So I got a question for the mods.

[dalekfire]

What, exactly, were your intentions with this ACF Forum dealio?

 

[Deleted member 66627]

Have you heard the Shemp story?

 

[venray]

I just pmed him the thread link a few minutes ago...

 

[Deleted member 66627]

Great talk today, thanks. 🙁


and okies. He shalleth know then.

 

[dalekfire]

I haven't heard the Shemp story.

And that's the problem I'm having. People are making this out to be an okay thing, and that may be the case. And if so, then that's cool.

But I don't understand. So I view everything that happened as negative, and now I'm really questioning the stability of this forum.

I understand that it could be a prank or a joke or whatever, and many of the vets here understand.

But what about the ones that don't? Again, it seemed like something negative, and I've gotten a really bad feeling from all that had happened today. At first it seemed fun. But after some of the stuff I've seen, my perspective could be changing. This place seemed very...alienating.

I'm just really confused right now.

 

[dalekfire]

Okay, perhaps I'm just out of the loop or something.

But the thing I'm trying to get at is that it's all a matter of perspective.

From my perspective, I gathered that this hole thing was supposedly a "harmless" joke executed by the moderators. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Besides being a joke, I've heard that it was also some sort of lesson to be taught to so called "attention-*****" members, people of whom I also know exist on this forum, and I agree that they really should be dealt with.

I agree that, being someone who knows more than the average lurker here, as far as member relationships, that it was actually pretty darned funny.

However, a very real alternate perspective possible throughout all of this was one of perceived hostility and negative reactions. To others, aka., new members, guests who are thinking of becoming new members, and the ones out of the loop (perhaps the ones who don't know about the Shemp example or whatever that's s'post to be), things here seemed to go to hell. Like, with fire. That burns. Lots of owwies.

I, personally, don't have a problem with what happened. But I'd just like to vouch for the other members who were caught in the crossfire. There were lots of consequenses for what happened, ones that would deem the action rather unnecessary, especially if it was for something like "dealing with attention *****s," or whatever the reason behind it was.

To name a few:

1) Some people were trying to post stuff, but obviously couldn't when the switch to the carbon copy board was made. You might respond with, "Well, they could just save it and post it later!" But really, do you think what happened was worth a massive inconvenience for many?

2) Besides the example I gave earlier, it seemed many of the ones completely innocent to all of this got caught in the crossfire as well, and thought of it rather negatively. Some even spoke out about leaving. Call them stupid or naive to not know that it was a joke, but I'd still think it was an uncalled for action to execute...again, for whatever reason it was meant for. And regardless if the threats about leaving were true or not, that's besides the point. That's their own decision. But it WAS prompted by an action, and that action was one that impacted a LOT of people.


Now, I could be wrong with my observations, but I'm just stating my very realistic perspectives I've gotten from the recent action. Like I said, I have no personal problem with it UNLESS it was for a ridiculous reason like playing a joke at the expense of others. Because, personally, I wouldn't want to identify myself with a board that does that kind of stuff. I don't play around with people like that, not when it could do some harm and cause a lot of stress.

Just had to get that off my chest.


So, I'm sure that I, as well as many others here, would very much like a detailed explaination of what just happened without beating around the bush, like pointing at past occurances and saying that it's cool to do stuff like this because "nobody really got hurt by it."

Just a simple request. Will somebody please enlighten us?

~Dalekfire

 

[kilitiinko1]

Illuminati revisited?

Dale,are you suggesting that perhaps this was done by and for the benefit of a clique?

 

[dalekfire]

Dale,are you suggesting that perhaps this was done by and for the benefit of a clique?

I'm not suggesting anything, Kil. I'm just wanting to know what is going on.

What I'm suggesting is that the action, for whatever reason, undoubtfully had a negative impact on many, many people. I'm questioning the necessity of such a joke. At least, one executed in this fashion, on a forum-wide extent.

 

[kilitiinko1]

I agree!

