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Current forum silliness, an end

Dos_Box
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Hightower

Hightower

Posted
Posted

Thing is as I see it in terms of adverts - how many sites do we browse each day looking for answers to a solution? These sites all show adverts, and most of them probably couldn't care less what adverts we see as long as they make their money.

 

At least EduGeek tries to tailor adverts to suit, knowing they are suitable for viewing in front of fellow staff or students.

Mako

Mako

Posted
Posted

I wasn't going to contribute, but this is definately a hot topic with a very mixed air of opinion.

 

I used to work for GameSpy/IGN, arguably the biggest gaming-related company in the world. Look on the back of almost any game box, and a GameSpy logo will be there. I started out as a user, using the Arcade software to play my games online. I got involved with the community. I started helping out other users with firewall/router issues to get them to connect to servers. GameSpy had a dedicated live team of support volunteers who would roam the software giving assistance. Due to how well I was helping others, I was recruited into that team. Such a chain of events is generally how Mods are recruited in open communities.

Due to my dedication within that team I was promoted to Administrator status. One of twelve in the world, to cover a user base well into the millions. Essentially this was Admin status across their whole IRC network, plus Admin status on their Forums. Thousands of boards across hundreds of Forums. I've done my share of Forum Administration. Angry kids who couldn't get their games to work. Angry parents who couldn't get their games to work. Angry users when we'd moderate their posts for being rude and crude when they couldn't get things to work.

 

Administrators and Moderators are recruited for a reason. They've shown willingness to help and dedication to the community. They're entrusted by the owners to share their burden and carry out tasks that a single person cannot accomplish alone. As an Admin myself I was subject to hundreds of hate messages. "How dare you ban me?", "Stop deleting my posts!". I was entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the integrity of the forums, and weeding out things which were unsuitable. It is worth noting that there were strict guidelines in place for us to follow, which made it easier. Any posts made which were directed at Moderator actions were locked, as it was forum policy not to discuss things in public, and I stand by that notion. If you have an issue with moderation, take it up in PM with a Moderator, even if they're not the one to have done anything. All moderators are in link with each other, and they will all communicate to resolve the complaint professionally. I would humbly suggest similar lines here. Threads directed at Mod actions soon spiral into Mod bashing.

 

With my experience in mind, I do not like to see mod/admin bashing. They're doing the job they're entrusted to do. When you're on the receiving end of some moderation, you tend to react badly. From the forums I used to manage, you had users. Then you had moderators, which were generally the first line support team. They could cut, move, edit and lock posts - that's moderation. I was the second line, Administrator. I had user management access, along with all the powers of a Mod. Administrators administrate - Removing unruly users, managing accounts, lots of behind the scenes forum work. Of course, Admins here do a lot more than I used to do, but that's it in a nutshell.

 

And true enough, this is Edugeek. It is a community, regardless of people saying otherwise, and it is intended as a professional community. This is Dos_Box's site, and, while perhaps an interesting analogy, it is his town. He's the sheriff, the judge and the jury at the end of the day and I will happily stand by him and whatever decisions he chooses to make, for I visit here daily and I admire what he's turned this into. I'll hold my hand up and say I contributed to the silliness. I'm on the "user" side of the fence these days, so perhaps I do let my decorum slip a little. The boundaries were pushed, it wasn't appreciated by the management. We've all had a stern message, I suggest we accept it and move on. As many people have already said - grow up. I admire the mods and Admins for doing something I once did, for no pay, and their judgment should be respected and if it should be challenged, challenge it professionally in a PM.

 

On a final note, I don't think the community here has changed. I think it should be more professional, and I think all those with the authoritative position to say so are within their rights to say so. Remember where we work. If you were seen roaming forums for idle chat during work hours, I'm sure you'd get reprimanded for it in any other work environment.

 

This is an opinion, and as such people do challenge opinions. If you wish to challenge or respond to my opinion, take it to PM please. I truly hope people accept things, and let this rest, and we can get back things.

 

EduLove?

  • Thanks 4
penfold

penfold

Posted
Posted

Now I've got to be honest in that I haven't read all this thread - mainly because of the number of pages. There seems to be complaints about how EG should be run(aministered etc) but people are already doing it. If you dont like the way it is run, dont use the resource. Everyone has different idea on how things should be run and if it was to be decided between everyone, nothing would happen.

