Turbulence, changes, and why my name was white.

This thread is going to clear up why I lost my modship for a bit, some internal conflict, and some changes that may be coming to the site. Don't worry, all of it's cleared up now.

So to give you some back story. Me and Stalin are butting heads over some various issues, and I had been planning a departure from the site. I was going to create my own website, based on the ideas stated below. I could have handled it better, but I think some good might come out of this.

[5:19:09 PM] Matthew Helms: I will post what I said in the skype chat.
[5:19:12 PM] Matthew Helms: Or ask Ler.
[5:19:17 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't want to be enemies with you.
[5:19:25 PM] Matthew Helms: But I wasn't sure you were going to like this.
[5:19:29 PM] Spencer Downing: Too late
[5:19:32 PM] Matthew Helms: So I wanted to send you a formal letter.
[5:19:37 PM] Matthew Helms: But.
[5:19:39 PM] Matthew Helms: I guess so.
[5:19:58 PM] Matthew Helms: So.
[5:20:00 PM] Matthew Helms: What's the deal.
[5:20:07 PM] Matthew Helms: I certainly don't want to be enemies.
[5:20:25 PM] Matthew Helms: It's not like I'm trying to steal anything.
[5:20:30 PM] Spencer Downing: Unless you cease this I am here by immediate removing your mod powers, and of course advertising of this community certianly won't be allowed on the forums
[5:21:25 PM] Matthew Helms: Well then.
[5:23:00 PM] Matthew Helms: Remove my mod powers. If it makes you feel better, like I said.
[5:23:07 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't want to be enemies.
[5:23:22 PM] Spencer Downing: So you are really gun hoe on this
[5:23:24 PM] Matthew Helms: I will tell people on the forums about the community.
[5:23:33 PM] Matthew Helms: But i wont advertise.
[5:23:35 PM] Matthew Helms: Nor antagonize.
[5:23:36 PM] Spencer Downing: I could just ban you
[5:23:41 PM] Matthew Helms: You could.
[5:23:43 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't see why.
[5:23:58 PM] Spencer Downing: Because you are clearly my emeny
[5:23:58 PM] Matthew Helms: Do what you feel is best.
[5:24:01 PM] Matthew Helms: Why?
[5:24:06 PM] Matthew Helms: Why do we have to be enemies?
[5:24:06 PM] Spencer Downing: and you clearly aren't to be trusted
[5:24:20 PM] Matthew Helms: Why do we have to be enemies?
[5:24:26 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't understand that.
[5:24:44 PM] Matthew Helms: I mean, we are friendly enough. I just have differing views and want to do my own thing.
[5:24:55 PM] Matthew Helms: Like I said.
[5:25:02 PM] Spencer Downing: what was wrong with what I was doing
[5:25:04 PM] Matthew Helms: I'm not trying to pull the rug out from underneath you.
[5:25:11 PM] Spencer Downing: We can work together
[5:25:16 PM] Matthew Helms: Ok.
[5:25:17 PM] Spencer Downing: On the same site
[5:25:21 PM] Spencer Downing: for the same purpose
[5:25:24 PM] Matthew Helms: Let me post my ideas.
[5:25:32 PM] Matthew Helms: What I have been telling people.
[5:25:40 PM] Matthew Helms: about
[5:26:00 PM] Spencer Downing: Only if you throw out this silly idea of creating your own website
[5:26:34 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[5:26:35 PM] Spencer Downing: You well know
[5:26:44 PM] Spencer Downing: that I am capable of changing
[5:26:49 PM] Spencer Downing: and addapting
[5:26:50 PM] Matthew Helms: I understand that Stalin.
[5:26:52 PM] Spencer Downing: to what people want
[5:26:58 PM] Matthew Helms: It's just these are some big changes.
[5:27:01 PM] Spencer Downing: Ok
[5:27:02 PM] Spencer Downing: well
[5:27:09 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't want to muck up what you have going on.
[5:27:13 PM] Spencer Downing: If you can get the majority of the community to agree
[5:27:13 PM] Matthew Helms: So I will tell you about them.
[5:27:36 PM] Matthew Helms: First thing is the clan.
[5:27:46 PM] Matthew Helms: It needs more attention, it's withering like a flower.
[5:28:00 PM] Spencer Downing: You know I just bought a Red Orchestra server
