Forums can give life lessons

[Pocus]

Seeing the recent spat among members here reminds me of some life lessons about internet forum I'd like to share with you guys.

Pardon my long winded story but I hope you find it useful too:

 

Year:

2001

 

Forum:

Some USA based forum for comics and artists. members are usually art students posting their artworks and we critique and comment to help them improve.

 

My role:

I'm a senior member, pretty much well liked as my comments are usually fair and helpful. Made some friends from the forum and even met local members from SG and still in contact with some of them till this day. To put it simple, I had a reputation.

 

Incident:

A new member by the name of "baby4eva" (I will not forget that nick) posted an artwork that he/she drew and ask for comments. It was a simple anime-style girl.

 

I looked and thought it looked familiar. After much research, I realised the artwork is a direct copy from a Hentai Artwork from a Japanese porn site. "Baby4eva" merely copied the character line by line and then added the clothes (The character was naked from the original pic).

 

plagiarism is a serious thing and the forum rules states that any members found plagiarising other materials as their own will be banned from the site.

 

I was furious cos (1)It's not a genuine artwork as it's a direct tracing and (2)It's copied from porn. Arming with evidence and the overzealous intention to uphold justice. I blasted "baby4eva" on the thread. I accused "baby4eva" for plagirism and demand her to own up and remove her artwork within 24hrs or else I will prove to everyone of my findings to expose her.

 

But "baby4eva" did not reply, he/she simply disappeared off the radar and never replied. I was thinking I have won. I was successfully kicked out a fake member and saved the beloved forum from fake wannabes

 

Other members became curious. Some sided me, some gave "baby4eva" benefit of doubt and some blasted me for being rude to noobs and not showing prove. So since this small group of people wanted evidence, I showed them. I posted the original picture and then overlay them to show that "baby4eva" simply traced the picture via photoshop. I posted the link of the original artwork, which points to the porn site. I did all this to shut up the naysayers.

 

I did wrong.

 

The next day, I logged in an got a rude shock. My post showing the evidence was removed from the post and I was given a warning by the mod and admin. First, I broke the rule of posting porn materials and linking to a porn site. Secondly I intigated a quarrel in the forum.

 

The admin PMed me that While they appreciate members to be forthcoming and proactive in the forum, they will not tolerate instigation and vigilantism in the forums even if the other party is the offender. I roughly remember what the admin using the phrase "The last thing I want to to have members banging on the barn with torches and pitchforks. Any offence should be reported to the admin or mods."

 

Due to my reputation, the admin gave me a chance and still allow me in the forum. But I was deeply affected by the incident. I was angry, I felt I was wronged and unfairly treated. I was just trying to make the forum a better place and got shot down by the people I supported.

 

I remembered it was CNY that time but I did not enjoy the holiday and I did not sleep well thinking about the incident. After a week later the thread died down and I almost forgot about it.

 

Then "Baby4eva" replied.

 

The thread immediately became boiling hot and he/she started a drama. Acting as a girl, "Baby4eva" insist it was her own creation and any likeness was coincidental. She threw alot of dramatic flowery words and accuse me of not Showing proof(cos was deleted by the mods) and spoiling her day.

 

When others asked her of her disappearance, she cooked up stories that she just got married and had when on a honeymoon and she was expecting good replies and accuses me of spoiling the mood. To garner support she posted pictures of her "honeymoon" to show she was a genuine member and that got her alot of supporters.

 

There I was, witnessing a full-fledge Ang Moh drama of how they and twist and turn their mistakes and flip prata. I felt like I'm watching a bad soap opera. (This experience also armed me on the knowledge of how to deal with AMDK during the cos of my work)

 

I did not post a reply. I don't see the point and was trying to forget this incident. But I got PMed from her supporters asking me to apologize and some, just to fark me for causing all this. Member's memories are short and when you can't even post your evidence of her offence, it's a lost cause.

 

So in order to close the case and let the thread die, I just replied to "apologize" for "causing hurt". It felt sick. 13 years ago, "baby4eva" has kicked "pocus" ass and won the internet forum drama. That few days I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't eat well, I was grumpy. It affect my real life.

 

A few close members and those who knew her offence PMed to console me. A few asked me not to leave the forum(they assumed I would leave).

 

With the expection of one mod which is close to me, None of the other mods nor the admin PMed me.

 

Aftermath:

"Baby4eva"'s tricks did not last long though. After that she posted a number of her "own works", all copied from various hentai/porn anime sites. I was not involved as I did not reply to any of her thread since. Some member accused her and she whipped up the same drama mama tactics again to win sympathy. Only this time the members and mod knew her tricks and banned her, her nonsense lasted for 4 months. It was bittersweet.

 

Conclusion:

I've since left the forum an moved on. But this incident became a life lesson for me till today after 13 years. I learned that:

 

1) Forum are not just forums, who are we kidding. If forums were just forums we wouldn't come here everyday. But because forums are not just forums, we should treat it with respect. Just like working in office, basic ethical rules and behavour applies.

 

2) Treat each members like how you would treat them in real life. Do not do to other how you do not want others to do to you

 

3) If someone broke the rules or post offensive material, the first rules is to give benefit of doubt. You may be right but you may be wrong.

