Regarding Nao and SMF moderation

[weightman]

Dear SMF,

I am a very big fan of this forum software. I do not want to cause waves here or be banned PLEASE. But, I have to stand for what I believe. Nao is the developer of two of SMF's most promising and/or popular mods and is tireless in his support for said mods to the point where I have even tried to get him to chill out for his own good. In the last couple days, a troll has been antagonizing him over some minor issue, some request for a new feature in his gallery mod. No one is perfect and he may not have reacted perfectly to this guy's antagonism but the SMF staff or whatever they are called have left him hanging out to dry, allowed him to be disrespected in his own mod thread while his is giving so much. Hey, he should have just ignored the troll, but not only did they ban somone for sticking up for them, which intimidated my defense of him as well, but they have offered him no support on the matter whatsoever. Now, he is going to quit development apparently, which I foresaw was going to happen.

I am begging the SMF staff to reconsider this decision. The troll at the very least owes Nao an apology or at least should be stopped from antagonizing him further by posting in "Nao's threads" and to be honest I even think the SMF team owes him an apology though that is unnecessary I am sure. Anyway, I am asking the SMF team to do SOMETHING to make Nao feel "nurtured" enough to continue his excellent contributions.

Thread in question, starting around here: http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=260821.msg1896787#msg1896787

And, Nao's other great mod- AEVA, started by Karl Benson: http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=200401.0

Please let the SMF people know that you think they should do something to resolve this to Nao's satisfaction.

[SergeantAsh]

Firstly, I am not a troll - my request for support was polite, innocent and not intending to cause argument. Nao initially took it upon himself to respond, not to my question but to a 'wishlist' signature that I had added to my message...

Hi Dragooon,

Just a query, for some reason none of the Highslide animations, fades, lightbox are working? I've enabled the features in SETTINGS and then enabled PER ALBUM too, yet nothing? I'm also not seeing any shadows or curved white edges for thumbnails?

Any ideas?

Cheers, Ash

-------------------------------
My Wishlist for SMG Gallery:

Watermark Feature for uploaded images
Ability to turn on/off which details are shown when viewing a picture (filesize etc)
Support for Bebo video embedding
Supporting for BBC video embedding

His response was unnecessarily sarcastic, assumed that I knew was Aeva was (hadn't heard of it nor what it could do) and responded his comments verging on rude - I at first didn't believe he he was responding in such a way purposely and so questioned whether I has misinterpreted his responses, to which he confirmed with yet another bout of sarcasm. He was clearly provoking me.

Nao then added...

Until you apologize, you'll never be able to know whether I'm not inserting in the next versions some custom code to purposely erase *your* gallery on reinstall. That'll be fun.

I admit that I sadly stooped to his low level in my later responses, but only to defend what was being given as response. No mod developer should be responding within a support thread as he did, whether he is asked a question once, or a hundred times he should choose to either ignore it or reply politely - anyone working in a support capacity whether free or paid should appreciate that you will be asked the same question but should have maturity, patience and tact to respond appropriately.

As Metallica and Nas politely requested that the discussion ceased, I did immediately - however Nao and his supporter, or two, continued to provoke and fuel the fire, therefore going against the request of a moderator.

This apparent 'protest' I believe is in order to attempt to get either me banned (without justification), or to win one over on the SMF mod team - a team that Nao himself criticised early on in the discussion, without any appropriate reason to do so - your mods have taken appropriate action in warning us all.

I personally think his most recent posts on the matter are rather pathetic - the modification in question, SMG, is brilliant, its an excellent piece of work (something I have said numerous times within the support thread) - it is however sad that Nao and his god-like persona bring a negative aspect to the mod, an attitude that I believe has been brought to the mods attention on more than one occasion, and before my time.

Writing an SMF mod does not make you better than anyone else, I believe that Nao needs reminding of the fact before he continues to insult, provoke and abuse innocent and loyal SMF users such as myself.

[weightman]

I will just add finally that this troll in response to the "sarcasm" he was upset about enough to start insulting the developer of the mod he wants help with, responded to said "sarcasm" by calling the developer a "twat, troll monkey, idiot".

Come on now.

[Antechinus]

Gentlemen (I'm assuming that you are), I think this would be a good time for both of you to carefully consider whether continuing in this vein is likely to be productive. Thank you.

[weightman]

I absolutely want this addressed. Please remember I am not the issue. I had no warning of inappropriate behavior and am only defending the developer of SMF's mods.

