Teresa asked me to post this on here for her, as I am registered on here and she is not. I would like to say that, though I agree with some of her opinions, I would like to not be held accountable for the last section of her post. I am simply posting this here because she asked me to. Thank you for your time.
Brian
Here is her post:
GREAT QUESTIONS, I also have thought about this in great detail. If we have to pay money to play on rookduels, and there must be moderators, should there not be a list of people who would be voted on as moderators? Why should we have to pay for people "of their choice" to boot, ban, mute, etc. us as players? I am assuming, (just my assumption, so don't everyone get all bent out of shape), that approximately 2/3 of the players will pay the $5.00. Assuming that is 200 people, that would be $1000 per month. ALL THIS EXPENSIVE programming equipment, plus time at the computer, plus web site expenses (along with advertisers, ie Jeep Cherokee) should net someone who owns a site, approximately $750 per month. That is not going to support a family, and not to quit a full time job over which is what he thought that donations would allow him to do. Now, after we pay this grand total, how long before the "playing" fee/donation goes up? How many people will be really upset if they pay their monthly subscription only to find out you cannot ask about players that did not sign up to pay? Only because that is someone the site "owners" don't care to hear about and will not allow you to even discuss? Sorry, but I won't be subscribing to this kind of marxism. I have no idea how long before this opinion is gonna be stricken from the "opinion" pages, but I can tell you this much. I am not the only person who feels this way, and the site will be short lived. I have made many donations to keep the site up and running and to try to relieve some of the financial pressure from Matlu. That was my choice. But, I will not be governed by someone from another country and told that I cannot have freedom to express my thoughts in a forum that is played mostly by players from a free country. Next thing will be that we need to be begging for the site to stay open and be willing to be charged whatever they want to charge us to be controlled. I'll pass when that happens.
Teresa Fields
IHaveBird
if you start charging us to play rook... how will we have to go about paying for it every month?
Are u serious, $5 a month is nothing. I pay $20 a month to play wow.
I don't think my concerns are about the "$5.00" per month. My concerns were pretty well stated I thought. Let me break it down...I pay my player's fee of $5.00 this month....someone, (just everyday player) mentions that I have a nic in the lobby that might be in question,,,something like, MyPRooksDamGood. Then a mod (no name) makes a decision that that nic of mine needs to be "kicked" out of the game it is in. Unknowingly, I come back in to restart the game and apologize for losing connection. Soon as I start the game again, "kicked" again, losing even more points. So back into the game I go and ask if anyone else is getting booted. I then get told no, my nic has to go!! Now mind you, this is after the nic has been okayed, played for weeks, and many numerous games on it. So I am once again "kicked" off the site. So I come back into the site, with a different nic, this one for instance, to find out what is going on. After much discussion, and mud slinging, from several parties, including me, I GET BANNED!!! Of course the mod claimed ignorance in the fact that she knew it was "okayed", I lose my points for no reason, and she doesn't even get reprimanded. Now if I was a paying player, what kind of example am I supposed to follow? The innocent track that I was in when I was simply playing a game? Or the one where I am attacked, scorned, booted, and jumped on in public? Forgetting the fact that it was a "friend" of the mod that noted the nic to the mod. So now I am asked to pay a player fee, and to "exercise" keeping my mouth shut to mods with the mentality of someone that is not liking that others are playing without them, and therefore they are gonna kick the playing marbles and not let anyone play that is having a good time?
Like I said, I voted to pay the $5.00 without hesitation, but I think that there should be a list of moderators, that have some kind of mentality and fairness, that are voted on by the majority of the players on the site. Majority rules. Then there should be a standard that all moderators must sign, that they agree to abide by fairness. Then there is a recourse that Matlu can have to make them live up to that standard.
Teresa, I really think that your concerns are unfounded, and that you already accused me of thing that I don't even plan to do.
Please realise, that it is for my own good if the players are satisfied and happy - and especially if they pay a fee, I really need to be *overconcerned* about them being satisfied with the services.
As I wrote in other post, there really *need* to be the rules, and the people really *need* to be punished when they violate them. Of course it's up to me to make sure that the rules are fair, and that the people agree with them.
If somebody *really* needs to curse, no problem, I can create a special unmoderated use-at-your-own-risk lobby. No problem about it.