 

4) Report if you must, but never openly challenge someone and expect no reaction.

 

5) We don't own the forum, don't expect mods to be around when shet happen and don't expect them to cover you or sayang you if you got hit by shet.

 

6) Sometimes if you are repling to an offensive person, it's good to type in a notepad, then save and close and then paste 10 mins later. If you do that you can avoid unnessesary confrontation.

 

7) Benefit of Doubt

 

8) You can spend 4 years building a reputation as a good member and a moment of weakness to bring down the reputation and get yourself ban. If (1) is true, apply (2 to 6)

 

9) You may be a veteran member with 20k post count but without meeting anyone and benefiting from it, you are just a statistic to the forum.

 

10) If forum has too much shet post, close it and come back another day.

 

11) All else fails, maybe it's time to quit, go out there and smell real fresh air and experience real things instead of virtual things.

[2BDriver]

Seeing the recent spat among members here reminds me of some life lessons about internet forum I'd like to share with you guys.

Pardon my long winded story but I hope you find it useful too:

 

Year:

2001

 

Forum:

Some USA based forum for comics and artists. members are usually art students posting their artworks and we critique and comment to help them improve.

 

My role:

I'm a senior member, pretty much well liked as my comments are usually fair and helpful. Made some friends from the forum and even met local members from SG and still in contact with some of them till this day. To put it simple, I had a reputation.

 

Incident:

A new member by the name of "baby4eva" (I will not forget that nick) posted an artwork that he/she drew and ask for comments. It was a simple anime-style girl.

 

I looked and thought it looked familiar. After much research, I realised the artwork is a direct copy from a Hentai Artwork from a Japanese porn site. "Baby4eva" merely copied the character line by line and then added the clothes (The character was naked from the original pic).

 

plagiarism is a serious thing and the forum rules states that any members found plagiarising other materials as their own will be banned from the site.

 

I was furious cos (1)It's not a genuine artwork as it's a direct tracing and (2)It's copied from porn. Arming with evidence and the overzealous intention to uphold justice. I blasted "baby4eva" on the thread. I accused "baby4eva" for plagirism and demand her to own up and remove her artwork within 24hrs or else I will prove to everyone of my findings to expose her.

 

But "baby4eva" did not reply, he/she simply disappeared off the radar and never replied. I was thinking I have won. I was successfully kicked out a fake member and saved the beloved forum from fake wannabes

 

Other members became curious. Some sided me, some gave "baby4eva" benefit of doubt and some blasted me for being rude to noobs and not showing prove. So since this small group of people wanted evidence, I showed them. I posted the original picture and then overlay them to show that "baby4eva" simply traced the picture via photoshop. I posted the link of the original artwork, which points to the porn site. I did all this to shut up the naysayers.

 

I did wrong.

 

The next day, I logged in an got a rude shock. My post showing the evidence was removed from the post and I was given a warning by the mod and admin. First, I broke the rule of posting porn materials and linking to a porn site. Secondly I intigated a quarrel in the forum.

 

The admin PMed me that While they appreciate members to be forthcoming and proactive in the forum, they will not tolerate instigation and vigilantism in the forums even if the other party is the offender. I roughly remember what the admin using the phrase "The last thing I want to to have members banging on the barn with torches and pitchforks. Any offence should be reported to the admin or mods."

 

Due to my reputation, the admin gave me a chance and still allow me in the forum. But I was deeply affected by the incident. I was angry, I felt I was wronged and unfairly treated. I was just trying to make the forum a better place and got shot down by the people I supported.

 

I remembered it was CNY that time but I did not enjoy the holiday and I did not sleep well thinking about the incident. After a week later the thread died down and I almost forgot about it.

 

Then "Baby4eva" replied.

 

The thread immediately became boiling hot and he/she started a drama. Acting as a girl, "Baby4eva" insist it was her own creation and any likeness was coincidental. She threw alot of dramatic flowery words and accuse me of not Showing proof(cos was deleted by the mods) and spoiling her day.

 

When others asked her of her disappearance, she cooked up stories that she just got married and had when on a honeymoon and she was expecting good replies and accuses me of spoiling the mood. To garner support she posted pictures of her "honeymoon" to show she was a genuine member and that got her alot of supporters.

 

There I was, witnessing a full-fledge Ang Moh drama of how they and twist and turn their mistakes and flip prata. I felt like I'm watching a bad soap opera. (This experience also armed me on the knowledge of how to deal with AMDK during the cos of my work)

 

I did not post a reply. I don't see the point and was trying to forget this incident. But I got PMed from her supporters asking me to apologize and some, just to fark me for causing all this. Member's memories are short and when you can't even post your evidence of her offence, it's a lost cause.

 

So in order to close the case and let the thread die, I just replied to "apologize" for "causing hurt". It felt sick. 13 years ago, "baby4eva" has kicked "pocus" ass and won the internet forum drama. That few days I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't eat well, I was grumpy. It affect my real life.

 

A few close members and those who knew her offence PMed to console me. A few asked me not to leave the forum(they assumed I would leave).

 

With the expection of one mod which is close to me, None of the other mods nor the admin PMed me.

