Writers.net

[Gravity]

For the past couple weeks the site has been crashing more frequently, and with longer duration. Several people there had mentioned it, and asked the moderator (there's only one) what was up, with no reply; now it's been gone for three days straight. Strange. Oh well. Just FYI.

[aka eraser]

I noticed that too John. Hope nothing's happened with Hamish. Maybe one of their in-the-know folks will drop by here with some scuttlebutt.

[CaoPaux]

Hamish hasn't been "mod" for a few months now. The new guy is/was Sam, IIRC. They've been down for longer, FWIW. Probably trying to shoehorn more ad space.

ETA: WN has returned without Agents and Craft forums. No word from Sam yet.

[CaoPaux]

Well, they recovered for a couple weeks (with, as I suspected, more adspace), but they're down again. Maybe they're enlarging the topic titles some more. :rolleyes:

Never did get a response from Sam.

[underthecity]

I used to frequent WN before I found AW, then I totally defected.

The "straw that broke the camel's back" was when a poster wanted to know why publishers weren't interested in his book about how a man "found love" with a ten year old boy. The thread was both sickening and disturbing, but it was never deleted or anything. That's about when I completely stopped going there.

That and some of the membes got on my last nerve.

allen

[JennaGlatzer]

Just a gentle reminder: please, no insults about other boards (or their members) here.

[CaoPaux]

Love 'em or lump 'em, it's back. (Was down four days for me, 'though by post times some were able to get on last night.)

[Bourgeois Nerd]

I used to frequent WN before I found AW, then I totally defected.

The "straw that broke the camel's back" was when a poster wanted to know why publishers weren't interested in his book about how a man "found love" with a ten year old boy. The thread was both sickening and disturbing, but it was never deleted or anything. That's about when I completely stopped going there.

That and some of the membes got on my last nerve.

allen

LMAO! Wow. This is seriously funny and disturbing. And I thought my book was controversial. :ROFL:

[Giant Baby]

I know from this thread that they have a history of going down. I've rarely gone to the site, but remembered an old discussion there someone had once pointed out that I wanted to find.

The url now directs to a Bluehost holding page, and when I googled to make sure I had the address right, there's now a note below the site link on Google that reads, "This site may harm your computer."

Anyone know what's going on?

[CaoPaux]

WN had been collecting malware through their ads for several months, and finally made it onto Google's "attack site" list. The domain isn't set to expire until 2011, so either the owner or the host pulled the site.

[Giant Baby]

Thanks Cao! It was actually a link I believe you posted somewhere back in the day that led me there this morning (pertinent to another discussion over in B&BC). No surprise, here, that you'd show up with helpful information. You always do.

:e2headban

[Kensington]

Has anyone been over there recently? They have this dreadful new software that's impossible to navigate and the new moderator has alienated many long time members with her actions -- selective censorship, etc. It used to be a thriving site, but there is very little activity there now.

http://www.writers.net/

[MacAllister]

Errr, not to squelch things before they get started -- but I'm gonna squelch this line of conversation before it gets started. :) Generally, we try to encourage AW members to leave their issues with other message boards and the mods/citizens there, on those other boards and not bring them here -- at least anything beyond a recommended/not recommended general discussion or a "do you guys know what's up, the site doesn't seem to be online right now?"

As a board manager, myself, I'd encourage you to write the Writers.net admin/owner with your concerns.

[CaoPaux]

In point of fact, they use the same vBulletin software as AW. Newer version, but same structure.

As for "censorship" ... too little, too late, IMNSHO. I stopped posting there years ago due to the crush of spam and trolls.

Now if they can just refrain from reordering the forums every other day, it might return to being a useful site.

As a board manager, myself, I'd encourage you to write the Writers.net admin/owner with your concerns.It does amuse me that early complaints were they were making it too much like AW.

[Clementine B]

A thread that was started on WN re this call for submissions at AW, was deleted as being in poor taste and against their TOS.

"Seeking humorous non-fiction about poop. Yes poop. [token advance, royalties]

This Book is Sh*t!

A Collection of Hilarious True-life Stories and Essays About Shit, Complete with Corn

Edited by Garrett Calcaterra

Seeking humorous essays, articles, and true-life stories having to do with shit. Shitting at work, pants shitting, shitting etiquette, philosophical musings on shit... if it's funny submit it. No coprophilia or sexual content please. Poop is funny, not sexy. Terms to be negotiated once we have a publisher lined up. Agents are currently reviewing the proposal. In all likelihood, contributors will receive a token advance, and royalties if/when the book sells well."

