We have opened a Risk II Unmoderated Lobby as an *experiment*. It is being run on Red's server, as all the WZ lobbies are.

Risk II users can be in both the Risk II and Risk II Unmoderated Lobby at the same time, as long as they haven't been banned from the moderated lobby--just run the WZ Client twice and log into each.

The rules for the Risk II Unmoderated lobby are:

(1) No admin help or oversite of anything.

(2) The 2 users per computer rule is 25 users per computer on it.

(3) Enter at your own risk. No attempt will be made to discipline smurfers, game suiciders, harrassers, abusers, hackers, etc. No help will be provided for forgotten passwords, name changes, etc.

(4) You should be 18 or older to enter this lobby.

(5) This is an experiment. Harrassment of people on the moderated Risk lobby, including hanging out and sending them tells to come to the unmoderated one, may result in the termination of the unmoderated server. Everyone will be able to see the Unmoderated server in their log in screen, and can go to it if they want.

After a couple of weeks, we will evaluate this experiment and determine whether to continue it.

(6) Absolutely no complaining to me about anything that is done on the unmoderated server by anyone. Doing so is the only thing that will get you banned from there.

(7) The sole exception to the above is child porn and such. We actually had some joker on TA once who thought it'd be funny to post child porn sites in the lobby. That *will* get you banned even from the unmoderated lobby, along with a referral to the FBI.

I have heard reports of some people who prefer the unmoderated server interfering with the moderated server by spamming private tells on the moderated to go to the unmoderated, intentionally crashing games on the moderated then falsely claiming games don't crash as much on the unmoderated server, etc.

Such antics will not be tolerated, and if they continue, I will shut down the unmoderated server.

There will not be a second warning on this. If this activity does not cease immediately, the unmoderated server will be brought down for 24 hours to make sure everyone is clear about this.

Once again, those who cannot control themselves, are asking for a unmoderated risk2 lobby.

In my opinion, the same thing would happen as the last experiment. The risk community would be split apart, and those who conduct themselves as good citizens of the eWarzone, would be punished. (unmoderated lobby jerks would trick players into coming into their lobby),thus lessening their chances of getting a game.

Those who wanted a unmoderated room, did set up a site for voting on the subject, but the votes were for the moderated lobby, so they shut down that site.

Those who want a unmoderated lobby can go to xmp. Why ruin the ewarzone?

THE ROLE OF ADMINISTRATORS
"Originally posted by Carnifex"

I would like to make a polite response here, to perfectly clarify my position, and hopefully, those of the other administrators.

First, when I was asked to be an administrator, it was my understanding that I was to help keep the lobbies clean and friendly to ALL
users. This is exactly what I endeavored to do. I wanted to help make this place a safe and fun place to play. To me, and many others,
those who intentionally use abusive language destroy the light atmosphere that should go hand-in-hand with a gaming room. This is
not a political debate site. It is not a tabloid magazine. It is not a dirt publication like Playboy. Yet, the chat I see going on in WZ makes
me believe otherwise sometimes. I was near leaving WZ earlier this year before we got some sort of order in the way of regulations (and
people to properly enforce them) This is supposed to be a place to relax and enjoy playing a game with others, and that is exactly what
I believed I was asked to help turn this site into. Evidently I was wrong.

GIVE THEM AN INCH....

Egregious offences only occurring once or twice a month? This was quite true when we dealt firmly with a small number of players who
caused 95% of all disturbances. But now, the reins have been relaxed and this tiny group is allowed to run rampant throughout the
WarZone. What is the result? Those who stayed inline before now follow the lead. People have a tendency to follow the example of
the noisiest, most raucous individuals. Peer pressure perhaps? I believe so.

IT'S ALL A MATTER OF RHETORIC (AND A SLAP ON THE WRIST)

I can count on my hand the number of times I have had to use a gag. However, discussing matters with specific people with
"behavioral problems" was so much more effective when they knew that I had the power to do something about their actions.
Talking things out AFTER a muzzle also works (in my experience, it works better).

"GOOSE-STEPPING" ADMINS and "COMMUNIST" WARZONE

As for turning against the WarZone and administrators, I can name only one current player who has a dislike of me as an administrator.
On the other hand, such passive means at stemming the ever-increasing flow of foul language, like the chat filter, have turned
players against the WarZone. I have had two different players chat with me and tell me that they liked WarZone better when
administrators dealt with cussing, etc., in the lobby. Some people just hate the machine, but they are perfectly okay with actual
people. It's sort of like getting the automated recording when you call the local utility company.