 

Aftermath:

"Baby4eva"'s tricks did not last long though. After that she posted a number of her "own works", all copied from various hentai/porn anime sites. I was not involved as I did not reply to any of her thread since. Some member accused her and she whipped up the same drama mama tactics again to win sympathy. Only this time the members and mod knew her tricks and banned her, her nonsense lasted for 4 months. It was bittersweet.

 

Conclusion:

I've since left the forum an moved on. But this incident became a life lesson for me till today after 13 years. I learned that:

 

1) Forum are not just forums, who are we kidding. If forums were just forums we wouldn't come here everyday. But because forums are not just forums, we should treat it with respect. Just like working in office, basic ethical rules and behavour applies.

 

2) Treat each members like how you would treat them in real life. Do not do to other how you do not want others to do to you

 

3) If someone broke the rules or post offensive material, the first rules is to give benefit of doubt. You may be right but you may be wrong.

 

4) Report if you must, but never openly challenge someone and expect no reaction.

 

5) We don't own the forum, don't expect mods to be around when shet happen and don't expect them to cover you or sayang you if you got hit by shet.

 

6) Sometimes if you are repling to an offensive person, it's good to type in a notepad, then save and close and then paste 10 mins later. If you do that you can avoid unnessesary confrontation.

 

7) Benefit of Doubt

 

8) You can spend 4 years building a reputation as a good member and a moment of weakness to bring down the reputation and get yourself ban. If (1) is true, apply (2 to 6)

 

9) You may be a veteran member with 20k post count but without meeting anyone and benefiting from it, you are just a statistic to the forum.

 

10) If forum has too much shet post, close it and come back another day.

 

11) All else fails, maybe it's time to quit, go out there and smell real fresh air and experience real things instead of virtual things.

Bro Pocus,

Good Morning.

Thanks for sharing your true live experience, I've being motivated and remember to live with more forgiving as possible.

Read your above incident few times, I felt that "baby" jealous of your popularity and set up the trap to lure you into it.

Well, these smart schemer are everywhere in the society, we have to be aware of them just like avoiding bad road user's on the road in our daily driving trips.

 

[Mustank]

Seeing the recent spat among members here reminds me of some life lessons about internet forum I'd like to share with you guys.

Pardon my long winded story but I hope you find it useful too:

 

Year:

2001

 

Forum:

Some USA based forum for comics and artists. members are usually art students posting their artworks and we critique and comment to help them improve.

 

My role:

I'm a senior member, pretty much well liked as my comments are usually fair and helpful. Made some friends from the forum and even met local members from SG and still in contact with some of them till this day. To put it simple, I had a reputation.

 

Incident:

A new member by the name of "baby4eva" (I will not forget that nick) posted an artwork that he/she drew and ask for comments. It was a simple anime-style girl.

 

I looked and thought it looked familiar. After much research, I realised the artwork is a direct copy from a Hentai Artwork from a Japanese porn site. "Baby4eva" merely copied the character line by line and then added the clothes (The character was naked from the original pic).

 

plagiarism is a serious thing and the forum rules states that any members found plagiarising other materials as their own will be banned from the site.

 

I was furious cos (1)It's not a genuine artwork as it's a direct tracing and (2)It's copied from porn. Arming with evidence and the overzealous intention to uphold justice. I blasted "baby4eva" on the thread. I accused "baby4eva" for plagirism and demand her to own up and remove her artwork within 24hrs or else I will prove to everyone of my findings to expose her.

 

But "baby4eva" did not reply, he/she simply disappeared off the radar and never replied. I was thinking I have won. I was successfully kicked out a fake member and saved the beloved forum from fake wannabes

 

Other members became curious. Some sided me, some gave "baby4eva" benefit of doubt and some blasted me for being rude to noobs and not showing prove. So since this small group of people wanted evidence, I showed them. I posted the original picture and then overlay them to show that "baby4eva" simply traced the picture via photoshop. I posted the link of the original artwork, which points to the porn site. I did all this to shut up the naysayers.

 

I did wrong.

 

The next day, I logged in an got a rude shock. My post showing the evidence was removed from the post and I was given a warning by the mod and admin. First, I broke the rule of posting porn materials and linking to a porn site. Secondly I intigated a quarrel in the forum.

 

The admin PMed me that While they appreciate members to be forthcoming and proactive in the forum, they will not tolerate instigation and vigilantism in the forums even if the other party is the offender. I roughly remember what the admin using the phrase "The last thing I want to to have members banging on the barn with torches and pitchforks. Any offence should be reported to the admin or mods."

 

Due to my reputation, the admin gave me a chance and still allow me in the forum. But I was deeply affected by the incident. I was angry, I felt I was wronged and unfairly treated. I was just trying to make the forum a better place and got shot down by the people I supported.

 

I remembered it was CNY that time but I did not enjoy the holiday and I did not sleep well thinking about the incident. After a week later the thread died down and I almost forgot about it.

 

Then "Baby4eva" replied.

 

The thread immediately became boiling hot and he/she started a drama. Acting as a girl, "Baby4eva" insist it was her own creation and any likeness was coincidental. She threw alot of dramatic flowery words and accuse me of not Showing proof(cos was deleted by the mods) and spoiling her day.

