sam
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Post by sam on Feb 11, 2019 16:36:00 GMT
Hi everyone.
It's with a extremely heavy heart to write this but it's only fair you guys are informed about what's going on - whether you agree or not, it needs to be said.
I will get to the point: this Forum may not be open for much longer. The simple gist of it is that many of the Staff are fed up with the abuse we get. I said it in the toxicity thread and I will say it again - it draws the Staff away. It is not acceptable to be spoken to as some members have been regardless of how they feel, it is not acceptable to recieve PM's that aren't respectful towards us that are harassing, entitled and incredibly toxic in nature.
The Staff don't have to deal with this - we are real people with our own thoughts, feelings and personal lives. We're all here because we have a great passion for Avril, her music and the community. But when things turn sour (even if it is from a small handful of people) it all adds up. It's now affecting our own lives - do you have any idea how frustrating it is to try and do something you love but be disrespected and accused of things you aren't? We havent ever attacked members to warrant this; but it all stems from decisions we make - and I am not saying you can't have an opinon. That's why this very board exsists. I have always said that you are welcome to contact us with any thoughts, concerns etc but that never happens - instead it's vitriol spewed out at us.
The reality is that without Staff, the forum cannot run. I am leaving the Staff soon because it's affecting me too much in my real life - In Wonderland is already gone. So the forum, at the moment, has a very uncertain future. We are not a very large staff team to begin with - and we respect that some may not want to join the Staff. We are currently considering making Bandaids soley social media rather than a forum, but there's no certainty at the moment.
This thread will remain open to maintain an open dialogue, but please, if you are going to vent anger please try and do so in a way thats at the very least constructive.
Thank you.
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Blackarachnia
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“Head Above Water” via Spotify
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Post by Blackarachnia on Feb 11, 2019 16:58:49 GMT
Do we even need staff or moderators to post in a public forum? Has always felt so odd to me, whether it’s Bandaids or TransFormers-related... I miss the days of IMDb where people could just talk openly.
Just my two cents, but if the staff is sick of moderating, then leave? Isn’t this a free board anyway? I don’t see why it would need to be closed...
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Amanda
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Post by Amanda on Feb 11, 2019 16:59:00 GMT
We don't know what to do at this point with the forum. That's what we are thinking and discussing at this point. Because no matter if we just change positions and replace people -- clearly the staff is not feeling well about the forum, and that might just make the new staff members feel the same way. If I, Francesca and someone else is taking responsibility to recreate the staff and continue with the site, we need to know that it wont be a hassle for them, or hurt them personally. Me and francesca is handeling all of the social media's and fan projects, communication etc and so on so we don't have the time to alone be moderating the forum as well - so without a staff, it wont work.
Of course we want to continue with the forum, but something indeed needs to change if we will be willng to risque continuing it. Cause at this point, it seems the whole forum staff wants to, som extent, leave -- and I can't take resposiblity to create a new staff if I think that the same thing will happen again.
Being a fan should be fun and a passion and not something that is giving these people anxiety :/
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Amanda
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Post by Amanda on Feb 11, 2019 17:01:11 GMT
Do we even need staff or moderators to post in a public forum? Has always felt so odd to me, whether it’s Bandaids or TransFormers-related... I miss the days of IMDb where people could just talk openly. Just my two cents, but if the staff is sick of moderating, then leave? Isn’t this a free board anyway? I don’t see why it would need to be closed... Free is in my eyes though not the same as lack of rules. Rules is very much needed to moderate unless we want people to be commenting all kinds of stuff. Sharing leaks for example is illegal and will reflect back on bandaids as a whole, Avril's team can be reporting us who handle bandaids for it etc. And without moderators, nothing would moderate eventual threats or bullying etc. We dont want bandaids to have that image of no moderation what-so-ever
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sam
Administrator
MOTM October '18
i'll follow you wherever you lead
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Post by sam on Feb 11, 2019 17:02:16 GMT
Do we even need staff or moderators to post in a public forum? Has always felt so odd to me, whether it’s Bandaids or TransFormers-related... I miss the days of IMDb where people could just talk openly. Just my two cents, but if the staff is sick of moderating, then leave? Isn’t this a free board anyway? I don’t see why it would need to be closed... We are. The Problem is finding a replacement - the Staff in it's current state can't run the forum. Whilst yes, we have other Admins most of them have other commitments (e.g social media) It is a free board - anyone can create a forum on ProBoards.
