The Dink Network

I'm sure many of you have noticed the overabundance of closed/deleted threads and deleted posts around the board recently. It's a bit higher than usual, perhaps less discriminate as well. Maybe I've put a stop to a discussion you had sincere interest in; if that's the case, please accept my sincere apologies.

The problem is, in taking back my old love The Dink Network, I've quickly come to find out that she has brought into our relationship a number of children. Some have a penchant for bickering, some are self-important, some even have an unusual sense of entitlement. Marriage and family counselor redink1 has been on indefinite leave, so imposing rules and regulations around the house has boiled down to me wagging my finger and shouting "time out!" now and then, to no avail. The Dink Network beats me behind closed doors if I dare mention curfews or, DDC help me, forfeiting a child for adoption elsewhere. A tear streams down my battered face as I type this. Can't you see?

In all seriousness, allow me to highlight why the board gives me qualms:

Predator
At the risk of unleashing a bout of rage, let me confess: Predator, if I could count on site owner redink1 to pay me and us any attention, you would be banned. Nearly every post you make and every thread you start is a malicious affront to or disturbing generalization of a person or group of people. What's worse is that the same few people come back each and every time in a misguided attempt to let you know how awful your posts are, opening themselves to more awfulness (or spewing it themselves, seemingly to join in on the fun). There are several communities across the web devoted to discrimination and hate; since you are aware of the American Nazi Party website, I find it safe to assume you are familiar with a few of them. Perhaps you should find some like-minded people.

(For the record, no one else is currently at risk of being banned outright, despite what one may have assumed based on public remarks or PMs.)

Godley
I know you've supposedly left for a while, but I would be remiss if I did not at least mention you in passing. I have no serious issue with your (innumerable) swings at me and my ability as King, as I am both fully deserving of the criticism and very flattered that you would talk about me so much. You could definitely afford to be nicer - "Your blog sucks," "Which of these three D-Mods is going to be the crappiest," etc. - but my primary issue with you is your deluge of inane posts and threads. Posting a lot isn't inherently bad, but posting a lot of stuff that no one wants to read is annoying.

Skull and DinkDoodler
The forum's very own Bebop and Rocksteady. You're both interesting characters, and you both fit well into the TMNT... I mean, uh, Dink Network canon, but sometimes you both make me want to snarf down a whole pizza and commence with clobbering you repeatedly. These are not the kinds of things any dudes should be shouting "cowabunga" over:

DinkDoodler Classics
"And I can do whatever I want, she dog.
Now, go play with your toys."
Source

"Watch it, newbie! Don't act like you know everything, idiot."
"she dog, don't try to act like you're oh so better when you don't even know how to change your avatar"
"shut you little fat face" (sic) (I have to admit, I found that funny)
Source

"Skull's an athiest so he won't understand."
Source
That people would see fit to take swings at each other in such a thread is disgusting and disrespectful, and that goes for everyone that did it.

"Why don't you go fuc yourself and let me have my own opinions?"
Source

"You're the toddler here. With your way you can't come up with a good reply makes me feel glad that I'm a heckuva lot more mature than you even though I'm younger."
Source (a thread specifically attacking Godley, no less)
Bonus thread

Skull Selections
"You should just stop posting completely, DD, if you have nothing sensible to say."
Source
Bonus thread

"So, I take it you're turning into another of TDN's n00bs, Schnapper?"
Source

"Wow, some children really are super stupid."
"Oh, and if I was you, I wouldn't be too keen on calling people newbies, newbie."
"You're a newb to me. You joined, what, 2 years ago? Yep, definitely a newb."
"You can bullshoot yourself. But half of your posts during your short time here have been spam."
Source

"The fifth reason is the only reason you're really leaving. Stop being such a drama queen."
Source
(it may have been a valid point, but it doesn't stop it from being rude)

"Hey Skorn, I basically posted a review of the game in this thread. It's bound to have some spoilers. It's your own fault really if you are too stupid to not play the game before you read the comments about it."
Source

"You should really mature up, stop the insulting, stop the flaming, stop the backstabbing, and otherwise annoying behavior of yours."
"I'm honestly very sick of seeing you act like a childish and complaining whore."
Source

"Really, you're the last person who should be complaining about his behavior"
Source

"Don't go around calling people idiots, Doodler. You ain't any better than Predator. You're both morons, just in different aspects."
"Silly twelve-year olds."
Source

"What the hell is a 'girl game'? Really, Preteen-dator, that's really childish."
"I was giving an example. Stop being an asswipe."
Source

Now then...

My problem with you two, Skull and DinkDoodler, is multifaceted, but it basically boils down to this: I know that you are both intelligent and very capable people. It pains me that you waste your time taking swings at everyone - especially each other. Do you gentlemen thrive in chaos? DinkDoodler, you (and a few others, but especially you) see fit to impersonate Predator often, which only serves to stir him up and ultimately bother all of us. Skull, you desperately attempt to police the forum when there are other people here specifically trained to dispense justice, and usually in a much more tactful manner. And you both are quick to lash out at anyone and accuse them of spamming and flaming constantly, when in reality, you two are among the biggest sources of worthless posts and senseless insults this community has ever seen.

I can handle the occasional sarcastic remark. I'm willing to accept that heated moments arise now and then, and I don't expect everyone here to agree on each and every idea. My post/thread closing/deleting spree is warranted, I think, by the sheer amount of sewage that people seek to spew all over the board these days. The four candidates highlighted above are, to me, the main culprits among our otherwise humble community. This is my very public cry to please stop.

Now that that's out every one in there homes.

The king has spoken and the message is crystal clear. I like it here and the mentioned peasants + ghost should tone down to make visits to the DN a pleasant experience yet again.

The ghosts are never going to be complacent it looks like though the presents have potential.

I like TMNT, so I take that as a compliment.

No, but seriously. Half of my posts you included in there are just jokes. One to pop on my mind is "stop being an asswipe". All the spamming here has obviously taken the understanding of humor out of the people. TDN used to be full of sarcastic and spikey remarks like that. Not anymore.