 

When others asked her of her disappearance, she cooked up stories that she just got married and had when on a honeymoon and she was expecting good replies and accuses me of spoiling the mood. To garner support she posted pictures of her "honeymoon" to show she was a genuine member and that got her alot of supporters.

 

There I was, witnessing a full-fledge Ang Moh drama of how they and twist and turn their mistakes and flip prata. I felt like I'm watching a bad soap opera. (This experience also armed me on the knowledge of how to deal with AMDK during the cos of my work)

 

I did not post a reply. I don't see the point and was trying to forget this incident. But I got PMed from her supporters asking me to apologize and some, just to fark me for causing all this. Member's memories are short and when you can't even post your evidence of her offence, it's a lost cause.

 

So in order to close the case and let the thread die, I just replied to "apologize" for "causing hurt". It felt sick. 13 years ago, "baby4eva" has kicked "pocus" ass and won the internet forum drama. That few days I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't eat well, I was grumpy. It affect my real life.

 

A few close members and those who knew her offence PMed to console me. A few asked me not to leave the forum(they assumed I would leave).

 

With the expection of one mod which is close to me, None of the other mods nor the admin PMed me.

 

Aftermath:

"Baby4eva"'s tricks did not last long though. After that she posted a number of her "own works", all copied from various hentai/porn anime sites. I was not involved as I did not reply to any of her thread since. Some member accused her and she whipped up the same drama mama tactics again to win sympathy. Only this time the members and mod knew her tricks and banned her, her nonsense lasted for 4 months. It was bittersweet.

 

Conclusion:

I've since left the forum an moved on. But this incident became a life lesson for me till today after 13 years. I learned that:

 

1) Forum are not just forums, who are we kidding. If forums were just forums we wouldn't come here everyday. But because forums are not just forums, we should treat it with respect. Just like working in office, basic ethical rules and behavour applies.

 

2) Treat each members like how you would treat them in real life. Do not do to other how you do not want others to do to you

 

3) If someone broke the rules or post offensive material, the first rules is to give benefit of doubt. You may be right but you may be wrong.

 

4) Report if you must, but never openly challenge someone and expect no reaction.

 

5) We don't own the forum, don't expect mods to be around when shet happen and don't expect them to cover you or sayang you if you got hit by shet.

 

6) Sometimes if you are repling to an offensive person, it's good to type in a notepad, then save and close and then paste 10 mins later. If you do that you can avoid unnessesary confrontation.

 

7) Benefit of Doubt

 

8) You can spend 4 years building a reputation as a good member and a moment of weakness to bring down the reputation and get yourself ban. If (1) is true, apply (2 to 6)

 

9) You may be a veteran member with 20k post count but without meeting anyone and benefiting from it, you are just a statistic to the forum.

 

10) If forum has too much shet post, close it and come back another day.

 

11) All else fails, maybe it's time to quit, go out there and smell real fresh air and experience real things instead of virtual things.

[2BDriver]

 

Seeing the recent spat among members here reminds me of some life lessons about internet forum I'd like to share with you guys.

Pardon my long winded story but I hope you find it useful too:

 

Year:

2001

 

Forum:

Some USA based forum for comics and artists. members are usually art students posting their artworks and we critique and comment to help them improve.

 

My role:

I'm a senior member, pretty much well liked as my comments are usually fair and helpful. Made some friends from the forum and even met local members from SG and still in contact with some of them till this day. To put it simple, I had a reputation.

 

Incident:

A new member by the name of "baby4eva" (I will not forget that nick) posted an artwork that he/she drew and ask for comments. It was a simple anime-style girl.

 

I looked and thought it looked familiar. After much research, I realised the artwork is a direct copy from a Hentai Artwork from a Japanese porn site. "Baby4eva" merely copied the character line by line and then added the clothes (The character was naked from the original pic).

 

plagiarism is a serious thing and the forum rules states that any members found plagiarising other materials as their own will be banned from the site.

 

I was furious cos (1)It's not a genuine artwork as it's a direct tracing and (2)It's copied from porn. Arming with evidence and the overzealous intention to uphold justice. I blasted "baby4eva" on the thread. I accused "baby4eva" for plagirism and demand her to own up and remove her artwork within 24hrs or else I will prove to everyone of my findings to expose her.

 

But "baby4eva" did not reply, he/she simply disappeared off the radar and never replied. I was thinking I have won. I was successfully kicked out a fake member and saved the beloved forum from fake wannabes

 

Other members became curious. Some sided me, some gave "baby4eva" benefit of doubt and some blasted me for being rude to noobs and not showing prove. So since this small group of people wanted evidence, I showed them. I posted the original picture and then overlay them to show that "baby4eva" simply traced the picture via photoshop. I posted the link of the original artwork, which points to the porn site. I did all this to shut up the naysayers.

 

I did wrong.

 

The next day, I logged in an got a rude shock. My post showing the evidence was removed from the post and I was given a warning by the mod and admin. First, I broke the rule of posting porn materials and linking to a porn site. Secondly I intigated a quarrel in the forum.