I'm not suggesting anything, Kil. I'm just wanting to know what is going on.

What I'm suggesting is that the action, for whatever reason, undoubtfully had a negative impact on many, many people. I'm questioning the necessity of such a joke. At least, one executed in this fashion, on a forum-wide extent.

I`m certain that MANY people want to know....

 

[Adam]

Hmmm. Well, I happened to miss what is beginning to sound like a complete fiasco. Therefore, I was not effected. However, if what I'm understanding is that certain people were essentially locked out from contributing, that does indeed sound like things went too far. Just one man's opinion. Them's not fightin' words.

 

[TonyInMyThroat]

However, a very real alternate perspective possible throughout all of this was one of perceived hostility and negative reactions. To others, aka., new members, guests who are thinking of becoming new members.

There were lots of consequenses for what happened, ones that would deem the action rather unnecessary, especially if it was for something like "dealing with attention *****s," or whatever the reason behind it was.

Some people were trying to post stuff, but obviously couldn't when the switch to the carbon copy board was made. You might respond with, "Well, they could just save it and post it later!" But really, do you think what happened was worth a massive inconvenience for many?

it seemed many of the ones completely innocent to all of this got caught in the crossfire as well, and thought of it rather negatively. Some even spoke out about leaving. Call them stupid or naive to not know that it was a joke, but I'd still think it was an uncalled for action to execute...again, for whatever reason it was meant for. And regardless if the threats about leaving were true or not, that's besides the point. That's their own decision. But it WAS prompted by an action, and that action was one that impacted a LOT of people.

it was for a ridiculous reason like playing a joke at the expense of others. Because, personally, I wouldn't want to identify myself with a board that does that kind of stuff. I don't play around with people like that, not when it could do some harm and cause a lot of stress.

Sometimes life throws you a curveball and there are a few options you can take; stand there, do nothing and take a strike; blink for a second with a swing and a miss; or you can take it head on and knock it out of the park.

Everyone has to deal with it in their own way, but if a bit of goofy confusion on an internet forum gets your panties in a wad, you may want to step back and take a long hard look at your life.

 

[QBWeaver]

The Queen says.....

We are not amused.

 

[BrightEyes1082]

Was it really a "massive inconvenience?" It's a forum. I mean... really? I hope nobody's life revolves around the TMF to such an extent that last night's 2 hour prank was a "massive inconvenience."

Didn't like it? That's fine. But don't let it ruin your day. 🙂

 

[TMF Jeff]

What, exactly, were your intentions with this ACF Forum dealio?

It was a prank. It's that simple.

A couple of years ago a bunch of us (ann and drew, ray and raya, bratgirl, max speer, leeallure and I) got together over the fourth of july weekend. We had many many drinks and other substances and decided to pull a prank on the forum. It involved Shemp because of something that had come up on the forum at the time (Drew70 was apparently seeing phantom Shemps everywhere he looked.)

So we named fourth of July Weekend ShempDay and decided to try to do it every year. We missed last year, but this year we are back in action.

Fear us and our drunken revelry.

 

[venray]

And consider it not meant to hurt anyone in any way......

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Just a little reminder to take things a little less seriously, eh?

 

[Adam]

I missed this whole thing, but I do have a few thoughts. Take these words as a mere outside observation, with no intent to do any harm. Having discussed this with a few folks, I believe the problem is that some see it as a clique mentality overshadowing the community aspect of the TMF. It can, at times, feel very exclusive. Though it was only for a few hours, locking up the entire website for the amusement of a select few seems to feed that feeling. I look around, and while I'm not personally offended, it seems that there are those who are. Some are newer members, while some are established veterans. You don't have to agree with me, but as a community, if someone has an issue with it, hear them out and give them respect.

 

[venray]

For background about "Shempday" Check out these threads...

<center>

http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?t=83654

http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?t=83709

Note that Shempday went on for a lot longer than this little joke...We tried to keep disruption to a minimum this time around due to the magnitude of the joke itself.....