[5:28:07 PM] Matthew Helms: I understand that.
[5:28:12 PM] Matthew Helms: And I like the idea.
[5:28:20 PM] Matthew Helms: But it needs to be featured more prominentky.
[5:28:21 PM] Matthew Helms: *ly
[5:28:34 PM] Matthew Helms: Most clans have their own websites, their own forums.
[5:28:48 PM] Spencer Downing: Well that's one of the great things about uni update
[5:29:15 PM] Spencer Downing: it will be a million times easier to feature clan events, matches, video etc. on the main site
[5:29:20 PM] Matthew Helms: The thing is though, is that it still has to play second hat.
[5:29:33 PM] Matthew Helms: It doesn't have much room to grow, in my opinion.
[5:29:41 PM] Matthew Helms: We need recruitment.
[5:29:47 PM] Matthew Helms: Hosting of Z33k tournaments.
[5:29:54 PM] Matthew Helms: With prize pools.
[5:30:04 PM] Matthew Helms: Recruiting platinum and above players.
[5:30:08 PM] Matthew Helms: For SC2.
[5:30:12 PM] Spencer Downing: Yes
[5:30:14 PM] Spencer Downing: and we can do that
[5:30:19 PM] Matthew Helms: When BF3 comes out, we could make a gamebattles team.
[5:30:24 PM] Matthew Helms: Host stuff like that.
[5:30:32 PM] Spencer Downing: And we can do that
[5:30:36 PM] Matthew Helms: It just needs more room to breath.
[5:30:47 PM] Spencer Downing: Which I can give
[5:30:48 PM] Matthew Helms: Rather than being tucked away in a dusty little corner of the forums.
[5:30:49 PM] Spencer Downing: really easily
[5:30:58 PM] Matthew Helms: Ok, well, I am glad we agree on that.
[5:31:03 PM] Spencer Downing: But
[5:31:09 PM] Spencer Downing: that doesn't mean you need to march off
[5:31:10 PM] Matthew Helms: OH, and by the way.
[5:31:20 PM] Matthew Helms: I'm willing to fund some of the tournaments.
[5:31:28 PM] Matthew Helms: And that wasn't the main reason.
[5:31:35 PM] Spencer Downing: ok
[5:31:50 PM] Matthew Helms: Give me one second.
[5:32:11 PM] Spencer Downing: ok
[5:33:23 PM] Matthew Helms: Two more aspects.
[5:35:21 PM] Matthew Helms: If we are going to run with this whole tribune thing, I think we should extend it.
[5:35:29 PM] Matthew Helms: Flesh it out more.
[5:35:35 PM] Spencer Downing: Alright
[5:35:39 PM] Spencer Downing: I'm with you so far
[5:35:44 PM] Matthew Helms: For instance.
[5:36:06 PM] Matthew Helms: Take the tribune system more like a council.
[5:36:42 PM] Matthew Helms: Say, make the mods like permanent members of this council.
[5:36:59 PM] Matthew Helms: Like the U.N. security council.
[5:37:04 PM] Spencer Downing: ok
[5:37:13 PM] Matthew Helms: And then add temporary members.
[5:37:16 PM] Matthew Helms: Like we have now.
[5:37:18 PM] Matthew Helms: So that's good.
[5:37:24 PM] Spencer Downing: How many are you thinking?
[5:37:32 PM] Matthew Helms: Maybe 4.
[5:37:35 PM] Spencer Downing: ok
[5:37:38 PM] Matthew Helms: More representation.
[5:37:43 PM] Matthew Helms: Could never hurt.
[5:37:47 PM] Spencer Downing: And you want to hold elections for them
[5:37:51 PM] Matthew Helms: Yes.
[5:37:52 PM] Spencer Downing: all of them
[5:37:58 PM] Matthew Helms: all 4 positions.
[5:38:00 PM] Matthew Helms: Yeah
[5:38:00 PM] Spencer Downing: OK
[5:38:02 PM] Spencer Downing: well
[5:38:06 PM] Matthew Helms: Like i said
[5:38:11 PM] Matthew Helms: Basically what we have now
[5:38:16 PM] Spencer Downing: Then I leave it to you to organize that cluster fuck
[5:38:18 PM] Matthew Helms: But then, add in a voting system.
[5:38:19 PM] Matthew Helms: Ok.
[5:38:22 PM] Matthew Helms: I can do that.
[5:38:34 PM] Matthew Helms: For instance.
[5:38:56 PM] Matthew Helms: On website decisions like adding sections, creating some rules, and new features.
[5:38:58 PM] Matthew Helms: Creat a poll.
[5:39:10 PM] Matthew Helms: So we can judge public opinion on a greater scale.
[5:39:19 PM] Matthew Helms: Rather than Kara's babblings in the people assebly.
[5:39:31 PM] Matthew Helms: So a mix of representative and direct democracy.
[5:39:43 PM] Matthew Helms: I could organize this system.
[5:39:52 PM] Matthew Helms: It would take a while, but I have a rough idea.
[5:40:06 PM] Matthew Helms: The next thing is just to make the forums more interactive.
