(October 20, 2016 at 2:01 pm)Tiberius Wrote: Also I'm not sure if you are aware but we don't make money via ads anymore. We rely solely on donations so the site is technically losing money. We haven't ever been in the black so to speak.

I think that there is an even bigger point to be made here but I think Tibs is to much of a gentleman to say it so I will.  Tibs (and by marriage Shell) is loosing money here and yet continues the forum. And yet continues to put up with shit and keep the majority relatively happy/content. Goes to the trouble of having it run by committee and not dictatorship. His motives aside, I find his actions exceedingly commendable. Quite frankly Tibs, you're a much better man than I am. I'd have pulled the plug on the site or people (banned) a long time ago and with little hesitation.

Don't you bitchers know how good you have it here? If not, try elsewhere. I don't think you'll find anything comparable. Or set up your own site, something which I am incapable of and not willing to do. My guess is that the bitchers are not either.  

And I'm not saying don't bitch, but for gods sake (there I go) keep it within reason.

One last thing, if you're not donating, as far as I'm concerned, you should be thrilled that the forum exists at all.

(October 20, 2016 at 2:18 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Again I wish I knew for sure what was going on but I'd say "lighten up, people."  If someone says something you don't like, tell them off.  

Jesus fucking christ.  With all the drama around here the staff should start giving out Oscars.

Oh I know whats being talked about.

@Tiberius: has he used that to make this or is an internal struggle? The former deserves a ban, the latter, nothing.

I feel the ONI rule is misleadingly labelled and should be renamed ODI - Overwhelmingly Disruptive Influence. Wish we could invite Troy Brooks - ol' Churchwank himself - over here, to demonstrate precisely what that means.

I ficking saw that coming 2 years ago.

Well done staff for not caving into the demands of SJWs.

(October 20, 2016 at 2:39 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: I think that there is an even bigger point to be made here but I think Tibs is to much of a gentleman to say it so I will.  

.....I'd have found the blade this forum is hosted on and set fire to it, by now.  We're the worst, lol. 

(October 20, 2016 at 2:05 pm)Pandæmonium Wrote: That is a very misguided and uninformed accusation and assessment, Nymph. I don't recall ever discussing the financial situation or flow of traffic to the forum in our discussions in the staff areas. Of course you have to take my word on that, but it's true.

Maybe staff didn't discuss it privately, but it has been discussed out in the open forum for everyone, even guests, to see. A new thread about Patreon came about as a result. So, you are incorrect. My comments about it, did not come from being misguided or uninformed. I wouldn't have said anything if I didn't know what I was talking about. Not to mention, at the top of every page is a note saying how much the forum costs per month to run, which currently is $33.00. Was I giving much? From looking at it from a monthly standpoint, no, I wasn't. But I was giving near one third of that total monthly cost and in the course of over a year, it would have been $120. That's a lot for me, personally because I live on a fixed income and I have four kids and bills to pay too. But even I could afford $10 a month, which is what I was giving. Aside from that, I gave because  I felt like I was helping a community I loved. So pardon me if I felt like I could no longer support a place that I FELT let me down. You all want to beat a dead horse to death, have at it. I have stated my position. No need to keep rehashing it simply because some of you don't agree with the fact that I made a public announcement about it. People have a right to be informed. Free speech, remember? 

Quote:I doubt I can say anything to placate you or the situation that has arisen as a result of the discussions in other threads. Apart from stating the obvious that this is the Internet, and not everyone will agree all the time, this forum has always, and will always, be based on people speaking their mind. Of course we regulate where needed, and we discuss (and discuss extensively) when matters such as this arise. But we are not in the business of policing beliefs or reactions to those beliefs. As abhorrent as some people's beliefs are, and as 'offensive' as their reactions and posts might be, people are not going to be banned for airing them. The forum is replete with harsh posts, and even harsher responses, and allah knows I've been involved in some of them in the past, but I am thankful those conversations and interactions were not stymied based on the reactions of myself or others.

Which is why I did not permanently leave this place. I refuse to allow those who have offended me, to "win" by running me off.

(October 20, 2016 at 2:45 pm)Rhythm Wrote:

(October 20, 2016 at 2:39 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: I think that there is an even bigger point to be made here but I think Tibs is to much of a gentleman to say it so I will.  

.....I'd have found the blade this forum is hosted on and set fire to it, by now.  We're the worst, lol. 

But we're the BEST at being the worst, damnit!  

I didn't see any announcement made by you to be honest, so I can't comment on that nor say I agree/disagree with it. I don't have access to see the patreon donations so I don't see who donates what apart from their user name and little gold icon.

My objections were to you accusing us of only caring about what is effectively forum drama/controversy, and controversial threads, to generate revenue. I reject that in the strongest possible terms, because it's not true. We don't use advertising, if nobody wants to donate then that's absolutely fine, I'll make up the difference if I have to. As as been stated, Tibs runs this place at a loss; he doesn't expect anyone to donate, that people do is a bonus, and we are eternally grateful for it. But I don't begrudge people who don't want to, it's your/their money.

I appreciate you not wanting to leave. FWIW neither I nor anyone else I can think of would want you to.

Can't we talk about overwhelmingly positive influences?...... Like me for example.