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213224

WN members subsequently started up another thread titled: Why was the poop thread removed?

[gothicangel]

A thread that was started on WN yesterday re this call for submissions at AW was deleted as being in poor taste and against their TOS.

"Seeking humorous non-fiction about poop. Yes poop. [token advance, royalties]

This Book is Sh*t!

A Collection of Hilarious True-life Stories and Essays About Shit, Complete with Corn

Edited by Garrett Calcaterra

Seeking humorous essays, articles, and true-life stories having to do with shit. Shitting at work, pants shitting, shitting etiquette, philosophical musings on shit... if it's funny submit it. No coprophilia or sexual content please. Poop is funny, not sexy. Terms to be negotiated once we have a publisher lined up. Agents are currently reviewing the proposal. In all likelihood, contributors will receive a token advance, and royalties if/when the book sells well."

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213224

*Sarcasm alert*

It looks like they've achieved the pinacle of literary achievement. We might as well all give up now, guys.

[CaoPaux]

:rolleyes: It's a privately owned board, folks. If they don't want shit on it, that's their right and is not censorship.

[Clementine B]

A whole thread was deleted, and a senior member banned because of this image, which the moderator claimed was "nudity," and "obscene." It isn't nudity. The underwear is painted onto the fabric. It's the latest fashion craze from Japan.

http://imageshack.us/m/36/2092/59869855.jpg

Yet threads started up to attack other members, with titles such as "Is Martin’s enormous penis straight or curved?" which are really crude, are allowed to remain.

[CaoPaux]

Perhaps I'm being too subtle: all confusion between censorship, right, and privilege aside, if you have a problem with the way they run their board, the only effective place to complain is to them. If they don't respond to your satisfaction, then don't go back.

[Clementine B]

I've never been a member at WN. The site just never appealed to me. But I do surf around it now and then to see if there's anything new. And there is a huge brouhaha going on at the moment over the issues previously mentioned. They have definitely lost a lot of their membership. You don't see many of the old names popping up any more, and very few new ones, either.

The new software has been in place for months, but it still continues to be a vexing problem. Apparently, it's even difficult to register, or log in. I don't know why they're not fixing it. There has been ample time to do so. And then there's the moderation, which can at best, only be described as inconsistent.

And I agree that if you don't like it leave. Makes sense. However, some of these people have been members for ages, and have contributed a lot to the site, over the years, in terms of their time and expertise. Some of them have started up their own forum, and I wish them every success.

[Medievalist]

The new software has been in place for months, but it still continues to be a vexing problem. Apparently, it's even difficult to register, or log in. I don't know why they're not fixing it.

To be fair, vbulletin is non trivial to set up or admin. Moreover the next 4.x version is way different, and if you don't know a lot about how forums and Content Management Systems work, it's awfully easy to trip over yourself.

Have some patience regarding the software stuff; it's not easy. Really, it's not--I've been doing this stuff for mumbledy-mumbledy years, and I've got shawkins and other peeps to bail AW out, and it's still not trivial. Just give them a while to get the kinks figured out.

[MacAllister]

(What Lisa said. It's part of why I've been dragging my feet so, wrt upgrading to AW to vBulletin 4)

[Susan Littlefield]

...The underwear is painted onto the fabric. It's the latest fashion craze from Japan.

http://imageshack.us/m/36/2092/59869855.jpg



Ohhh, I ought to try and wear that to work. Think I can get away with it? :D

[gothicangel]

I've never been a member at WN.

Just a little heads up, WN is also an abbreviation of a UK writers magazine [Writers News] called Writing Magazine and also run a forum for writers. Just so there's no confusion.

[Clementine B]

I just came across this on my travels.

http://www.*******************.blogspot.com/

[Susan Littlefield]

I just came across this on my travels.

http://www.*******************.blogspot.com/

I don't want to sound rude, but it doesn't matter. This is not Writers Net.

[CaoPaux]

I just came across this on my travels.

http://www.*******************.blogspot.com/Uh huh, sure you did. If you're not a member there, you have no dog in the fight and even less reason to bring it here.

Drop it.

[Kensington]

In point of fact, they use the same vBulletin software as AW. Newer version, but same structure.