[5:40:22 PM] Matthew Helms: More community events, livestreams, user podcasts, spotlight.
[5:40:23 PM] Matthew Helms: Stuff like that.
[5:40:31 PM] Matthew Helms: So people feel more involved.
[5:40:35 PM] Matthew Helms: And last but not least.
[5:40:48 PM] Spencer Downing: Which is one of the reasons why I want to push forward with this update uni proposed
[5:41:00 PM] Matthew Helms: I get that.
[5:41:07 PM] Matthew Helms: But the site is sorta in a rut, in that sense.
[5:41:14 PM] Matthew Helms: I feel like things are stagnating.
[5:41:19 PM] Matthew Helms: that might just be me.
[5:41:42 PM] Matthew Helms: Anyway.
[5:41:59 PM] Matthew Helms: The final aspect is to alter the rules.
[5:41:59 PM] Spencer Downing: In what sense?
[5:42:08 PM] Matthew Helms: Which part.
[5:42:14 PM] Spencer Downing: [5:41 PM] Matthew Helms:
<<< But the site is sorta in a rut, in that sense.
[5:42:18 PM] Matthew Helms: Oh.
[5:42:54 PM] Matthew Helms: I mean, we started off pretty strong. We had community spotlights more often, more stuff going on with the clan, and just more excitement in genral.
[5:43:02 PM] Matthew Helms: But it just seems to be gone.
[5:43:09 PM] Matthew Helms: We need to restir things up.
[5:43:16 PM] Spencer Downing: Ya
[5:43:16 PM] Matthew Helms: Keep everyone stimulated.
[5:43:19 PM] Spencer Downing: and we can do that
[5:43:23 PM] Spencer Downing: and the absoulte
[5:43:26 PM] Spencer Downing: worst thing that you can do
[5:43:34 PM] Spencer Downing: is march off to another site
[5:43:38 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[5:43:43 PM] Spencer Downing: because that won't help anyone
[5:44:12 PM] Matthew Helms: It depends. It seemed like the best choice at the time.
[5:44:39 PM] Matthew Helms: I wasn't expecting you to be willing to change the site.
[5:44:56 PM] Matthew Helms: Perhaps because I don't know you very well.
[5:44:59 PM] Matthew Helms: Lastly.
[5:45:02 PM] Matthew Helms: About the rules.
[5:45:10 PM] Matthew Helms: The political section needs to be streamline.
[5:45:14 PM] Matthew Helms: *streamlined.
[5:45:34 PM] Matthew Helms: We can keep the current one like it is, but we need to add a few other subforums.
[5:45:45 PM] Matthew Helms: For instance, a hardball subsection.
[5:45:58 PM] Matthew Helms: For rough and tumble debates like the Wall St. one.
[5:46:03 PM] Matthew Helms: We could take it in there.
[5:46:10 PM] Matthew Helms: Not for strict insults.
[5:46:16 PM] Matthew Helms: But where the rules are looser.
[5:46:34 PM] Spencer Downing: So
[5:46:37 PM] Spencer Downing: is this like
[5:46:46 PM] Spencer Downing: your forum anarchy section
[5:46:49 PM] Matthew Helms: Sort of.
[5:46:51 PM] Spencer Downing: just
[5:46:53 PM] Matthew Helms: But not quite anarchy.
[5:46:58 PM] Spencer Downing: in regards to politics
[5:47:03 PM] Matthew Helms: Yeah.
[5:47:13 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't want a playpen for people to insult each other.
[5:47:30 PM] Matthew Helms: Rather have the rules loosened to where when things get heated, the thread is still safe.
[5:47:39 PM] Matthew Helms: As long as it is still somewhat constructive.
[5:47:50 PM] Matthew Helms: Another idea.
[5:48:02 PM] Matthew Helms: Is that we create a subsection for ideological debate.
[5:48:05 PM] Matthew Helms: Internally.
[5:48:33 PM] Matthew Helms: So when the authoritarian commies wanted a piece of the libertarian communist.
[5:48:47 PM] Matthew Helms: They could do it without a capitalists changing the scope of the debate.
[5:49:01 PM] Matthew Helms: But I think this purpose could be partially served by the actual debate section.
[5:49:21 PM] Matthew Helms: In accordance with the earlier thing of the rules being just a little less restrictive overall.
[5:49:30 PM] Matthew Helms: That's pretty much it.
[5:52:07 PM] Matthew Helms: Thoughts?
[5:52:13 PM] Spencer Downing: Ok well you have got me sold on most of your ideas. I entirely agree with getting the community involved I just have been really short on time to do all the things I need to do.
