68kmla MIA

[croissantking]

willing to bet I was passed over because I don't run software update enough.

Honestly that one stung harder than any job rejection did back before I was self employed full time.

Don't take it personal. Maybe they rejected everyone lol

 

[tom_B]

"we've searched high and low and cant find any new mods!"

 

[Trash80toG4]

I, along with Danamania was a first flight moderator addition at the beginning. Everything went well until Cory's purge. Hated to see that happen, LCGuy (a founding member) pretty much hasn't returned to post at all, and then, only after several years.

Need to update my S**T Happens corollary:
S**T Happens,
hopefully on a regular basis,
it's the unexpected S**T that's problematic . . .

@68KMLA; expect problematic S**T to happen on a regular basis . . .


So it goes . . .

 

[Brett B]

Too bad. I remember when Cory was a young teenager, excited about technology and couldn't wait to hit 5,412 posts. Hope he realizes that he'll be remembered only for sinking the ship if can't take some action.

 

[Trash80toG4]

I'd not bet on it . . .

We used to be swept by archive bots on a daily basis, so maybe it will remain in that backup of sorts?
Is the MLA mirrored anywhere, can it be?
Can it be swept from stem to stern by bot and archived?

 

[Brett B]

I have often wondered that. I imagine it would be very easy to archive the site and post contents but the user account data would be the hard part. Logins, passwords, saved media, etc... not sure how you get 100% of that without having admin level access.

 

[Trash80toG4]

Yep, TP and Lounge have logged in member access only. TP no big deal, but a lot of (read far too much) on topic discussion takes place in there. Having Discussions in all other areas, even without media attachments would be a great boon to future hobbyists in a worst case scenario.

 

[Scott]

Yes, I'd imagine me being here is a bit of an issue. There are so many good people on those forums, it's a shame it has to be brought down.

As for archiving everything, what I'd love to see is for everything to be compiled into one place.

I've actually long thought about writing a general guide for novices about 68K Macs, due in large part to something I witnessed on MLA years ago. There was someone who had a very simple question about computers, not sure what it was. He probably had no idea what to even ask if he was just getting into the hobby. One of the admins, Bunsen, rather than answer his question, replies with a big picture of a "search" bar. I've had it on my heart to write a book for people like that poor novice poster every day.

I also have had only one hit point on me over there by an admin and it was actually for something related. I provided an answer to a rudimentary question. ~tl, who was an original admin, actually gave me a demerit for it because apparently I was supposed to let him rot away without an answer?

I'm an educator. I know students often struggle to find the right question to ask and sometimes don't know where to find an answer even if they have a question. It's my job as an educator to answer questions and point people in the right direction. How would my students feel if I threw them an encyclopedia or a computer with a Google search bar on it? What about all the WRONG answers that are out there?

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Yes, I'd imagine me being here is a bit of an issue. There are so many good people on those forums, it's a shame it has to be brought down.

As for archiving everything, what I'd love to see is for everything to be compiled into one place.

I've actually long thought about writing a general guide for novices about 68K Macs, due in large part to something I witnessed on MLA years ago. There was someone who had a very simple question about computers, not sure what it was. He probably had no idea what to even ask if he was just getting into the hobby. One of the admins, Bunsen, rather than answer his question, replies with a big picture of a "search" bar. I've had it on my heart to write a book for people like that poor novice poster every day.

I also have had only one hit point on me over there by an admin and it was actually for something related. I provided an answer to a rudimentary question. ~tl, who was an original admin, actually gave me a demerit for it because apparently I was supposed to let him rot away without an answer?

I'm an educator. I know students often struggle to find the right question to ask and sometimes don't know where to find an answer even if they have a question. It's my job as an educator to answer questions and point people in the right direction. How would my students feel if I threw them an encyclopedia or a computer with a Google search bar on it? What about all the WRONG answers that are out there?

Folks like that have no place moderating anything that resembles a resource or classroom. This is why you are here.

Welcome!

and write that book

 

[Kai Robinson]

Yes, I'd imagine me being here is a bit of an issue. There are so many good people on those forums, it's a shame it has to be brought down.

As for archiving everything, what I'd love to see is for everything to be compiled into one place.

