The adventures of Mommy woman
Sick of parasites complaining
Published on February 11, 2004 By JillUser In Blogging
I felt compelled to write this because of all of the recent ragging on Brad that I have seen. Funny thing is, I am quite certain these people would handle things quite differently if it were in person. I feel for Brad because he is providing a very nice service that some ignorant people think is just free for them to tread all over.

Brad is a very busy business owner. He enjoys blog sites and felt he could provide a good one. I feel he has done an excellent job. People can come here for free, read interesting articles, comment, correspond with others, write their own articles and keep their own web log for free. The way I see it, you have no case to complain. If you don't like the site, don't use it. Find another or create your own.

I liken it to experiences I have had with throwing parties for others. You go through a bunch of work at your own expense, on your own time to do something mainly for others and some of them do nothing but complain. What do you then do in the future? Don't give those people parties!

Brad is more fair to people on this site than most people I know would be. I have seen him feature articles that were directly opposing him by name. He gives everyone a voice as long as they don't abuse it. If you don't have anything constructive to say, don't say it or say it only to yourself.

I think Brad has provided a forum for many interesting debates and discussions. I have read articles that got me thinking, boosted my mood and got my blood boiling. No matter what, it has been inspiring. Please, all you whiners, don't spoil it for those of us who appreciate it. I for one want Brad to keep the party going.
Comments (Page 1)
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on Feb 11, 2004
Amen to that. To many people want something for nothing and then do nothing but complain about it.
on Feb 11, 2004
hear hear.

I do understand why many people feel intimidated when Brad disagrees with their views though. He is the administrator and very passionate about what he does and does not agree with. People just need to treat him like any other user though.

Paul.
on Feb 11, 2004
Not for nothing....but don't think this is *purely* the a random act of kindness to the internet in general.

There's lots of advantages to running a site full of information, political advocacy, and top ranking on search engines. Dig?

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but don't get on a high horse that this is all some benevolent effort with no other intentions behind it. Otherwise you'd be fooling yourself as much as the whiners
on Feb 11, 2004
There's always got to be some basic business justification behind a site since it is paid for by company resources.

I am not sure which way people want it. Just yesterday someone complained that I don't comment on enough blogs, that I was too "selective". Now I'm not selective enough?

Like any user, I read the blogs whose subjects interest me and don't read the ones I'm not interested in. I don't excercise any particularly editorial control over the site. That is, I don't go around removing blogs or comments except with one notable exception which came at the request of a half dozen users becaue the user in question was running around making racist, hatefill remarks on dozens of blogs (i.e. text book Griefer).

I haven't even removed comments on my own blogs though I have stated my intention to do so if I'm personally attacked by someone but so far have not chosen to do so. But that is something every blogger can do on their own blog. Their blog is their site that I try to keep my hands off of. Hence, the article "Wardell is everywhere" doesn't get touched because it's their site and they can do what they want.

Thank you very much for your kind words and support, Jill and Karma. If I may say one thing - just because someone makes something available for free doesn't make them above criticism. I certainly fee that people hvae the right to suggest, complain, or object to my actions. If I don't like their article, I don't have to read it. My only complaint about the "Brad is everywhere" comment is that it is based on a false premise - that the content here is somehow controlled. It's not.
on Feb 11, 2004
There's always got to be some basic business justification behind a site since it is paid for by company resources.

I am not sure which way people want it. Just yesterday someone complained that I don't comment on enough blogs, that I was too "selective". Now I'm not selective enough?

Like any user, I read the blogs whose subjects interest me and don't read the ones I'm not interested in. I don't excercise any particularly editorial control over the site. That is, I don't go around removing blogs or comments except with one notable exception which came at the request of a half dozen users becaue the user in question was running around making racist, hatefill remarks on dozens of blogs (i.e. text book Griefer).

I haven't even removed comments on my own blogs though I have stated my intention to do so if I'm personally attacked by someone but so far have not chosen to do so. But that is something every blogger can do on their own blog. Their blog is their site that I try to keep my hands off of. Hence, the article "Wardell is everywhere" doesn't get touched because it's their site and they can do what they want.

