Hello.

I'd like to briefly discuss the differences between flamebaiting and bitching. One of these practices is encouraged; the other, as you can likely guess, is not. Before situations arise and escalate, it's about time we set the boundaries here and now.

We've had the Bitch Board since the forums began, back on the old proboard account. It's a pretty functional, and to an extent, necessary commodity. It allows you, the players, to air out your frustrations in a non-hostile environment for those times you just need to get an issue off your chest. Bitching is one of those things that allows us to keep roleplaying together as a group; it gets issues exposed and resolved.

However, our lovely bitch board is not for flamebaiting. So what, exactly, is the difference between flamebaiting and bitching? Flamebaiting consists of bringing up personal arguments, insults, and accusations against a specific player or players with the malicious intent. So how can you take steps to make sure your post is, in fact, bitching and not an attack?

Keep personal issues personal. By this I mean if you are bringing up issues with another player for personal, OOG reasons, it's likely better off outside of this board. If you can resolve an issue off of this board and out of the public, do so. It's easier for all parties involved and keeps things from turning into a massive, complex argument that often has no purpose. And if you do choose to bitch about a specific player's actions, be logical about it. Posting "Tommy is a hateful bastard and a bitch and I hate him GOD HE SUCKS" is not acceptable. Saying something like "Last night, my play partner god-moded and injured one of my characters during combat and he isn't responding to me. God-moding is balls" is going to go over better.

Be prepared. Be prepared for people to combat and defend whatever you're bitching about. It's a free board and people have all rights to defend themselves if they are involved in any context. If you choose to bring a risque issue onto the bitch board, be prepared for all consequences.

You encourage roleplayers to flame other roleplayers?

Please take note of the new FAQ. Beyond this rough guide I've written, it provides more detail on what is acceptable and what is not.


Most of all, please be respectful and honest with each other. Not only does it help potential issues get resolved, but it keeps the boards clean of frayed nerves and misunderstandings. If you have any questions regarding these or other issues, feel free to contact your local hawt admin girl: mainly myself, Ehzoterik, and elf_fu.


Thank you,
K
Admin Butt #2

Thank you, Kelsey, for this very well-written definition of differences. Now, I think, I must make a confession.

I myself have been guilty of flamebaiting in the past. It is a possibility that I may be guilty of it again in the future. I may have even flamebaited a little on the BF's most recent unholy temper tantrums. If so, I fully expect other people to totally call me out on it.

I may be an admin. I may be the one more fully in charge of the operation and handling of this site. That does not mean, however, that I am exempt from my own rulings on how things should be handled. So if ANY of you ever see me stepping out of line, I don't care how low on the proverbial food chain you are, I fully expect you to come in and beat me upside the head for it. I'm not afraid to take a bludgeoning with a ball bat when Bitchzilla rears her ugly head.

This was true on the proboard, and people such as Navara, for instance, had no problems taking me up on my word about it. If you think I'm using my admin authority to my advantage, and if it looks like special privileges, don't hesitate to speak up about it. If you're generally unhappy with the way things are being run, please tell us. Tell me.

Despite our tendencies to explode and rip off bloody heads, we do try our very best to make Mutual Endeavors a pleasant organization to be involved with. But we too are only human.

Like SM said, "We are only human."

When emotions are running high, people will sometimes say whatever pops out of their mouths. Knee jerk reactions are why it is often a good idea to wait a full day before posting, be it a new post or a reply.