Open letter to Foot regarding closure of BC thread

**Theodotos I** · 06-09-2008, 18:53

Dear Sir,

I posted the thread regarding Broken Crescent on this forum for very explicit reasons, some of which I have already stated, others of which I will enumerate presently. First, the EB team is one which I know and trust. Their modding ability and historical accuracy has been unparalleled in my experience. I have been a long-time fan of EB and my post record will show my unwavering support for the mod. Therefore I knew of no better place to ask a question regarding history, even if the time period was somewhat removed.
Second, the Broken Crescent sub-forum on the Guild is nearly dead, and I am not a member over at TWC, although I plan to join sometime in the near future. Urnamma, asked a question over on their forum regarding historical accuracy a few months ago and he failed to get an answer. Now if a legend like Urnamma can’t get a response, do you suppose I stand a chance?
Third, I question your statement that asking the question here denies the Broken Crescent team the ability to respond to criticism. At least one member of their team, Keravnos, also belongs to the EB team and posts on this forum. He certainly possesses the capacity to respond to my question, which was in no way meant as a criticism of their mod in the first place.
However, I wish to thank those who responded before you locked the thread. Their replies gave me the response I desired and were done in an admirably civil manner which does no disservice to Broken Crescent or EB. I once again wish to express my support for EB and every member of the team, including you, sir.
If you should wonder why I choose to make my response an open letter rather than PM’ing you, it is because an open rebuke demands an open reply. I have always endeavored to phrase my questions in such a way that would be inoffensive to the moderators of this forum and it grieves me to think that one of my threads would be closed in such a way. Still, that is your call, and should you still feel that the closure was justified, I will abide by your decision. In that case, accept my apologies for the inappropriateness of my post.
Respectfully yours,
Theodotos I

**Foot** · 06-09-2008, 19:31

A lesson was learnt during the EB/RTR wars that occurred so long ago between the two mods: innocent discussion can often lead to insult and harm. Discussion of a mod's worth, particularly with regards to historical accuracy, which many people take very seriously indeed (as well they should), should certainly take place only on a mod's forums. This is a self-imposed rule that I think all EB members follow and for which reason I closed your thread.

While I'm sorry to hear that such a popular mod does not have the community that EB is so proud and honoured to possess, that is no warrant for the posting of a question concerning Broken Crescent here. Had it been a general question about that time-period then it could be discarded as off-topic, but as it directly referenced another mod and (while you may not have meant it to appear so) asked for a critical appraisal of their historical accuracy by EB team members, I felt it unsuitable for the thread to continue lest it become a nest of vipers. You may think this overcautious, but I need not remind, those who were there, the terrible argument and bile that formented in a thread concerning Darth's Formation Mod and his work in general on that area of the game. It had started as an innocent statement, but because it was on a forum that it was not suitable for being on Darth was unable to respond until the whole thing had got out of hand and the end result was a s*** throwing match between him and the stat guys on our team. Both sides behaved awfully.

With that in mind I must stress that my job as moderator on this forum is not to promote free-speech and innocent inquiry (the internet does that by itself), but instead to protect this forum and EB from the worst parts of the internet - people under fire. Interpretation of a person's words is a fine art and in face to face conversation has much to do with body-language. On the internet there is no such body-language and instead it is largely based on how we feel at the time. I have often been on this forum and become annoyed at a post or person and responded in a way that had it been face-to-face I know I would have acted with more calm.

That is why I closed the thread. It was justified.

Foot

**Gaivs** · 06-09-2008, 20:24

Great answer Foot, i actually felt like i had to chime in and say well handled.

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 06-10-2008, 00:14

I'd like to add that it is not just Foot. I would have closed that thread when I first saw it, had it not been already closed. It is indeed policy of the moderators to close all comparison or criticism threads concerning other mods.

I have seen many innocent questions turn into giant conflicts and/or pissing matches. And for a mod to let such things go on in their forums is an indirect endorsements of said conflicts of oppinions.

**Moros** · 06-10-2008, 00:27

My apologies for adding to this feeling, if not creating this feeling.

**Theodotos I** · 06-10-2008, 15:27

Originally Posted by Foot

A lesson was learnt during the EB/RTR wars that occurred so long ago between the two mods: innocent discussion can often lead to insult and harm. Discussion of a mod's worth, particularly with regards to historical accuracy, which many people take very seriously indeed (as well they should), should certainly take place only on a mod's forums. This is a self-imposed rule that I think all EB members follow and for which reason I closed your thread.

While I'm sorry to hear that such a popular mod does not have the community that EB is so proud and honoured to possess, that is no warrant for the posting of a question concerning Broken Crescent here. Had it been a general question about that time-period then it could be discarded as off-topic, but as it directly referenced another mod and (while you may not have meant it to appear so) asked for a critical appraisal of their historical accuracy by EB team members, I felt it unsuitable for the thread to continue lest it become a nest of vipers. You may think this overcautious, but I need not remind, those who were there, the terrible argument and bile that formented in a thread concerning Darth's Formation Mod and his work in general on that area of the game. It had started as an innocent statement, but because it was on a forum that it was not suitable for being on Darth was unable to respond until the whole thing had got out of hand and the end result was a s*** throwing match between him and the stat guys on our team. Both sides behaved awfully.

With that in mind I must stress that my job as moderator on this forum is not to promote free-speech and innocent inquiry (the internet does that by itself), but instead to protect this forum and EB from the worst parts of the internet - people under fire. Interpretation of a person's words is a fine art and in face to face conversation has much to do with body-language. On the internet there is no such body-language and instead it is largely based on how we feel at the time. I have often been on this forum and become annoyed at a post or person and responded in a way that had it been face-to-face I know I would have acted with more calm.

That is why I closed the thread. It was justified.

Foot

Thank you, sir. I have no hard feelings against you or against the moderators of this forum. I merely wished to clear my name--I have no wish to be accused of stirring up strife or flaming others on this forum. As stated, I have always striven to be inoffensive and it grieved me to think that my intent was miscontrued. However, I understand your position. Others might not have continued my thread in the good spirit in which I started it, and then I would have been asking you to lock it. I think it is important for everyone on the forums to remember to act like gentlemen, as you have. My regards to Marcus Aurelius, as well. I will see what I can do to rouse the Broken Crescent forum. Thanks.

**Mediolanicus** · 06-10-2008, 16:37

Don't worry, Theodotos, your name wasn't blemished in any way by the closure of your thread.
As was said, that kind of threads are closed because they may erupt into flaming-wars (better save then sorry). But it is rarely the initial poster who is to blame for that.

**Theodotos I** · 06-10-2008, 17:04

Originally Posted by Mediolanicus

Don't worry, Theodotos, your name wasn't blemished in any way by the closure of your thread.
As was said, that kind of threads are closed because they may erupt into flaming-wars (better save then sorry). But it is rarely the initial poster who is to blame for that.

Thank you. That was my only concern and I apologize for my mistake.

**Moros** · 06-10-2008, 17:25

Originally Posted by Moros

My apologies for adding to this feeling, if not creating this feeling.

This about something else I see. I tought it was about 0 AD first. In that case nevermind.

**Senshi** · 06-11-2008, 19:22

Well spoken, Foot

I might not be one of the super active members here, but I'm very active in two other communities for over ~5 years now and experienced exactly the same Foot described. The disadvantage of written word...

Love how civilized things are solved here, there are far worse experiences to be made throughout the www....