ATS Issues Thread.

[torbjon]

interesting... Bill said this on page 66:

"Overall, AboveTopSecret.com is an exceptionally advanced and sophisticated discussion board environment where any can join and use it for free, with an absolute minimal requirement, an e-mail account. This sophisticated environment has grown over years of investment in code and hardware to the point where members enjoy unique search optimization of their posts (what you post is seen on Google often within six hours of posting), a robust hosting environment capable of handling hundreds-of-thousands of daily visits, and professional management of the security and hardware to ensure it all stays up."

he goes on to list even more goodies, but the Number One reason to post on ats seems to be having your crap spidered by google within six hours.

at the bottom of that post he tells the dude who is concerned about the admin spam in his u2u box:

"If you're unable to tolerate such a limited amount of "official" or "informative" mass-messages in the U2U system, then it would seem you have a rather low irritation threshold. "

Wow. The guy states that he does not wish to receive announcements about endorsed products, guest speakers, special events,etc. but Does want to receive what he considers to be "important" messages like policy changes, rule changes, changes / upgrades to the structure of the site...

And good ol' Bill slaps the guy with a "low irritation threshold" label because the guy expressed a desire to not receive advertisements in his u2u box (no one else can send ads, btw, only the staff of ats are allowed to SPAM members)

The guy is asking for a Spam Filter fer chrissakes. I got one on my email thingy, you got one on your email thingy, Everybody has one on Their email thingy. They are generic, easy to implement, easy to use and adjust, and have been around for Years.

My dealings with Bill have lead me to believe that he is one smart cookie. I'm willing to wager (heavily) that in the time Bill spent dealing with this persons concerns he could have just as easily set up some sort of filtering system for the u2us... but that would have been Cool.

Instead he spent that time slapping this dude with a less than flattering label.

That ain't cool.

[mojo]

interesting... Bill said this on page 66:

"Overall, AboveTopSecret.com is an exceptionally advanced and sophisticated discussion board environment where any can join and use it for free, with an absolute minimal requirement, an e-mail account. This sophisticated environment has grown over years of investment in code and hardware to the point where members enjoy unique search optimization of their posts (what you post is seen on Google often within six hours of posting), a robust hosting environment capable of handling hundreds-of-thousands of daily visits, and professional management of the security and hardware to ensure it all stays up."

he goes on to list even more goodies, but the Number One reason to post on ats seems to be having your crap spidered by google within six hours.

well. you and i both know thats all that concerns them man, community building..my ass..clicks and views brother...AMEN.



at the bottom of that post he tells the dude who is concerned about the admin spam in his u2u box:

"If you're unable to tolerate such a limited amount of "official" or "informative" mass-messages in the U2U system, then it would seem you have a rather low irritation threshold. "

Wow. The guy states that he does not wish to receive announcements about endorsed products, guest speakers, special events,etc. but Does want to receive what he considers to be "important" messages like policy changes, rule changes, changes / upgrades to the structure of the site...

And good ol' Bill slaps the guy with a "low irritation threshold" label because the guy expressed a desire to not receive advertisements in his u2u box (no one else can send ads, btw, only the staff of ats are allowed to SPAM members)

The guy is asking for a Spam Filter fer chrissakes. I got one on my email thingy, you got one on your email thingy, Everybody has one on Their email thingy. They are generic, easy to implement, easy to use and adjust, and have been around for Years.

My dealings with Bill have lead me to believe that he is one smart cookie. I'm willing to wager (heavily) that in the time Bill spent dealing with this persons concerns he could have just as easily set up some sort of filtering system for the u2us... but that would have been Cool.

Instead he spent that time slapping this dude with a less than flattering label.

That ain't cool.

yup, he even told that dude or the other one that, "ya know, maybe ATS isn't for you".
how do you reckon folks that get pointed to the "ATS Issues Thread" would perceive that sort of comment from the CEO of ATS directed at a member who is raising an issue. Duh!!!
i know Bill is not a dumb guy but he honestly must not be able to relate on a personal level very well imo.
maybe they just dont give a flying fuck how many people they piss off because they have so many members and visitors, but i know where that sort of attitude leads, and it ain't good.

oh and btw, do you know exactly how many addicted members they have, less than 1%.
Quantcast said so....you can twist and play with stats in soooo many ways.