Thank you very much for your kind words and support, Jill and Karma. If I may say one thing - just because someone makes something available for free doesn't make them above criticism. I certainly fee that people hvae the right to suggest, complain, or object to my actions. If I don't like their article, I don't have to read it. My only complaint about the "Brad is everywhere" comment is that it is based on a false premise - that the content here is somehow controlled. It's not.
on Feb 11, 2004
I totally agree. I'm too hooked on this site for it to ever go away.

It's just like any site/place that you go to. If you don't like it, don't go back. Just don't spoil it for everyone else.
on Feb 11, 2004
I realize that there is business behind the site but that doesn't mean that it has to be provided for free or in such a nicely done manner.

My outrage was inspired by the articles accusing Brad of censoring and the weird one comlaining about him being everywhere. I don't, as he doesn't, have any problem with people stating their criticisms or disagreements. I am just saying, don't attack and don't accuse if you don't know what you are talking about. Be constructive. And that is all I have to say about that
on Feb 11, 2004

Let me add my 2 cents to this.

I don't have a problem with someone writing an article on their own blog about anything they'd like (within reason).  What I do mind, however, are people who come onto my particular blog and write inane or ilinformed comments on the topics I write about.  I fully admit to being an elitist when it comes to debating. I've debated for a long time and well, know the topics I debate quite well. So I don't tend to be very patient with people who come on and post things that are simply incorrect.  I just don't have much time to deal with...well dumb people on my own blog. On my articles, in an ideal world, I'd have a checkbox that would only allow informed people to comment on it. I'm really not interested in the opinions of the ignorant on my articles.  I know that's terribly arrogant -- it is terribly arrogant. But that's hwo I feel. I don't care if people comment on my blogs or not. I don't get any particular affirmation if someone agrees or disagrees. I write my articles about what I choose to.

If someone wants to write a rant against it, they can do so on their own blog. If it's well written, I might even feature it on the home page.  I just don't want my blog filled with people vomiting out left-wing or right-wing talking points.

Now, on a seperate issue...

T-man and I have built net communities together for 15 years. They always go through the same process. Anyone who was at WinCustomize at the start knows what I speak of. The first 6 months of WC were hellish as different viewpoints tried to dictate how the site would run. Over the years, we've concluded that the best way to get a site started it with tough love. That is, run it with an iron grip at first. That encourages those who would try to turn our sites into some sort of net democracy or anarchy or whatever to leave. There were actually websites formed to counter WinCustomize.  Over time, through example and thorugh the promotion of trusted regulars, the site takes on its own way. WinCustomize is a very calm, mature, good community that is also the world's most popular site for downloading skins, themes, wallpapers, icons, etc. 

The same thing will happen here.  Those who think that we're a bunch of "fascist" bastards for curtailing free speech or running things in a way they disagree will either come to accept how we do things or they'll leave. Some will leave, some will stay.  Those who eventually run this site on a day to day basis may have totally different political views than myself. That isn't the criteria we use anywya.  The people who run WinCustomize on a day to day basis very different views of things than I do.  But they all have a few thing sin common: They respect the views of others, they treat others with respect, they are mature, they are reasonable, and they take the view that the members of the site should have a say in the direction of the site but the ultimate decision is with them and the site owners.

But getting there will always be a tough process. Am I harsher now in the beginning than I will be in 3 years here? Definitely. Just like on WC. I used to have a macro on WinCustomize: "If you don't like the way we do things, leave." and many left.  Regardless of political views.  But over time, what we were doing and the success we achieved became apparent.  I'm actually a lot nicer to quasi-adversaries here than I was on WC in the early days. In the early days of WC, someone gave us crap I'd just delete their account.

Why? Because all communities eventually learn this secret: The success of sites is not due to the quantity of regulars. It's due to the quality of its regulars. A site like this could become a top 5,000 site with only 6 high quality bloggers.  The users come for the bloggers and interaction. If the bloggers and interaction are of low quality, regardless of quantity, they'll leave.  Many a "community" siite has lurched into obscurity simply because the admins didn't want to impose any sort of orders and standards. 