But you calling me one of the more worthless people on this site is something I am not going to tolerate. Why do you think I'm a worthless Dinker? I've contributed more than anyone else in the past 5 years of when I joined. Some things good, some things bad, I'd say pretty equally. Only reason I may seem worthless, is because whenever I try to tell people something people do not listen to me. Be it how sensible. People should listen to me now, because I am about to break something down for you...

Ignoring will NOT, absolutely NOT help with trolls. You all think trolls act like small children, like babies, that ignoring them will stop them. Then there are those who think posting against them will stop them (I'm one of those). Neither of these tactics work. If people post against them, they will like it, cause they get attention. If people ignore them, they will like it, because they notice they have quieted the place down and have made an impact. Both of these result in them spamming more. Trolls won't be stopped by other people, only they can stop themselves. Time will stop them. They will get bored of it or/and mature up. They will stop eventually, we'll have another few months of silence, until a new troll pops up. That's the cycle of Internet.

Really Tal, I summed it up in the other thread. Just like I did in this one. Just with other words.

That's why I try the friendly approach skull and I'm not the only one.

I'm going to chime in briefly to say that I think:

a) You misinterpreted a lot of what I said, notably that "lots of worthless posts" somehow makes you a totally "worthless Dinker"

b) Your troll logic, while inspired, is deeply flawed

But I have other things I need to tend to, unfortunately for me. I will let everyone else dissect this.

a) I really can't see how my posts are anymore worthless than other peoples'. I just have a different perspective at viewing things, that's all. If some people don't like it, it isn't, or at least by any means, it SHOUDLN'T be, my problem.

b) Say what you will, you weren't here for the past three years to see how most of the trolls act around here. Really, my troll logic works. Most of those who used to troll this site in their early days have matured up, just like I said would happen to the current ones.

Skull, stop acting like everything is a joke, it's just making you look very immature with a horrible reason why you insult everyone.

I agree that Pred should be banned.

And since when were you worried about me? At least I didn't go on a super spamming rampage like you did a year ago. You also created double the multiple accounts that I ever had.

EDIT: And hey, at least I am being honest. I think it would be pretty dang sad if I had to force myself to act as if I thought one way, when I really think another way.

Yes what's happen in the last month is sad at best with only a few fun threads with true meaning stuff like three ducks lurking and religion is stupid are pointless threads. Let's have peace in this thread until Pred comes then this will most likely be closed despite the title.

No, you had four multiples, I had one. Can you count?

Let me join you tal .

I had three accounts. Meaning two multiple accounts. You had Voj, Muffinman and Skorn. And also some others as far as I can remember. You got banned, which rarely happens in TDN, which means you really annoyed us with all your spamming. After you were banned, you potrayed as multiple ghosts, and multiple other Dinkers as ghosts, rampaging the forum with your own threads and taking over others' threads by spamming. Then you proceeded to create one more account, your current one. I have been ready to forgive you on your actions and still am. Hell, I even defended you back in the day, but you have just continued on flaming me, to this day.

This will be my last post in this thread it's turning into a flame war.

What do you mean? I don't see flaming here. Tal said what he thinks of the situation and some Dinkers. I replied and explained him my point of view. Skorn came and told me to stop. I stated some facts about him and me, and offered peace to him, like in multiple occasions. Don't see flaming here, although I can see Skorn wanting to start an agruement with me, which I would rather not have.

Not going to weigh too heavily on this yet, but I do feel the need to say that Absolution has improved since those days.

He has improved. Greatly even. I'm just tired about him in one thing: we had our differences in the past. Now he disagrees with me, no matter what I say, just because I said it. I mean, why not just let go? Heck, I'd say we're even pretty similar in most cases. xD

Well, that's the problem, isn't it? He's improved... you haven't. In fact, I'd say you've gotten worse. You've gone from just mildly annoying to exasperatingly chronic threadshitter.

Striker, I have improved. No matter what you say. I needed that improvement, I am still improving. But don't say I haven't improved, cause I clearly have, and you know it.

I'd say my current posts are at the same level as yours are. I've had my opinions, and I've said them out loud. If I thought someone got worse, I have said it. If I thought someone was a chronic threadshootter, even though insulting as it may be, I've said it. I just realized, my posts are exactly similar to those of yours. There's not a single difference, except that I'm not as good in English..

Yeh, Skorn has been eliminated at last.

Fun thread.

Threadsh!ting
Link doesn't work cause it changes the Sh!tting to Shooting - so...
Making unhelpful, rude, uninformed posts in another's thread or detracting from the normally intelligent and civilized discourse is considered thread shootting.

Thread sh!tting is also something on here I intensly dislike, its very irritating to open up the page and see heaps of new comments and sooo disapointing to see one troll has just started at the first and gone through them one by one adding useless uninteresting comments for the sake of merely making a comment - like 'I dont know about this but blah blah blah' - its like people who talk incessantly just to hear the sound of their own voice - sad sad sad.

No... it's not exactly the same. I will, on occasion, say something strongly opinionated on a thread. I'm fine with that going down every once in a while for anybody. People need to let off steam. You, however, do it in nearly every thread you contribute to; fanning flames and sparring with newcomers way past the point of sanity.

The real issue is that you lack any sense of subtlety, proportion, or self-perception, which makes see things in the way that you do. The main reason I never pushed for your banning was the fact that I know you're honest in your convictions, but you just push them far beyond any necessary point. You haven't been here that long, and your post count is far beyond anyone else here. I don't mind you here, just ducking chill a bit with all the negativity directed at every other person here; especially the newbies.

@Tal Im suprised you did'nt say anything about piece of trash absolution who was the worse out all of them he imposed as me even more than DD did.

Alot of offense comments under my name were not from me but the piece of crap know as abosolution.

Yes, because this post is clearly me.

Also, impose? Pfft. Dink Doodler never did that.

He did so you f#cking idiot.