[Ducky]

It's all in the wording. When we want to give an impression of something, but don't want to reveal the whole truth, it's more convenient to add lib, spice up the site with technical jargon, and the members will eat out of their hands like it was nothing.

Like when they used the word 'appreciate', as in they "appreciated any feedback/comments" whether it was good or bad, it gives an overall impression that they are positve about receiving member info. This would seem to give the 'go ahead' to members to 'spout off', to which in turn might result in repremands and/or bannings.

When you look at the definition of 'appreciate':

[offsite:39wrbd7l]1. to be grateful or thankful for: They appreciated his thoughtfulness.
–verb (used with object) 2. to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on: to appreciate good wine.
3. to be fully conscious of; be aware of; detect: to appreciate the dangers of a situation.
4. to raise in value.
–verb (used without object)
5. to increase in value: Property values[/offsite:39wrbd7l]

In this case, I believe that the word is used with example # 3 above

*underlined emphasis mine*

This is how members may misinterpret the jist behind a LOT owners/mods wordings.

[mojo]

much as it hurts me to do so i will offer a tiny bit of advice, not that anyone from there reads anything we say anyway...right!
and it is what i do for a living soooooo...you can take it or leave it. (if i were you i'd take it coz it's free).

the "ATS Issues thread" when looked at in isolation is not a bad idea, in fact it has merit for a site the size of ats.
here's where the problem lies though, ever heard that saying "too many cooks spoil the broth", well in this instance it's spot on.

couple of tips:

1. one person and one person only is in charge of the thread, (obviously with consensus amongst staff or owners for technical or other advice regarding answers to questions in the staff forum). one staff member who is a regular could easily take care of this and other posts in the BB&Q forum without having the distraction of multiple and possibly contradictory posts from other staff members.
2. unwarranted posts from members of the site answering other members questions and issues are removed asap (or u2u to those members thanking them for their input but pointing out that the thread is for staff to answer issues so that the thread does not become a morass of ass kissing wannabe's and namecalling of those who dare to raise issues).
3. treat all the issues with honesty and respect, they may seem inane and inconsequential but if someone has chosen to raise it then it does have importance.
4. patience.
5. even more patience.

couple more important points to consider......hmmmm.....maybe later.
well.....
except to say that point 1 is extremely important and the person you choose to supervise the thread is even more important.

[mojo]

haha...they go from bad to worse.

the "status" symbol profile has been removed to a users profile page now....but....it has been replaced by a "flag" meter.
holy shit, post a thread with some fucking way out there title, add some paranoid delusional ramblings, get tons of flags, and suddenly everyone will know you are a flag pimp, obviously a brilliant contributor, a critical and resorceful thinker.

[attachment=0:1d67izm9]flagl20.png[/attachment:1d67izm9]

"a flag meter"....hahahahahahahahahahaha....classic.

now their members will not only be chasing "points" but posting all sorts of sensational crap just to earn "flags".

[hp]

Basically now merit is based on the number of flags placed on a thread that a member created. First one to post a popular topic is the winner, as those usually are to big flag threads. Flag wavers...

[mojo]

This is the what the ATS issues thread has become, other than all the unanswered issues from previous pages of course.


by watchZEITGEISTnow

so which forum would you post a talk by an indigo child in? thanks


by Skyfloating

If posting your own story about being an Indigo Child: Gray Area

If posting about the phenomenon in general: Paranormal

If posting about the claim as an illness: Psychology


by watchZEITGEISTnow

Thank you Paranormal it is then.

*another question: If an Indigo says they are an incarnated ET from Mars for example - this still does not qualify for the ET/UFO section - the "indigo Child Boriska" comes to mind. Thanks!



by 12m8keall2c

The above example would seem a perfect candidate for The Gray Area .... a "personal experience, claim" with little or No supportive information nor documentation to substantiate such...

... much the same as one claiming to have insider (whistle blower-like) info void the same .... aside from "their word".

The Gray Area.



by watchZEITGEISTnow

groovy - gotchya - thanks!


by Skyfloating

I agree with the Gray Area on this.

If they are incarnated from Mars into Tibet, thats a different story though.

j/k



:lol: :lol: :lol:


Ohh yeah.....here's the link....even though it doesn't actually take you to the quoted content.....in breach of their own T&C......still, we will attempt to do the right thing.

[ats:2o8883o9]http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg161#pid6905854[/ats:2o8883o9]

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg161#pid6905854

[Bitchkoma]

i want to kill myself.