It's difficult to believe that the software at WN is newer, and therefore supposedly better than this. I thought it was some old rubbish they'd dredged up in a bargain basement sale. It's quite frankly, horrible! Of course, it may not be entirely the fault of the software, but rather the ineptitude of those who don't have the expertise to configure it properly.

[Old Hack]

This is what I've taken home from this thread:

Just a gentle reminder: please, no insults about other boards (or their members) here.

we try to encourage AW members to leave their issues with other message boards and the mods/citizens there, on those other boards and not bring them here -- at least anything beyond a recommended/not recommended general discussion or a "do you guys know what's up, the site doesn't seem to be online right now?"

As a board manager, myself, I'd encourage you to write the Writers.net admin/owner with your concerns.

if you have a problem with the way they run their board, the only effective place to complain is to them.

It's all good advice for anyone concerned about Writers.net.

[Don West]

I just came across this on my travels.

http://www.*******************.blogspot.com/


If you don't like a site, leave. I can't see starting up a blog to air your grievances about it. Nice blog though. I should hire them to do some work on mine. :)

[Sheryl Nantus]

Life is way too short to spend time on this.

Hug a kitten. Feed the birds. Work on that novel.

:)

[Soccer Mom]

This thread is scaring the kittens.

http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/tt194/maryrbutler/DSCN2159.jpg?t=1305914819

Won't someone think of the kittens?

[Clementine B]

This image and similar ones also caused a furore at WN. The mod claimed they were "nudity" and therefore, "obscene." What they are, exactly, are women who had their upper bodies painted at the Mardi Gras, to look like blouses and other tops. As you can see, it's very cleverly done, and really terrific artwork. Thousands of people attended the Mardi Gras...no one else seems to have complained. And as "nudity" is against the law, they would surely have been arrested. They were strolling around quite openly amid crowds of people. I'm interested in knowing how the mods here would view this type of image. Is it against the AW TOS?

http://imageshack.us/m/7/6239/mardibras.jpg

[Medievalist]

This image and similar ones also caused a furore at WN. The mod claimed they were "nudity" and therefore, "obscene."

We don't care.

It's not our problem. Stop dragging it up over here.

Do Not Do This.

[Don West]

We don't care.

It's not our problem. Stop dragging it up over here.

Do Not Do This.

Agreed. Yet it's an interesting question nevertheless, are women with their chests painted "nude?" And do you find the Mardi Bra image offensive?

[Kensington]

I've seen more "nudity" via see through blouses, etc. at the local shopping mall.

[Giant Baby]

Agreed. Yet it's an interesting question nevertheless, are women with their chests painted "nude?" And do you find the Mardi Bra image offensive?

It's really not. Not here, in this context.

If people want to explore whether or not it's an interesting question, they can do so in an appropriate thread. Or, on another board altogether if it's really so hard to grasp that AW is not the satellite host for writers.net drama.

[Sheryl Nantus]

This image and similar ones also caused a furore at WN. The mod claimed they were "nudity" and therefore, "obscene." What they are, exactly, are women who had their upper bodies painted at the Mardi Gras, to look like blouses and other tops. As you can see, it's very cleverly done, and really terrific artwork. Thousands of people attended the Mardi Gras...no one else seems to have complained. And as "nudity" is against the law, they would surely have been arrested. They were strolling around quite openly amid crowds of people. I'm interested in knowing how the mods here would view this type of image. Is it against the AW TOS?



Don't care.

I come to AW for the writing information.

There's an idea...

[AW Admin]

I've seen more "nudity" via see through blouses, etc. at the local shopping mall.

You don't seem to be catching on here.

Please go read the Newbie's Guide (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66315). Now.

We're really not interested in the squabbles you keep trying to bring up over here.

Also?

As the Sys Admin for this site--stop talking trash about my colleagues on other sites. You clearly don't even know enough about software to read a version number that's on every damn page--but you're fine dissing someone doing a difficult job, when you wouldn't know a MySQL database if it bit you on the ass.

Stop it. It isn't appropriate, it isn't helpful, and it's not the way we roll.

You've got the Owner, the mods, and the sys admin trying, patiently, to make it clear that this is not OK.

Talk about writing, talk about revising, but stop the trash talk.

[MacAllister]

Last warning, folks.

Knock it off.

If you have issues with the moderation at another site, take it up with the owners of the other site. If you have issues with the moderation here, you're welcome to email or PM me about your concerns.

