Jason, I respect your candor and all I can offer is an apology that we do not see eye to eye regarding your creations. As I stated, I tried to keep my own personal opinions out of the equation, as I do on many issues on the forum, until it sparked a controversy. Knowing the members that complained much longer than you or your works + my own feelings on the matter I chose to remove offending content. I don't regret this decision. It's not easy being an admin because no matter how much I try to stay impartial eventually I have to make judgement calls on things. Some will approve, others will not and I'll never make everyone happy.
When I look at it, this is really similar with what happened with Steph. She expressed that she was uncomfortable with a particular thread. If she had done so reasonably rather than making a scene and attacking other members I would have pulled the thread immediately. And I did pull the thread at the request of another member in the end. My primary rule is that everyone play nice and act respectful to each other. If anyone misbehaves, they're gone. This isn't MATY and I don't want to see that kind of negativity or drama. I don't regret banning her and would do it again if anyone throws a tantrum like that on the forum.
Steph has made some serious allegations regarding my character and motivations. In reality she has no evidence to validate her opinions. Like Hat, I do not really know Steph. I've had little personal interactions with her, Hat and most people in the community. I typically keep my beliefs, feelings, problems to myself and want to primarily talk about our shared hobby = The Sims 2. I have enough stress and drama in real life that I don't need it online too. Plus, I don't think anyone ultimately cares about my situation.
My primary interests are TS2, History, SciFi/Fantasy and Computers. These are the things I want to engage with others. It's no secret that I have a serious health condition, just like so many in the community. It gives me a hobby and something to take my mind off reality. I am definitely Hat's type A medieval enthusiast because I am fascinated by the nitty gritty of knowing ridiculous details of how things worked and functioned long ago. My main motivation for starting the forum was to be able to share these interests. I have no other agenda than to hopefully expand custom content for the historical theme.
The majority of my exchanges around the community have been purely Sim business related or light discussion of other shared interests. I have no negative experiences with Steph, or anyone else. I have nothing to say against her. The majority of our communications were public in chat or through threads. So, imagine my shock to read such a character assassination against me. I honestly have no idea how she has developed her theories when we have never really had any private interactions. I've made no attempts whatsoever to contact her directly or via proxy since she was banned. I've neither encouraged or endorsed others to do so on my behalf. I've kept my virtual mouth shut for months. I can only parrot Hat by stating, if Steph makes these accusations, where is her proof? Where are the emails, PMs, Screenshots? What does she base her interpretations? I don't even think she accurately understood or represented my only and final post to her at the Keep, as she seemed to be looking for hidden machinations. Those who do know me are acutely aware that I don't have the time or inclination for elaborate plots. I just want to concentrate on my Sim creations.
I've been held hostage for months by these events. Paralyzed with self-doubt and truly hurt by the onslaught of words hurled at me like daggers. However, I think I'm finally done now worrying about it. I appreciate Hat's insight that other people's behavior is not my fault or problem. How others choose to react is completely their responsibility. I can only be responsible for myself and have faith that most of my exchanges are equitable. If people don't like me or my forum despite my best efforts, there's an entire Internets at their disposal. If anyone thinks they can make a better medieval site and be a better admin, I wholeheartedly encourage it to be done.
Thank you Hat for sharing your perspective and site to explore these issues. You truly helped me to release a few things gnawing at me for a while. I do feel slightly guilty though that it was at your expense. Hopefully we can move on and focus on what's really important - The game.
I promise this is probably my last response on this thread :P
When I look at it, this is really similar with what happened with Steph. She expressed that she was uncomfortable with a particular thread. If she had done so reasonably rather than making a scene and attacking other members I would have pulled the thread immediately. And I did pull the thread at the request of another member in the end. My primary rule is that everyone play nice and act respectful to each other. If anyone misbehaves, they're gone. This isn't MATY and I don't want to see that kind of negativity or drama. I don't regret banning her and would do it again if anyone throws a tantrum like that on the forum.
Steph has made some serious allegations regarding my character and motivations. In reality she has no evidence to validate her opinions. Like Hat, I do not really know Steph. I've had little personal interactions with her, Hat and most people in the community. I typically keep my beliefs, feelings, problems to myself and want to primarily talk about our shared hobby = The Sims 2. I have enough stress and drama in real life that I don't need it online too. Plus, I don't think anyone ultimately cares about my situation.
My primary interests are TS2, History, SciFi/Fantasy and Computers. These are the things I want to engage with others. It's no secret that I have a serious health condition, just like so many in the community. It gives me a hobby and something to take my mind off reality. I am definitely Hat's type A medieval enthusiast because I am fascinated by the nitty gritty of knowing ridiculous details of how things worked and functioned long ago. My main motivation for starting the forum was to be able to share these interests. I have no other agenda than to hopefully expand custom content for the historical theme.
The majority of my exchanges around the community have been purely Sim business related or light discussion of other shared interests. I have no negative experiences with Steph, or anyone else. I have nothing to say against her. The majority of our communications were public in chat or through threads. So, imagine my shock to read such a character assassination against me. I honestly have no idea how she has developed her theories when we have never really had any private interactions. I've made no attempts whatsoever to contact her directly or via proxy since she was banned. I've neither encouraged or endorsed others to do so on my behalf. I've kept my virtual mouth shut for months. I can only parrot Hat by stating, if Steph makes these accusations, where is her proof? Where are the emails, PMs, Screenshots? What does she base her interpretations? I don't even think she accurately understood or represented my only and final post to her at the Keep, as she seemed to be looking for hidden machinations. Those who do know me are acutely aware that I don't have the time or inclination for elaborate plots. I just want to concentrate on my Sim creations.
I've been held hostage for months by these events. Paralyzed with self-doubt and truly hurt by the onslaught of words hurled at me like daggers. However, I think I'm finally done now worrying about it. I appreciate Hat's insight that other people's behavior is not my fault or problem. How others choose to react is completely their responsibility. I can only be responsible for myself and have faith that most of my exchanges are equitable. If people don't like me or my forum despite my best efforts, there's an entire Internets at their disposal. If anyone thinks they can make a better medieval site and be a better admin, I wholeheartedly encourage it to be done.
Thank you Hat for sharing your perspective and site to explore these issues. You truly helped me to release a few things gnawing at me for a while. I do feel slightly guilty though that it was at your expense. Hopefully we can move on and focus on what's really important - The game.