[hp]

A good example of the meaningful stuff that is claimed to be discussed there. This is important stuff the world needs to hear. How can a site run by an interactive evangelist be wrong.

[mojo]

:lol:

Enjoy. :D

[ats:1r06iybx]blah blah[/ats:1r06iybx]

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread495645/pg1


What is with the arrogance?

Hi ATS staff

I'm opening this thread as a concern for some of the staff's actions in this board. As a long time member (had a different name before but changed to this one in 2006) I've seen through the years some actions that don't honor this board and the staff and especially are a clear slap to the face of the members. Certain topics are very delicate and require sometimes 'harsh' intervention from mods, smod and admins and as far as my understanding goes, this actions have been welcomed from the membership. But sometimes we see things that don't really fit with what is known to be the ATS modus operandi and really give the members a bitter taste of arrogance, disrespect and censorship. We all know that ATS differently from most of the boards on the net, offers a clear view of free speech, free and alternative thinking, honest debate (comment from mojo...you have to be fucking kidding) and opposition and on top of everything names it self (and rightfully so) the biggest Conspiracy Board online. That being said, every subject of conspiracy that generates debate is within the boundaries of this site and part of it and that the reason why we have that number of members that we do.

Unfortunately though, few times some of the subjects are being shut off and erased from the board and the most important, when questions are raised from the membership for such actions, we're faced with an arrogance that is unjustifiable and makes one really think if this is an individual action from an irresponsible staff member or a hidden policy (God forbid) that comes into play every time someone opens a thread dimmed ''dangerous'' and which could generate ''remarkable and racist'' comments of any kind. I've noticed that few threads are to sensitive to stay open and even to be visible in the board. Yesterday a member opened this thread: The Zionists Censor Another One!!! which was closed today with a very offensive answer. I'm quoting few lines from the thread and the concern raised by the member:

This is not the first, not the second, not the tenth or even the twentieth - I have seen dozens upon dozens of anti-zionist jewish threads vanish into the ether of the "404" error message. Why? Anti-Palestinian threads - fine! Anti-Muslim threads - fine! Anti-American threads - fine! Anti-Catholic threads - fine! But the second you point out that "Jew" isn't a race and begin exploring the background on the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews, the Zionist World Congress, the Balfour Declaration and such - BAM - 404! It disappears into 404.


And here it comes the answer from one of smods of the board:

...we're waiting to see what our opinion/response is...once we receive it from our Zionist Controllers, and picked up our big fat Zionist Cheque from the Zionist Bank...we'll be sure to respond...


...is that the response people are looking for???




Seriously people - get a grip.

The poster of the thread in question will know which Mod locked/trashed or moved it.

Maybe they should be the ones asking.


*what? our Zionist Controllers have just sent through the order to lock?? okay*


*LOCKED*




I might not agree totally with the way the concern was addressed but is this the answer a smod shoud give to the members? Is this the kind of arrogance and offensive behavior that we deserve? Once again, I'm not concerned about the veracity or not of the problem. What bothers me as a member of this board is this lack of respect toward the membership and the arrogantly use of commands in the forum. We all know that a mod, smod and admin can delete, lock threads, ban members (permanently or temporary) edit posts, give warnings... and so on. And we all agree and applause the staff when they apply this measures within the norms and standards of T&C. But it doesn't take much of an effort to consider someone's concern and answer to the questions in a more decent way. At the end of the day, we all are part of a this big community and if we can't respect each other's opinions (being a staff member or just a member of the board) and address our concerns where can be heard and rightfully respected then soon this conspiracy forum will lose the purpose for which was created. The membership now is very big and is important to remember that is this membership that makes this site so great and popular.

I hope I've made my self clear. I respect the staff for what they do and I know that is a volunteer job and each of them has other and more important things to do in their daily lives. What I gently ask is some more respect and consideration for the members, no matter what their concern is.

Thanks.

and check out the following discussion in the ATS issues thread after Telos thread was locked.