;( The only way this will end is if everyone says sorry. for instance DD, skull, say your sorry, i know your gonna say "oh but i didnt do anything wrong! i was just expressing my opinions!" i dont give a crap if you were in the right or the wrong, the words "im sorry" are peace makers, and show you HAVE honor, also if you say sorry and the other spits on your face and you dont lash back, it shows your a strong person with bucket loads of honor, its hard not to lash back yes, but thats why it shows your strong instead of downright childish, no actually a child is better than that... and if anyone replies to this post with a scathing remark, that would be well and TRUELY pathetic. Please just all try to get along, you can express your opinions yes, but its only common sense that you DONT if you KNOW its going to offend someone, or you can say your sorry when it does. BE THE BETTER MAN.

Why can't we all just be friends?

We don't have to be friends - just more tolerant of each other and quit the insulting comments to others and then this place would improve drastically.

Think we also need to remember we are all (bar the actual mods) on the same playing field - noone is better or worse, more a dinker or less, we are just people who liked a game and enjoy(d) the community attached to it.

My main problem with this forum is that I want a macadamia cookie and no one will give me one.

Hey we left the chocky chip ones for you - the macadamia ones are MINE

Oh, they are?

*continues to rummage through the bag of crunchies anyways*

Exuse my deception why can't the whole forum be like the last three posts. Not all about cookies that would only be 99% but kind hearted bickering colorful conversations and questions awnsered not with hate or spam but those hard to come by genuine awnsers. Can't believe I just wrote that MrGantoe out....err again.

I agree with a lot about what Tal said, I'm glad he got all of that out in the open. Now, on to my opinions. Skull has indeed hit a small part in his time on the DN, jokingly or not, his posts still sting at people's pride and others view it as flaming, spamming, or just plain being mean.
DD, your crusade to rid of spammers and flamers has in turn made you a spammer and flamer. 'As you fight monsters, so do you too become one, and if you stare into the abyss, it stares into you too', this quote sums what I said up pretty well.
Godley, as you've been on TDN, you've improved a lot. I'll commend you for that. It's just that some things are not needed or are too mean to be said. Try to be tactful in what you say, but do not say anything if there is nothing good to say.
Skorn, you have gotten better as well, but not very much. I feel like I'm beginning to respect you as a person, and not dislike you as a spammer. Keep improving yourself and maybe we'll see an end to this massive flaming thing.
And last, but not the least, Predator. Over the months you've been on here, you have created many terrible topics that have really gotten to me. I hate it when people are just blatantly racist against a certain group and practice no tolerance whatsoever. You look at me, but you don't see me as a person with a heart who cares for other people, but you see the stereotype that offers one hand in friendship and takes your money with the other. It is true that I offer one hand in friendship, but I also keep the other on the metaphorical gun should my trust be broken. Over the years I have grown wary of other people, I'm a person who has met the stereotypes, who has suffered for anothers amusement. Here I have found a peace of sorts, where I can be normal and nobody can call me a freak for that. What I offer you now is a chance to better yourself, to stop the rampant racism and hatred, so that I can eventually stop hating you for what you've made yourself, and respect you for who you are. To quote someone, I forget who, 'we all may be of different color, but we all bleed red.' Please, that that at least to heart.

That was good Kris and I agree with you live in the wrong part of America or grow up with the wrong people and life will be hard for you I know I grew up in the hood with only vague memories of Ireland I remember my mom and dad coming home absolutely empty (there cops). They told me that a girl had broke up with her BF outside a restraunt. He took out a gun and killed her. Then entered the restraunt targeted women specially rounded them up in a corner and killed them all. Search Hiealeah,Florida Pred on google do enough searching you'll see what happened then after years of city corruption they cut every one lower then captains pay by 30% percent and every one captain and up got a raise if my mom and dad hadn't retired before that I might not be able to make this post. So Pred dont only think about what your posting but who's going to read it.

This is like asking a grass fire to stop burning the grass.

Please stop burning the grass mr fire! My lawn is lovely!

Well thanks for making me a bit more noticed, and for featuring some of my attacks. It brings back memories.
But I never really start one of these unless someone attacks me first.
I'll be a better guy now.... if you make me staff! (joke, I'll be good now.)
Oh, and just to say, liquid141 was really annoying because I had worked on a port of FreeDink andd he hurt my feelings by lolling all over it.
Embarrassingly, she dog is my most-used swear word.
Oh, and I'd like to be friends, but I just don't like it when some people mock me over my age, religion, or D-Mods.
And to clear Predator's head, I did impose as you, but only a few times. (Maybe four threads)
I've been friendly to the Dinkers who have never started a fight with me (MsDink, GlennGlenn and MrGantoe, to name a few.)
And as an added bonus, today I saw 10 Dinkers (inculding old ones) logged in at the same time. Yay!

Skull:

If people ignore them, they will like it, because they notice they have quieted the place down and have made an impact.

What if people ignore them and continue with the conversations they were having before? The place wouldn't quiet down then, and the troll would have made no impact other than to increase the post count by one.

Robj:

My main problem with this forum is that I want a macadamia cookie and no one will give me one.

Steal it.

One of the biggest misperceptions is that ignoring a troll will stop him. It will infuriate them more. They will perhaps even start making more shocking attacks. In my time here, I have learnt that religion is one topic that shouldn't be discussed here. Predator makes so many threads about religion and since we all reply to it he knows he got us. Ignoring it will cause him to make another thread. And he also makes many threads about Americans and blondes and even if they are deleted at the first post he always makes another. Banning is the only solution.

One of the biggest misperceptions is that ignoring a troll will stop him.

Yes, I can see someone getting more and more desperate for attention and trying bigger and worse things. But can you link me to somewhere that ignoring a troll has been tried? I mean consistently over a long period of time. I'd like to see what's actually happened in those cases. Honestly I doubt that a whole forum can get themselves to do it at all. Someone will break and reply. Still, I think it's a good idea in principle, even if it does make the troll more desperate. If the troll has to carry on the whole debate themselves, they'll have less to say than if other people are reacting and giving the troll things to reply to.