I will gladly take PMs from anyone wishing to discuss Shemp or ACF or to vent their concerns....I will answer all and have no problem if you just want to PM to smack me one....

Feel free...😉

 

[xionking]

I missed this whole thing, but I do have a few thoughts. Take these words as a mere outside observation, with no intent to do any harm. Having discussed this with a few folks, I believe the problem is that some see it as a clique mentality overshadowing the community aspect of the TMF. It can, at times, feel very exclusive. Though it was only for a few hours, locking up the entire website for the amusement of a select few seems to feed that feeling. I look around, and while I'm not personally offended, it seems that there are those who are. Some are newer members, while some are established veterans. You don't have to agree with me, but as a community, if someone has an issue with it, hear them out and give them respect.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Adam. There is a real sense of exclusiveness that has taken hold over these forums.

I couldn't really care less whether I am a part of that exclusive bunch of not. I can just see how some people would be offended. I was just pissed off cuz some1somewhere and I were having a discussion in a thread when it turned into the ACF.

 

[Mitchell]

It's amazing. Maybe because it's been two years, I had forgotten all about Shemp Day. Then, when I saw Ray's post with the eyes going back and forth, it jarred my memory.

Personally, I knew it had to be some kind of prank. The forum goes down, and then comes back as the AnnieHall and CrystalLightForum. I knew that something like that would have to have been done by someone who could reconfigure the forum in a short period of time. So, I thought: "Okay, joke, just go with the flow, until the real forum comes back, whenever that is".

I do agree that it was a good way to lighten things up. The mood on this forum is sometimes way too intense. We are all here because of our common interest of tickling, and to escape the pressure of daily lives with work, family, etc. Things here should be light. Hopefully, yesterday aided with that.

Mitch

 

[TklDuo-Drew]

"Massive Inconvenience"???

Give me a break......we just had some harmless fun for a couple hours.


Lighten up, Francis.


Drew

 

[WorkInProgress]

Allow me to suggest what really took place here. For a brief period of time, the real board was replaced by a parody board. The parody board obviously took some serious work to put together. It was an example of what dedicated moderators we have, that for a humorous special feature they were willing to do the work. It was equivalent to writing a song or an elaborate skit. Now yes, people did have a brief moment of wondering what was really going on, but once it became clear that this was what it was, whatever else people have to say, they should at least be willing to acknowledge that they've got moderators who care enough about this board to put time and creative effort into this humorous parody. I am also of the view that everybody who called anybody an attention ***** should be willing to apologize. This is a community. That doesn't mean everybody likes everybody, but it does mean that everybody should have some sense of willingness to keep it civil.

In my opinion, even those who feel moved to criticize the joke should at least be willing to include the words "But I know you put a lot of creative effort into it, and congratulations on that." It's equivalent to giving someone a courteous compliment who's just written a song or painted a mural for the community. Even if you have reservations about it, you should at least acknowledge the work.

 

[Dussicar]

I, apparently missed all of this, but I figure that because of the amount of "forum divided" discussions that have been happening in various threads pertaining to this incident, it might have been best if this had been done during one of the forum's routine maintenence periods instead.

The obligatory downtime would have softened the blow a bit, if not altogether.

 

[WorkInProgress]

I doubt that would have been possible. I think there's a difference between the forum being "down" and the forum being up with different content being displayed. In any event, though, it was something that was done for us, not to us. People should be showing some appreciation to the moderators for putting time into this creative, humorous effort.

 

[Adam]

I doubt that would have been possible. I think there's a difference between the forum being "down" and the forum being up with different content being displayed. In any event, though, it was something that was done for us, not to us. People should be showing some appreciation to the moderators for putting time into this creative, humorous effort.

I suppose it depends on your point of view. I appreciate our mods very much, but frankly, I can see both sides of the argument. Personally, I remain relatively neutral.