[ats:1r06iybx]blah blah[/ats:1r06iybx]

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg167

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg168

Ummm.....not sure but might have something to do with the fact that the ATS investors are jewish...just a hunch.

lol, do some research people.
this from the CFO at ATS, who btw i think is an OK dude but thats beside the point, as he has stated a number of times publically that the ATS investors are jewish or have jewish connections.


on a side note, the "secrecy" behind the investors is rather simple. Nobody knows them so publicizing their name would reveal nothing. The unidentified investors lead normal lives where being involved with a conspiracy and ufo site might not sit well with their clients so they opted to remain anonymous. The company they formed gives no clues as to who they are and, for the record, they are not catholic. If you want a religious conspiracy, the jews would be your focal point.

[hp]

This is just the natural evolution as power is gained. Doesn't that state of mind and actions at the site sound just the government or any big company.

Internet - 'ATS, go for throttle up'
ATS - 'Crossing asshat threshold, we're there'

[skunk]

Great find mojo. I was wondering why that happened....

I still don't understand why its hate speech to speak out against a government's actions? It really makes no sense to me. Why, because its a 'jewish' state? God forbid a religious person would ever do anything immoral, illegal, or ungodly.

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg167#pid6982610


Originally posted by Telos
reply to post by alien (http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg167#pid6981769)
[more]

Alien, thank you for answering so openly and sincerely to my concern. I appreciate your honesty and humility to accept any consequence for your actions (even though didn't ask for beheading or you being penalized). I do understand the pressure and especially the right to be wrong as all of us. I my self am a smod in a forum and I know very well how hard is sometime dealing with certain issues and certain members. However I wasn't absolutely talking about that. Breaking the rules is something that has to be punished within T&C and I applause any decision made by the staff. What I meant is that certain subjects are very sensitive at the point to disappear from the board (deleted or locked) and members who ask why did that happen, often are left unanswered, ignored or treated (and I'm talking about threads that were really an example of civil behavior and mature discussions) in the way we're debating for. I do agree with you that even though this is a conspiracy site, not everything is a conspiracy. But when I read in this conspiracy site about how just a simple rock on Mars can be an artifact left from a alien civilization, or how Obama is the Antichrist, or how Dick Cheney is a shape shifting reptilian or how Muslims are the evil (I am a christian btw) or... I can go on forever, then a thread that deals with judaisem or certain jews as part of a conspiracy for the global control etc... has the same rights to be discussed and talked in this board. I've seen this kind of censorship when it comes to thread about holocaust, jews, their control, them being blamed for something and to be honest I always laughed with the OP because I knew how it would have ended (as actually always does). Why? I thought since this board is with an international membership, everybody has the same rights and we're all the same. Aren't we members of a great forum who broke the boundaries of countries, ideologies, mentalities and got us all together to put to rest our differences and learn how to 'coexist' in peace and in understanding? And most of all, aren't we members of a forum named as the Biggest Conspiracy board on the net? Once again I know very well what a conspiracy is and by definition the subject which we're dealing with constitutes a conspiracy.

The International-Communist-Judaeo-Masonic Conspiracy, sometimes called the international-marxist-judaeo-masonic conspiracy, or simply the judaeo-masonic conspiracy, is a conspiracy theory involving a secret coalition of Jews, freemasons, and communists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judeo-Masonic_conspiracy_theory



This is just an example to prove my point. My self I don't care expressing my opinion in such threads because what I personally thing is something that cannot be changed by no actions of arrogance, avoidance or silence.

Thanks for the time spent in answering to me.


http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg167#pid6982721


Originally posted by breakingdradles
reply to post by Djarums (http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread353530/pg167#pid6982382)
[more]

You again just did the same thing as alien.

Who said anything about Jewish bankers? Just you it seems.

Who said ATS was owned by anyone?

Lets go look, OH WAIT, YOU GUYS DELETED IT.

Again, the thread was about how you cannot discuss the topic and the ramifications of not being able to, and surprise surprise, it got deleted. The thread about it's disappearance, which ended abruptly with a mod mocking fellow members, was locked so others can see it still.

If you agree that threads are bashed by the opposition throughout many topics, why are those threads locked and threads that have the word israel in it deleted, never to be found on ATS servers again?

Surely there has been much more harsh and nasty insults between members in liberal vs conservative debates as of late and also a much larger quantity, I've seen it myself.

Those threads rarely get stopped, and if they do they are locked, not deleted and 404'd never to be read again.

If you think some one is doing wrong or even hurting someone else, what kind of world do we live in if you can't even say anything due solely to the religion this person chose?

I know many good Jewish people, I actually live with one, so why can't I speak out against the ones I think are hurting people as I would no matter what religion they practiced?