 

The admin PMed me that While they appreciate members to be forthcoming and proactive in the forum, they will not tolerate instigation and vigilantism in the forums even if the other party is the offender. I roughly remember what the admin using the phrase "The last thing I want to to have members banging on the barn with torches and pitchforks. Any offence should be reported to the admin or mods."

 

Due to my reputation, the admin gave me a chance and still allow me in the forum. But I was deeply affected by the incident. I was angry, I felt I was wronged and unfairly treated. I was just trying to make the forum a better place and got shot down by the people I supported.

 

I remembered it was CNY that time but I did not enjoy the holiday and I did not sleep well thinking about the incident. After a week later the thread died down and I almost forgot about it.

 

Then "Baby4eva" replied.

 

The thread immediately became boiling hot and he/she started a drama. Acting as a girl, "Baby4eva" insist it was her own creation and any likeness was coincidental. She threw alot of dramatic flowery words and accuse me of not Showing proof(cos was deleted by the mods) and spoiling her day.

 

When others asked her of her disappearance, she cooked up stories that she just got married and had when on a honeymoon and she was expecting good replies and accuses me of spoiling the mood. To garner support she posted pictures of her "honeymoon" to show she was a genuine member and that got her alot of supporters.

 

There I was, witnessing a full-fledge Ang Moh drama of how they and twist and turn their mistakes and flip prata. I felt like I'm watching a bad soap opera. (This experience also armed me on the knowledge of how to deal with AMDK during the cos of my work)

 

I did not post a reply. I don't see the point and was trying to forget this incident. But I got PMed from her supporters asking me to apologize and some, just to fark me for causing all this. Member's memories are short and when you can't even post your evidence of her offence, it's a lost cause.

 

So in order to close the case and let the thread die, I just replied to "apologize" for "causing hurt". It felt sick. 13 years ago, "baby4eva" has kicked "pocus" ass and won the internet forum drama. That few days I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't eat well, I was grumpy. It affect my real life.

 

A few close members and those who knew her offence PMed to console me. A few asked me not to leave the forum(they assumed I would leave).

 

With the expection of one mod which is close to me, None of the other mods nor the admin PMed me.

 

Aftermath:

"Baby4eva"'s tricks did not last long though. After that she posted a number of her "own works", all copied from various hentai/porn anime sites. I was not involved as I did not reply to any of her thread since. Some member accused her and she whipped up the same drama mama tactics again to win sympathy. Only this time the members and mod knew her tricks and banned her, her nonsense lasted for 4 months. It was bittersweet.

 

Conclusion:

I've since left the forum an moved on. But this incident became a life lesson for me till today after 13 years. I learned that:

 

1) Forum are not just forums, who are we kidding. If forums were just forums we wouldn't come here everyday. But because forums are not just forums, we should treat it with respect. Just like working in office, basic ethical rules and behavour applies.

 

2) Treat each members like how you would treat them in real life. Do not do to other how you do not want others to do to you

 

3) If someone broke the rules or post offensive material, the first rules is to give benefit of doubt. You may be right but you may be wrong.

 

4) Report if you must, but never openly challenge someone and expect no reaction.

 

5) We don't own the forum, don't expect mods to be around when shet happen and don't expect them to cover you or sayang you if you got hit by shet.

 

6) Sometimes if you are repling to an offensive person, it's good to type in a notepad, then save and close and then paste 10 mins later. If you do that you can avoid unnessesary confrontation.

 

7) Benefit of Doubt

 

8) You can spend 4 years building a reputation as a good member and a moment of weakness to bring down the reputation and get yourself ban. If (1) is true, apply (2 to 6)

 

9) You may be a veteran member with 20k post count but without meeting anyone and benefiting from it, you are just a statistic to the forum.

 

10) If forum has too much shet post, close it and come back another day.

 

11) All else fails, maybe it's time to quit, go out there and smell real fresh air and experience real things instead of virtual things.

 

You are another IT good teacher who teaches less words but with funny pictures everytime, yes I mean all the time

[Goldbug]

rise of vigilantism

 

Edited October 9, 2014 by Goldbug

[Spring]

Seeing the recent spat among members here reminds me of some life lessons about internet forum I'd like to share with you guys.

Pardon my long winded story but I hope you find it useful too:

 

Year:

2001

 

Forum:

Some USA based forum for comics and artists. members are usually art students posting their artworks and we critique and comment to help them improve.

 

My role:

I'm a senior member, pretty much well liked as my comments are usually fair and helpful. Made some friends from the forum and even met local members from SG and still in contact with some of them till this day. To put it simple, I had a reputation.

 

Incident:

A new member by the name of "baby4eva" (I will not forget that nick) posted an artwork that he/she drew and ask for comments. It was a simple anime-style girl.

 

I looked and thought it looked familiar. After much research, I realised the artwork is a direct copy from a Hentai Artwork from a Japanese porn site. "Baby4eva" merely copied the character line by line and then added the clothes (The character was naked from the original pic).

 

plagiarism is a serious thing and the forum rules states that any members found plagiarising other materials as their own will be banned from the site.