I've actually long thought about writing a general guide for novices about 68K Macs, due in large part to something I witnessed on MLA years ago. There was someone who had a very simple question about computers, not sure what it was. He probably had no idea what to even ask if he was just getting into the hobby. One of the admins, Bunsen, rather than answer his question, replies with a big picture of a "search" bar. I've had it on my heart to write a book for people like that poor novice poster every day.

I also have had only one hit point on me over there by an admin and it was actually for something related. I provided an answer to a rudimentary question. ~tl, who was an original admin, actually gave me a demerit for it because apparently I was supposed to let him rot away without an answer?

I'm an educator. I know students often struggle to find the right question to ask and sometimes don't know where to find an answer even if they have a question. It's my job as an educator to answer questions and point people in the right direction. How would my students feel if I threw them an encyclopedia or a computer with a Google search bar on it? What about all the WRONG answers that are out there?

Well, if it's any consolation, you're welcome to run for a board position or mod slot here, when they come up!

 

[JDW]

~tl, who was an original admin, actually gave me a demerit for it because apparently I was supposed to let him rot away without an answer?

Tom Levens, who ran the MLA prior to Cory.

Out of all the people I've encountered in this hobby, it's hard to believe YOU would have ever gotten a Warning Point, Scott! Wow. But yeah, when forum administration isn't so great, that sort of thing can happen to even the best of people, sadly.

 

[Scott]

@JDW I know, I was really shocked when it happened...punished for being helpful? For doing what a forum is supposed to do?

@Kai Robinson I definitely will put my name in the hat if it happens!!

@Certificate of Excellence I have a lot of ideas for the book and mostly just need to find some time to do it! And yes, it WILL include a disk because the best books always came with one. I already know what shareware/freeware I'd include

 

[JDW]

@JDW I know, I was really shocked when it happened...punished for being helpful? For doing what a forum is supposed to do?

Oh, yes. Here's my story, Scott...

Back in July 2012, some folks were having problems getting registered on the MLA, so I sent a PM to a certain moderator (at the time) who I won’t name because he’s well known there, still high up in the ranks, and started there probably about when I did (2005ish?). I still can access those PMs to this day, so I know what I said and what he said, exactly…

XXX,
I am writing you today because I received an email from someone who registered in this forum over a week ago but who has still not been approved. His name and email address are as follows: YYY​

​

Please also know this has happened a few times in the past. People register to become members of our forum, but after a week of waiting they still are not registered, and then they find me on the web because I have so many photos posted on Flickr, and they ask me many questions about vintage Macs, and I then suggest they register on the 68kMKA forum, and they tell me they've already registered but still haven't been approved!​

​

So it would be greatly appreciated if you could kindly consult with the powers that be to do something to accelerate the process of form registration approvals.

Thank you!​

I then received the following reply:

This is not my problem, nor my responsibility, nor is it within my power to do anything about it. Nor is it yours. And I don't appreciate you harassing me about it.​

Being totally and utterly shocked, especially because I'd never had any bad interactions with him until then, I replied back as follows:

"Harassing" you? XXX, I was just trying to help someone who was in need. My only alternative would have been to ignore them. But what would such say about me? I contacted you only because I know you to be a good moderator in this forum and I have respect for you.

I was totally unaware you have no say in new registrations. I deeply apologize for having troubled you. I am now speaking with Cory about this matter. I will not bother you again.​

The reply was this:

No, you could have told them what I told you - that it's nothing to do with you and they can follow the damn instructions like everyone else.​

​

(and in regards to my having said I would ask Cory about it he responds…)
GOD WHY. Seriously, just stop.​

Other than the major data loss due to the disk crash under Tom Levens, that particular PM interaction was really the start of my bewilderment in that forum. And in the years after that strange episode, there were other people there who said really harsh things that came out of the blue and I found totally impossible to explain. It’s almost like demon possession. You just can’t explain it. You just have to steer clear of those people the best you can, which can be hard if they hold positions of power.

In comparison, my time here at TinkerDifferent has been truly blessed. We have a lot of fine folks here, both those who run the forum and those who participate it in. It’s a night-and-day difference for me. I'm sure it will be for you too, Scott.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

When I run into whacko moderator behavior akin to demon possession, I always envision the demon dog scene in ghost busters where Dana and Louis transform into the gate keeper & key master Terror dogs