What is Blackstar

[LordPsycho]

With some of the more controversial changes to Blackstar recently, there's been alot of talk about me doing as I wish with "My Forum." And it is this I have a problem with.


It is not simply "My Forum." Yes, the initial concepts, ideas, and creation was my work. And Yes, I still work as lead Admin. But not the strict, military chain of command type lead. And Blackstar, as a whole, isn't my toy to do with as I wish.

Blackstar had truly developed into a community. Many of you start your web-browsing experience with Blackstar everytime you get online. The world has become rich with idea's, concepts, philosophies, and ideaologies that were not part of my original outline.

In my eye's this makes Blackstar not ownable by any one person. Blackstar is no more mine than it is 3kul's, Goron's, Embri's, or any other Dojodian's. Blackstar belongs to Blackstar, I merely serve as it's healthcare provider, fixing problems as they crop up. Sometime's I make mistakes, sometimes I don't. I'm still learning how to deal with a community that's growing as fast as this one is too.

I hope you can forgive my recent misjudgement. I may play a god, but I'm still human. But don't second guess your voice on these issues. I value all of your input, because simply put, It's your Blackstar too.

[3kul]

Uh... Not to kick up a fuss or an argument or anything but a relatively different tone was taken during that whole "Offended by a Phrase" thread.

[LordPsycho]

True, there are times where I've had to take authority. But as the past few days have shown, those days are coming to a close.

I'm fixing to recommend some changes to the Mods that will go along with this sentiment more so.

Plus, you take it out of context. When I wrote "My forums", that was indeed a couple of months ago. Both of Shine's and Net's posts are more recent...and for some reason, they lingered with me...and not in the pleasent, ego-inflating way.

But anyways, if you, as a mod, would turn your attention to the Meeting House, I think things may become more clearly soon (and yes, you can post there again...improperly fixed problem)

[UncleAsriel]

Ideally, it should belong to everyone. Each Dojodian - I love that word - should take pride in the fact that a small portion of it belongs to him or her. But there should be some ownership in place. Perhaps the shareholder status in the Dojo Corporation might play a role in this issue? I don't know quite exactly where to stand on this issue ... I'm probably going to have to think this over some more.

[EnDSchultz]

I personally believe that they are 'your' forums, DP.
I see Blackstar as a city. You are the mayor, we are the humble townspeople. The people can make petitions to the administrator, but, in the end, can the mayor not veto the decision made by his city council?
Every citizen has a right to live in their given town. They pay taxes, and thereby pay the upkeep costs of their city.
Do we contribute anything to the webhosting cost? I think that being here is a privilege, and have no right to command what goes on around here. As stated above, the citizens only have the right to petition their noble Sensei.

[3kul]

Ah, thanks for that DP, much appreciated .

I was more commenting on the fact that, run as 'your forums' it all seems to work pretty well. The censorship problem was resolved quickly because you took action and other people stood by your action for the belief that it is your forums and you should have control over things like that. I'm not disagreeing with your decision on that matter, as I have yet to use the word that wound up being censored and I don't think anybody else has had trouble with it, but things just tend to drag out if we ask every single person what they think of it all.

I think UncleAsriel thoughts are nice, as ideally, it should belong to everyone. I'm just not so sure as to how well that'll work out .

[Goron40]

I don't see what all the fuss is about... They're not THAT conroversial. In fact, unless we do something that stops me from Role Playing on the forum, I could probablly care less about the strictness of policies.

Someone open a window, let out the bad vibes man...

[Danikat]

I'm just used to thinking of any forum as belonging to the person who created it. And that carries with it the assumption that they have the final say on anything that goes on there. Even somewhere like A2K which is essentially run by the mods because Ali is so busy. If he was to come on suddenly and say he didn't like the way things were done and wanted us to do it diffrently we'd have to go along with that because its his forum. (Not to omply Ali would do something like that, its just an easy example.)

Trying to imagine a forum that doesn't work like that is a little strange.

But I can see it being a good idea. I think Dp should reserve some sort of ultimate authority, just incase its ever needed. Say for example if a new idea was being held up indefinately because people were arguing over inconsiquential details, he should have the right to come in and make the decision.
But I like the idea of everyone having a right to suggest changes and give their opinion on them.

[GBE]

I tend to feel the same way. I go to a forum, a site or what have you. It belongs, in essence to whoever created it. I've never had a problem with this. (The only problems arise when power changes hands and then the person who created it is no longer around.
A long story, yeah, leave it at that...)

Anyways, I think it's fair to say, because there are more of us now, people will make more suggestions, offer ideas and suchlike. Providing they actually get listened to and considered if they are actually good/controversial ideas and get discussed, then there lies no problem.

Lets not go crazy at this. You shouldn't feel bad when people say its your forum (unless its in an entirely unpleasant manner ). Feel good, fel great, you've basically sparked up a popular community which is still growing.

If anything DP

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

GBE