Banning is the only solution.

I agree that would work, but what can we do until we have that option?

I remember someone saying redink1 is active on Xbox Live. Can't anyone contact him from there?

treat ped the way he deserves, as a nobody. pretend he isnt even there, ignore all his posts and threads. there. can that be the last time HE is mentioned?

In your face abosolution DinkDoodlar did impose me he even amitted himself you lying piece of S#it

Hey don't say that, he didn't know, it's not his fault so stop saying this stuff.

Heaps of posts, I'll reply to which stuck on my mind.

Striker, as I have said multiple times before, many of my so called "flaming" and "attacks" are simply jokes. Now, I could stop doing those jokes, and cause less misunderstanding on this site, but then I would be lying to myself and be a completely different person than I really am.

I also don't see anything wrong with posting much. Well, except for new threads. I post a lot of posts, but have you considered, if there weren't people such as Kyle, myself, Godley and others, that this site would now be dead if we didn't? I also don't see anything wrong with these posts unless they're complete and utter crap spammage.

I've been playing Dink from mid-1999. Found out about the site in mid-2000. And joined in late 2005. I wouldn't say I'm a new person, nor that during my time I have posted "too much".

Dinkulum, ignoring a troll isn't going to work. Firstly, because of what I have already said before. Secondly, because there's always someone who won't ignore the troll.

I also would have something to say to the rest of the staff, but I'd feel dumb posting it in two separate threads.

Obtuse, it's not just a way to describe an angle.

All you're doing right now, Striker, is gain hate towards yourself. You claim this and that about me, which you know to not be true. You claim your posts aren't similar to mine, which you also know ain't true. Face it Striker, you may have the power, but you're no more important person to this site than I am. Yet, for some reason, you're the one people listen to, you're the one people respect, just because you were capable of joining before me, thus resulting you to be in the staff. Only reason people respect you, is because they're afraid that if they don't, you'll abuse your power on them.

What you just said to me, is not nice at all. And it shows you act similar to me, in these kind of situations, except you try to amuse people while doing so, to make them laugh and gain their trust on you, while I say things straight and as they are.

Dinkulum, ignoring a troll isn't going to work.

Maybe it won't make them go away, but it can at least control the damage by not prolonging each attack.

And what if we ignored people who aren't trolls when they say things we don't like? For example, people could ignore your jokes when they sound like insults. Then at least the forum wouldn't go on and on about it.

It isn't going to work. One thing I've noticed with this network, is that when there's someone with a different opinion than the majority's, the person will get run down.

One thing I've noticed with this network, is that when there's someone with a different opinion than the majority's, the person will get run down.

By users like... Yourself?

I used to get really annoyed (almost) everytime I visited this network... but then, I just stopped caring so bloody much. It works. It works very well.

It isn't going to work. One thing I've noticed with this network, is that when there's someone with a different opinion than the majority's, the person will get run down.

Then there's no way out and the arguments will go on forever. But on an individual basis, people can be like Marpro, and then they'll at least feel better when they come here, even if bad things are still happening.

There's a difference. I tell my opinions about things. People run down my opinion, which causes me to get annoyed and run other peoples' opinions down. That's actually what's happening with Predator right now, except that Predator's way of expressing his opinions is much less friendly than mine.

That's actually what's happening with Predator right now, except that Predator's way of expressing his opinions is much less friendly than mine.

That's an interesting point, but isn't there a point where an opinion become an insult? If I say that my opinion is that you are worth less than a sea slug, wouldn't you be right to get mad, even though I'm just stating my opinion? (That's not my opinion of you, btw. )

I've said "insulting opinions" only AFTER I've expressed my opinion calmly. I express my opinion, and the majority of the site goes "That's not the majority's opinion, so it's wrong". I then try to express my opinion better, and the response is the same, even worse this time. After this goes on for a while, I'm bound to get angry, and when I'm angry, I insult others.

By any means, people should have the right to their opinions. But that includes others too, rather than just those who have the same opinion as the majority. But that doesn't seem to be the case here, but rather that the non-majority's opinions and the people themself get run down instantly.

Well, I was more asking if Predator's opinions should be considered insults against Americans and whoever else.

"After this goes on for a while, I'm bound to get angry, and when I'm angry, I insult others."

So you intentionally make this community hard to bear? Thanks. I'm sure plenty of people have taken this into account when judging whether they should continue visiting or not.

I think it's more like this in many cases:

Lurker 1: "This new X is fantastic!"

Lurker 2: "Nope, it suck balls. Y is much better"

---^--- See? Here is where the tention begins, I think.

Lurker 1: "What is there not to like about X???"

Lurker 3: "You could try X at least!"

Lurker 1: "yeah, because its a lot better"

Once again Tal, you see just a part of what I'm saying here. The part you wish to be true. Others make it hard for certain people, such as myself, to bear, which results in these certain people make it hard to bear for others.

And just to make it clear, I am doing nothing intentionally. Sometimes I might be hard to bear, but I certainly am not making this site any worse than it already is, even more less intentionally. If you want to blame someone for ruining this site intentionally, you very much left the site intentionally back in the days, Tal. That is also the reason why you missed the times these certain Dinkers were on a spam/flame rampage, resulting me in not liking them so much, if you know what I mean.

Here's EVEN clearer explained what I am saying. I think it's impossible to break into less amount of words:

The staff's power has risen into their head and they think that their opinion is the only one that matters.

We should not have an american as a king because americans are all corrupt
we should have some like
Predator-
SimonK-
Metarasal-
Sparrowhawk-
Sabretrout-

all of those people would make a better king than corrupt tal

When quoting DinkDoodler's "she doge" please link accordingly

Re: KrisKnox - You quoted Nietzsche

Re: Skull in this thread - I actually think that Skull is not so terrible - I think he is painfully obstinate, yes, but he isn't really so insulting in my opinion.