Regarding the moderators - I would not mind if they were voted, but I cannot imagine how could it work - let's say there are several hundreds of players - how do you think they would agree and nominate several people? I can really only very hardly imagine that.
Anyway I believe, that if peple had to play, there would be little, or no need for moderators - especially if eveybody would be able to report anobody else, letting me to review later what they said.
Again, it is for my own good if the people are satisfied.
I think I have a solution to the moderator problem. I know on several sites with moderators people must apply for the job. I think the same thing should occur here. You could post a link on the main page for a Moderator Application. You could go through the applications every so often and see if there are any promising candidates. You could give them a test-run on DB to see if they perform effectively. If you recieve a lot of complaints about them abusing their power, you can remove their mod status. I think this would be fair for both sides of the equation and would cut down on some of the power abuse that people are complaining about. This may not work, but it is a lot better than listenting to everybody complain about things they can't fix.
That is a very good idea Brian. I would vote for that!!!! BUT with Matlu even admitting that Pink is hot headed, SHE NEEDS TO BE BANNED, and made use the "guest" mode
I don't know about banning her...I think that's a bit extreme. Oh and I forgot to add in my earlier post that I would definitely be the first applicant if you take my suggestion :D.
You can be first right after MOI
Teresa
*ahem* who's idea was it? yeah, that's right :P jk hun love ya!
Matlu,
I realize this is NOT something that you have already done, yet my concerns are strongly founded. At first, this was a site where we could "donate" funds for having access to a great site to play Rook. Then came the letter of you thought there would be more contributions which would allow you to not have to spend your own earnings towards the site. So donations came. Evidently, not a sufficient amount, although hundreds of dollars were donated. Now it appears that needs to be on a more regular basis. Fine for now, we take this in also. Are you telling me that my thoughts are unfounded and that this fee will never increase? That if 50 people are the ones that decide to pay the fee, that the others can come on here to play as guests for nothing and no fees will ever be increased? Or let's say everyone agrees to pay the $5.00,, and you are still working a full time job to support yourself, and the fees you collect are sufficient to run the site, but you still need more money to be able to devote more time to the site and still survive....Then is the fee going to be increased? I am only going on what has come to pass thus far. If past actions and claims hold firm, there will be an increase in player fees. And let's take it a step further. Let's say we all agree to pay you $100.00 per year (over $5.00 per month and less than $10.00), possibly allowing you to quit your full time job of present and devote the time to the site. What would you do if for instance 25 of the players were banned, and another 25 players had had enough of the crap that goes on on the site, and they just decide to leave? Well, that means $5,000.00 off your pay that year. Now, it is just a personal note, and you hit it pretty close earlier. It would be in your best interest to take seriously what your paying players are telling you. Because your volunteers won't necessarily be thinking of your bank account when they "kick" one of your payers off. And I am sure, that if you use this forum to write up a spot to post nominees for Moderators, you can count the top ten nominees and then have them placed on the forum for vote.. It doesn't take alot to figure that out. If you have 100 players that are willing to pay a subscription of $100.00 (US currency) annually, I think you would see lots of players willing to pay by the month also, assuming they had a site that they had some say in what is fair and not fair. I would be the first person to pay the $100 annual membership to have a voice in saying that one of the volunteers is way out of line, and needs to have a suspension or something to that affect.
Teresa Fields
I agree with you Matlu. It would really be pointless to have the mods be voted on by players. The players list is constantly changing. You are doing a great job choosing mods, Matlu. Perhaps in the near future we will have less need for monitors.
My 2 cents regarding if someone pays could/should they be booted or banned... Sure! Just because one pays to be able to participate they still have to follow the rules. If I pay for the privilege of attending a ballgame and I misbehave and get kicked out of the stadium should I be allowed a refund of my ticket fee? I think not.
Thank you for all you do Matlu. It is a terrific Rook site.
I agree with the second half of your post javamom. And I also agree that the mods, in general, do a great job here on DB. I personally would simply like to have a little more say in who they are :D. But if matlu doesn't agree, it's his site and I'll respect that. I am not trying to complain here, I am just trying to help work out the best arrangement for all.
