Cactus Game Design Message Boards

And it is not our right to thwart those parenting decisions because of the freedoms enjoyed by others.  We are only facilitators and it is our responsibility to defer to "the least of these", and not to cause a stumblingblock.

I would defer to the mean, which I'd say that you do already.

If your response to an honest question is to refuse an answer, throw insults, and continue to question someone's character, I'm not particularly interested in having the last word, because there's really nothing I can say in response to that kind of behavior.  I don't think of you that way so I'm having a hard time putting myself into the mindset where I can understand why you would react this way.

There appears to be more to this whole story than just what has been said here on the boards. SoulSaver's comments were unusually negative recently. This kind of decision is not made on a whim. I agree with Colin's general observation of "anti-establishment," but there still has to be something else that is unseen that affected recent choices.

What's with the "I hate Schaef!" attitude? I don't get it... I think he does a great job.

join me in congratulating Stephen Schaeffer in keeping the boards intact.

here here!   

So every time we post it is an invasion of Rob's privacy? 

Furthermore, you may have the freedom of speech in our country, but you do not have the freedom of speech in my home.  The same holds true for the message boards.  It is simply one of several rooms at Cactus, which is essentially Rob's home.

Good analogy.

I would like to take this time to announce my endorsement deal with Kleenex.  As a result, I will be providing everyone with tissue in order to wipe their noses.  Well, not everyone, but you know who you are!

I missed that cheese bit. There is a lot of win there.

If anything, I think it is a certain disrespect for the Schaef’s leniency that has hurt the boards the most. Up until recently, I have not posted much on the boards, but not because of the Schaef, but because of all of the rebellion to Schaef. Since I like the household analogue used earlier, I will extend it a bit:

The Schaef is like a parent who has just given a little more freedom and responsibility to his growing teenager. A large number of people on these boards have taken quickly to his freedom and good humor, but have totally ignored the responsibility that falls on their shoulders. Much like a teenager who is experiencing his mock battles, a large group of board members have become frustrated with The Schaef and (like the teenager) have rebelled at every opportunity.

This sort of rebellious attitude has kept me and a large number of members from even wanting to post lately. I miss my conversations with older board members who have since taken a hiatus from the boards, but I don't blame the Schaef. I really think that most of this complaining is unwarranted, and I find all of the Schaef’s choices to be called for and well thought out.

If you disagree with The Schaef, PM him (although he doesn't really chat through PM's) but don't create an anti-moderator/authority thread. I understand that many of you disagree with the Schaef, but the boards are not a Democracy, and I think we need to respect him all the more for being in charge.



BTW Schaef, I absolutely love your avatar.

but I don't blame the Schaef. I really think that most of this complaining is unwarranted, and I find all of the Schaef’s choices to be called for and well thought out.

I disagree I see him as sort of tyranting sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes he will delete things just because he doesn't like them. Other times hes the best mod you could be. Moodswings?  But I think some leniency should be given (the M game rule is a little over the top when I know most of the guys on here play halo/call of duty) The people on these boards are for the most part older, maturer people. (its Ironic I'm saying this me being on of the youngest.) Overall great job schaef but if you could try to be a little more lenient in the fun side of stuff (cheese for one thing) that'd be great. I think that if you do become stricter more great members (I'm very sad SoulSaver left he was a great guy I liked and looked up to and a great help in my first yr or two of redemption and even currently helping with my decks) will be leaving. Leaving this board left with a bunch of old strict men and young hyper immature kids.

Um, wow.  Internet drama...is...

...wow.

While I enjoy pointless threads as much as the next person, I also understand that it is the mods'/admins' unfortunate duty to delete them.  To me, the knowledge of imminent baleetion is (partly) what makes those threads fun.  It's sort of a joke between the posters and the mods; the posters get to have their fun for a while, until a moderator deletes the thread.  It's no big deal, just a fun diversion from time to time.

As to flaming, honestly, I've found that most posts (not even strictly negative or insulting posts) don't need to be made at all.  Unless it's clearly just in good fun, I often refrain from posting unless I have a good reason to do so.  Seriously, the best thing to do when you're mad is to walk away from your computer.  No one can keep a flame war going on their own; the mature thing to do is to simply ignore any provocative remarks

This thread is provocative

.  

Walking away from an online conflict is much, much easier than doing so in a face-to-face confrontation, but somehow people don't seem to realize that.  I used to get into arguments on the boards frequently, just because I enjoy arguing, but I realized that it is incredibly easy for people to be hurt or get upset over an online discussion.  

If the boards were restricted to people of a certain age, it would be different, but as there are people with different levels of maturity, everyone needs to act accordingly.  As Schaef said, we need to defer to "the least of these."  As much as I would enjoy discussing certain things that are not acceptable topics on this board, I don't, because they're not appropriate for all its members.  While some may feel that they are "mature enough" to do post about certain topics, they must realize that this may not be the place to do so.  If something is inappropriate for one member, it is inappropriate for the boards.  I think, in light of this, Schaef has done a good job keeping the boards going in a family-friendly way.

Post-post: SoulSaver, please don't quit Redemption, I was looking forward to seeing you at future Nats

/end wall of text that's probably not even relevant to the situation, I have no clue what's going on

**edit** Btw, where is this so-called "cheese thread"? **edit**

Schaef pwns for working hard at a (mostly) thankless job, namely modding these boards, and doing it with excellence.  I agree with most of his decisions.  On the occasion that I don't, I submit to his authority because it's been entrusted to him, not me.  If he faults, and that's a matter of opinion, he does it just as often by being too lenient as he does by being too strict.

BTW, Colin wins the thread.  I can't recall ever seeing so many edifying comments from him before.  Well done, dude.