Banned then unbanned

[NoMoreLies]

Banning on IP addresses alone is quite risky. Friends could use your same computer or even if you post from a library or school computer and someone else does also, could pose problems. Many boards do NOT ban on IP addresses alone because they are duplicated and are not always the same.

[Big]

Thanks somemorelies. I just cleaned up the cookies and was able to see that board!

I will be issuing a statement shortly!

[furches]

On the message board I host, I frequently ban ip's almost daily but it is from robots that spam things. Of course a disadvantage of the board is that guests are allowed to post. I don't know for sure if I could change that feature. I do agree though, on something like the mat, if not spam from a robot, it is dangerous to ban an IP address.

[NoMoreLies]

Mike,
Most boards you can change whether guests can post or not. I think its best if you only let registered users post as it will decrease a lot of bot postings.

[JensenS]

Thats one of the options that this board has. I have it set on all the forums that only registered members can post.

[furches]

Thanks I'll look at doing that, will check it out with the members on that board to get ideas.

[ideamark]

Just to add my voice to this discussion...

Yes, the explanation given was the same as what I received... down to the part that I was posting as a variation of GoferPhan (I can't remember the exact spelling.)

So I emailed Miss Meredith Wilson (not to be confused with the late great playright Meredith Willson of Iowa, the man who gave us "The Music Man" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown") to basically say, "Look at my history of over 2000 posts over the years, and you will see that I am NOT GoferPhan. It would be beyond my writing abilities to create a totally new persona."

After some back-and-forthing via email that night, she finally came to the realization that I was telling the truth, and the ban was lifted. She gave much the same explanation about IPs, which I shared with a couple others who are smarter about these things than I am, who basically labeled her answer as being BS... or ignorant.

That was Friday evening, June 30.

After that, every post that I made to TheMat forum disappeared -- sometimes as soon as I typed them. I was not being biligerant or libelous or demeaning or degrading in any way -- boring, perhaps. Tho I did post more than once the need for the moderator to post the rules, and offer an explanation as to what was going on, so that those of us who weren't trolls could continue to post at the group.

Not sure if this is an accurate analogy, but here goes: You've been on a wrestling team for years. You think you're doing things right, following the rules, making contributions to the team. Then, all the sudden, without any warning, the coach tells you you're off the team. You discuss things with the coach, and he eventually sees things your way. Then, for the next few meets, he benches you. He ignores you when you ask "What's the problem?" That approximates my experience at TheMat. So, I quit the team and signed on with the new team.

Mark

[pdurant]

You think you're doing things right, following the rules, making contributions to the team. Then, all the sudden, without any warning, the coach tells you you're off the team. You discuss things with the coach, and he eventually sees things your way. Then, for the next few meets, he benches you. He ignores you when you ask "What's the problem?" That approximates my experience at TheMat. So, I quit the team and signed on with the new team.

Great analogy Mark! You'll be a 1st string starter on the new team....no doubt about it!

[Big_]

pdurant said:

You think you're doing things right, following the rules, making contributions to the team. Then, all the sudden, without any warning, the coach tells you you're off the team. You discuss things with the coach, and he eventually sees things your way. Then, for the next few meets, he benches you. He ignores you when you ask "What's the problem?" That approximates my experience at TheMat. So, I quit the team and signed on with the new team.

Great analogy Mark! You'll be a 1st string starter on the new team....no doubt about it!

I think we should Smite him first, you know, break him down and build him back up.

[furches]

Okay, got my response from Meridith on the email I sent. I won't share all of the details as some things that are private should stay that way. I do think we all need to be a little careful before jumping on any particular individual.

Here is the jest, a lot of moderation and administration activities took place while on vacation by other staffers. USA has and is meeting about the concerns expressed. They realize the need for moderators or "more eyes" on the forums, and are in the process of trying to address those issues. If there are any further questions, email me at [e-mail] and I'll do what I can to answer those questions within reason, again, don't ask for personal details regarding a personal email. I can share what I believe to be appropriate. I will say that I believe that folks at The Mat, USA have heard the concerns and are addressing them.

Those voicing a voice of protest have started to get heard. That is not such a bad thing.

[Spider]

Mike,

So are you saying that they had the second stringers in and they fumbled the ball (or more appropriately, they started some jv's who got pinned)? Can you tell us if Sesker is being reprimanded for his heavy handed tactics?

[RYou]

spider said:

Mike,

So are you saying that they had the second stringers in and they fumbled the ball (or more appropriately, they started some jv's who got pinned)? Can you tell us if Sesker is being reprimanded for his heavy handed tactics?

Sounds more like the boss came down from the luxury box, didn't like the action from up close and started yanking players off the field, or mat, if you prefer.