Open Dialogue.....

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precocious

precocious

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Would it be possible to have an "honest open dialogue" with Mr. Spoofee, Mods and Members in a thread where we can feel free to state our opinions, suggestions, etc. (no cat fighting between members/mods/etc.) about the current state of SpoofeeLand? Would it be possible to 'air' what we feel 'went wrong', some misconceptions, revisit a few 'instances' in hopes of clearing the 'air', perhaps modifying a few procedures/policies/guidelines for the benefit of all?

Can we also make suggestions on how to move forward in a positive manner as well without getting cut off or squashed by one voice?

I personally see a lot of 'established' members losing interest and just moving along....moreso than just the 'normal curve' of a website.

I like Spoofee and I'd love to see it shine once more and be the active happening place with superior deals with great people and great conversations........that seems to have fallen a bit along the wayside...:(

Can we have this 'open dialogue' with everyone's input without fear of bannings and infractions, etc.....? being 'edited', censored ? (of course being respectful and not vulgar) And actually get answers?

Is anyone interested in this? Members, Mods....Spoofee?
 
I thought this is posted in the right forum. :convinced:

What's on your mind, preco?
 
SpoofeeLand has 'lacked luster' for awhile. I've noticed it and so have several others and I feel we should bring this to the surface in a constructive manner.

Before (or if) we address some issues, etc.....I want to know if people (Mods, Members and Spoofee) are on board with this idea because I really don't want to waste time and effort for the 'same old, same old'......is anyone else interested in doing this?

*thanks for replying Bid Daddy, at least one other person is concerned and is willing to start a dialogue......* anyone else?
 
I can't speak for anyone else here, but I think some constructive criticism would be welcomed.
 
Thanks, Preco. Count me in as another person who thinks a dialogue is needed.
 
Here is a topic that has concerned me: when someone is banned, especially in the case of a permanent ban, it seems only fair to have some sort of appeals process, ideally made up of mods and regular users.

Barring that, we need explicit rules on what would earn someone a permanent ban (is saying something--even something many of us agree was particularly unpleasant--about another member, even in a so-called private message, going to instantly earn you a permanent ban? If so, we should all be made aware of that going in). Is this rule consistently applied to *all* members?

Someone said to me a couple months ago that "all the smart people keep leaving"...if so, what is it that's driving the "smarter" people away?

On the plus side, Spoofee does many things right...obviously it's of great credit to Mr. S. and the mods that they've kept a lively and useful site like this going all these years. On a personal note, Mr. S. went out of his way to change my mind about leaving a couple of months ago (he can be quite persuasive!), and I was touched by his concern for members. Of course, he might want to ban me after this post!! :tongue: Hi, Mr. S.! :wave:
 
While I don't want this thread to be all about 'unbanning' a person, not my intention at all, however, what I have 'issue' with is how it was done. I think the whole situation was mishandled and the incident not only ended with someone permanently banned but others were taken down as well when they tried to speak their mind or show concern. Further more, the aftermath and activities leading up to and surrounding that time had a 'Gestapo' (for lack of a better term) feel to it. The editing and censorship that still continues and which some resent, I believe, is still a great concern to the established members.

While it is Mr. Spoofee's site and obviously he has the final decision, rightfully so......as a member, one wants to feel 'part of the family' who can at minimum voice their opinion without being slapped down, crushed and gagged (or edited, posts deleted and banned).

Denying the problem, hiding it and wishing it away doesn't work for you haven't solved the problem, you just lost good members who feel they were not respected nor valued. No one is forced to a member, we must want to be here....the environment has changed and less and less established members want to be here...:(
 
precocious said:
While I don't want this thread to be all about 'unbanning' a person, not my intention at all, however, what I have 'issue' with is how it was done. I think the whole situation was mishandled and the incident not only ended with someone permanently banned but others were taken down as well when they tried to speak their mind or show concern. Further more, the aftermath and activities leading up to and surrounding that time had a 'Gestapo' (for lack of a better term) feel to it. The editing and censorship that still continues and which some resent, I believe, is still a great concern to the established members.

While it is Mr. Spoofee's site and obviously he has the final decision, rightfully so......as a member, one wants to feel 'part of the family' who can at minimum voice their opinion without being slapped down, crushed and gagged (or edited, posts deleted and banned).

Denying the problem, hiding it and wishing it away doesn't work for you haven't solved the problem, you just lost good members who feel they were not respected nor valued. No one is forced to a member, we must want to be here....the environment has changed and less and less established members want to be here...:(
Click to expand...