Re: Striker - In direct correlation with the above point, I am disappoint in Striker's either A.) Hypocritical B.) Cynical or C.) "Try-your'-own-medicine-ish" remarks. He is doing exactly what Skull has done with +1 anger, -5 reputation.

For example: "He's improved... you haven't. In fact, I'd say you've gotten worse. You've gone from just mildly annoying to exasperatingly chronic threadshootter."

"Obtuse, it's not just a way to describe an angle."

"You haven't been here that long, and your post count is far beyond anyone else here. I don't mind you here, just ducking chill a bit with all the negativity directed at every other person here; especially the newbies."

The new excuse is "letting off steam." Be careful with that... some people feel the need to "let of steam" more frequently then others, queue Skull.

Re: MsDink "Love sound of own voice" That would be me.

Re: Absolution - I can't see why people think he's such a problem, he seems pretty cool to me... except the whole Skull Vs Skorn thing, but they're just like married magpies

- Love, Schnapper

Who will take up the gauntlet?

I think its time we stopped harping on what has gone before, everyone has acknowledged the decline of our forum and I see this thread as a chance to learn from the past and move on. Sure its good to clear the air - get stuff off our chests so to speak, but there comes a time when it needs to finish, it has to be put behind you and you start looking to the future rather than staying static and perpetually wallowing in a misery of our own making.

Personally I am sick to death of the pity parties, rants, nasty comments, arrogance and self importance that get spouted here, just like the majority of you, I can't see the point of it all - its a forum, a community of people for goodness sake not a 'live-in' hotel where room service caters to your every whim or desire. You aren't going to like everything that is said or done here, that's just the nature of the beast, but you can control how you react to it. Those who want respect should start trying to earn it instead of demanding it or thinking it is their right, respect is only something that can be given - not taken!

I see three options or choices we can make,
1. A happy community all here for the same reasons - meaning the forum and community is bigger than the sum of its inhabitants and we no longer give space to those that would bring it down.
2. Stay the same – meaning; continue to be miserable and infect everyone else with the negativity and nay saying
3. The bickering can continue and decline - meaning a lot of people will no longer will frequent the site, it could even get to the point that the site owner has had a complete guts-full of this continual crap and closes the site. If I were him I would be seriously contemplating that right now.

What do you all want to do? The hard part is staff aren't our parents and each one of us is going to have to figure a way forward, all by ourselves, because no one else can do that for you, its a choice you are going to have to make on your own.

I throw down a gauntlet – who is willing to take it up and make this place as good if not better than it was, leaving the egos at the door , returning it to the original intention of the site - which is about a game and not the personalities that come here?

If that gauntlet be free then I'll leave it there it looks heavy . Well now that that was said we can finally get on to the fun part the CLIMAX .

Eh, I guess I'll jump into this again a bit, even if I know you won't listen. It's more for clarification to the community.

The only people I've ever seen make the claims about the staff abusing power are those who well, are those causing problems and driving people away by kicking off flame wars, spamming, etc. Not seeing that your actions have been contributing significantly to these things over the years, why you should alter these behaviors, or why they may cause forum moderators to finally say, "Hey, knock it off already or we may have to take action"? That's pretty obtuse.

The only problem is that, as Tal posted, we let these shenanigans go on for a lot longer than we should have and that things should been done earlier. But, you know, we have lives, and so did Dan, and sometimes that takes us away from the site. So yeah, I guess it would be a change in tone from what you've gotten used to, but it would be more like how it was prior. You know, hopefully without daily flame wars and such.

Heh, nice baiting, Schnapper. Seriously.

As I have stated, the issue is proportion and situation, not the action itself. If we say absolutely nothing controversial or that anyone can post anything... that wouldn't work well for this community. It's balancing a gray area based on our human judgments. Because of that flexibility, the DN is still a mostly benevolent dictatorship and the dictator has basically said, "Hey you guys are crossing my line, stop it."

And yes, in this particular setting with someone who has been contributing to flame wars for quite a long time and basically refuses to stop, yeah, I'm going to get a little pissed off. I think its warranted, but I am more than willing to dial it back significantly if he's willing to chill out on attacking others himself.

Well said but I think that that is accurate striker but I don't think people will see that in the near future. Say what you want but I am pretty faithless right now.

/me applauds the furry things between Strikers legs for his honesty and saying things I wish I had a couple of furry things for. I agree tis time this stopped (refer prev post)

Its becoming a black festery thing thats feeding on people that normally wouldnt get involved in this rubbish. And its growing at an alarming rate! 3 out of 4 was a great strike rate with this thread Tal, I really truly hope we can make it 4 for 4 and noone is left behind!

Edit:
Ya know schnapps, we are all human and all reach a point where we cant take it any more - isnt it Strikers job to police this forum as a mod and try to keep things on an even keel? Personally I really appreciate his stating it like it is because I for one see nothing wrong with being honest and upfront. Its way better than the alternative - the truth hurts once but lies hurt over and over and over. I believe none of the comments he has made were said with malice or as a direct attack but rather in the hope that someone would think about how they have been behaving for a very long time and maybe adjust a few things. I can't help but be grateful for that.

Schnapper casts "Diplomatic Silence". It's super effective!

Predator, please. You need to stop going on about Americans. By the way, you didn't even sign up and everyone hates you, no one would make you king.
Yeastman, made me laugh. I hope you didn't lose your password.

and THEN pred replies with a scathing insult ending with a bunch of 's and the flame war goes on.... boy am i tired of it -__-

Yeah, and plenty of hash signs between letters as well.

msdinky flips DD over and spanks his butt - bad bad now off to bed without any pudding
eyes rest of DN, move on nothing to see here....

what is it with you and butts? o.O

What is with you and butts?

I likes a nice looking butt *winks* turn around for a min will you zed - theres a good man heh heh *wiggles eyebrows*

This is the exact reason I don't wanna be a badass.

well without the "bad_ _ _" - theres only one thing left *smiles in glee*

Hey i tried to make a truce but you turned that thread into a joke
So F#ck you
everyone also hate you.

