Excelsior

I know i may be out of line her but i thought my opinion may be of some use to some of the people that have already posted here. I am not going to single out any quotes or statements but rather tell you my opinion I just hope I do not offend any.

I will start by stating that i was originally here roughly when the shard started give or take a month or two for which I had to leave because my studies took the best of me only to return roughly 2 years later because of the pleasant staff and the way they ran and run things around here.
I by no means like everything they do as I wont like some or pc's of what life itself does. Like it has been said that if you don't like it leave. Well I think that is a defeatist attitude but one yet to be considered. However that being said life can hand you a lot of things you don't like but your not about to leave it as in my opinion that would just be silly. Most would assess what it is they are given and run with it others will tear it apart analyze it or attempt to change it to better themselves with or without thinking of others in the process. My returning and long standing opinion of excelsior and its staff have always been genuine despite my likes or dislikes and I have always thought they have had the task to consider all of ones feelings(everyone) instead of say a group of them like vets like myself or newbs or even middle class players.

There was a debate about whether this shard was democratic or not. Ask yourself "Does it matter really" democratic or not I still see many posts talking about changes and requests to such a nice shard already. Given that things do need to change one has to keep in mind that no matter how simple the change may be or how drastic it is it has to be considered to affect all or most of excelsiors opinions not just a group or small minority of them. I have reaped many benefits and also quite a few losses from being on this shard. I am not sure i could even give more then one name that could have possibly heard me complain or whine about the issues i may or may not have come across but rather expressed an opinion of such matter. democratic or not you are playing this game to like Rayne said take advantage of what has been offered to you by not only Rayne but many other staff members and player before you regardless if they are here now or not. I agree with Raynes statement on taking advantage as that word is not only negative but rather you are doing exactly that. You do not pay for this shard and yes you have the option to donate but in itself being a free shard you are taking advantage of being able to play uo for free rather than having the same issues more or less when you are paying for it. That in itself is an advantage to me. also another reason i chose excelsior originally as I did not see the need to pay for a shard when there were so many at that time at the same caliber or better to attend for free. Since my absence of this shard i saw alot of new features that were added including quests monsters, bio engineering etc.. all of which I am sure i have or will take advantage at one point as they are now offered and were not before.

Why do you think that is exactly. Because they have to or feel they need to? IMO wrong. They do this because they enjoyed it for if they didnt enjoy it and only felt they needed to be here and were not enjoying it I am sure they would have passed it off to many I am sure would attempt that task. I have been staff before and understand some of the difficulties that arise from being staff. Frankly running a shard as complex as this is not an easy task as liek it has been said i think sam said he was here when there was only 20 per hour and now 100 per hour. Either way staff is there to try to implement whatever changes to affect at minimum the majority of those 20 or those 100 being responsible for each of their opinions. Everyone is different and everyone enjoys different things. Not everyone is going to like the same thing but there will always be a minority and majority of who does. So IMO as long as your pros out weigh your cons I am sure you are in the right place unless of course you are not enjoying yourself or what the shard has to offer already.
I am almost to the point of running out of things to do and can easily get bored some of what excelsior has to offer but by no means is there ever "nothing" to do as there is already so much implemented in here already.

There is much else i have to say but I am sure I have already hurt most of your eyes and brains even my own, with my ramblings so I will part now and would appreciate any feedback that one has.

Sincerely
Phoenix

I can see, Orbit Storm, that you would continue on for centuries, and unfortunately I have too many other responsibilities to attend to.

I will say however, that player attitude, like the one you have demonstrated, are the reason that many staff members grow to dislike staffing, so to speak, as you do not respect the time and energy that staff members put into this, out of the kindness of our hearts. We have a "God given right" to dictate the game world that we have created in whichever way that we see fit, of which we have done and will continue to do, in a benevolent manner.

I do believe you should thoroughly review the meaning of Democracy as well, as your reasoning for why you consider Excelsior a Democracy is quite generic. No matter the type of government -democratic or otherwise-, without people to govern, the form of government cannot fully be exercised.


So with that, I will bid you good day.

+Rayne

P.S. Stanley Cleaner- I merely spy on you the 3rd Thursday of every 2nd month.

*edit*
Thank you, Phoenix for your post. I agree with you that, it truly does not matter by which form of government the shard is perceived to be governed by. However, when it is presented that the the entirety of our accomplishments, our achievements and our commitments are somehow a player's entitlement and in fact, credit for a player to claim (as 'without them we would be nothing'), we do take great offense to that, and therefore, we will make the correction.
I appreciate your words as they were presented in a respectful manner, showing a great level of maturity in its entirety.

All I can say to your response Rayne, is.. wow..

Your contentious replies to anything I post on here is becoming rather redundant. I was in no way insulting you, personally, nor the shard as a whole. So for you to attack my post, and attempt to tell me I don't respect what staff has done here, is pretty damn unbecoming, especially when it comes from a staff member in your position. I even credited you, and the rest of staff for your accomplishments, and what you've done here on Excelsior, and this is the response you hand down? Not only is it "unbecoming", but shows a complete and total lack of professionalism, and arrogance.

You want to discuss the terminology of democracy? Well let's do so, without further disrespectful attempts at bashing my knowledge or personal opinions.

The term "Democracy" is derived from the Greek term: demokratia.. when translated: "power to the people". No, there may not be any specific, universal definition for Democracy, but there are two principles that anyone's definition of democracy includes: equality and freedom. These principles are reflected by all citizens (in our case, players) being equal before the law (codex), and having equal "access to power"; and freedom is secured by our legitimized rights and liberties (both in RL, and the RunUO ToS).

