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SocialRenegade
19th Sep 06, 11:32 AM
It has come to my attention that perhaps the administrators and moderators of this forum do not understand their own posting guidelines.
Without going into more detail than I must, recently a post was locked down that I took interest in, and would have enjoyed interacting with it's author in a meaningful dialogue, had I had the chance to do so.
But sadly, I could not. The thread was locked.

So, out of curiousity (and to refresh my memory on the posting rules), I set out to re-read this site's posting guidelines. I apologize in advance that this post is happening on this forum, but it is for two reasons: #1: this site does not appear to have a "general" discussion forum, and #2: the thread in question was locked down here.

So, I have read the posting guidelines and reasons why such strict rules are in place, and here are my notes; what I would like to say to the forum administrators/moderators.

1. I find it interesting that "excessive swearing" will get you banned from posting. Ironically, it was the complaint of excessive swearing that got a topic of discussion locked. The posting guidelines go on to say that "swearing will be tolerated in context", so I find it kind of ironic that a post calling for an explaination for the wonton and seemingly excessive use of swearing in this forum's game would get locked down.

2. First read their point # 5 on Posting Guidelines. One of the last things they say is "We're not in the business of irritating parents". The thread that got locked down (for complaining about excessive swearing in the game) was a legitimate response from a consumer, concerned about kids picking up the language from the game and repeating it. One has to wonder, by ignoring this issue, how are they avoiding irritating parents? I do not know if the author of the thread in question is a parent themself, but prior to their post, there was some concern voiced from parents wanting a solution to this, besides turning the sound off altogether. How can you say "we are not in the business of irritating parents", and then completely ignore a call by parents to do something about the swearing concern in an otherwise fun game?

3. Reading from the topic "Why so many rules?" I quote: 'It is not a forum run by people just to have a good talk, and post anything. The threads here are a reflection upon Relic itself, and as such we strive to maintain a high level of meaningful discussion.'
So, in response to a perfectly reasonable post about giving gamers a choice to censor the swearing on their favorite game, the thread is locked. Does that make sense to anyone?

4. Again, quoting from the same page: "If on the other hand you would like to participate in a forum that you can expect an intelligent response from any
post you make or like a good read through well thought out threads, then this is the place for you."
Apparently not.
I fully expect that this post will also get locked down. I am not here to incite a riot, just expose a double standard. If this site really is a reflection of Relic, then instead of squashing a "well thought out thread", the moderators and administrators should perhaps re-read their own rules.
We have here a forum representing a wide variety of people -- who differ in age, sex, race, ethnicity, and faith. We all have apparently agreed that this game is fun to play, but some of us here would prefer to play the game without hearing the word "fuck" over and over.
Why ignore us?

SocialRenegade

Eboli
19th Sep 06, 11:50 AM
I'm sure a Mod will come along and answer your questions or move it to the appropriate forum but 2 things.

1. This forum does have a "General Discussion" forum, in fact it is called the "General Discussion" forum and can be found here

http://forums.relicnews.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

2. This forum also has a forum devoted to issues like this (questioning locks, bans, deletions etc) called the "Forum Issues" forum. It can be found here

http://forums.relicnews.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Your post probably would have been better off being made there, as more moderator's will view it. I suspect this post will be moved there shortly by a moderator as well.

NovaBurn
19th Sep 06, 12:09 PM
Moved to Forum Issues.

Corsix
19th Sep 06, 12:09 PM
One of the last things they say is "We're not in the business of irritating parents"If you look at that quote in context (which is how quotes should be done), then you see that is in regard to posting porn.

Next time a link to the thread you are ranting about would help too.

Verrin
19th Sep 06, 12:24 PM
I think he's referring to this (http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=108418) thread.


Ironically, it was the complaint of excessive swearing that got a topic of discussion locked.

The point was made that the whole swearing issue has been discussed to death and it was locked because of it. It wasn't locked because someone was specifically complaining about swearing.


I fully expect that this post will also get locked down. I am not here to incite a riot, just expose a double standard. If this site really is a reflection of Relic, then instead of squashing a "well thought out thread", the moderators and administrators should perhaps re-read their own rules.

