Sorry it took so long on this post, but I wanted to seriously research and reply to the concerns and allegations posted here.
Malenko and Nephasth are both valued and respected members of the BYOAC community.
I hold no grudge against them or anyone else.
I understand that Malenko and Neph feel that I have wronged them.
Have I made mistakes? Yes, but some of the accusations made in this thread are definitely over the line.
I tried to explain and work things out via PM, but that didn't settle our differences.
Everyone please stick to facts and don't let this disagreement cause needless drama.
If I'm to be tried in the court of public opinion, can we at least have order in the court and specific evidence presented instead of a witch hunt?
(Cue someone saying, "He turned me into a newt." "A Newt?" "I got better."
)
In the interest of transparency, I give permission to Malenko and Neph to post any related material from my PMs that they think makes their case.
I for one don't like getting passive aggressive PMs from moderators letting me know they can ban me
I reviewed all my PMs sent to Malenko and found that the first mention of bans was made
by him on September 29, 2014, 09:35:26 pm. (I'll post the text of the PM for context if Malenko grants permission)
My reply on September 30, 2014, 01:32:20 am was
I won't ban you for the same reason I didn't close your mod report.
It is still open, and the only comment is from me, "Guys, please let me know if I'm out of line on this one. Thanks. -- Scott".
If Saint and the mods think I'm wrong, I'm willing to accept their judgement. Are you?
Perhaps Malenko was thinking about the post below that Neph is upset about.
My PM to Nephasth yesterday apologizing about that thread is the
only other reference to bans I can find in my PMs.
Was there another occasion you were thinking about, Malenko?
PL1 threatened to ban me for having a difference of opinion.
At no time have I ever threatened to ban someone over a difference of opinion.
I strongly support the freedom to express one's opinion.
I don't think it's out-of-line to ask members to keep a civil tone. (see
Rule 1)
I think what Neph is referring to is this.
FYI - quickest way to get me to STFU... Don't quote my posts or talk about me.
FYI - there is one quicker way . . . Are you lobbying for the mods to exercise that option?
Keep it on-topic and civil, everyone.
After that post, Neph sent me a PM asking if I was serious.
I didn't want to reply in the heat of the moment and planned to do so later.
Several hours later, Neph appeared to have calmed down.
When I got back to PMs, I was in a hurry and forgot that Neph had asked a question.
I foolishly deleted the message figuring that everything was back to usual.
I didn't realize that he was still mad at me until his "deal breaker" comment
here in the UCA after action thread.
As mentioned above, my PM to Nephasth yesterday apologizing about that thread is the only other reference to bans I can find in my PMs.
I was surprised by how argumentative you were being in that thread with RandyT and DietCoke.
My post was intended as a "Dude, what are you doing? Cut it out." nudge rather than a serious ban threat.
In retrospect, I really should have phrased the post differently or at least added a "just kidding".
(Contrary to popular belief, the Scott-bot is indeed human.)
The belated explaination and apology was, obviously, not acceptable to Neph.
weak excuses for back tracking.
You called me on my speculation about the timeline of Howard's departure in
this thread.
We debated several points via PM.
You convinced me on some points and I edited several posts to remove material that was taken in a way that I did not intend. (I stated a correlation, but did NOT intend to imply causation)
You also clarified several of your statements that I misunderstood, which led me to apologize for my misunderstanding.
Are you mad that you convinced me on those points or that I apologized for misunderstanding what you meant originally?
Were you talking about something else?
Any attempts to try and "work it out" just result in lame jokes, ban threats, and other PMs telling me I'm not a moderator and to just suck it up.
Lame jokes -- I plead guilty, Your Honor.
Was just trying to lighten the mood and let you know there are no hard feelings.
Ban threats - Addressed above. My ONLY mention of bans in any PM to Malenko is saying that I will NOT ban him.
Not a mod - You pointed that out in a PM on September 29, 2014, 09:35:26 pm
On September 30, 2014, 01:32:20 am, I replied
You may not be a mod, but you have been around long enough to know how this stuff can escalate if it gets personal.
None of us want that kind of scorched earth battle.
Suck it up - There were several instances where I said we'd have to agree to disagree on a matter and that we should abide by Saint's decisions.
If that's not it, perhaps you could post the exact text that you are referring to.
I thought that Malenko and I had worked out our initial misunderstandings and that we were OK.
Everything was cordial when we worked together on his
multi-player game list for the wiki in late November.
Recently, however, Malenko has made it clear that he doesn't like how I mod and IMHO it has affected his view of everything I say and do on BYOAC.
As a wise man once said, "People who want to be offended will find a way to be offended."
I have been patient with the abuse and insults that Malenko has cast my way (sticks and stones . . .), but it really is getting old.
Should mods be held to a higher standard? YES
Are mods human? YES
Do we make mistakes? All of us do at one time or another.
When we make mistakes, should we try to fix them? YES
Will every matter be fully resolved and world peace be achieved? NO
Do mods have no right to hold an opinion on how to perform their duties? NO
Do mods need to perform their duties in a manner directed by Saint? YES
Has Saint, or any other mod, asked me to change how I perform those duties? Not yet.
Scott