Interestingly enough, the players who are the first to complain about "dictatorial" admins are also the first to run to them for help when
they are being "hurt" by another player.

AUTHORITY OR ANARCHY?

Authority seems to be a sore point with many people. This disregard for authority is also a cause for many of the problems we have
in our country today. One main reason that people in general have become so disdainful is because of the lack of
any common sense in the lawmaking of our government and the way it is enforced. Ignorant laws that really shouldn't be passed have
a way of channeling a hatred for anyone in power. Such as: parents can now be jailed for disciplining a wayward child. Now, is all this the
result of the presence of power and authority? No. No society can run without it. The fault here is in the abuse of it. But, as far as the
WarZone is concerned, the administrators HAVE NOT ABUSED THEIR POWERS. Never have I seen one muzzle or ban a player because
of a personal dislike. There are a good many matters here that COULD be solved properly but for the lack of real authority.

FALSE COMPASSION

The natural reaction is to sympathize with anyone who is in trouble for anything. It is merely human. But one has to think, "why am I feeling
sorry for this person?" Is it just a feeling, or is it because the person has truly been wronged? It is best to be on guard against false
compassion. Just punishments are done for the sake of the person, for his own personal good, and are NOT done just to be malicious.
Rather than go with the natural feeling, one has to take all things into consideration. Remember, this false compassion will do more harm
than good.

ADMINISTRATORS = PUNCHING BAGS

I agree that admins should be able to brush off any personal attacks and insults. However, I also believe that when those said insults are
done in the public chat and outside the bounds of reason, that there should be a fitting punishment. I don't tolerate stupid excuses such
as "I was drunk" either. Admins are players, too, and deserve all the rights of one. Rules for harassing one should be EQUAL to those
governing the ordinary members.

I also concur that the admins should try to use wit, reason, and a good sense of humor to ease difficult situations. But ridicule???
Public humiliation??? The majority of people have too much pride to accept a verbal put-down by an admin without having some sort
of negative (and sometimes volatile) reaction. I have tried this method once before. I would not advise it. It does far more harm than
a simple gag. That guy I said who hates me? I humiliated him but did nothing else. Look at the result. Live and learn.

CONCLUSION

And to close, this is not a matter of personal opinion, majority vote, or just for the sake of arguing. It is an issue of morals. What makes
people think freedom of speech so great? Is it the freedom to indulge in loose talk? To cause arguments? To abuse others with insults?
I think it is quite obvious that none of these is the answer. Freedom is a good thing when it is used convey truth, aid others, i.e., to promote
the common good.

I believe I have summed up the facts succinctly and in perfect clarity. I hope that I have also addressed the views of the others.

"Sir Carnifex"

From: _Plotinus1


I received 78 emails on this topic, and read every one of them completely.

The emails were about equally divided between people that wanted admins and didn't want admins, and good reasons were given for both sides.

After weighing all the pro's and con's, I have decided to remove all admin rights in the Risk room except my own. I am rarely in the Risk lobby, but if any has any serious complaints about another user, they can email it to me along with a chat log to _Plotinus@ewarzone.com

My chief reasons for this are (1) that I do believe there is some truth to the claim that having admins is causing nearly as many fights and problems as it is solving; (2) the community thrived in the MSN Zone with virtually no admins; and (3) the ignore button can be used to avoid seeing chat from any player--if enough people ignore a user, they'll get bored and leave.

It was my intent from the start for communities to mostly police themselves by forcing people to live with their reputations by limited the number of names any one person could have.

This isn't a license to abuse other players, post porn, etc. I won't get involved in every little flare-up that happens, but players demonstrating a regular lack of respect for others, etc., will generally receive a single warning before being shown the door.

Several people that wanted admins also expressed a desire for the admins to deal with game quitters. That is something neither I nor the other admins would ever have been equipped to do. As part of the coming changes in the WZ, though, during the next week or so I'll be setting up a permanent message board, with a "Quitters" forum in which users can warn other users about quitters.

This decision is final, so please don't shower me with email about it, either positive or negative.

For those who do not wish to be harassed or bothered while trying to find find a game. Go to the Moderated lobby, ("Other Games").

There will be admins there to help you with password, player, game issues, helping to make the eWarZone a fun place to play.