Who Else?

[Tsar Hoikas]

... Has been "veralun banned" on the Myst Online: Uru Live forum?

My story begins with our friend CrisGer posting images of DRC members in Kirel and mistakenly labeling them as "BEVIN" (verbatim). Another forum user (Kaelis Ebonrai) proceeded to correct CrisGer and was immediately accused by a troll by bringing up the "Hood vs Bevin Debate" (a stupid discussion on the MOUL forum about whether Bevin or Neighborhood is the correct term for the Neighborhood). Veralun then replied that such debate was off-topics. Being myself, I had to point out that the debate had not been brought up. A few other users responded in kind, and we eventually found all of our posts deleted. A few more posts and deletions later, the original thread was edited to be correct with none of the original posts below it.

At this point another user and I posted sarcastic comments about history. I left for school and returned home to find that veralun had deleted my post and removed me from the "Explorers" user group (you must be a member of that group in order to post). Other moderators have deleted my posts several times for offenses much more grievous than derailing a topic, yet none of them have ever saw it fit to remove my posting abilities, essentially banning me from the forum. Nowhere in the rules does it state a moderator can remove a user's posting abilities. I have a sneaking suspicion that veralun expects me to lash out as a result of being "banned" and get myself in even more hot water. Clever ploy.

Does anyone else see a problem with this? Am I the only one who thinks veralun is still going too far, after many repeated calls by many prominent community members for him to be removed from his position?

[Luna]

I was "banned" too because I quoted your post and said that "The fact that history was rewritten will be rewritten"

They so dislike the truth over there.

Anyway time to mail Chogon...and in case of no response/change I can always start kicking hell.

[semplerfi]

To add to this:

I posted an off topic reply to that thread. My post was deleted and I recieved a PM from veralun saying my post was off topic and was deleted. I have not been banned so far.

[Whilyam]

The Horn of Helm Hammerhand will sound in the deep, one last time...

When lunanne was effectively banned from the MOULa forums (by way of removing her from the group that allows people to post on the forum) I was immediately asked to make an Ending the Nonsense Part Two. I was initially hesitant because I didn’t really care about that forum’s drama and I doubted I could be effective. In reflection, however, I realize that this doubt is what has caused these problems to persist for so long and why I must at least try to make a difference.

Let’s start with the obvious: the moderator responsible for this (veralun) should be removed from his moderating privileges. This is the most recent of a long history of veralun and other MOUL forum moderators abusing their powers. This is an abuse of the moderator’s powers to silence individuals because of their views. This is furthermore an abuse without a warning or a notice. This kind of abuse does not reflect well on Cyan and Cyan should, for its own sake, end this nonsense. If Cyan continues to allow this kind of behavior, however infrequent or isolated, it will tarnish Cyan’s reputation in the gaming community. No matter if this is just one “bad apple” the effects will be enormous. This must end now.

Furthermore, this abuseable power should be removed. Hoikas suggested a better anti-spam solution: When you register in the forum, your name could be checked against the spammer database. This system has been used successfully by the GoW and should be used on the MOULa forums. It is time that Cyan joins this noble and comprehensive program.

Finally, and most importantly, Cyan must expend some energy to collaborate with its community. What we have at present is moderators and others picked by Cyan to act in their stead. I still remember Rand’s reaction to “hacks” that opened the door to the “grey hats” keeping the cavern alive. If the good people at Cyan were able to see what good has come from this hacking, perhaps we would see more collaboration and shared growth. Instead we have a new D’ni word… and everyone who cares has either lost interest or has been “banned” in the most shameful, hurtful, and cowardly way possible.

[Luna]

oh now I'm "unbanned" would be nice if they made up their minds really

[Jamey]

Am I the only one who thinks veralun is still going too far, after many repeated calls by many prominent community members for him to be removed from his position?

You're not the only one. Personally speaking, I agree completely. The banning of users in this manner is completely out of line. It's one thing to disagree with people's opinions, it's another to try to silence them completely. I would be posting this on the MOUL forums for them to see, but after what's happened, I'm starting to become afraid to speak my completely honest opinion on that forum anymore.

[Karkadann]

has any one brought this to the attention of Cyans Big Three, Randi, Robin Miller or perhaps Tony Fryman. I know going to the top does have its risks but sometimes I have found that it can solve more problems then it causes. I can only assume their unaware of the problems, I seldom see Cyans Big Three on the forums

[Tomala]

I was banned for a week and didn't know why until after the fact because all the people in charge assumed I was contacted when in reality they never said a thing.

Good times...

[Tsar Hoikas]

Chogon reinstated me and implied that some stuff was gonna happen behind the scenes. Not too sure how confident I am in that, but we'll see.

[Jamey]

Chogon reinstated me and implied that some stuff was gonna happen behind the scenes. Not too sure how confident I am in that, but we'll see.

Hopefully things will really start changing around that forum in terms of how they "moderate" things...it's become increasingly way too easy for a moderators power to be abused, as it was shown...