You obviously haven't been here very long to make such an assumption. The staff are willing to hear you out as long as you're friendly and polite about it. They aren't the kind of people who think they are above admitting mistakes.

eventhorizon
19th Sep 06, 12:37 PM
I find it interesting that you aren't here to 'incite a riot' as you put it, but you aren't past declaring yourself a Social Renegade. As mentioned, if you took the time to look around the fora a little rather than trying to find contradictions in the guidelines, you would have noticed the General Discussion forum.

A suggestion- if you want to play a game that includes swearing without hearing 'fuck' over and over again, might I suggest you turn the volume down and put on some relaxing music instead? I recommend Bonnie Somervilles 'Winding Road'.

Uncle Benny
19th Sep 06, 12:49 PM
SocialRenegade, since your join date is Sep06, and I'm assuming you are truly a new RN forumite, then welcome.

As far as the mods/admins/etc, I honestly don't see how you've been here long enough to have seen too many examples of this "double standard" as you put it. Please hear me out and ease off the Anger-Accelerator.

I joined in March05, and have seen too far many of the examples you gave above. Not mods disregarding the rules, but the posts that stray off-topic or violate forum guidelines. If a specific post is unwarranted, I see them get deleted/edited (depending on offense), but if a thread really goes downhill, it needs to be locked. Now, I have also seen mods reopen threads if PM'd with a request & a good reason.

Bottom line, if no mod/admin ever acted on an offense because someone may not agree with there interpretation of the rules, then this forum would blatantly SUCK.
Search for Dawn of War forums, check some others out, and see how they look. Yeah.

I'm sorry if I don't agree, but again I can't see how you could form such a well-rounded and accurate opinion in such a short time. Your post seemed very angry, and made statements, asking no questions. That's not conversation or disagreement, it's a rant.
Trust me, this is a great community, and there are WAAAAY more oppportunities for discussion than you will even have the time to participate in.

BTW, did you try PMing a mod/admin about reopening the thread, or PMing the thread's author who you said you wanted to speak with?
If all else fails, PM the mod/admin who closed the thread and make sure it's okay to start your own thread on that subject.
You see, there are so many avenues, there is no reason to be upset over one experience.

Please feel free to PM me if you have an issue like this again, I would be more than happy to share my experience with you to help you have an enjoyable and entertaining time here on RelicNews.

Arr, indeed. :Pirate:

ionfish
19th Sep 06, 1:24 PM
Social: the thread was locked because the discussion in question has now occurred several times, with the same points surfacing again and again on all sides of the argument. I think we can safely assume that Relic considered the issue when they made the choices they did with regards to game design, and that they are now entirely aware of the reaction of some people to those choices. Given that, further discussion would appear only to incite conflict. I did a brief search through the Company of Heroes forum and found these threads discussing the issue:

http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=97942
http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=100928
http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=106250
http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=107455
http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=107976
http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=108418 (The one I presume you're referring to.)

Having read your post, it appears to me that you're making the mistake of conflating Relic/THQ (the makers of the game) with Relicnews, who run these forums. We're community volunteers, and we make and enforce the rules here, not Relic. We are under no obligation to make those rules congruent with Relic's game design, even if we were to agree that there was some contradiction between the two.

That said, they seem entirely compatible to me, given that the forum is accessible by anyone, including those under 13 provided they obtain parental permission, wheras Company of Heroes has a rating that only allows persons aged 17 and over (in the US at least) to purchase it.

ceejayoz
19th Sep 06, 1:46 PM
Hi, thenshell (http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=108140). Had you fully read our rules, you'd have found the one on duplicate accounts.

Fiirks
19th Sep 06, 2:36 PM
Busted.

eventhorizon
19th Sep 06, 2:54 PM
The system works.

Eboli
19th Sep 06, 3:29 PM
What an ignominious thing to get banned for. So many more glorious topics he could have made his exit upon...

Starblade
19th Sep 06, 3:31 PM
I love when the mods own someone so utterly.

Dooks Dizzo
19th Sep 06, 11:31 PM
Will this guy be appearing in the Graveyard? Or is he already there?

Stormsong
20th Sep 06, 7:27 AM
All it takes is a quick look in Karos, Dooks. http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=109011