You labeled by opinion as generic.. Once again, you make a presumptuous and contentious reply without the slightest educated statement in the whole thing. When referring to democracy, I was referring to "majority rule", and if you look over my previous posts, you would see that, quite clearly. "Majority rule" (as I called it), is often described as a key characteristic in democracy.. but without a responsible government (staff), or constitutional protections of individual liberties (shard codex/RunUO ToS) from democratic power, it is possible for dissenting individuals (such as myself), to be oppressed by the tyranny of the "majority"(you).

Furthermore, another point I was trying to make was that freedom of political expression (referring to staff), freedom of speech and freedom of the press (permittance to post our own opinions on the forums) are essential so that citizens (players) are informed and able to vote in their personal interests.

But on the other hand.. I guess if I really open up some controversy here, democracy wouldn't be a fitting description for Excelsior, especially when equality among players and the freedom of speech and one's own opinion, is certainly in question.

It's still a real eye opener, that you would single me out as a reason why staff members "dislike staffing". I've never had a bad word about you, nor have I ever directly attempted to disrespect you. But quite frankly, this very reply from you makes me question whether the money I've donated to this shard was worth it, when people such as yourself, disrespect what I've done for this shard, and claim it all for yourself. I can promise you.. you have ruined any further chances of donations on my part.

+Rayne wrote:No matter the type of government -democratic or otherwise-, without people to govern, the form of government cannot fully be exercised.

I took the liberty to highlight a direct quote from your reply.. You're right, without people to govern, (us players), you as staff.. don't really have the ability to abuse your power and force your thoughts and opinions on everyone, and then threaten them with a ban much like you have in the past. (I would know from first hand experience).

As for your ignorance to say that I'm trying to claim this shard's accomplishments as my own, I simply scoff and smile at that. Why? Because that is the low point of your entire post. You've tried to twist everything I've said into some sort of anti-Excelsior campaign, and make me look like a fool.

Once again, for your benefit and anyone else who reads this:

I never said, without players, Excelsior would be "nothing". But us players being here, our votes, our donations, and so forth, are the reason Excelsior is where it is today. I would love to see you attempt to say that is incorrect, because then, you will only proceed to make yourself look like a fool, and show that you have a complete and utter lack of appreciation for the player base here at Excelsior.

You know, a few months ago, you tried to use your power and threaten me with a ban.. all to stop me from voicing my opinion, which I am, beyond a shadow of a doubt, entitled to despite whatever fantasy world you are living in. You can attempt it again, or ban me, if you so desire. But I will not pretend to quiver, and shake at the very thought of you abusing your power. I had, in my mind, a healthy debate with you.. that was in no way personal, nor insulting toward you, or this shard. You on the other hand, turned around and slung subtle insults at me..

As I said above.. my high praises for you, have now become a resounding snort at the very mention of your name. I had the utmost respect for you, despite your rudeness before.. You have lost any form of respect from me. The only reason I remain here, are for the friends I've made, and the wonderful guild full of amazing people who have the ability to speak their mind, to me and to our guild, without fear of reprisal or empty threats.

So.. I in turn, bid you a good day.. but most certainly not in a kind way as I could care less..

+Rayne wrote:I can see, Orbit Storm, that you would continue on for centuries, and unfortunately I have too many other responsibilities to attend to.

-OMG This is my new Sig for sure!!

This dude is Crazy (orbit) and the fact that while i was writting this i refreshed on other page post and he already put some long post!!!

I mean wow... funny how when I quit your guild telling you that I wanted to move on and do other things and still be friends and even tell you I would be glad to help out and you flipped out and went crazy! Here you are again doing it .. I love it... Makes me smile at work I didn't even read your entire post its prolly mostly trash ... and I am sure you will reply to this all crazy

Orbit Storm... you should stop looking for trouble with staff... ohhhhh by the way you said it was against Rules to steal members from your guild ! WRONG no such rule! your so full of your self.... I don't care if i get in trouble for lightly bashing you in this POST...


I hope Staff jails me for my stupidity that I have taken part in this post and which I take responsiblity and would love if they would put you in jail with me with PVP rules in a Small Cell.... RES Killing for a week!!!!

Bah .. oh yea I Hope these posts of yours has staff following you too

Alright, I believe this has gotten out of hand and I will be locking this topic as there is really no further good that can come of it.

Opinions are one thing, but disrespect and bashing is quite another.

+Rayne

Good call on the locking, I also think nothing productive can come of this.

I had a few things that I wanted to add (before it was locked):

1. This is a totalitarian regime and I'm the dictator. My motivation for being here is the fact that I get to learn something almost every day, and that the players are enjoying the work, to which I contributed a lot.
I am aware and so should be everyone else, that I as coordinating admin can do whatever I decide. If people that contradict me, would bother me, I had every right to ban anyone I please, whether it's a newbie or a veteran, or a donor.

But I am well aware that with such actions, there wouldn't be much shard left to dictate over
So I am doing what gives me great joy in life: making sure that people enjoy this place, that they have fun and that they feel good.



2. As for democracy and "power to the people", well with power comes responsibility.

For example:
If staff members here would be elected, oh my the horror...
That's why I take the decision on who is accepted.. and I also take the responsibility for it, and I stand by that responsibility. I consult with fellow staffers on what decisions would be best, but if I were to make a bad decision, I wouldn't be excusing myself by saying "I was wrongly advised".

What do elected officials do when they make a boo-boo? They resign, simple as that. Ok sure in most cases it pretty much nullifies their chances of being in a high position again, but they get out from the mess without any problem.