Mike G, Esav & Spark

S

Scott Free

Joined
Sep 15, 1999
Messages
3,319
Spark told me to place this here. The following refers to this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688995


Last Thursday evening, I received an infraction from Mike G for deal spotting.
A dozen posts later, that thread was moved from the general forum to Whine & Cheese by Esav. In doing so, Esav wrote:

"It's too late for this to do much good since by now everyone got the joke. But sarcasm, you clever little devil, you, does not translate so well to the written format. Moderatos have been hit with warnings about deal-spotting and the OP got an infraction for it, which might be reversed."
______

This in my plea for the reversal (or at least renaming) of this particular infraction. I say, "this particular infraction" because I have two others--both for actual deal spotting.

As you can see, I've been on Bladeforums for ten years. I like it here. I REALLY like it here. I like the people here, and I appreciate all those who make bladeforums possible. I feel bad that I've caused this trouble, and I apologize for making more work for the moderators. In the future, I will think more carefully before making an attempt at humor.

To Mike G, specifically, I thank you for only giving me an infraction. If you believed that I had so knowingly and flagrantly violated the rules, you probably should have banned me. It's what I would have done. I'm thankful that you did not.

As to the infraction for deal spotting-- I simply am not guilty of the offense. I did spot a stupid crazy knife related rip-off. The most that can be said is that I used a humorously misleading subject title. I am certainly not the first to do so. As an example, I clearly remember a thread that opened to a picture of a Victorinox Classic with the product name, SPAM imprinted on its scales. The subject title for that thread was humorously and misleadingly, "SPAM!" It was funny. It was knife related. Others enjoyed and participated in the joke and no one got hurt. Outside of the outcome, it was almost identical to my post.

I did not deal spot, and I believe the infraction should be reversed. At the very least, the infraction should be renamed. Why do I care so much? As I mentioned, I already have two infractions for justly-deserved deal spotting. This place belongs to Spark. He makes the rules. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. That said, deal spotting is the offense of a nice guy. The spotter is passing on helpful information to his friends. And on the day of those first two infractions, I posted the deal to two different subforums--hence, two justly-deserved infractions.

Now I have three infractions-- all three for the same crime. What kind of moron gets three infractions for the same offense? A rebellious troublemaker??? or just stupid? These will be the initial thoughts of anyone who visits my profile page. As I said, I really like bladeforums and I like the people here. I'm a nice guy. Sometimes I'm a funny guy. I don't want people thinking I'm a stupid troublemaker when I very much am not. Because Spark had just warned the moderators about deal spotting is probably the reason things turned out as they did. Including myself, a dozen persons participated in the thread before it was moved. One was confused because the "deal" was obviously not a deal. The other ten participants continued on with the knife related joke. Sometimes jokes go bad for unforeseen reasons. This one unfortunately did, and I apologize for the unintended trouble I've caused. I am not guilty, though, of deal spotting, and I do not deserve an infraction for that particular offense.

If the infraction must stay, I merely ask that it be renamed to something more appropriate. Thank you for considering my request.

Scott Free
 
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Scott, First let me tell you that the only one that can see the infraction part of your profile is you and the mod team. noone else can view it.

Secondly, IMHO, If you had two previous infractions for deal spotting... WHY would you think it OK to post another one? I realise you were making a joke, but in doing so you flagrantly broke the rules a third time. The rules are clearly stated and there for a reason. These infractions are given on a point basis so that we learn from our mistakes before banning and do not continue to repeat them. IMHO, your third offense should not have happened and the infraction should not be removed so that you will realise the ramifications of your actions. Please think before you post.

This is only my opinion and the final say is with the mod team and spark.
We all make mistakes , but we must learn from them. i for one hope you can continue on your way to being a good and productive member of this commmunity.
 
Scott, just a note. You were given the infraction by Mike G, Mike H is not a mod. As for reversal, only Spark can reverse infractions. Give him a bit and he might, considering the circumstances.

To be honest, I jumped the gun and reported your post as deal spotting, as that's what it looked like at first glance. As Esav said, the jokes should probably be kept to W&C to avoid confusion.
 
Karda said:
Secondly, IMHO, If you had two previous infractions for deal spotting... WHY would you think it OK to post another one? I realise you were making a joke, but in doing so you flagrantly broke the rules a third time.
Click to expand...

