A word of thanks and some concern

I don't know how much of this has been said before (hopefully more than I realize), but in any case I'm hoping you'll find some of my sentiments congenial.

I want to start by saying I like the DNT rank. I've begun to see many people I've not seen in a long time, or even people I knew about only through their reputation in SF, and so far I've enjoyed their presence.

Of course, in the case of (some) former scammers, there still are amends to be made (some of them pretty sizable...), but is it so catastrophic to allow the people in question to return simply as community members, even if they have a large debt to pay? Or are we that puritanical? Stigma alone is restrictive. Ask yourself, do I really want to be responsible for deepening a person's guilt?



The rotator is very much an experiment. I don't think it's effectiveness (at this stage) is as important as the necessity of trying a new management system. We often say much about how the old system got things done - but at some point the pot's got to be stirred. A forum is organic; it changes with the world of those of whom it is composed - and in 5 years (is that a lot?) a lot can change in terms of the system's dynamic. Sythe has to compete with and conform to the existence of different media platforms. We aren't all married to this one forum - our expectations change with every new device (website or otherwise) introduced to our palette. The rotator might be only one step in the direction of a wholly different management system. Or, it might not work. It's still too early to tell.



While I realize the most extreme (even childish) opinions are held by a small portion of the community, I felt like posting this after thinking about the recent criticisms of the changes (and even the people) involved in staff and banned user management. I began to wonder how many of us know what it's like to have a hundred eyes, ears, and mouths directed at us. Richard, certain other members of the staff, and even some non-staff users must endure that sometimes, even often (although I imagine to varying degrees, at different times). As desirable as the idea might seem, to them we aren't simply pictures on a screen - even if they're used to it, even after a decade on Sythe, they still must react as we all do when we are criticized (online or not, positively or negatively). Out of sheer humaneness, that is something we must consider any time we direct a word to anyone, here or elsewhere.


Given my meager presence in the community, as well as my precarious history, you might be justified in taking what I say with a grain of salt, or you might understand where I'm coming from, if you cared to read at all. In sum, I simply wanted to make a small gesture of appreciation toward Richard and everyone (staff or not) who sincerely works to move forward and reimagine the site. Hissing and shouting counts, but it's almost always amounts to only that. If you really want things to change, you might begin by considering how you communicate with your community.

For those who've really cared about it, no matter its current state, Sythe is and always will be a memorable accomplishment.

 

I really appreciate those sentiments. I'm glad you could take the time to write out your view and feedback on the current state and updates happening to Sythe.org. Yes there is a lot of negativity surrounding it currently, however I feel the community will come to realise that some change is necessary, some change can help and benefit the community whether they like it or not.

I've realised this anyways. At first I wasn't as sure on the decision for DNT, but personally I took the time to understand, research it and ask Richard about it. How ever annoying it might of seemed to him at the time, it was necessary and crucial for me as a member to understand the concept of why and for what reason. Considering I understand or have some knowledge on the whole idea behind the DNT, as in restitution and the debate about having a system in place similar to court and judicial structures it seemed to make sense to me.

I think for a few members, the whole concept of letting in members who still owe a lot of money into the community was far more upsetting which resulted in staff or members leaving their post or the site altogether (alongside other apparent changes). It's understandable for them to feel that way. I personally feel ok with some DNT members being within the community, it's definitely changed up a lot of the community aspects; become a lot more active in that sense, which I enjoy. I am still a bit hesitant on the concept, but it's growing on me.

As far as I can tell the rotating system has had a negative impact in the sense that a lot of staff members who a lot of people respected etc, decided to leave after it's introduction. Although other then that, from what I can see and my personal view on it, there is both a negative and a positive. I feel like there are some that may not be a good rotation inwards etc, but there are also some that are really good. It's definitely too early to say, and I agree with your view on that.

I totally understand where you're coming from when you think about staff have so many eyes on them, or DNT members as well. In all honesty I feel it's necessary. You're in a role where you have responsibility, or you're being given a chance. It's the same for the development teams. When there is a section where people are allowed to express themselves in any way shape or form and when you're online on a platform like Sythe.org, it's partly a black market forum, it's partly accessible to trolls or opinionated people etc. There is a freedom of opinion and expression, yes some of it can be hateful or too critical, but we're allowed that opinion and I personally feel nobody should be restricted in that form.

You have a website, you have thousands of users who donate, who participate, who use the market, who do GFX, what ever it is. You should expect criticism. You're the staff of said website, you have responsibilities, you have some sort of power and your decisions and actions hold weight. It would be the same for any person, owner, staff, recruitment team what ever it be, you will be held accountable, you will have the media critique you, citizens whom ever you are. I agree people should reign it in, but that doesn't mean we should expect a person to just follow sheep and not talk out about something, or not have a view.

We're hundreds of people with individual voices. You should expect that there will be people who differ in opinions, who don't agree with changes. It happens in life, it wont stop happening just because it's online. Just because staff etc are volunteers, or Rich is putting in a lot of time and effort, the aim of this all is to better the community. If you go into a charity shop, full of volunteers and they mess up something and you blame them for it. They wont sit there and be like no you're (the customer is) at fault, don't argue with me.. no, they will aid you and help in that area of issues - even if they're at fault or the customer is. That's what we call customer satisfaction. This site wouldn't be much if there wasn't satisfied community members. Yes Richard and staff can put in effort, but what would happen with said effort if you have no community members at all. They would be no where.

With that being said, it totally makes sense where you're coming from. It can get very hard, and tedious to have it in your face every day, or every other day. I respect your opinion on that and wanting the community who shout and scream to try and better their efforts to get a point across in a different light.

Anyways I don't mean to debate this, I just read what you had to say as feedback and felt like I'd write down my input and how I view it. Again I respect your sentiments, and I hope as a community we can understand that sometimes change is good, sometimes the negativity is not going to aid in getting anywhere and that view should be changed, without restricting peoples freedoms to say whatever they want online.

 

Positional staff changes are nothing new. The "rotator" is nothing new. The issue is just being enforced at a higher level and was given a cheesy name. The "old system got things done" isn't really applicable to this situation. A forum is not organic. Can you name one website that Sythe is competing with?

Changes are made for efficiency and growth. There is no deep meaning to it.

 

Perhaps compete is not accurate; a better word would have been coexist.

 

Coexist with what website(s)?

 

every other website anyone here frequents......? I'm not sure where you're going with this.

 

If you replace compete with coexist, the statement is still inaccurate/doesn't make sense. Sythe has always coexisted with other websites. You saying "has" implies that there is a need to coexist when the process of coexisting itself is innate. Regardless of whether these changes happen or not, the website will still move forward.

 

I suppose that's fundamentally where we disagree.

 

What fundamentals are you going by? I'm using semantics.

 

My conviction:

Yours:

 

Again, words like "got" and "has" implies there is a need. What is the need? You retracted your statement of the site needing to compete with others, and now it's coexist when the site has been doing that since release.

 

The need: change.

 

So Sythe needed to change in order to coexist with other websites? I already explained why this is false narrative.

Realistically, the website would have been fine prior to these changes. Sythe isn't facing direct or evident competition that would warrant or push for these changes.

 

Again, I don't agree. But I didn't post this thread to argue about it. If you like, we can post one in SFA titled, "The Necessity of Change for Progress in Virtual Community."