[5:52:21 PM] Matthew Helms: I understand that.
[5:52:31 PM] Spencer Downing: thats what I was hoping to deligate task to mods
[5:52:35 PM] Matthew Helms: And that's why I didn't want to shun you when creating this new site.
[5:52:43 PM] Matthew Helms: I appreciate what you do.
[5:52:43 PM] Spencer Downing: not have to try and run off
[5:52:53 PM] Matthew Helms: And very much enjoy your videos.
[5:53:13 PM] Matthew Helms: But I have the time, and I was hoping to give it.
[5:53:19 PM] Spencer Downing: I don't really believe you but that's besides the point
[5:53:24 PM] Matthew Helms: Why?
[5:53:49 PM] Spencer Downing: I think you are the kind of person who tells people what they want to herd Matthew
[5:53:52 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't agree with you on many points, but I do like your videos, and your a friendly enough guy.
[5:53:57 PM] Matthew Helms: Well, I'm not.
[5:54:05 PM] Spencer Downing: hear*
[5:54:21 PM] Matthew Helms: I'm not sure what gave you that idea.
[5:54:38 PM] Matthew Helms: I think I am pretty forward usually.
[5:54:45 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't like to beat around the bush.
[5:55:01 PM] Matthew Helms: But I did what I thought at the time was appropriate.
[5:55:30 PM] Spencer Downing: Well now I know you are going to hate ler but he has been showing me some of your converstions
[5:55:33 PM] Spencer Downing: and in those converstions
[5:55:43 PM] Spencer Downing: you are a completely different person
[5:55:49 PM] Matthew Helms: How so?
[5:55:50 PM] Spencer Downing: than what are you here
[5:55:54 PM] Matthew Helms: I will admit.
[5:56:03 PM] Matthew Helms: I can get grumpy, and be critical, and vent to other people.
[5:56:26 PM] Matthew Helms: Care to show me what's different?
[5:56:32 PM] Matthew Helms: I will address that.
[5:57:12 PM] Spencer Downing: I can do that later, but that would derail us from our current topic
[5:57:19 PM] Spencer Downing: I want to get this sortted out
[5:57:21 PM] Matthew Helms: Fair enough.
[5:57:27 PM] Matthew Helms: So.
[5:57:30 PM] Matthew Helms: What's the verdict.
[5:58:00 PM] Spencer Downing: But ya you have sold me on all your ideas
[5:58:09 PM] Matthew Helms: Well, I'm glad.
[5:58:09 PM] Spencer Downing: The only one I am not sure about it the debate section
[5:58:12 PM] Spencer Downing: and
[5:58:18 PM] Spencer Downing: its not that I disagree in princepal
[5:58:27 PM] Spencer Downing: its more I am not sure how the logistics work
[5:58:37 PM] Matthew Helms: Less enforcement?
[5:58:52 PM] Matthew Helms: Eyeball it for serious violations, and unless anything strikes you, it's fine.
[6:00:09 PM] Spencer Downing: Not not what I mean, so we would have different threads for different debates
[6:00:19 PM] Spencer Downing: and only certian people could post in certian threads
[6:01:10 PM] Spencer Downing: Because form what you tell me
[6:01:23 PM] Spencer Downing: you would want idealogical debate sections
[6:01:26 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[6:01:36 PM] Matthew Helms: First off, I would see about the debate section.
[6:01:36 PM] Spencer Downing: where people with different idealogies couldn't derail the debate
[6:01:43 PM] Spencer Downing: And that to me
[6:01:48 PM] Matthew Helms: That might fill the void for what I am talking about.
[6:02:01 PM] Spencer Downing: sounds like you are trying to restrict free speech more than anything I have ever done
[6:02:03 PM] Matthew Helms: Give it a little time to get off the ground.
[6:02:17 PM] Matthew Helms: No, not really.
[6:02:23 PM] Matthew Helms: I wouldn't restrict what people post.
[6:02:31 PM] Matthew Helms: People can post there, constructively.
[6:02:42 PM] Spencer Downing: then how do you stop them from derailing the debate?
[6:02:54 PM] Matthew Helms: Just watch it.
[6:02:58 PM] Spencer Downing: ok
[6:03:01 PM] Matthew Helms: Make sure it isn't getting out of hand.
[6:03:06 PM] Spencer Downing: and then say things like "No you can't do that"
[6:03:12 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't mind strict ruleson somethign structured.