Some of you old timers probably know what I'm talking about. There are very well known "community" sites that JoeUser.com has already surpassed in traffic and we still haven't officially announced JoeUser.com! Quality means the articles and comments users see are interesting and insightful. If every article ends up with a bunch of ilinformed zealots from the left or right jumping on it in the comments section, it is bad for the site.  I don't mind zealots having their own blogs here. I just mind it if they start to spread their junk onto other blogs that are more publicly seen.

on Feb 11, 2004
I don't mean to disagree, but I love the whiners! They make me laugh 'cause they're silly like clowns. In fact, I'm highly anticipating the time when people will post on here accusing JoeUser.com of being a monopoly on blogging (which I'm positive will happen if this site gets "too" popular).
on Feb 11, 2004
I am pretty sure i am one of those 'ignorant' people brad refers to... if you dont agree with him... you are ignorant

Isn't it funny that i would use the exact same word to describe him.

Brad quite clearly knows how good he is... i dont hink he needs sunshine blown up his bottom... if you dont like the whingers... just dont pay the attention... if they dont like the site, they will go soon...

i like it.. I am staying.

BAM!!!
on Feb 11, 2004
Hear hear, while Brad and I might not see eye to eye on every single issue (in fact I'm quite certain we'd disagree on most), I've "known" him for what seems like ages now, first through the Stardock newsgroups, then WC now I read his articles here and he's a great bloke, so lay off him and give the guy a break. We should be thankful for his passion for communities, his company and all the other things he does for an average user. The fact that I've also been a loyal Stardock customer has nothing to do with my views on Brad as a person
on Feb 11, 2004

Muggaz: You want to hear something that you might find interesting? One of the most significant disagreements during the early days of WinCustomize was with a long time user of the skinning community. We disagreed strongly a host of issues. His name: Bakerstreet. The same one who is here.  Time passes. Views and understandings change. Now we get along great. I can't even remember what we disagreed about so strongly back then. But it was a 2 year absence.

But the ultimate leaders in this community that is forming won't be based on ideology. Right now, I'd probably tend to say people like JebBlackstar would be the type of people we woudl promote (as well as Bakerstreet) despite Jeb having the opposite political leanings that I have.

I highly recommend that when I write something that you or someone else disagrees with to write about it on your blog. I'm not saying you need to write "Brad Wardell is a moron" but what we are hoping to see (to use the WMD discussion) would be instead of getting into a flame war in the commetns are to intead go on yoru blog, write an article about a given article someone else has written and explain why you disagree with them.

Believe it or not, the main reaon I was ticked off about the Prisoners thing was not because we disagree particularly strongly, but because it got brought up at all. When I write an article on subject X, I don't want comments to veer off into some off topic thing.  That was why the USS Clueless, one of the best blog sites on the net, took down their forums. 

on Feb 11, 2004
Ok Brad... its done.. i have built my bridge...

I suppose all i ask for is a little respect for my opinion or perception, and for you not to write of everything i say as ignorant... At the time, i thought it was relevant to bring in the Children in Guant. In hindsight, you have no idea how much i regret bringing it up... because someone has gone after me because of it.

If i say something you beleive to be stupid *which will probably be half of what i say), by all means call it... but if you say something i beleive to be stupid... i will call it as well... after all - thats the nature of freedom of speech... but why dont you let everyone else decide for themselves if i am capable of holding a conversation with the 'adults'

BAM!!!

on Feb 11, 2004

Most of what you say is fine. I've only run into 2 things that your views were so problematic. I don't mind someone disagreeing with me as I think the articles on this site can attest to. Perhaps it is purely one of writing styles.

BTW, as I said at the time, I wasn't arguing that you were a child. I was, in fact, arguing the opposite -- I belive that teenagers have a full understanding of basic things like what war is. My proof for that is that you obviously think about these issues and you're only a few years from being a teen yourself. In other words, I give more credit to the awareness abilities of teens than some would.

on Feb 11, 2004
*Muggaz passes Brad the Peace Pipe*

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