[Susan Littlefield]

http://imageshack.us/m/7/6239/mardibras.jpg

All right, this is it! I'm wearing that outfit to the law office. I think whomever "made" this is pretty talented.

By the way, thanks for the great moderation at this site. I appreciate it. :)

[Darren Frey]

why is this thread even still open?

[CaoPaux]

Because it provides information to actual WN members who have trouble connecting to the site and wonder if it's Just Them.

Do you have anything useful to add?

[shaldna]

Thanks for explaining why WN was down guys. I'd been having trouble getting on and thought it was just my security settings at work.

[Darren Frey]

Because it provides information to actual WN members who have trouble connecting to the site and wonder if it's Just Them.

Do you have anything useful to add?

being a smarty pants will get you nowhere in life except for here apparently.

[Medievalist]

being a smarty pants will get you nowhere in life except for here apparently.

Hint: Cao Paux is a mod. Also very, very smart.

[gothicangel]

being a smarty pants will get you nowhere in life except for here apparently.

Who said it gets you nowhere? It got me somewhere. :tongue

[Darren Frey]

Hint: Cao Paux is a mod. Also very, very smart.

so it gives him the right to be a jerk?

[Medievalist]

so it gives him the right to be a jerk?

Cao Paux isn't being a jerk. Cao Paux explained why the thread is continuing. Cao Paux is being helpful.

You, on the other hand, are not being helpful.

I think you perhaps need to go read the Newbies's Guide (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66315).

In the meantime, if you have a problem with a post, click the Report Post button.

If you have a problem with a Mod, or a Mod's decision, you can PM the Mod or PM MacAllister, the board owner.

[The Grump]

Gee. The underwear's boring. Should have been at least an interesting color to raise ire.

[CaoPaux]

so it gives him the right to be a jerk?Here's another hint: If I were being a jerk, I'd've answered "Because." or some other less-than-elaborative response as suited your less-than-apposite question.

You still haven't answered mine.

[Don West]

I don't agree with visiting one site to trash another. However, it can be a public service to warn other writers of what's going on. In much the same way as we do with publishers and agents. And we really trash them, don't we. :-) Think PA! I really can't see the difference.

[Polenth]

I don't agree with visiting one site to trash another. However, it can be a public service to warn other writers of what's going on. In much the same way as we do with publishers and agents. And we really trash them, don't we. :-) Think PA! I really can't see the difference.

You don't see a difference between warning someone about scams and warning them that another forum doesn't like boob photos?

[Medievalist]

I don't agree with visiting one site to trash another. However, it can be a public service to warn other writers of what's going on. In much the same way as we do with publishers and agents. And we really trash them, don't we. :-) Think PA! I really can't see the difference.

I'm sure that when AW becomes a democracy, your vote will be fully counted.

[Don West]

You don't see a difference between warning someone about scams and warning them that another forum doesn't like boob photos?

It's not only the censorship, but the erratic moderation and privacy issues as well. When there are several mods on a forum, like here, it's a protection of sorts against abuse by one individual who sees him/herself as some sort of demi-god.

[CaoPaux]

For f'k's sake people: AW IS NOT THE PLACE TO WHINGE ABOUT THE MODERATION POLICES OF OTHER, PRIVATE BOARDS -- not the least when you haven't a clue what censorship is.

But, here, since you're having such difficulty understanding the word "no", I'm giving you some time to parse it out. </demi-god>

[Clementine B]

But this is censorship that goes way beyond the pale. For instance, on AW there is a thread which lists other writer's sites. Someone posted something similar on WN and it was deleted. The only reason I can think of, is that they're afraid of the competition!

[MacAllister]

That's two of you with three days off to consider carefully that "knock it off" means KNOCK IT OFF.

[Kensington]

Hmmm...just curious as to why this thread was allowed to remain in the first place, if the topic is so out-of-bounds. It was locked, I believe, just a few days ago, but then re-opened.

[MacAllister]

That was already answered on the previous page, Kensington.
Because it provides information to actual WN members who have trouble connecting to the site and wonder if it's Just Them.

Do you have anything useful to add?

The thread that was started a couple of days ago got combined with the long-running Writers.net thread, for purposes of keeping things searchable.

It's been patiently explained over and over and over again that it's entirely different to have a place where people can check in (a thread that's been here since 2008, btw) and letting disgruntled people just air their general grievances with the moderation policies on another (privately-owned) board.

Did you wish to take issue with that policy, or are you just not actually bothering to read what people are posting?