Another thing that happens here that mods also take part in, is confusing a story about israel as a anti-Jew story, and treat it as if it was a pro-Hitler article. This needs to stop.

Time after time, these threads 404, even when started as a pro israeli thread, while other topics get locked, placing them in the public ATS archives, to be found with a simple search.

People are starting to notice.

[edit on 27-8-2009 by breakingdradles]

[Foxtrot Oscar]

Amyone else think it's time for a coordinated board spamming expedition?

:)

lol

Fox

[Ducky]

I'm thinking this ATS 'Issues thread' more than likely started up because of me last year when I questioned certain things in the company and left in May/08

$50 bucks says it started up...all because of me. Because of the 'Cointel Pro..' thread over there.

Any Takers?

[Oblivion]

I'm thinking this ATS 'Issues thread' more than likely started up because of me last year when I questioned certain things in the company and left in May/08

$50 bucks says it started up...all because of me. Because of the 'Cointel Pro..' thread over there.

Any Takers?


tickets, please.... :roll:

[skunk]

Ducky, you weren't the first one banned nor the first one to start a thread like that...

[boycotteverything]

This goes back a ways. I was banned there in 2006. They seemed to have had a GLP style purge at that time. The place sucks.

[Oblivion]

Ducky, you weren't the first one banned nor the first one to start a thread like that...

your such a kill joy, skunk.

leave the poor woman to her delusions of grandure :lol:

[skunk]

Haha sorry I squashed your dream ducks.

[boycotteverything]

I think it's safe to say that 90% of us have been shitcanned by Sphincter and Ubertard and their gauleiters. And every last one was deserved! On the other hand, were it not for the bannings, Jasn would never have invented this floating foodfight. No regrets, then.

[guinnessford]

Ill say it again, If it wasnt for their ignorance, stupidity, and blatant spying, I wouldnt have found this place.

Thanks again, douche bags!

[boycotteverything]

Hey- I haven't heard you weigh in on Teddy's passing. Is there an Irish Masshole who didn't love him?

[skunk]

Many.

[GeneralStriker]

i never met one.

[pack3tg0st]

Ducks... the Issues thread gives a reason on why it was started...

with link to original post and everything...

[skunk]

Amkon: we talk a lot of shit.

[Oblivion]

$50 bucks says it started up...all because of me. Because of the 'Cointel Pro..' thread over there.

Any Takers?

you owe me 50 bucks.

and not 50 pesos either.. $50

[Lexion]

you owe me 50 bucks.

and not 50 pesos either.. $50

Will you accept Canadian Health
Care credits ?

[Oblivion]

no, and no obamacare shit either.

[mojo]

67.60.228.54


lol, you don't fucking give up do you.

get a fucking life.

[pack3tg0st]

67.60.228.54


Can I?

edit to add: who the fuck do you know in Boise, Idaho? LOL

[skunk]

I don't think its anyone of importance mojo.

[Cogburn]

ROFL Seriously... G/J becoming the totally creepy, paranoid admin.

"OMG AMKON TRACKS YOUR IP!!!!one"

[skunk]

We not only track your ips, we store them in a database and send it to the NSA for datamining and other nefarious purposes.

:thegeneral:

[Oblivion]

where the hell is my 50 bucks ducky.

a person is only as good as the promises they keep :lol:

[mojo]

I don't think its anyone of importance mojo.

whoever it is must really like the stoopid dumbfuck forum coz there in there every day.


paranoiaRus.

[skunk]

I must not be vigilant enough with my spying. I'll try harder.

[Ducky]

$50 bucks says it started up...all because of me. Because of the 'Cointel Pro..' thread over there.

Any Takers?

you owe me 50 bucks.

and not 50 pesos either.. $50

Show me where I owe you $50, and I'll happilly chip in a nice bottle of Canadian Ice Wine too :D

Fair is fair right?

[mojo]

$50 bucks says it started up...all because of me. Because of the 'Cointel Pro..' thread over there

lol, the "issues thread" had more to do with the constant stream of criticism and abuse being posted about ats from banned and secretly banned members and others who left of their own accord.
It had nothing whatsoever to do with one little thread. In fact it was suggested to the ats admins in a thread here by someone with wonderful prescience long ago, and also in an email as well if memory serves me.
And they still didn't get it right.

:D