On the Subject of FPN, Censorship, and Community

[stub]

Amazed this is still going.

Pardon me if this has already been mentioned but, if you don't like the practices at FPN then just don't go there.

David

[Empty_of_Clouds]

You cannot stop now... I've still got half a bucket of popcorn to get through.

[Farmboy]

You cannot stop now... I've still got half a bucket of popcorn to get through.

Butter and salt?

[stub]

(that's what popcorn is, a delivery system for butter and salt)

You cannot stop now... I've still got half a bucket of popcorn to get through.

Butter and salt?

[Farmboy]

(that's what popcorn is, a delivery system for butter and salt)

You cannot stop now... I've still got half a bucket of popcorn to get through.

Butter and salt?

Well they do make caramel corn..

[mrcharlie]

The Baltimore pen show just asked me whether I had pubic lice crawling all over the base of my wedding tackle.



Really, anything on this thread is tame compared with that.


If you have Adblock, the image that should display is here.

Seriously? The image shows edible crabs, a local (to Baltimore) food specialty, not pubic lice.

My apology if you were trying to be funny.

[Farmboy]

The Baltimore pen show just asked me whether I had pubic lice crawling all over the base of my wedding tackle.



Really, anything on this thread is tame compared with that.


If you have Adblock, the image that should display is here.

Seriously? The image shows edible crabs, a local (to Baltimore) food specialty, not pubic lice.

My apology if you were trying to be funny.

It is an old joke.

[brunico]

Seriously? The image shows edible crabs, a local (to Baltimore) food specialty, not pubic lice.

Didn't realise, sorry... it's been a while since I had them.

[HughC]

you try to make out you're in some way a victim of some personal attack and use this as an example to justify your opinion !! You dug the hole, you fell into it and someone else is to blame? No, you took a cheap shot at a lot of people, you made unsubstantiated claims and then you tried to weasel out.

HughC, your entire entry, and all its personal vindictiveness, should be removed. You provide the best example I have to offer. I am neither angry, nor "weaseling," nor any other negative adjective that you can think of (like "suck at communication" as another poster wrote above").

I'll repeat, just for clarity: fpgeeks is no better than FPN in terms of its tolerance or openness or "democratic" principles or any other moral postulate. It is simply less-moderated. fpgeeks trades one kind of censorship for another, one kind of suppression of ideas for another. It is smaller, has far fewer threads than FPN. Some like it for that. Some don't. Some like less moderation. Some don't. Some like more vulgarity and swearing. Some don't. Some have come here, as others have attested to, out of rejection from or retreat from the practices of FPN. Some haven't. Some hate FPN. Some like it and prefer it. Some don't have favorites.

What is possibly objectionable in any of these positions? How is any of it not demonstrably true? It might help if you and a few others stopped making this about *me* and started addressing the content of the claims. My character and motivation here have been impugned more times than I care to recount for you or anyone. And this is just one thread!

Of course, especially here at fpgeeks because it is demonstrably less moderated, you are free to ignore my suggestion and continue to attack *me*.

Personal vindictiveness ?? Spare me the "I'm a victim " rubbish because you're more a perpetrator...

Remember this, obviously not, so I'll repost...

fpgeeks is clearly a place where people go who feel wronged...

...an arrogant, insulting and factually incorrect statement....a cheap shot....that had nothing to do with the topic only you trying to demean others..

I have continuously limited my criticisms to a very specific issue (politeness of tone)

Yes, the people you refer to in the first quote...

But I simply won't engage in personal exchanges of diatribe--

Really ? In light of quote number one...

Then there's this gem...

It's a form of bullying, which of course the bully will call "thin skinned" (or worse).

Of course I have to refer you to the first quote in this reply....the one where you had a dig at a lot of people..anyway moving on..

Coarseness isn't my objection (I have a potty mouth, with friends). I called it "personal diatribe."

Sort of a comment made by a person who has no idea of what he's said...you decided to attack people...
.. and then this gem...

Of course, especially here at fpgeeks because it is demonstrably less moderated, you are free to ignore my suggestion and continue to attack *me*.

...you haven't been attacked, you've simply been "called out" on some cheap shots you've used to demean others here. You've tried to cover your failings by claiming "victim "status....the word I used "pathetic" is an apt description...

[Morgaine]

You cannot stop now... I've still got half a bucket of popcorn to get through.

Butter and salt?

popcorn.JPG

[TSherbs]

If you like coming here for cut-rate pens, that’s fine. If the ambiance here isn’t rarefied enough for you, that’s fine, too. But don’t come here trying to make something we have created and believe in the image of your own nanny-state dystopia because you can’t handle someone failing to make you feel special.

"nanny-state dystopia"

that's a good one

I actually teach a course in rebelling against that very thing

but you wouldn't know that, nor even sense that, when all I have done is to question some of the pro-geek and anti-FPN claims at their most hyperbolic. Like you did in what I have just quoted.

