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posted on April 1st, 2003 at 10:29 PM
I received the information from what I thought was a reliable source, and I asked Blk Bug if he had heard about it. He hadn't heard anything
about it, So we were both keen to learn more from people who might know on the Forum.
Andrew you should be a Mc Donalds Manager I'm sure you would get a real power trip.
BAJA NOW FITTED WITH A FULL FLYING REBUILD
Spook
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posted on April 2nd, 2003 at 09:56 AM
He's already got the power trip.
Only because the Queenslander who took over didn't know better.
ALL the Victorians I have spoken to DID know what would happen, which is why he never got a sniff on the old forum.
Which one of these events are you going to Andrew??
Cause I REALLY want to meet you.....
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
vanderaj
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posted on April 2nd, 2003 at 05:20 PM
Spook,
I was hoping this thread would die. Please let it.
One or two facts:
I didn't *administrate* the last forum because a) administration was nearly all done by ezboard; b) there was (and still is) a full set of
moderators; and most to the point and something your revisionist "history" seems to overlook c) I NEVER asked even *once* for any privileges
whatsoever. Even once we had moved across and I was correcting 200+ post counts here, I still didn't have any privileges on the old board.
I only started helping after it was obvious the ezboard ads were killing the forum and we needed to move. Brad and Jim were stuck because NO ONE else
was willing to assist in the setup of this board. Aussieveedubbers would have died without that help.
And at the time (August 2002, if IIRC), I probably would have posted nearly four hundred posts to the old board. Until the last thread that helped
move us away from the ads, and excepting those posts to help people who had dodgy computers, none were about IT related matters. So the only people
who might have had a clue about who I really am are the people who attend cruises, most of whom I would like to think of as friends, with the others
as people I want to know better as I attend more events. So from my attendance at these few events (probably 5 or 6 events by the time we moved),
these "friends" of yours can tell how I would have moderated a forum? Either amazing powers of perception or total bullshit. Your call.
So on the positive scale, I gave advice to Brad and Jim, and they decided to move. Not precisely to software I would have chosen but the price was
right. I helped get the thing set up, and helped reset all our post counts. We now have 860 members, more than we had on ezboard. I have helped
literally hundreds of you get your images right, fixed up post issues and other administrivia that makes this place tick. When J broke down at the Bug
In Cruise last year, I drove her partner home (a pleasure - I would have done anyway even if they hadn't broken down). When we were suffering
some bad bugs on this software, I bought an XMB license out of my own pocket so we could get support. When those bugs weren't going away, I spent
a considerable amount of my time getting them fixed so we could use this place properly. When we had to move again last year, I made sure everything
came across nicely without losing a single post or member login. When a VWCV member broke down on the way to the Albury run, I drove them home from
Apollo Bay. These are not the actions of an power hungry, dictator arsehole.
The only *moderator* related items I've done so far in my reign of terror is:
accidentally deleted an entire thread due to an XMB bug (I was aiming for a single image...)
set a policy of no nudity due to complaints by our *users*. A policy which is backed by Brad ... who is funding this forum's very existence
out of his own pocket
locked this thread after I calmly added the *correct* information in the second post of the thread...
A true litany of heinous crimes against the community... not.
If I could have had my time again, I wouldn't have locked the thread. The thread would have most likely finished there and then unless someone
really *is* out to damage or kill the Bug In, but at least we would have seen them for the scum sucking arseholes they are.
I am currently aiming to go to both events. I'd be happy to meet you and any of your Victorian "mates" if you want to catch up for a
beer or something. I think once you meet me, you'll come to realise that there's just me (who is also typing) and no Evil Andrew(tm).
Andrew
Spook
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 11:17 AM
Discretion prevents me from naming names, but your spot on as to where they know you from.
I'm the one they've never met.
I'm not doubting you've done a mighty job of sorting out the hiccups of changing servers. But, as I've said before, I have a pop up
stopper, so I had no problem with the old forum.
Now, seeing as you've listed your virtues, I'll lay out my grievences.
The nudity is the main one, but not what was done.......HOW it was done.
I know I sound like a broken record but, 18 months or more ago, the members decided how we would go about putting nude pics on.
These pics would have a warning, & it was at the members discretion to open them.
YOU REMOVED THAT DISCRETION.
As to the complaints from other users, the number Andrew was 2. Always was 2, always will be 2.
One was you & the other was Cam.
You become a moderator & the pics "could be illegal".......CRAP !!
And of course you actually admitted you had to enhance one picture to see anything that might be remotely offensive.
GOOD MOVE THAT.
Then, with a no nude policy, the nude females went but the nude male stayed.
Draw your own conclusion from that. I have.
And, before I read the Brad said it was alright bit, there was a 2 week delay between the females going & Brad's OK.