 

Personally I see EG as a resource I can access in work and as such expect it to be suitable for access at work. It has helped me when I get stuck on a problem(often without having to post as other people have already encountered & solved it already) but is light harted enough not to take itself too seriously. I'm not bothered about the money side of it, as I believe for the most part that members are happy to be able to use a resource which can provide such a huge amount of support in a matter of minutes.

ZeroHour

ZeroHour

Posted
Posted
Im not sure if i have the orignal stuff, i had to delete them as my inbox was full but its happened. At the time it was denied so the tune will hardly change now.

Well not according to my records, but its probably a cover up by admins/mods... Please only state things you can back up as hear say is simply not beneficial to anyone. If you find the mails/pms/etc please forward them to me via email/pm and I will check my records.

FN-GM

FN-GM

Posted
Posted
So assume you dont at home? I still think its a bit silly assuming that the once in a blue moon advert would mean you would get trouble from work?!?! no work would really do that as its out of your control.

I have seen similar arguments come on other sites stating spyware etc but it really never washes with me as its so little of an issue no one can reasonably say that blocking adverts for all their work day on the off chance that an advert with a dating site happens to occur (for example) and you get insta-sacked for it. If thats the case you must have one hell of an RUA and face unfair dismissal all the time as the rest of your staff wont probably care nor even have the ability nessarily to stop these sackable adverts...

Also let me add *at that time* you also yourself said you had gone off on one a bit and was it not all resolved?

 

they are not blocked at home....

 

I would rather not take the risk at home. I might get stopped using the site at work or something. Its just not worth the agro. If you changed the adds or something i would review the situation.

LosOjos

LosOjos

Posted
Posted
Well not according to my records, but its probably a cover up by admins/mods... Please only state things you can back up as hear say is simply not beneficial to anyone. If you find the mails/pms/etc please forward them to me via email/pm and I will check my records.

 

Whilst I agree with most of what you have said ZeroHour, I do feel you're attacking FN-GM's opinions in this thread, and it's not a good reflection on the community. If anything, it adds weight to FN-GM's claims.

 

Can't we all just get along?

  • Thanks 2
FN-GM

FN-GM

Posted
Posted
Whilst I agree with most of what you have said ZeroHour, I do feel you're attacking FN-GM's opinions in this thread, and it's not a good reflection on the community. If anything, it adds weight to FN-GM's claims.

 

Can't we all just get along?

 

Thanks, at the end of the day i have a right to my opinion last time i looked we dont live in a communist state

 

Well not according to my records, but its probably a cover up by admins/mods... Please only state things you can back up as hear say is simply not beneficial to anyone. If you find the mails/pms/etc please forward them to me via email/pm and I will check my records.

 

The issue was with Ric, i will try to find what it was when i get home

ZeroHour

ZeroHour

Posted
Posted
they are not blocked at home....

 

I would rather not take the risk at home. I might get stopped using the site at work or something. Its just not worth the agro. If you changed the adds or something i would review the situation.

 

We have over the last year a lot, but you would never know thats the thing. Google adwords should be gone at the end of the month as well which was a source of much pain. Our primary adverts are filtered by IDG and tightly controlled as we never ever want bad adverts on this site. We go to great lenghts to prevent it but issues can occur (like anything really) but I personally pull the adverts and even the actual advert system when its an issue as we do so much to ensure you, our members dont get bad adverts.

FN-GM

FN-GM

Posted
Posted (edited)
We have over the last year a lot, but you would never know thats the thing.

 

Well i would as i said i have them on at home

 

We are just going round and round here. I think we should just agree to disagree. I stated my opinion and you stated yours. I respect your opinion.

 

I still like the site but its changing and i am not liking the changes

Edited by FN-GM
PEO

PEO

Posted
Posted
Well i would as i said i have them on at home

 

FN-GM do you see more of these unwanted adverts on your home computer than you do at work?

FN-GM

FN-GM

Posted
Posted
FN-GM do you see more of these unwanted adverts on your home computer than you do at work?