[6:03:17 PM] Spencer Downing: because that sounds exactly what I did with the wallstreet post
[6:03:26 PM] Spencer Downing: and you flipped out at me when I locked that thread
[6:03:37 PM] Matthew Helms: Kind of different.
[6:03:48 PM] Matthew Helms: The Political/Coffeehouse threads aren't structured.
[6:03:56 PM] Spencer Downing: Tbh it doesn't sound like you want to much change at all
[6:03:57 PM] Matthew Helms: They can kind of go in any direction.
[6:04:13 PM] Matthew Helms: The Clan is the biggest issue.
[6:04:32 PM] Matthew Helms: The rest are only moderate desires/issues.
[6:04:51 PM] Spencer Downing: Ok
[6:05:14 PM] Matthew Helms: I mean, if it was my forum, I would open the floodgates more, but I don't really think that would fit the current theme, so I won't worry about that.
[6:05:45 PM] Spencer Downing: No I want to open the floodgates more, I just don't have any idea on how do to that
[6:05:52 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[6:05:52 PM] Spencer Downing: which I why I wan't sugguestions
[6:05:52 PM] Spencer Downing: no
[6:06:02 PM] Spencer Downing: "Hey let's create our own site"
[6:06:25 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[6:06:32 PM] Matthew Helms: I didn't know you had that mentality.
[6:06:44 PM] Matthew Helms: I saw a more rigid structure.
[6:06:50 PM] Matthew Helms: From where I was standing.
[6:07:07 PM] Spencer Downing: Just so you know
[6:07:18 PM] Spencer Downing: Me and the real Josef Stalin have almost nothing in common
[6:07:27 PM] Matthew Helms: Lol
[6:07:32 PM] Matthew Helms: Yeah, I understand that.
[6:07:43 PM] Matthew Helms: Listen.
[6:07:56 PM] Matthew Helms: I'm not undermining you, or anything like that.
[6:08:08 PM] Spencer Downing: It certianly seems like that
[6:08:13 PM] Matthew Helms: We just have different visions, and I wasn't aware of all my outlets for achieving my vision.
[6:08:18 PM] Matthew Helms: I don't think so.
[6:08:28 PM] Matthew Helms: I said from the start I didn't want to be enemies.
[6:09:04 PM] Matthew Helms: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=5336
[6:09:07 PM] Matthew Helms: haha
[6:09:07 PM] Spencer Downing: If you left we would be, considering that amout of trust, respect, and power I placed in you
[6:09:18 PM] Matthew Helms: Here's the thing.
[6:09:28 PM] Matthew Helms: Is that I wouldn't have just upped and left.
[6:09:41 PM] Matthew Helms: I had plans for some sort of clean departure.
[6:09:46 PM] Matthew Helms: No animosity.
[6:09:54 PM] Spencer Downing: if you departed at all
[6:09:58 PM] Spencer Downing: there would be animosity
[6:10:02 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[6:10:21 PM] Matthew Helms: That's unfortunate, but I guess that's kind of a non-issue at this point.
[6:10:32 PM] Spencer Downing: Hopefully
[6:10:37 PM] Matthew Helms: I wouldn't think a clean split would be a bad thing.
[6:10:43 PM] Spencer Downing: because I don't want you or anyone else to go anywhere
[6:10:57 PM] Matthew Helms: I understand that.
[6:11:04 PM] Matthew Helms: But let's drop that then.
[6:11:10 PM] Matthew Helms: This has been rather insightful.
[6:11:15 PM] Matthew Helms: So I don't think I will be leaving.
[6:11:19 PM] Spencer Downing: How so?
[6:12:44 PM] Matthew Helms: Well.
[6:12:55 PM] Matthew Helms: I have a renewed perspective on your attitude about the site.
[6:13:07 PM] Matthew Helms: Which is the biggest thing.
[6:13:38 PM] Matthew Helms: And as long as you support the clan and give it the attention it deserves, I will be happy to stay and help the community.
[6:13:50 PM] Matthew Helms: Even if you don't, I will stay.
[6:14:00 PM] Spencer Downing: Alright
[6:14:00 PM] Matthew Helms: I just really want to see it happen.
[6:14:03 PM] Spencer Downing: I agree
[6:14:08 PM] Matthew Helms: Now.
[6:14:10 PM] Spencer Downing: and any advice or sugguestions
[6:14:17 PM] Spencer Downing: I would be happy to implyment
[6:14:18 PM] Spencer Downing: or
[6:14:33 PM] Matthew Helms: Ok, I'm glad about that.
[6:14:36 PM] Spencer Downing: ask some one to implement them for me