That's pretty much why I don't come on the site anymore. I feel the rules of conduct should be the same for everyone regardless if you are a mod or " just a member". I haven't heard much input from Spoofee so I figure he doesn't care or doesn't want to get involved. Either way it shows a lack of respect to the members who do question the way things have been handled in the past. That's just my opinion but it's one of the reasons I am not such an active member anymore. :ohwell:
 
Well allow me to say a little here..

Normally when someone is permanently banned, unless it is a spammer, it gets discussed in the moderator "back room". We(mods) normally send a PM to the member asking for them to stop whatever it is they are doing. If it continues they receive warnings then ultimately they either stop or warn themselves into banishment. We do not just go around and ban established members at will. I know I have caused a few problems around here in the past, which I was talked to by Spoofee and asked to stop.

I am interested too in ways to help bring this place back from the dead. I don't even come around here much anymore.

IMHO it seems like Spoofee himself does not care as much about this website as he first did. The site is set on autopilot and just keeps on going around in circles with us as mods behind the wheel. It feels good that he trusts us with the helping of running the site and all but he still needs to show his face and add input and ideas, even if it is just once a week.

I agree that we should use this thread to discuss and post ideas that can be taken into consideration to help get this place back up, the way it used too be.
 
I've visited a few sites with forums and some of the forums are like a Jerry Springer episode. I did not join, that's not the atmosphere that I want. With that being said, neither do I want a forum where I feel we are all 'stepford' members where everything is great and dandy and tension and unpleasantness never makes an appearance. That is very boring and unreal.

At one time, SpoofeeLand had a nice 'balance' of pleasantness and some tension. It made for some lively discussions and lots of laughs, we also learned a lot, accepted members and their quirks and oddities, it had a mix of real life and that is what kept people coming here. They were happy, they stopped in, they checked out and added to the deals. They kept their eyes and ears open for a great deal and couldn't wait to get to their computer to post and share.

Somewhere along the way it was decided to squash all and everything that could possibly have a 'negative' twinge to it. It was edited and deleted without regard to the rest of the members (family) and was hush, hush hidden and never spoke of or referred to. In fact if you questioned any part of it because by the time the unknowing member entered the scene it was already altered by a mod and very confusing as to what (if anything) took place. No explanations were given and the attitude was, "it doesn't concern you, I (we) do not have to address it to you (the member)".

If things get too tense, what's wrong with a mod making an open light post and say, "hey guys, you need to keep this civil", "tone it down" type of thing? To me, this acknowledges that you want everyone to get along relatively well, you remind the members to keep it civil and it also shows to other members where the lines are drawn and everyone learns the rules......

Of course the mods need a backroom to discuss issues and members, we expect that. But we don't expect to be totally left out of the loop and should be able to ask and receive some answers, not told that's it's none of our business and to run along and like it. Not nice, we are a community, not peons to be dictated to and taken for granted.

If you want good people to stick around, they need to be respected and included in the community at the proper level. Shutting them out is disrespecting their care and concern, they no longer feel like a valued part of the community.

Now I'm not saying the mods owe detailed explanations to anyone and everyone who asked, but a simple acknowledgment/explanation would suffice. There is a balance of information and privacy that needs to be met.

I think SpoofeeLand is and has been 'off balance' in a few areas for a while.

Just like a member needs a reminder of their parameters every now and then, so do mods and site owners. We all must work at obtaining a 'good balance' and be tolerant of each other.
 
It is clearly obvious that all of you lack some good loving.


I can help
 
I think a major part of the problem is the following:
These are the only games I requested, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Ummmmmmmm,
seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
HEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYY
: rofl: : rofl: : rofl: : rofl: : teeth: L OL L OL : noidea:
hmmmmmmm
dehaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
: verysad: : verysad: : verysad: : verysad: : verysad: : verysad: : verysad: : verysad:
blaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh
: rofl: : rofl: : rofl: L OL
: rofl: : rofl: : peep:
Same here!!
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH the wait is the WORST!
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh : rofl: : rofl: : rofl:
Click to expand...
 
This is a good post.. And I do think that members should be allowed to voice their opinion. I agree that mods.. including myself.. have overstepped lines in dealing with "unpleasantness".. it has to do with the feeling of having a situation spiral out of control and having both sides yelling at us to do something. And when we do what we "think" is the right course of action.. we have both sides yelling at us even more. I'm just letting you guys know.. being a mod is not all fun and games.. when there is conflict.. we are as stressed out about it as all people involved.

As far as Mr. Spoofee is concerned... and I can not speak for him.. but I believe his first priority is that this is a deal website. He provides deals. He does not babysit. Although, it would be nice to see him respond once in a while.
 
I noticed the change right around the time choo stopped using his monkey spanking avatar.