I'd like to chime in just to say that I have an ample, prominent ass.

What is wrong with you?(that was to Preddy)
Rudeness to MsDink results in... *shudder*
*hides from MsDinK*

*wiggles his sexy ass for mskink*

Spanks Tal so he doesnt feel left
OMG Zed that cracked me up LOLOL MsKink hehehe you can join the schnapps ranks of being hilarious

Nothing is wrong with me its all you DD youre a such an annoying piece of trash.

Looks like Zeddy there made a bad mistake *evil smile*

do a twirl for me pred theres a good lad waits...

qoute material? (woo i spelded it wrongg!)

*quietly hands MsDink a slipper, then walks away*

LOL dang it DD you are as funny as the rest sometimes

ok derailment <complete>

Not always...

Ya know schnapps, we are all human and all reach a point where we cant take it any more - isnt it Strikers job to police this forum as a mod and try to keep things on an even keel? Personally I really appreciate his stating it like it is because I for one see nothing wrong with being honest and upfront. Its way better than the alternative - the truth hurts once but lies hurt over and over and over. I believe none of the comments he has made were said with malice or as a direct attack but rather in the hope that someone would think about how they have been behaving for a very long time and maybe adjust a few things. I can't help but be grateful for that.

All you said there should also apply to me. And everyone on this site. Not JUST Striker or the rest of the staff.

Anyway, I PM'd Tal. I explained him throughoutly this whole thing. And basically I am gonna say it out loud, because I doubt he's gonna read it, considering he hasn't replied. Anyway...

At the risk of getting banned, I am not going to change my behavior. I have my own personality, I can't change it, no matter how much I want to, and especially no matter how much someone else on the Internet wants to. I will continue on trying to improve in certain aspects, but none of those aspects are included in Tal's list.

That's all.

You don't need to change your personality. You just need to be nice all the time. You're really nice when you're nice

What can I say? I have bad days and good days. I think it's better I take my anger of some people on TDN, out on the same website, instead of taking it out physically on someone who doesn't deserve it. I can't be nice all the time, especially when people here say my opinion is wrong, in what should be an open discussion on the Internet.

As long as we don't discuss religion, countries, age, race, hair color, eye colour, DN ranks, spam and flaming here, we are so happy!

Yes, how about discussing some Dink related stuff?

Does dink sucks count.

Imatch sucks does.
Why are you here then?

"I can't be nice all the time, especially when people here say my opinion is wrong"

OK, I'm pretty tired of this after it being said for about the 20th time. Can you please show me when and where I or someone else said your opinion is wrong? The major complaint that I am levying against you is that you say a wide variety of unkind remarks with little to no reason or merit. I never threatened to ban you (I had other ideas), I never said "your opinion is wrong" ... if you are going to illustrate me as the villainous maniac, you could at least base that in things that have actually been said.

Also, while it's on my mind, allow me to chime in on the repeated swing at my absence, "you haven't been here in 3 years so you just don't know doody!" I was appointed to oversee the board, I vanished, and now I am back to oversee the board. Certain people suddenly have some sort of problem with me doing what I was supposed to do in the first place, which is puzzling. I'm not apologizing for wanting an atmosphere that's at least mostly friendly for the board - it currently is not, and you could argue that it's my fault, but look, here I am to do something. Skull, you repeatedly tell me that I don't know the history behind these flame wars, what wonderful things you've done for this place, etc., and thus I don't understand the so-called merit of your "jokes" (flames or otherwise rude remarks). You've been outrageously nasty and inconsiderate in the month that I've been paying attention, so that is what I am here to criticize and work on. I think it's better you take your anger elsewhere, thanks.

Allow me to remind everyone that posting here is a privilege, not a right. That rights and privileges have sort of flown out the window for a few years is no longer relevant. I'm sorry for whoever's paradise I've peed upon, but if you aspire to make others feel bad, I will gladly put you in your place.

Can you please show me when and where I or someone else said your opinion is wrong?

Whenever this comes up, I think of Skull's argument with Christiaan about science in this thread. Is that the kind of thing you had in mind, Skull?

One of many examples, pointed right there by Dinkulum. Really, if Christiaan goes as far as claiming he knows how existence was created, just to run my points of view down, don't you think I have at least the slighest reason to get a lil' pissed?

As for my jokes, I can't help if you do not have the same humor as I have. Where I live, if someone says "f*ck you" people, by the situation, recognize in the first place whether it's a joke or not. I do admit, not all of these remarks are jokes, but then again, not all people have went on a rampage spamming around here.

And what, you're saying I should take my anger at some people on this site, out at some completely random other people? That ain't how things get solved.

Beside, the fact that you even included me in that list of yours as one of the most "worthless posters" ever on this site, goes to show you don't know jack about what's been going on here recently.

skull all tal is trying to say is BE NICE and it doesnt matter what the jokes are like where you come from, if you came from a country where wanking off in front of someone was totally acceptable do you think other countries would find it acceptable aswell? everyone else is mindful about not offending other dinkers so why shouldnt YOU have to?

Different people get offended for different things. Different people have different humor. I can't please everyone.

lol kay yeah that IS true.... but just try and be nice kay? if you TRY then you have bragging rights!

Look, I don't *TRY* nor *AIM* to be anything. I'm trying to be myself, giving MY opinions and perspectives about things. If someone pisses me off with their behavior, I'll most likely say something not all people like or understand. If someone cheers me up with their behavior or simply doesn't piss me off with it, I will without a doubt pretty much, be nice to them, and if I say something "rude" in those kinda situations, I am joking.

Since Skull has declared his intention not to change anything he's doing, that means that if we want things to be different, we'll have to change the ways we react to him. I'm still in favor of ignoring the things we don't like and maybe doing damage control. Like if someone gets offended, we can try to calm them down and make them feel better. And yes, we could try to treat everything Skull says as an opinion that should be reasoned about calmly and considerately.

Or we could try to browbeat and manipulate him until he bends to our wishes.

Maybe I should...

Nevermind.