So that's the deal. Post your thoughts down below, but keep it civil. No worries, there's no bad blood between me and Stalin anymore. Two peas in a pod now.

I guess it wasn't a glitch after all.

I know him maybe I can try to get something.

Well I'm just glad that this sh*t storm only turned out to be a light sh*t shower, and that change is coming. Should be interesting.

So Stalin gets pissed, then Matt preposes the UN Security Council, and then sunshine and lollipops.

I don't even know, man.

I do like the clan ideas you have Matt but ive got to say I think you should have talked about it in the open. It would have been far better to see what other mods, users, and Stalin himself thought of your ideas before running around planning to make a new site. He is a pretty open guy about what needs to be done. While I did get the whole "I thought you weren't open minded" its still better to know where a person stands on something before immediantly assuming the worst.

I'm thinking of throwing one of my tf2 hats in a prize pool for something, I'm not sure what yet though.

lol

Eh, like I said, I made the mistake. I had thought about this for a while, so it wasn't a knee jerk reaction, but it's all solved now, and the issues are worked out. You make a valid point, and I should have handled better.

He's so supportive.

I'm all for a Community Livestream. Basically, one person streams, and when they get off, another person streams, and so on. Perhaps we could make some sort of routine for it, where you can 'Register' time in advance. If we got enough people interested, and with enough variety in timezones, it could be an awesome thing.

*Edit: We could be really creative with it, and have Talkshows/Community news hours, stream Open-source Media, etc.

Very nice...

We should list these ideas to make them organized.

* Organized live streams (Matt and Mayor could both work together to get this set up)
* Hosting of Z33k tournaments with Prize pools and recruiting Platinum players
* BF3 Gamebattles team
* Select people allowed to upload their own Let's Play's to the site (Kali's walkthrough/Vadim if possible)
* Mabye more stuff uploaded to the youtube page.
* More inter-clan stuff like Community Spotlight, User Podcasts, Servers, and Clan tourneys added to Site
* Make some sections of the forums viewable to the outside so they can get a sense of the community.

You have a lot of fucking nerve.

I think its a good idea

The idea wasn't the problem.