That's part one of your contempt for the members.
Part two was the "the rest of you moaning fish wives" comment.
I recall a German bloke being banned from the forum for insulting your CAR!!
You insult all of us, yet your still here.
Part three was what a waste of time consulting members is.
All these threads are still there if you want to cross reference.
Then we come to the contempt for the other moderators.
You made a statement that went, I only step in when the other moderators don't do their job. Which moderators??
The only one I know of was Marcel & that was to do with the pics.
But that was not Marcel not doing his job, that was Andrew moving the goal posts & not telling anyone. What was fine last week was not this
week.
All this in the first 3 weeks of being a moderator.
Then, when finally Jim stepped in & restored a little sanity, the alleged apology.
I haven't seen that. I have seen a post that said it won't happen again, but not one that it shouldn't have been the first time.
Ask one of the stolen generation the difference.
But as it stands you are still doing it.
Two threads merged so you can't follow it any more.
Locking off the thread of another moderator.
I didn't think it would change...
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
vanderaj
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 04:44 PM
So much misinformation, one large post. I take it we're not going to catch up for a beer then?
1. I've never banned anyone, and certainly I would never ban anyone for dissing my car, as I diss my own car far more than most. That PoS is at
the stealership right now getting the speakers repaired for the fifth time and a new diverter valve. There's only 1 IP address banned (on Sept 30
last year), and I didn't do it.
2. I am not going into the nudity thing again. There's several sites that cater directly for that now (bugnude.com etc) so Aussieveedubbers can
use its bandwidth allowing us to spout crap the entire month instead of getting cut off say on day 20 of each month and not being here for 10 or 11
days.
3. I didn't complain. AFAIK, Cam didn't complain. It was two women members who complained. And between them they post here way more than you
do, and contribute way more to the Victorian VW scene than most (including me). I take their views far more seriously than a few good ol' boys
who want to see a bit of tits and arse. Subsequent to that, one of them no longer visits the pics forum, which is a shame. Thanks a lot guys!
4. I now review any policy changes or directions with Brad and Jim and the other moderators and have consistently done so since that incident. You
were right that I shouldn't have unilaterally done it. I've apologised for it before and promised to amend my ways, and so I have.
(Moderators - check the Moderator's Paradise forum for proof).
5. Contempt for other members issue - I should have used more smileys to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt I was trying to lighten the tone to be
more amicable. Despite that, I have since learnt that with responses to you Spook, even when I am sticking up for you, are best kept short and totally
unambiguous as you'll outrageously misinterpret, selectively quote and totally fabricate in a fashion that would make a Current Affair reporter
blush. See your previous post for proof.
Some of the old moderators were missing in action - literally. One hadn't logged on for ages and is still not here after more than six months.
One asked to not be one again as didn't log in enough to do the job properly. I don't see why I should name them as they have done a good
job in the past, and if they wanted it back seriously enough, well, I'm sure B&J would be happy to have them back. If you misinterpreted my
comments, you'll see that I was thanking them for their service and asking for new ones to replace those missing. I am reading that post right
now, and I am struggling to see how you could possibly interpret it the way you describe.
Jim to be honest, hasn't really stepped in, both Brad and Jim use the light touch. He posted here with a nice post that I thought said everything
that needed to be said, and everything was good. Well before Jim's post, I had already agreed with Brad that I would always check with him before
making policy. I upped that committment to ensure that I check with all moderators and Brad and Jim before pushing anything out. Since then - we have
set no new policy as none needed setting, and we've grown tremendously since then. So we're obviously running things pretty right.
The threads are merged because it doesn't belong in more than one. If I hadn't locked the thread... it would have been one thread. You
don't know the pressure I'm under to delete the war threads or to merge them all into one. If the war threads get out of hand, expect them
to go as more than a few of the mods (and Jim) are sick of them. Will you blame me if they do? Don't answer, I know you will.
And for my post back on 3 October (shortly after the nudity affair) that states what I will and wont do:
I have apologised before now for making the unilateral policy change, and I have been following what I said I'd do since before that post on the
3rd of October.
At least I know now that there's a snake in the grass at the cruises. Probably the same scum sucking arsehole white anting the Bug In. I just
hope it's no one that I actually like.
This post has been most cathartic. I thought you might actually have a point regarding some of your issues, but as it turns out, it's the just
the same old pointless enemity. I'm still willing to catch up for a beer, but I really doubt I could ever convince you that my motives are pure
and that I'm actually a pretty good guy to know.
Andrew
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 05:35 PM
Quote:
Originally
posted by vanderaj
At least I know now that there's a snake in the grass at the cruises. Probably the same scum sucking arsehole white anting the Bug In. I just
hope it's no one that I actually like.
Who are you pointing the finger at now ?.