If he's going to treat this message board as if it's his own personal soapbox then maybe he should find a soapbox to spout his opinions and rampant negativity from. Not here.

It's a free service which Redink still pays for monthly. All he asks in return is that you follow some simple rules that ensure that everyone else has a good time.

When posting, ask yourself a few questions.

Will I possibly offend someone else with this post? (This isn't fourchan)
Does it contribute to the thread? Is it relevant?
If I am criticising something/someone am I also able to say why?

And most importantly...

Think before you post!

Keep this in mind and we'll all have a good time.

Was that directed at kerrak.

I dont get the nested way of posting - everything is out of order and relates to little cause not everyone else does it - argg so confusing

Or, we could have a special skull-only that warns when a joke is imminent. In other news, Skull reminds me a bit of Eminem in that they both say things which make a lot of people go "zomg" whilst the more intellectual and open-minded amongst appreciate the joke.

Metaphors ugh my brain.

The only thing about Eminem that makes me say ''OMG'' is the way he sings for so long in one breath.

Once again, I can't believe that of all people who have been spamming this forum for the past years, it has come down to me who some blame for all of it.

I don't but Phil does.

Ban Skull

Why don't you say that with your username, coward?

Ban skull.

PS: Now happy, DD

Welcome back, nobody can leave the DN once they post 5 posts
But why? Why do you hate him? He's a nice guy when he's a nice guy

He's a nice guy when he's a nice guy

Totally. Just look at the "An hero" thread.

And I thought you had no Internet access, Godley. Anyway, nice to see you back, even if it is to say something mean. Stick around and say something nice.

EDIT: Oh, I just saw your other post about your Internet connection.

Ban DinkDoodler

Ban Predator.

Ban evvvvverybodddyyyyyyy!

Not the banana. Not the banananaaaaaaaa!

Of all the time for me to go on holiday...

I'll be back tomorrow. WITH THOUGHTS ON THIS HERE SUBJECT.

I hope you bring your post-deletion kit with you, Preddy's getting real frank.
By the way, SabreTrout seems a lot less cooler now that I know what he looks like from the DinkSquad.

"Once again, I can't believe that of all people who have been spamming this forum for the past years, it has come down to me who some blame for all of it."

I've probably made every point I could possibly make in this thread, but allow me to take this opportunity to say again that I am passing judgment on a month's worth of posts. I am definitely not going to sift through the last several months or years of threads to determine who's the most menacing forum user of all. My reign of terror is only applicable to all that has occurred with me around.

As for the jokes, maybe this will resonate with you to some degree: The tone of something a person says has a transparency when delivered in person that doesn't carry over quite the same way on the internet. If I said "It looks like Skull probably has a small dink," I may have meant that as a joke, but it could very easily be interpreted as an insult. If I spruce it up with a or or even a - it does a better job of indicating any underlying humor. It may still be a joke at the expense of another person, sure, but the inherent negativity is subdued.

Basically: The things you say may be in good humor, but depending on how you say them here, they may be interpreted as something not very humorous at all. I'm not here to say YOU CAN'T BE FUNNY or even YOU CAN'T JOKE ABOUT OTHER USERS - hell, I do it now and then - all I ask is that you consider how you may be interpreted.

Well, if you aren't going to include nothing but the times you've been around, I think it's pretty silly to say "you two are among the biggest sources of worthless posts and senseless insults this community has *ever* seen". I think you should have redirected it a little bit. Such as "you two are among the biggest sources of worthless posts and senseless insults I have seen".

As for my humor. I get it, not all people have the same humor, but I've said multiple times that if I post something "rude" in a thread that's not filled with stupid behavior, I *am* joking. I really can't help it if people don't see whether there is stupid behavior in that thread or not.

I sometimes do put a lil' smiley or something there, but it takes away the meaning if I use it in half of my posts.

I was perhaps too harsh in my assessment, but I still maintain that the numerous attacks here recently easily rival any of the major pain-in-the-rear moments that I have experienced in all the time I've spent with the board.

"I've said multiple times that if I post something 'rude' in a thread that's not filled with stupid behavior, I *am* joking"

Well this isn't going to repeat itself in the heads of many people - or maybe it will, as many times as you've insisted - so be prepared to take the heat when you turn the burner up!

Allow me to chime into this topic. I think things would be a lot better if people were to remember these guidelines. (Not sure I covered everything, but these are the things I've noticed.)

1) You don't need to earn your place in this community.

No really, you don't. If you are a nice guy I will respect you, you don't need to earn that somehow by making a 'contribution'. Of course contributions will help people to recognize you, but I know that most people here have respect for new users.

2) Police officers are disrespected.

Unless they have a badge. Acting like a police officer only makes you look silly. That includes everyone trying to correct trolls somehow.

This does not mean you can't disagree with staff. It also does not mean you can't voice your disagreement, but it does mean that you shouldn't be trying to take over policing tasks. (On the Dinknetwork every spam message seems to cause three more spam messages explaining why said message is spam.)

3) Forum post are not a useful forms contributing.

Yes, having something interesting to say in a discussion is a useful contribution, but a post isn't necessarily anything good. I don't care for your post count. It's quality that matters, not quantity.

4) Insults only makes the insulter look stupid.

You don't need to defend yourself all the time, usually not responding to an attack makes only the attacker look stupid. Lowering your level to get into a flame war makes you look silly as well.

And once again let me ask you. Doesn't this also apply to other members except for me? Why, for all that's holy, am I and certain few others the ones that are only noted of this, while it doesn't seem to matter what the rest do?

It's because we hate you, and take sadistic pleasure in singling you out, arguing with ceaselessly, insulting and running you down at every opportunity.

Yes, we're so glad you're here to be abused for our amusement.

Honestly, that's what it sometimes feels like.

He's on to us .