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BogoGog24
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I'm off again in my world...
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Post by BogoGog24 on Feb 11, 2019 17:16:18 GMT
BA has been supporting Avril literally since the beginning of her career and has always had a great relationship with her personally. It would be such a shame to see this forum get shut down because people can't follow some simple rules. I don't know what to say or what to suggest, honestly. I just really hope the behavior will change here and that people stop talking about the stupid leaks and unreleased songs already. It's not that hard to take it somewhere else and keep it out of here.
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NowISee
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Post by NowISee on Feb 11, 2019 17:34:11 GMT
I joined ABA in 2006. When TBDT leaked, we all shared files on the forum - as well as the files for b-sides. It feels kind of hypocritical that now members aren't even allowed to share links via pm's.
I also feel it's funny I need to log onto some Spanish website where I don't understand anything - to get the links.
In the end, I understand that the times have changed. But wanted just to remind that one point Bandaids was the number one source of anything Avril-related. We've come far, but is it really for the better?!
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Blackarachnia
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“Head Above Water” via Spotify
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Post by Blackarachnia on Feb 11, 2019 17:36:23 GMT
Yeah, the way the administrators handled the leaked snippets was ridiculous... I’m glad In Wonderland is gone. Hope the rest follow soon
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sam
Administrator
MOTM October '18
i'll follow you wherever you lead
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Post by sam on Feb 11, 2019 17:40:36 GMT
Yeah, the way the administrators handled the leaked snippets was ridiculous... I’m glad In Wonderland is gone. Hope the rest follow soon I thank you for proving my point. In terms of sharing on Bandaids back in the day, I can’t verify that; but that rule about content was on the site way back in 2012 - possibly earlier.
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darrylp
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Post by darrylp on Feb 11, 2019 17:55:08 GMT
If a moderator is getting so triggered on an internet forum that they are having a mental breakdown irl over 10 second song snippets then they should step down and shut off their computer. It is very simple. It isn't the moderators that make the community anyways, so why have a power trip by shutting down the entire community? It seems petty.
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katy
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Post by katy on Feb 11, 2019 17:57:17 GMT
I’ll post what I was going to say in the other thread here - Honestly I think half of the “bad atmosphere” (I’ve used “s because I don’t see it myself in terms of the forums as a whole) is literally just a language barrier sometimes. I read posts sometimes from people who’s first language obviously isn’t english and the way it’s worded can come over as rude or dismissive to someone who is a native English speaker. I completely get that (and complete respect to anyone here posting in English when it’s not your first language - I know I couldn’t even put a sentence together in 99% of languages lol nevermind a whole post that makes perfect sense!!), but some people do react badly when they take it the wrong way. I dunno just something I’ve noticed a few times recently. Not really anything that can be done about that though other than everyone being a bit less keen to jump down people’s throats. The whole snippet fiasco will die down soon anyway - so many people joined the forum purely to ask for the snippets. I get regular members will find it annoying but it’s to be expected - she’s a mainstream artist and people will want to hear things asap. I think the moderators dealt with it well explaining it’s against the rules to post links here but all the posts like “Ergh go away so annoying” is a bit off, some people will get the snippets and leave but others might become regular members so I thought it was sad for people to be so unwelcoming lol. Ignore it and let the staff deal. On the rudeness to staff issue there’s really no excuse and honestly unless a ridiculous decision is made by a staff member or a staff member is rude themselves (something I’ve never seen here but saw a lot on the old BA) I don’t think anyone would take issue with you just banning the member(s) involved. You guys do a fab job here, with, as far as I’m aware, not even half the benefits the old forum staff had with regards to contact with Avril, you don’t get an awful lot out of the time you put in and I know most of us are really thankful for it.