Teresa,
your points are making sense. But still:
- I'm not going to increase the fee
- even if I did (I'm not going to!), what would prevent you from simply stop the paying, if you found the terms unacceptable? Nothing prevents you to pay this month, and not to pay the next month if you don't want to
- I always listened to what people say and suggest, and the game constantly improved, but I have my limits and I'm not able to make everybody happy in my spare time after my full time job. I'm repeating it like a parrot, but it's simply true and you need to realize it
I would just like to *bump* my idea...that's all :D
Hi Yall, let me say first of all that my family has been thrilled to find an online Rook game to play. We did google searches for more than 6 months and searched many websites before we found DuelBoard. We are scattered around the globe and have found a nice reunion through Rook on Duelboard. Rook has always been our family's game and we are now grown and moved all over. We are in Texas, California, Tennessee, British Columbia, Brasil, Indiana and Florida. We love nothing more than a family game with mom and dad and sis and bro all talking on skype and shooting the breeze. (It is even better than playing in person because we do not have to share our snacks!!) It has become a haven for us as we do not see each other often.
All this is to say that we love duelboard and the privilege to play rook together or on our own. I have donated to paypal in the past, but that is not the point. I have told my husband often that if they would charge a monthly or yearly fee for using the game, (first of all I would be more than willing to pay it!!) then people would take it a lot more seriously and it would really cut down on the nonsense that we have to put up with.
If someone gets booted for not obeying the rules, then they should have to pay the fee again to re-register and if they pay enough...they will either give up or take it seriously. We are a family of clean speaking...and appreciate good clean games.
Like many people on here, I have about 10 nics, (some chosen just for fun that I don't really use). Are you considering charging for each nickname or just per computer or what? ***JUST CURIOUS***
Anyway, Matlu, I think you are doing a great job and I have enjoyed the 5 months I have been a member of duelboard. I speak for my entire family when I say that. We have become so much closer tho we are thousands of miles away. I believe they would all be willing to pay what it takes to keep this site up and running.
OMG !! I swear, I can't believe some of this stuff.
1st of all... It's a site, there will be a fee to play. You either pay it or you don't. Yes, there is such a thing as inflation and so what if the fee goes up... once again, you either pay it or you don't.
2nd of all... You are paying a fee to play on the site, not to tell someone how to run it. Paying a fee does not entitle anyone to determine the rules, who the mods are, or anything else for that matter... Once again, there's a fee.. you pay it and play, or you don't.
3rd of all... I'm sick to death of hearing how people cannot afford $5.00 a month. Get real... you obviously pay more than that for internet service. I'd be willing to bet you eat out at least once a month also that cost more than $5.00. And if you can't afford it.. I believe Matlu has said that he would try to keep the "guest" option open. But, I'd be willing to bet... you can come up with $5.00 if that's your only option, we'll see.
4th... I think it is a wonderful idea to charge for playing, it will keep down so much of the crap that goes on in there. and yes, Matlu, I think a room that is not moderated may be a good idea.. they want to fight.. they can go there!! If they have problems with the mods... they can go there!! No one should have any reason to complain then.
Hardluck, I completely agree with you on everything (even the first statement heehee) except for the last point. If we are going to have monitors, I don't think there should be one lobby without monitors. I fear that would become "the" lobby (aka current lobby 1) and we would have the same situation.
Very well said, Hardluck. And as Kamloops said, bring on the fees Matlu! I agree people will take this more seriously and we won't have near as much crap as we did at games.com.
As I have stated on the other post link, I apologize for asking questions. When I asked them, I believed them to be respectful and legitimate. After seeing some very spiteful responses, I realize that I was wrong. I now withdraw all questions and will follow blindly. I apologize!
QuoteAfter seeing some very spiteful responses
My responses were not spiteful, or at least I did not intend them to be :-\. I find it hard to believe that anyone would expect to have "some say so" in how a site is being run, just because they are required to pay a fee to play.
If you have read all of the posts, then you realize my comments were not directed at you, I'm sorry you took them personal. :(
I mean, I pay for internet service, but I have no say so in who runs it, or who moderates it, or even how much they charge... I thought these things were common sense. I'm sorry if you misunderstood my posting.