All joke's aside, it really does feel like that sometimes. I'de sure as hell like an explanation. Maybe you're used to people such as myself, whose opinions don't always match up to yours, to just simply leave? DraconicDink left, cause you didn't respect his opinions. God knows how many other people left this site because of that, and then you are trying to put the blame on me and DinkDoodler plus Predator whose been here for only the last few months. You're pushing your own mistakes for others to carry and take responsibility of. Just to clarify, I am not leaving this site. Unlike people like DraconicDink, I care for this site and these people too much to leave even though I'm constantly being blamed for something, picked on etc etc. That doesn't mean though, that I wouldn't like the constant picking to stop. It gets on my nerves from time to time and you know what happens then.

@skull here's what I basically see happening. Every one is getting pissy because of Pred and were getting hostile (no offense Pred it's true but I think your getting better but very slowly. But there's skull who again with the no offences he can be naturally hostile some time and we live with and it's become fun and we somewhat are understanding his Dinkish humor . Now he's trying to deal with Pred by being hostile and or somewhat I guess mean. And now you guys a targeting all hostiles but no one cares about my opinion and I don't think this for real anyway this post I mean.

All jokes aside - ok, then maybe think about this - It doesnt feel quite as funny to you when its you in the firing line does it skull - maybe now you know how you make others feel when you constantly attack them. Something to think about eh!

Edit Ohh and hear hear meta I don't care for your post count. It's quality that matters, not quantity. I concur 100%! and in that vein... sorry mrgantoe, Pred actually doesn't annoy me, so he isnt the source of my disquiet - I just don't ever read anything he writes - so it never effects me, just some others are too darned prolific to ignore - no matter where you look they've made some silly annoying comment just for the sake of "marking" a thread with their stench - theyre like dogs peeing on a tree, those are the source of MY discontent, you just cant get away from it. Wish those people could exercise a bit more self control

Ok

hehe *hugs mrgantoe* like your new avatar by the way - colours really nice.

Thanks

Your so called jokes are more of a personal attacks than jokes.

Isnt it a nice excuse, oh, I was joking.
When a police officer stops you for over-speeding, do you tell him "I was just joking"

A joke ought to be understood by the other person, and not send him in a fit of rage.

And if that is your sense of humour, YOU SUCK!!

Hmm.

So, "Hmmm" are your thoughts on this here subject?
Just a question.

Nope.

Those arent his thoughts.

That is his decision.

Skull: My comments were for the community in general, they were not aimed at anyone specific. Though some were made with some groups of people in mind. I can assure you that they that they were not specifically aimed at you.

And I think the true reason the community couldn't stand DraconicDink was because of his stubborn attitude and his desire to express his opinion all the time. Having a different or even awkward opinion doesn't make the community dislike you. Voicing it at every opportunity does, that's why DraconicDink ultimately left. This, I think is a good thing to take up yourself. You're entitled to your own opinion, but expressing it at every opportunity does not convince anyone.

And to answer your question: People who stand out get talked about. People who stand out get liked or disliked. You do stand out from the community, if only for your large activity on the board for a long time.

A select few people are filling - and I mean filling - this forum with bile. I'm sick of it and I'm sure most of the community is too. I think the people Tal has highlighted are by far the most to blame, but there have been others too. Some of the culprits have actually contributed a lot to this community, but are doing themselves down with their bitter attitudes and constant snide remarks.

I could write an essay on how few up I am with this community at times. The fact that some of you are still getting drawn into these pathetic little arguments in every thread Predator makes makes my mind boggle. I can't believe I've just had to lock another thread where DinkDoodler has gone out of his way to get involved in another stupid little scuffle with Predator.

Seriously. Ignore him.

I didn't really. I was done after two posts.

You can have a semi-apology. It was enchilado throwing insults out.

However, you were still bumping his inane troll thread back to the top of the forum. Please don't. Just ignore his idiocy.

All right, I won't bother next time.

Please don't. Just ignore his idiocy.

With Toast's new and improved "Ignore A n00b", ignoring n00bs is now 94% easier! With a simple installation, your temptation to counter-troll will wash away.

Oh please MsDink. Of course it doesn't feel funny when people insult you. Do you think I'm dumb? I bet it doesn't feel nice when I insult people, otherwise we wouldn't have this discussion.

I have *never* insulted anyone on this network, unless they have insulted me first, in the same or another thread. You know I always explain my opinions quite calmly until it goes to the ridiculous amount of lies and flaming just to run my opinions down.

When a police officer stops you for over-speeding, do you tell him "I was just joking"

Sounds about right when looking at where I live. And the police officers actually get the joke. Actually, just a few months back one of my friends got stopped at the middle of the night, and the police officer only came to say "Hi" in a creepy voice and pointed my friend half to blind with his flashlight. So you see, even the police officers got some humor around here unlike most people on this site now. xD

Why was everything after my l.d Laing quote deleted in kerraks an hero thread.

Seriously dood, somebody should answer my question. I don't wanna make a whole thread about it and be accused of spam.

"Your so called jokes are more of a personal attacks than jokes.

Isnt it a nice excuse, oh, I was joking.
When a police officer stops you for over-speeding, do you tell him "I was just joking"

A joke ought to be understood by the other person, and not send him in a fit of rage.

And if that is your sense of humour, YOU SUCK!!"

Due to the multi-cultural nature of this network, it's nigh impossible to understand everyone's sense of humour. However, if you stand in the middle of the highway, you'll eventually get hit by a car. So, if you think that being antisocial/negative/offensive = being individual, you will find yourself friendless.

What was your question, DD?

If you take back what you said about how cool I look, I'll answer it.

My question was:
Why do the Need for Speed series have Western women on the game box?
Why do the Ridge Racer series have Japanese women on the game box?
I like the Ridge Racer series more. No, not because of that, but because of the concentration on drifting.
Sorry, couldn't help it, but I thought this post wasn't good enough to make a whole thread.
Do they think more people will buy the games this way? is it some marketing tool?
Oh, and I take back what I said. You're really good-lookin' and a great football player. Happy?

It is marketing, yes.

Also, I'm not really bothered what people think of those pictures. They're pretty old after all.

Then why you... evil.... nevermind.