I did not deal spot. Deal spotting is when someone finds a very good deal somewhere on the internet, and then posts information about that deal in the forums. This is not what I did. What I posted was a link to a grossly (and I thought obviously) overpriced knife. What I did is not deal spotting and I am not claiming a "technicality" here. It simple was not deal spotting, and I believe the mods recognize this in that those involved are willing to consider my request. Having said all this, I submit that I should never have even made a joke concerning deal spotting considering my prior offenses. So maybe I do deserve an infraction for something...just not deal spotting.
 
Karda said:
Scott, First let me tell you that the only one that can see the infraction part of your profile is you and the mod team. noone else can view it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for telling me this. If this is the case, then I can live with the infraction. I won't do anything similar again, so it won't jeopardize my future here. I don't wish to trouble Spark or the mods further. :)
 
For the record, Scott and I have discussed this, and I recommended he contact Spark, state his case, and he will make the final call.
 
I corrected the title. :)
I would be happy if Spark reversed the in fraction.



You all have to forgive me though ... I have to say,
this is one time I think he should get off scott free.
 
Scott Free said:
I did not deal spot. Deal spotting is when someone finds a very good deal somewhere on the internet, and then posts information about that deal in the forums. This is not what I did. What I posted was a link to a grossly (and I thought obviously) overpriced knife. What I did is not deal spotting and I am not claiming a "technicality" here. It simple was not deal spotting, and I believe the mods recognize this in that those involved are willing to consider my request. Having said all this, I submit that I should never have even made a joke concerning deal spotting considering my prior offenses. So maybe I do deserve an infraction for something...just not deal spotting.
Click to expand...
Actually, I believe that "Deal Spotting" also includes posting any links to sales from another site to this site, regardless of wether they are a "good" deal or not.
I got ONE infraction in my first weeks here for your same offense, as i had not taken time to read the rules yet. I took my punishment. IMHO you were given TWO warnings of your behavior and still committed a third.........

That being said....as long as you now understand the rules i'm in agreement with Esav's very bad pun. But it is not for me to decide and my views are my own.

@Esav... THANKS! in two years i've not actually physically done the face palm and because of you i can no longer say that. :rolleyes::rolleyes::D:D
 
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Not really. The rule is much relaxed on the Bernard Levine forum, for example, when links are posted for discussion or information rather than the sale itself.

After Bernie and the boys are finished discussing it, no one in his right mind would be bidding on it. :p
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Not really. The rule is much relaxed on the Bernard Levine forum, for example, when links are posted for discussion or information rather than the sale itself.

After Bernie and the boys are finished discussing it, no one in his right mind would be bidding on it. :p
Click to expand...
I know Esav... and i can see it being relaxed in certain forums when used for discussion rather than sales.
But this was posted in general and this member had two warnings already.
 
Karda said:
Actually, I believe that "Deal Spotting" also includes posting any links to sales from another site to this site, regardless of wether they are a "good" deal or not.
Click to expand...

No. It is perfectly fine to post a link to a sale or auction -- including an ongoing auction -- if: A) you are not the seller or shilling for the seller, AND B) your purpose for posting the link is to discuss the knife or the sale of it. The goals here are: A) to prevent sellers from using the forum to promote their sales and auctions, B) to prevent the site from being burried in "look, look, there's a knife on eBay" type posts, C) to avoid duplicating the function of search engines and "favorites" features.

Just take eBay for example. On any given day there are upwards of ten thousand knives for sale on eBay. If all of those sellers posted a link here on bf.c, we'd be burried. Anyone who is interested in buying a knife on eBay can use eBay's search feature and can set up favorite searches on eBay. bf.c does not need to serve as a serogate search engine for eBay... or any other sale or auction site.

bf.c is a knife discussion site. Sometimes knives which are offered for sale or auction can serve as good examples in discussions. Sometimes, discussions are motivated by a knife offered for sale or auction or by the sale -- or attempted sale -- itself. That's legitimate and productive discussion for the community. And that -- interesting, productive, legitimate discussion which benefits, educates, and enriches the knife community -- is the site's goal and, therefore, the goal of the moderators.
 
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OK, thanks Gollnick!

I have to admit, this is a little confusing at this point. I dont quite understand why i was given the ding for my offense now, as it was never my intention to shill for Mr. Powell, but to spur discussion of his knives and the possible reason that we hadnt seen him around these parts for quite some time. His knowledge is invaluable and he is dearly missed, especially, i'm sure, by those with whom he had personal dealings.
 
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