm taking a different approach on the sig. I mean, I still support the mods and all, but quite frankly, I'd rather be spreading unfounded rumours. Of course, those who are staying around still have a job to do, and I don't want to make it any harder for them than it already is. Should you wish to know what the blankety blanks say, click the link and discover what T. Roberts and P. Wise may or may not have in common.

NOTE: In case you haven't already worked it out, the link contains themes suitable only for adult audiences. If you're easily offended I urge you not to click the link. Think of the children. That goes for you too, Mr. Wise.

Edit: Oh Goodness! I just realised! We don't have a proper RSA! Not that you're not a propoer RSA, Shara, but you're probably a little busy right now, and everybody else is gone... so, are you it, or will I be directing any issues that crop up to Mr Wise? If the later is indeed the case, can I get a quick refresher on what issues I need to talk to my RSA about, because I'm sure I can come up with a few probalems that need addressing...

 

I'm now icon-less as well...

Hey, this is a real **** up, but hopefully it'll sort itself out. Sorry to see you go guys...

And if I can help by p!ssing anyone off, then I will...

 

what grounds can they demand these details from you?

As you can see from my .sig and lack of icon, I'm already with our mods on this; as I understand it, though, they volunteer for the site owners (PhilipWise and JoshuaGriffin) who operate the site at personal expense. Technically, they can be treated as any other volunteer.

However, the situation was a diplomatic FUBAR.

The one thing I'm most surprised at - and digusted by - is what happened to Sape. He worked his arse off and put in so much time, and he's now without any honourifics (like; TITLE: Former Head Admin or his name in Red!). This isn't to diminish what happened to anyone else, just to say...

so, are you it, or will I be directing any issues that crop up to Mr Wise?

He's made <20 posts total. He don't care what your issue is.

ALL YOUR INFORMATION ARE BELONG TO WISE.

E_S

 

HawkNC, you know full well that "I'm quite sure I've never seen a more paranoid group of people in my entire life" was far nastier statement that suggesting you're afraid of shadows.

And stating outright that the information doesn't need to be secure???????????



E_S

 

I support you guys. Bye, icon.

 

my icon gone too.

 

Not that you're not a propoer RSA, Shara, but you're probably a little busy right now, and everybody else is gone... so, are you it, or will I be directing any issues that crop up to Mr Wise? If the later is indeed the case, can I get a quick refresher on what issues I need to talk to my RSA about, because I'm sure I can come up with a few probalems that need addressing...

You know, it's worth quitting just to have you do that, Syrix.

As it is, I'm the designated sucker who's staying behind.