I appreciate your loyalty to this site. Long may it live.

[TSherbs]

...you haven't been attacked, you've simply been "called out" on some cheap shots you've used to demean others here. You've tried to cover your failings by claiming "victim "status....the word I used "pathetic" is an apt description...

Well, it's good to see your level of righteous indignation.

For clarity, I am no "victim" here. You can't be quoting me with those quotation marks. I have no wounds, no marks, no personal stake in this whatsoever. I have no grudges or anger, not even a ruffled feather. This has been a brief diversion for me, and I will get back to my regularly-scheduled-program now. I just thought I'd enter the discussion from a different point of view and see what people have to say. I was not even out to change anyone's mind.

[pengeezer]

After much thought I've come to the conclusion that MB is the party at fault in releasing it's own information. An agent/reseller is in the business of selling a product, provide them with product information and expecting them not to use it to lock in sales is pure fantasy. I'm sure MB understands this rather basic concept and it's usefulness in sales, that it became widespread because of technology is also an obvious risk. If as stated the information came from authorized dealers then it's basically public knowledge, the posters on FPN should have no issues nor should FPN. In a lot of jurisdictions the poster not the forum is responsible and liable for what they post, again taking FPN off the hook. It may not be that well known that FPN is not a personally owned forum but rather owned by an incorporated company, this effectively isolates the owner/s from any adverse personal risks associated with legal action. Given it's an internet forum with next to no assets there's nothing apart from closure to be gained by any form of legal action. Again the question remains why the post removed? I've already expressed my view why. The other question is why did MB release the information and then complain about their mistake?
The notion that Todd (Farmboy) puts forth about a legal letter/threat being a significant deterrent does have merit if it's directed at a casual player who has no need to take a risk. Of course this being the internet it becomes increasingly difficult to back words with action, under what jurisdiction is the action ( where is the server situated, the forum operated from and what country does the poster live in). Even if I was targeted for such a letter the bin would simply get rid of it because the chances of me losing a single cent is zero.
Should Wim be castigated for being careful ? Well, in all fairness no if no financial arrangement exists with MB. It comes down to speculation, I'd suggest the way the CS Forum developed the speculation of financial involvement was correct so there is "form" in this regard.

This was my thought---that if Wim "created" a spot for himself with the CS involvement and it worked,then
the possibility exists it could be done again. IMHO,a financial relationship with MB exists at present.


John

I have not seen any evidence of a financial arrangement between FPN and MB. In fact I think the opposite, if MB were a corporate sponsor why would the site need ad revenue and remind me I should join via membership to remove said ads. I also don't see any MB advertising. You could argue that they sponsor but only request content control which I think is what is suggested with the former CS company. Though I do not expect an answer, I think I will ask.

I have no problem if my assumption is wrong(I've been wrong before) that there is a financial relationship. But even
in sponsorship the needs of the sponsor should not prevail over the members,esp. if all the members have done is to
prematurely introduce future product info into the marketplace. Impression might be that a higher-up at MB got all
upset because brochures were already sent out to subscribers. That's MB's fault,not the fault of FPN members.


John

[TSherbs]

Amazed this is still going.

Pardon me if this has already been mentioned but, if you don't like the practices at FPN then just don't go there.

David

For my part in prolonging this, I apologize to anyone who took exception or became annoyed. Everyone have a great day and a great weekend! Carry on!

[View from the Loft]

Oh this can't stop now - I've just opened a bottle of red ...

[Chazz]

Amazed this is still going.

Pardon me if this has already been mentioned but, if you don't like the practices at FPN then just don't go there.

David

Yes, it would seem more logical to devote time and energy to improving this forum, to the levels of FPN, or at least just forget FPN. But then what would people have to endlessly and meaninglessly whine about?

[Chazz]

I have no problem if my assumption is wrong(I've been wrong before) that there is a financial relationship. But even in sponsorship the needs of the sponsor should not prevail over the members,esp. if all the members have done is to prematurely introduce future product info into the marketplace. John

That decision is for the owner of the forum to make. It is not up to others to decide who should get priority on a privately owned forum. More importantly, the owner of FPN has made his decision, and threads such as this will not change it.

[Chazz]

People on one forum angrily fighting about how things are on another forum. Can't get more entertaining for this sort of thing!

A suggestion: if you don't like FPN, just have nothing to do with it! This going on and on, to the point of exchanging insults, is about as absurd as one can get. Do something different: smoke a joint, f**k, write with your pen!

[katherine]

Did I mention how much I hate the vibe over on the FPN? haha. H A T E



I vastly prefer the rough and tumble fpg to the fpn.

I just wish there was a bit more traffic over here.

Start some discussion!

[Jon Szanto]