 

I was furious cos (1)It's not a genuine artwork as it's a direct tracing and (2)It's copied from porn. Arming with evidence and the overzealous intention to uphold justice. I blasted "baby4eva" on the thread. I accused "baby4eva" for plagirism and demand her to own up and remove her artwork within 24hrs or else I will prove to everyone of my findings to expose her.

 

But "baby4eva" did not reply, he/she simply disappeared off the radar and never replied. I was thinking I have won. I was successfully kicked out a fake member and saved the beloved forum from fake wannabes

 

Other members became curious. Some sided me, some gave "baby4eva" benefit of doubt and some blasted me for being rude to noobs and not showing prove. So since this small group of people wanted evidence, I showed them. I posted the original picture and then overlay them to show that "baby4eva" simply traced the picture via photoshop. I posted the link of the original artwork, which points to the porn site. I did all this to shut up the naysayers.

 

I did wrong.

 

The next day, I logged in an got a rude shock. My post showing the evidence was removed from the post and I was given a warning by the mod and admin. First, I broke the rule of posting porn materials and linking to a porn site. Secondly I intigated a quarrel in the forum.

 

The admin PMed me that While they appreciate members to be forthcoming and proactive in the forum, they will not tolerate instigation and vigilantism in the forums even if the other party is the offender. I roughly remember what the admin using the phrase "The last thing I want to to have members banging on the barn with torches and pitchforks. Any offence should be reported to the admin or mods."

 

Due to my reputation, the admin gave me a chance and still allow me in the forum. But I was deeply affected by the incident. I was angry, I felt I was wronged and unfairly treated. I was just trying to make the forum a better place and got shot down by the people I supported.

 

I remembered it was CNY that time but I did not enjoy the holiday and I did not sleep well thinking about the incident. After a week later the thread died down and I almost forgot about it.

 

Then "Baby4eva" replied.

 

The thread immediately became boiling hot and he/she started a drama. Acting as a girl, "Baby4eva" insist it was her own creation and any likeness was coincidental. She threw alot of dramatic flowery words and accuse me of not Showing proof(cos was deleted by the mods) and spoiling her day.

 

When others asked her of her disappearance, she cooked up stories that she just got married and had when on a honeymoon and she was expecting good replies and accuses me of spoiling the mood. To garner support she posted pictures of her "honeymoon" to show she was a genuine member and that got her alot of supporters.

 

There I was, witnessing a full-fledge Ang Moh drama of how they and twist and turn their mistakes and flip prata. I felt like I'm watching a bad soap opera. (This experience also armed me on the knowledge of how to deal with AMDK during the cos of my work)

 

I did not post a reply. I don't see the point and was trying to forget this incident. But I got PMed from her supporters asking me to apologize and some, just to fark me for causing all this. Member's memories are short and when you can't even post your evidence of her offence, it's a lost cause.

 

So in order to close the case and let the thread die, I just replied to "apologize" for "causing hurt". It felt sick. 13 years ago, "baby4eva" has kicked "pocus" ass and won the internet forum drama. That few days I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't eat well, I was grumpy. It affect my real life.

 

A few close members and those who knew her offence PMed to console me. A few asked me not to leave the forum(they assumed I would leave).

 

With the expection of one mod which is close to me, None of the other mods nor the admin PMed me.

 

Aftermath:

"Baby4eva"'s tricks did not last long though. After that she posted a number of her "own works", all copied from various hentai/porn anime sites. I was not involved as I did not reply to any of her thread since. Some member accused her and she whipped up the same drama mama tactics again to win sympathy. Only this time the members and mod knew her tricks and banned her, her nonsense lasted for 4 months. It was bittersweet.

 

Conclusion:

I've since left the forum an moved on. But this incident became a life lesson for me till today after 13 years. I learned that:

 

1) Forum are not just forums, who are we kidding. If forums were just forums we wouldn't come here everyday. But because forums are not just forums, we should treat it with respect. Just like working in office, basic ethical rules and behavour applies.

 

2) Treat each members like how you would treat them in real life. Do not do to other how you do not want others to do to you

 

3) If someone broke the rules or post offensive material, the first rules is to give benefit of doubt. You may be right but you may be wrong.

 

4) Report if you must, but never openly challenge someone and expect no reaction.

 

5) We don't own the forum, don't expect mods to be around when shet happen and don't expect them to cover you or sayang you if you got hit by shet.

 

6) Sometimes if you are repling to an offensive person, it's good to type in a notepad, then save and close and then paste 10 mins later. If you do that you can avoid unnessesary confrontation.

 

7) Benefit of Doubt

 

8) You can spend 4 years building a reputation as a good member and a moment of weakness to bring down the reputation and get yourself ban. If (1) is true, apply (2 to 6)

 

9) You may be a veteran member with 20k post count but without meeting anyone and benefiting from it, you are just a statistic to the forum.

 

10) If forum has too much shet post, close it and come back another day.

 

11) All else fails, maybe it's time to quit, go out there and smell real fresh air and experience real things instead of virtual things.

 

Thks Pocus for the sharing!

 

You are definitely more experienced than me as far as forums are concerned and certainly something for me to learn from what you have shared.