Good golly, how did this get this far out of hand? I was not spiteful, if indeed this is who the remarks were directed. I wanted to have my feelings understood is all. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE player fees, no matter how much that comes to be. But, I did have a problem with paying the fee, and then being banned later, especially when there would be no reason for the boot, then the ban, as has happened to me previously. IT HAPPENS. I don't care how much they deny that it happens, I KNOW IT DOES. And is it wrong for me to be hesitant under these circumstances. Wesleyann had some great questions, which I hope have been answered for her by Matlu. I say, sure, bring on the player fee so Matlu will be encouraged to keep the site up for us, just be more guarded on what his "site protectors" do.
Teresa
IHaveBird
I had to join this and reply after seeing the pathetic remarks in the string.
First I find it pathetic that names are named , IE: Pink and it stays in the forum. It was made 100% to bash someone, and post should of been deleted and player warned.
Second, Teresa I've watched you constantly harass and start trouble, you try to do it masked but you do it. I've watched you attempt to fight with Pink b4 like you have some apostate power. Ive seen times where shes asked you to please take it out of lobby, then she leaves, and you start to call her names because she isn't there. So don't put on this pathetic act of innocence. I've seen the same type actions out of Feellikeawmn or however her nic is spelled. I am beginning to wonder if you two aren't the same person and you are just hell bent with getting across your harassment one way or another.
You started off by basically calling matlu a communist and totalitarian and a few other choice items in your original slam. You tried to come across as his interests are that of a profiteer. Again several of your comments you tried to do as masked abuse, but you failed in the attempt to shield your true self. You are conniving, thoughtless and a self maniac egotist. You are the true root cause of the problems here and others like you.
Thanks god for MOD's like pink and a few others who see through the ploys of people like you and feellikeawmn and the few others. While you both may not spout the FOUR letter words like the others, you spout your hate and disrupt the room in other fashions in hopes that the less educated, or those who lack complete comprehension of the English language [sorry matlu] will not understand that you are actually out there attempting to cause as much trouble as your possibly can to get away with it.
I am sure your next step is to start claiming I am matlu or pink posting this. Matlu feel free to post my ip address or review to see I am associated with no one. I am approx a 16 month player and finally decided to sign in because of the foul venom that this woman spouts from grizzled teeth.
I am concerned for the future, but sadly people like Ive mention above are out to destroy by hiding on the sidelines to spread their filth and then claim to be the moral hierarchy.
In my world we call them the FALSE PROPHETS.
Thanks you for the time.
RS
OK I cant sit by any longer.....Matlu I want to thank you for providing this site. I have really enjoyed playing...
Now for the play for pay and mod topic......
HEY ROOKERS
we don't run the site, we didn't build the site, we just play and fuss... If Matlu wants/needs to charge so be it...If he becomes a millionaire on your 5 dollars... so be it we can say we knew him before..... I believe it is really kind of Matlu to ask how we feel about things,,,but you know what he doesn't have to......its his site......soooooo stop trashing this person whom has provided us with 2 years of playing rook.....
KYMOM
KY mom
"Second, Teresa I've watched you constantly harass and start trouble, you try to do it masked but you do it. I've watched you attempt to fight with Pink b4 like you have some apostate power. Ive seen times where shes asked you to please take it out of lobby, then she leaves, and you start to call her names because she isn't there."
What a crock!!!! You have no idea who you are talking to. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER start trouble with people. I never mentioned "anyone's" name. But, now that you have, Pink is nothing but trouble for this whole site. Speaking of hiding, what does the "prisonpitch" stand for? And then to leave something as innnocent as an initial at the end. You are the person who is pathetic. Whatever you have seen out of me in the game, including the lobby, is at the most sarcastic.
Lastly, you need to maybe go back to elemementary school. As it is obvious you do not understand the words that are coming out of my mouth, nor the words I type. My words were this. I DON'T WANT TO PAY TO PLAY, ONLY TO BE BOOTED OR BANNED FOR NO REASON AND MY MONEY BE WASTED. AND THAT WOULD BE DONE BY MODERATORS LIKE PINK, AND "PINK" BEING THE CZAR. NOT MATLU. NOW CHILD, DO YOU UNDERSTAND PLAIN ENGLISH?
IHAVEBIRD
TERESA FIELDS (NOT HIDING)
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