:o
vanderaj
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 07:42 PM
Andrew,
I truly have no idea. Before Spook's post, I had simply had no idea that someone (or some people) in the Vic VW scene don't like me.
I'm still struggling to understand this as I've done nothing to offend people in real life, and returned much to this forum community and
helped out a few cruisers from time to time when I can.
:confused :confused
I hope it's just one of Spook's many fantasies, I truly do. Especially as I've always found everyone I've talked to at the cruises
nice and fun to be with. The cruises and events like Marysville, the Bug In last year, Tyabb ..., and the people there are the reason I joined the
VWCV and the reason I attend cruises when I can (far too few, recently ).
[snipped - no point in continuing a problem that does not exist]
Andrew
[Edited on 3-4-2003 by vanderaj]
Herbie Down Under
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 08:01 PM
For what should have been a simple question and answer thread this topic is just plain nuts now. And by the looks of it I maybe the culprit. To
clear up whats being thrown around the BUG IN has been cancelled from the point of view of the Volkswagen club of New south Wales. They are no longer
supporting it. Rick and Chris have now taken on this with some members of the VWCNSW. Rick called me up the other day and I got the whole story.
Rick has posted a message on the top thread of General chit chat to prove its still going ahead. And I must say to take this abord at this time is a
big ask.
Now I don't care if you guys want to continue this arguement but there is more to talk about. Now I have a bug in to book for. I hope alot of
you guys will be booking it too cause it sounds like a great event! :bounce
[Edited on 3-4-2003 by Herbie Down Under]
.
vanderaj
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 08:09 PM
End of thread for me.
I've said everything there possibly is to say on this matter and I'm never going to be able to convince Spook any different. You can't
please everyone.
Andrew
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 10:04 PM
I'm going to throw in my two cents worth: I don't dislike you, Vanderaj; I disagree with you sometimes, but that's not personal (and,
yes, I've got cat - his name is Elvis.) Although I never had any chance of attending this event, I recall the original thread and agree the
title is libelous, given current information. For this reason, (and it's legal implications,) I believe you were absolutely right to delete or
change the threads.
Please don't take this kind of stuff personally, people have opinions (that's what a forum is all about, right?) even if we utterly disagree
with them. Some people who have resurfaced seem to have opinions simply in order to offend/upset/hurt others, but under our societal mores, they are
considered to have that right.
To summarise: I thank you for your moderation, but I advise you not to expect such problems to disappear. Position implies opposition. Just be
thankful you're not a mayor of a country town...
KruizinKombi
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 10:27 PM
I also saw a problem with the original post of this thread. I don't recall it saying that the Bug_In WAS cancelled, but it asked it in such a way
that could easily have given that impression. I'm sure it was not intended to cause any grief, but agree that it needed to be edited.
As for the 'War' threads being amalgamated, I nearly did it myself. Nothing has been edited or deleted, so I don't see a problem. All
three threads were effectively the same topic and should be contained to one thread. I have done this before, and will probably do it again.
Spook, I don't really know where you are coming from, but this seems more and more like a personal vendetta. Andrew is doing a great job, we need
his help, and he has most certainly done a lot more good than harm. Back off.
As for implying personal threats against him, it's just not on. Keep it up and I will be editing your posts. Have a nice day.
Kruizin Kol
jenz58
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posted on April 3rd, 2003 at 10:47 PM
Did someone mention the 'war' in this thread? Can't find it amongst all of the words of explaination and other.
Honestly, it is fair enough if it was emalgamated. It was one person who kept splitting it off. However there was mention of possibly deleting it
(censorship when no offence was committed), I'm so glad this did not happen otherwise I would have seriously questioned what goes on here.
and now this is just plain ridiculous:jesus
Spook
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posted on April 4th, 2003 at 03:40 AM
I have not said anyone dislikes you Andrew, I said they knew better than to give you power. So just be careful about name calling.
Not everyone I drink with thinks the sun shines out my arse either. Doesn't mean they don't drink with me.
I did not say you banned anyone. Jim did. Be 12 months ago now I suppose.
When the nudity debate was 1st raised 18 months ago, the 2 against were you & Cam. End of story.
I went back to that thread you put up & you still can't convince me that there is 2 ways to read that consultation with the members is
completely impractical.
That's what it says.
And Col.....Do you think I give a sh!t??
[Edited on 3-4-2003 by Spook]
Well my friends are gone & my hair is grey, I ache in the places where I used to play.
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posted on April 4th, 2003 at 07:04 PM
I only split the thread because Andrew V locked the origional after having his say on it.
BAJA NOW FITTED WITH A FULL FLYING REBUILD
OvalGlen
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posted on April 4th, 2003 at 11:49 PM
Thank you Andrew,
I'm sure that most on this forum would support your dealings of such issues.