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sam
Administrator
MOTM October '18
i'll follow you wherever you lead
Join Date: Mar 11, 2015 22:19:26 GMT
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Post by sam on Feb 11, 2019 17:57:52 GMT
If a moderator is getting so triggered on an internet forum that they are having a mental breakdown irl over 10 second song snippets then they should step down and shut off their computer. It is very simple. It isn't the moderators that make the community anyways, so why have a power trip by shutting down the entire community? It seems petty. As I said in my post it’s simply because with the departure of some staff the forum can’t run without a team. If it is to continue it needs to have staff.
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Meteora
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Post by Meteora on Feb 11, 2019 17:59:25 GMT
It would really break my heart to see the this forum being closed. I spent many hours here and discussing, sharing and knowing Avril's fans from all around the world. I know this is getting toxic and if that makes the moderators feel bad, it's understandable and it's ok. I know there's a lot of hard work from you to make this community work and it may be even harder when it comes to feel this way. I cannot imagine how hard it is when it starts affecting your personal lives. I never wanted this to happen and I'm sure many people like me wouldnt like BA to be done.You don't deserve to be treated the way you' been. We've been through too much together and we've been waiting together for this February,15 to come. we've been through to ups and downs and we even shared our personal experiences to overcome difficult times. we've also been given time to rethink and reconsideres our manners towards people here. I wouldn't be able to do all the work you do BTS. that's for sure. I hope there is a way in which I can help to make you feel better and to overcome this.
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sam
Administrator
MOTM October '18
i'll follow you wherever you lead
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Post by sam on Feb 11, 2019 17:59:35 GMT
I’ll post what I was going to say in the other thread here - Honestly I think half of the “bad atmosphere” (I’ve used “s because I don’t see it myself in terms of the forums as a whole) is literally just a language barrier sometimes. I read posts sometimes from people who’s first language obviously isn’t english and the way it’s worded can come over as rude or dismissive to someone who is a native English speaker. I completely get that (and complete respect to anyone here posting in English when it’s not your first language - I know I couldn’t even put a sentence together in 99% of languages lol nevermind a whole post that makes perfect sense!!), but some people do react badly when they take it the wrong way. I dunno just something I’ve noticed a few times recently. Not really anything that can be done about that though other than everyone being a bit less keen to jump down people’s throats. The whole snippet fiasco will die down soon anyway - so many people joined the forum purely to ask for the snippets. I get regular members will find it annoying but it’s to be expected - she’s a mainstream artist and people will want to hear things asap. I think the moderators dealt with it well explaining it’s against the rules to post links here but all the posts like “Ergh go away so annoying” is a bit off, some people will get the snippets and leave but others might become regular members so I thought it was sad for people to be so unwelcoming lol. Ignore it and let the staff deal. On the rudeness to staff issue there’s really no excuse and honestly unless a ridiculous decision is made by a staff member or a staff member is rude themselves (something I’ve never seen here but saw a lot on the old BA) I don’t think anyone would take issue with you just banning the member(s) involved. You guys do a fab job here, with, as far as I’m aware, not even half the benefits the old forum staff had with regards to contact with Avril, you don’t get an awful lot out of the time you put in and I know most of us are really thankful for it. Thank you Katy, that means a lot to read
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Erik
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Post by Erik on Feb 11, 2019 18:03:57 GMT
WITH ALL MY RESPECT I don't understand this post. I mean, this is a forum, people will talk, people will always have an opinion. I understand that you had to make rules, but some of them are really unnecessary. I get it, if the album leaks, you don't want to if anybody will share the links in the forum. But via PM? Why not? I said this, but if someone wants to buy the album will buy it anyway. I'm not sure if we really need moderators or not. For me it seems also unnecessary. What I can really understand is the yesterday drama over here with the unreleased songs. Like, a person has it, if someone or some people (including me) wants to collect money and buy it, why the hell not? Maybe these songs will never see the light, and we are courious about them. Also the snippet fiasco, really??? These are just 15 sec snippets, recorded via a stupid phone. Also, if you fed up with people who violated the forum rules what you made up, and then harassing you via PM, WHY YOU DON'T BAN THEM OR GIVE THEM A WARNING? I had a breakdown and I got a 2 weeks ban for that.......... You can ban me for haveing a bad moment then you can easily ban other members also. I really hope you guys wont shut down the forum because YOU want to leave.
I'm pretty sure everything will be OK after the album release tho.
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