 

I also urge responsible posting and welcome information sharing, jokes and friendship amongst members and hope that MCF can be a place for us members to unwind and bond during our free time and long may this be the case!!

 

Cheers!

[Pocus]

Bro Pocus,

Good Morning.

Thanks for sharing your true live experience, I've being motivated and remember to live with more forgiving as possible.

Read your above incident few times, I felt that "baby" jealous of your popularity and set up the trap to lure you into it.

Well, these smart schemer are everywhere in the society, we have to be aware of them just like avoiding bad road user's on the road in our daily driving trips.

 

Actually I just a member and I don't think baby4eva target me specifically, she's just being a troll and started a flamebait. Those days the words "troll" or "flamebait" haven't even exist. I was young and brash and fought head-on. So I fell into the trap.

 

Lesson learned though.

 

Of course I still have a few incidents from various forums and even here during its early days. I might share if I can still remember the details. Lol

[Vid]

Very insightful post. Thanks @Pocus for sharing.

 

All I can say is to let the Mod do their job. If anything is found, inform them 1st before shooting the gun.

[2BDriver]

rise of vigilantism

 

Your avatar is always looks scary, can help me to change to a more friendly one or not

[Goldbug]

Very insightful post. Thanks @Pocus for sharing.

 

All I can say is to let the Mod do their job. If anything is found, inform them 1st before shooting the gun.

 

how can... vigilante thinks mod jiak liao bee... must jump the gun... and inflict justice first mah

Your avatar is always looks scary, can help me to change to a more friendly one or not

 

ehh vigilante comic all like that one,,, I go search search and find

[1fast1]

Seeing the recent spat among members here reminds me of some life lessons about internet forum I'd like to share with you guys.

Pardon my long winded story but I hope you find it useful too:

 

Year:

2001

 

Forum:

Some USA based forum for comics and artists. members are usually art students posting their artworks and we critique and comment to help them improve.

 

My role:

I'm a senior member, pretty much well liked as my comments are usually fair and helpful. Made some friends from the forum and even met local members from SG and still in contact with some of them till this day. To put it simple, I had a reputation.

 

Incident:

A new member by the name of "baby4eva" (I will not forget that nick) posted an artwork that he/she drew and ask for comments. It was a simple anime-style girl.

 

I looked and thought it looked familiar. After much research, I realised the artwork is a direct copy from a Hentai Artwork from a Japanese porn site. "Baby4eva" merely copied the character line by line and then added the clothes (The character was naked from the original pic).

 

plagiarism is a serious thing and the forum rules states that any members found plagiarising other materials as their own will be banned from the site.

 

I was furious cos (1)It's not a genuine artwork as it's a direct tracing and (2)It's copied from porn. Arming with evidence and the overzealous intention to uphold justice. I blasted "baby4eva" on the thread. I accused "baby4eva" for plagirism and demand her to own up and remove her artwork within 24hrs or else I will prove to everyone of my findings to expose her.

 

But "baby4eva" did not reply, he/she simply disappeared off the radar and never replied. I was thinking I have won. I was successfully kicked out a fake member and saved the beloved forum from fake wannabes

 

Other members became curious. Some sided me, some gave "baby4eva" benefit of doubt and some blasted me for being rude to noobs and not showing prove. So since this small group of people wanted evidence, I showed them. I posted the original picture and then overlay them to show that "baby4eva" simply traced the picture via photoshop. I posted the link of the original artwork, which points to the porn site. I did all this to shut up the naysayers.

 

I did wrong.

 

The next day, I logged in an got a rude shock. My post showing the evidence was removed from the post and I was given a warning by the mod and admin. First, I broke the rule of posting porn materials and linking to a porn site. Secondly I intigated a quarrel in the forum.

 

The admin PMed me that While they appreciate members to be forthcoming and proactive in the forum, they will not tolerate instigation and vigilantism in the forums even if the other party is the offender. I roughly remember what the admin using the phrase "The last thing I want to to have members banging on the barn with torches and pitchforks. Any offence should be reported to the admin or mods."

 

Due to my reputation, the admin gave me a chance and still allow me in the forum. But I was deeply affected by the incident. I was angry, I felt I was wronged and unfairly treated. I was just trying to make the forum a better place and got shot down by the people I supported.

 

I remembered it was CNY that time but I did not enjoy the holiday and I did not sleep well thinking about the incident. After a week later the thread died down and I almost forgot about it.

 

Then "Baby4eva" replied.

 

The thread immediately became boiling hot and he/she started a drama. Acting as a girl, "Baby4eva" insist it was her own creation and any likeness was coincidental. She threw alot of dramatic flowery words and accuse me of not Showing proof(cos was deleted by the mods) and spoiling her day.

 

When others asked her of her disappearance, she cooked up stories that she just got married and had when on a honeymoon and she was expecting good replies and accuses me of spoiling the mood. To garner support she posted pictures of her "honeymoon" to show she was a genuine member and that got her alot of supporters.

 

There I was, witnessing a full-fledge Ang Moh drama of how they and twist and turn their mistakes and flip prata. I felt like I'm watching a bad soap opera. (This experience also armed me on the knowledge of how to deal with AMDK during the cos of my work)

 

I did not post a reply. I don't see the point and was trying to forget this incident. But I got PMed from her supporters asking me to apologize and some, just to fark me for causing all this. Member's memories are short and when you can't even post your evidence of her offence, it's a lost cause.