I long for the good old days
 
Thanks everyone including moderators for your honest opinions/concerns about how things are run here.

Ok, let's discuss :)

First, I want to apologize for not being respectful enough to our members. I banned a few members because of my own frustration and I believed that it would be better for our community. It was easier to just ban, but now to think of it, it wasn't fair for those members since they did abide by the rules.

I think if we stick to our infraction rules, things should work out more fair.
If your point goes above 10, you are banned until days expire
Inappropriate Language 1 10 Day(s)
Minor - Wrong Forum / Double Posting 1 30 Day(s)
Referral Links ( Honest Mistake ) 1 30 Day(s)
Offending Other Member(s) 3 30 Day(s)
Referral Link ( Purpose ) 4 90 Day(s)
Spamming / Trolling 10 100 Day(s)
Trolling Ban 10 100 Day(s)
Click to expand...

Do we still have problems with posts being censored/mysteriously deleted? As long as it wasn't a spam or just a post to offend someone, it shouldn't be happening anymore. Let me know if this occurs.

As for myself being unavailable and having moderators run things, my sincere apologies once again. My full time job has been consuming a lot of time recently and I debate everyday if I should quit and give my full attention to the site. It's a difficult choice at this time due to many reasons, but it may be time I need to make a choice or at least a plan or just learn to manage time well (I wish I can go with this option). Please bare with me on this for a tad bit more.
 
That could be part of the problem...trying to 'control' the members rather than 'guide' them in a direction and parameters that you (management) want the site to go. (another words, not to become the next Jerry Springer site.)

There will always be a need for a moderator, but I feel SpoofeeLand ran it's 'smoothest' when the Mods were 'friendlier', more active posters themselves (not just moderating) and part of the community. We knew who the moderators were, we teased and ribbed them (they ribbed and teased back) but respected their authority and position for the most part. I also think that the members, at that time, did a lot of 'policing' of each other as well, not always 'pleasantly' but it was a good balance. Of course there were times when things had to be 'moderated', that goes without saying. We are all human here and we all will have conflicts at one time or another, why not let it just roll a bit and only 'step in', meaning an 'open post' letting those involved know that continuing in this manner/direction is not a good thing? No babysitting necessary, just a 'suggestion' to take their issues to pm's to be resolved or a moderator will have 'officially' step in.

I think a certain amount of disagreeing between members should be allowed as long as it's not name calling, cat fighting, etc.......it's life, people disagree and they should be allowed to voice their disagreement (within reason).
 
Spoofee said:
Do we still have problems with posts being censored/mysteriously deleted? As long as it wasn't a spam or just a post to offend someone, it shouldn't be happening anymore. Let me know if this occurs.
Click to expand...


I think the occurrence of censoring/deletions has lessened as many members have stopped posting out of frustration and/or lack of interest due to some of the events mentioned and are either lurking or have left.:(
 
precocious said:
Would it be possible to have an "honest open dialogue" with Mr. Spoofee, Mods and Members in a thread where we can feel free to state our opinions, suggestions, etc. (no cat fighting between members/mods/etc.) about the current state of SpoofeeLand? Would it be possible to 'air' what we feel 'went wrong', some misconceptions, revisit a few 'instances' in hopes of clearing the 'air', perhaps modifying a few procedures/policies/guidelines for the benefit of all?

Can we also make suggestions on how to move forward in a positive manner as well without getting cut off or squashed by one voice?

I personally see a lot of 'established' members losing interest and just moving along....moreso than just the 'normal curve' of a website.

I like Spoofee and I'd love to see it shine once more and be the active happening place with superior deals with great people and great conversations........that seems to have fallen a bit along the wayside...:(

Can we have this 'open dialogue' with everyone's input without fear of bannings and infractions, etc.....? being 'edited', censored ? (of course being respectful and not vulgar) And actually get answers?

Is anyone interested in this? Members, Mods....Spoofee?
Click to expand...
Wow What a topic! OK, where does a lil member start? Firstly, I personally think Spoofee needs to ban any "member" that threatens or otherwise puts in jeapordy any member that merely posts a freebie or good deal! A "member" and a deal with flowers comes to mind. Most of us regulars have a good idea of who that was (ya know, registering under a new name and then NEVER having another post since that whole debacle. My point is that ANY one that threatnes or actually "reports" our freebie seeking actions should be banned - but that's IMHO...
 
The guidelines say:
Refrain from posting meaningless threads, one word (or short) nonsense posts

but I don't see anything in the infraction rules dealing with those offenders. imho a large part of the dumbing down of the forums was the result of the meaningless, nonsense posters.
 
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