 

I dont see any at work as they are blocked. At home i see them the odd time yes.

penfold

penfold

Posted
Posted
So assume you dont at home? I still think its a bit silly assuming that the once in a blue moon advert would mean you would get trouble from work?!?! no work would really do that as its out of your control.

I have seen similar arguments come on other sites stating spyware etc but it really never washes with me as its so little of an issue no one can reasonably say that blocking adverts for all their work day on the off chance that an advert with a dating site happens to occur (for example) and you get insta-sacked for it. If thats the case you must have one hell of an RUA and face unfair dismissal all the time as the rest of your staff wont probably care nor even have the ability nessarily to stop these sackable adverts...

 

I would say that you may not get instant sack, but it could cause you problems in work if people then think your looking at inapropriate websites(especially for schools). I always say that I have the same restrictions when accessing websites as any member of staff or pupil and as such should only be viewing things which are appropriate for a school audience.

 

If there were problems with other sites(spyware), I wouldn't access them again, but as EG has proved to be invaluable in the past, I wouldn't want people kicking up a fuss because of some of the content on there(whether you agree or not) And yes, I have had a Line Manager ask what I was looking at due to some strange advert, but was happy with my explanation, but not everyone has a good line manager.

PEO

PEO

Posted
Posted

I get Viagra emails daily :) have I got the sack... no... why... because it is out of my control... I think if anyone is concerned about the random once in a blue moon dating advert, then you should speak to you boss and do a risk assessment..

 

Bonkers

uk101man

uk101man

Posted
Posted

First of edugeek is a great resource and with hindsight I would of set up a site like this in a heart beat.

 

Lets not forget we do not own edugeek.net and thus have little responsibility or come back to what we post, sure we may annoy the odd supplier but hey we do not get an email bashing with all kinds of legal words, which I guessing has happened in the past.

 

Reading the last couple of posts about ADs, come on look around how do you think this place makes money. It's part of life that the odd bad Ad gets through. Maybe you can pay a subscription to have all ads removed? thought not

 

 

I did skim across a post about RM CEO something about us being important....in what way?

mattx

mattx

Posted
Posted

If anyone wants to get rid of some pent up anger then feel free to frag me on quakelive.

I'll be on the Maidenhead Free For All server till 1:15 ish.

That is all.

Tunster

Tunster

Posted
Posted (edited)
If anyone wants to get rid of some pent up anger then feel free to frag me on quakelive.

I'll be on the Maidenhead Free For All server till 1:15 ish.

That is all.

Might join you as I have 15 minutes left of lunch :D.

 

That aside, hasn't all this bickering come of a non-issue anyway which peaked at a female member using the word "frisky"? It's all silly to me, but I'll continue to use this great resource.

Edited by Tunster
mattx

mattx

Posted
Posted (edited)

This is quite relevant to the thread: :D

 

The most important line at the very end.....

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkjz5JMCU1A]YouTube- The Power Gap[/ame]

Edited by mattx
  • Thanks 1
mattx

mattx

Posted
Posted
Mattx you make me laugh!

I like your tag line ;)

 

And that is how this forum should be !! Helping people when we can, and having a laugh along the way. People take this internet thing far far too seriously.....

russdev

russdev

Posted
Posted
First of edugeek is a great resource and with hindsight I would of set up a site like this in a heart beat.

 

Lets not forget we do not own edugeek.net and thus have little responsibility or come back to what we post, sure we may annoy the odd supplier but hey we do not get an email bashing with all kinds of legal words, which I guessing has happened in the past.

 

Reading the last couple of posts about ADs, come on look around how do you think this place makes money. It's part of life that the odd bad Ad gets through. Maybe you can pay a subscription to have all ads removed? thought not

 

 

I did skim across a post about RM CEO something about us being important....in what way?

 

I will paraphrase here but...

 

At BETT RM Chairman (But CEO has said same sort of comments) made a point to come a visit the stand and make some very positive comments about the 'geek' how important the site was both to schools and suppliers and ICT community at whole.

 

You could take it as playing to owners but knowing both former CEO and current CEO and John the chairman I have never known them to play to the crowd when it comes to comments like that. They watch the words very carefully as they are held accountable for everything they say.

 

Russ

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