 

So in order to close the case and let the thread die, I just replied to "apologize" for "causing hurt". It felt sick. 13 years ago, "baby4eva" has kicked "pocus" ass and won the internet forum drama. That few days I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't eat well, I was grumpy. It affect my real life.

 

A few close members and those who knew her offence PMed to console me. A few asked me not to leave the forum(they assumed I would leave).

 

With the expection of one mod which is close to me, None of the other mods nor the admin PMed me.

 

Aftermath:

"Baby4eva"'s tricks did not last long though. After that she posted a number of her "own works", all copied from various hentai/porn anime sites. I was not involved as I did not reply to any of her thread since. Some member accused her and she whipped up the same drama mama tactics again to win sympathy. Only this time the members and mod knew her tricks and banned her, her nonsense lasted for 4 months. It was bittersweet.

 

Conclusion:

I've since left the forum an moved on. But this incident became a life lesson for me till today after 13 years. I learned that:

 

1) Forum are not just forums, who are we kidding. If forums were just forums we wouldn't come here everyday. But because forums are not just forums, we should treat it with respect. Just like working in office, basic ethical rules and behavour applies.

 

2) Treat each members like how you would treat them in real life. Do not do to other how you do not want others to do to you

 

3) If someone broke the rules or post offensive material, the first rules is to give benefit of doubt. You may be right but you may be wrong.

 

4) Report if you must, but never openly challenge someone and expect no reaction.

 

5) We don't own the forum, don't expect mods to be around when shet happen and don't expect them to cover you or sayang you if you got hit by shet.

 

6) Sometimes if you are repling to an offensive person, it's good to type in a notepad, then save and close and then paste 10 mins later. If you do that you can avoid unnessesary confrontation.

 

7) Benefit of Doubt

 

8) You can spend 4 years building a reputation as a good member and a moment of weakness to bring down the reputation and get yourself ban. If (1) is true, apply (2 to 6)

 

9) You may be a veteran member with 20k post count but without meeting anyone and benefiting from it, you are just a statistic to the forum.

 

10) If forum has too much shet post, close it and come back another day.

 

11) All else fails, maybe it's time to quit, go out there and smell real fresh air and experience real things instead of virtual things.

 

In your place, I would just have written to the original artist of the (pornographic) artwork and directed him to the plagiarising website. If he takes no action, then that's his prerogative. If he does take actions, "baby4eva" can cry and wail in court instead of on a forum.

 

Always have more bite than bark, I say.

[Pocus]

 

Thks Pocus for the sharing!

 

You are definitely more experienced than me as far as forums are concerned and certainly something for me to learn from what you have shared.

 

I also urge responsible posting and welcome information sharing, jokes and friendship amongst members and hope that MCF can be a place for us members to unwind and bond during our free time and long may this be the case!!

 

Cheers!

Thanks Bro, we are all forever in the path of learning. As long as lessons are remembered and applied, it'll benefit ourselves in the long run.

[2BDriver]

Actually I just a member and I don't think baby4eva target me specifically, she's just being a troll and started a flamebait. Those days the words "troll" or "flamebait" haven't even exist. I was young and brash and fought head-on. So I fell into the trap.

 

Lesson learned though.

 

Of course I still have a few incidents from various forums and even here during its early days. I might share if I can still remember the details. Lol

Bro Pocus,

Yes, hope you forgive me, I did followed you very closely into every single of your post, the one that I can't forget is the Dislikes from mod defencing post's.

Why am I following you ? It is just because the genuine words with meaning and not minced, that's all

[Vid]

 

how can... vigilante thinks mod jiak liao bee... must jump the gun... and inflict justice first mah

 

ehh vigilante comic all like that one,,, I go search search and find

 

You go tell the Mods they jiak liao bee lor

[Mockngbrd]

Hah.... small thing la, i even got peepur i banned find my HP number and call me threaten me when i happily makaning some sashimi. Fook them la. internetz srs biznass.

[Pocus]

 

In your place, I would just have written to the original artist of the (pornographic) artwork and directed him to the plagiarising website. If he takes no action, then that's his prerogative. If he does take actions, "baby4eva" can cry and wail in court instead of on a forum.

 

Always have more bite than bark, I say.

Well that's the hard part. The picture is a stock photo and there's no watermark on who the is artist. You know lah, porn picture leh. But the point is it's not her artwork as claimed. Want to trace also did a sloppy job, a big fail to me.

[Goldbug]

Hah.... small thing la, i even got peepur i banned find my HP number and call me threaten me when i happily makaning some sashimi. Fook them la. internetz srs biznass.

 

wah so hiong ahh

 

You go tell the Mods they jiak liao bee lor

 

something no to say one... you see the actions, you know they think mod jiak liao bee liao

[Vid]

 

wah so hiong ahh

 

something no to say one... you see the actions, you know they think mod jiak liao bee liao

 

It's good to point out but not do it in the open. It disrupts harmony. There's always PM that one can use.