[SergeantAsh]

Gentlemen (I'm assuming that you are), I think this would be a good time for both of you to carefully consider whether continuing in this vein is likely to be productive. Thank you.

As far as I'm concerned, the matter ended a long time ago (as you see quite clearly on the SMG Support thread) - it is Nao and co that have exaggerated the matter and tried to warmonger other members into the situation.

Weightman is without doubt provoking this situation further by specifically posting this thread, secondly by posting new topics into Nao related topics to involve other members. It seems some do not have enough drama in their real lifes.

This is the last time I post on the matter - sorry to the moderators for any frustrations, I will certainly not be the cause of any additional frustration 

[kingkingston]

What use is it fighting on a forum,Nao does a great job with his mods,there's no doubt about that,everyone gets a little heated at times,that's understandable,i think if both of you don't like each other then just don't reply or write messages aimed towards each other.Also on the mod why complaign when Nao does all his hard work and does it for members of smf to gain members on their forums/sites with a great mod like Aeva and we are so lucky that he does not charge for it,i say let things settle and be men about it and move on,arguing won't get you anywhere.

[weightman]

Again, I am not the issue. I am speaking out because Nao is going to quit development of his mods over this apparently. I would have ignored this clown from the start but Nao didn't and I don't want to lose Nao's contributions. Further, this guy insulted Nao using foul language and had no discipline while a defender of Nao was banned temporarily. Its a madhouse. Is there a moderator team? Because NONE of this crap would have ever happened on MY forum.

[Antechinus]

What use is it fighting on a forum,Nao does a great job with his mods,there's no doubt about that,everyone gets a little heated at times,that's understandable,i think if both of you don't like each other then just don't reply or write messages aimed towards each other.Also on the mod why complaign when Nao does all his hard work and does it for members of smf to gain members on their forums/sites with a great mod like Aeva and we are so lucky that he does not charge for it,i say let things settle and be men about it and move on,arguing won't get you anywhere.

^ ^ This.

Really I think the best option at this stage is for everyone to take a break from the subject for a while.
At the moment nobody is banned AFAIK. A short ban was put in place but was rescinded after further consideration.
In other words, currently we are relying on the maturity of those involved.

ETA: Really a few insults should not be the end of the world. I've copped heaps of them in my time. Sometimes the best thing to do is to ignore them.

[metallica48423]

TBH, its not as if there's been no action taken.  We were first made aware of the situation on Tuesday Night, and I have been back in forth with both sides via PM since then.  Now, note that there have been no actual bans placed.

I am working towards a fair resolution without need for banning anyone.  To me, banning is the *last* resort in any situation.  I see it this way:  we're all fans of SMF, but we don't agree with each other.  Rather than ban one or the other, its better to approach them diplomatically and resolve the dispute rather than see someone who enjoys the project be booted out.  We used to ban for just about anything. 

I'm not going to go into who's right, who's wrong, etc, because I feel wrongs were commited all around.  But I assure you that the situation is not being ignored.  I even posted earlier that the argument would not continue in public.  Or does everyone have my posts ignored

And... well... I feel that the situation is between the two of them and the team at this point.  Thanks for the concern, and I can assure you that it will be handled

[weightman]

I have had no contact from you and only one response from a mod for my 2 or 3 reports and multiple posts on this matter. I am glad a settlement is being negotiated.

[Antechinus]

To be fair, some of the discussion was in the Charter Member boards so you would not have had access to that. It has been discussed though.

[metallica48423]

Like i said, the situation is between Nao, @sh, and myself at this point, as is only fair so that we can have a fair and unbiased resolution.

I do not intend to take one side or another in the situation.

Like i said, appreciate the concern though

[weightman]

Peace is good. And, for everyone to consider especially my friend Nao:

"Develop the mind of equilibrium. You will always be getting praise and blame, but do not let either affect the poise of the mind: follow the calmness, the absence of pride."

Sutta Nipata

[GravuTrad]

TBH, its not as if there's been no action taken.  We were first made aware of the situation on Tuesday Night, and I have been back in forth with both sides via PM since then.  Now, note that there have been no actual bans placed.

I am working towards a fair resolution without need for banning anyone.  To me, banning is the *last* resort in any situation.  I see it this way:  we're all fans of SMF, but we don't agree with each other.  Rather than ban one or the other, its better to approach them diplomatically and resolve the dispute rather than see someone who enjoys the project be booted out.  We used to ban for just about anything. 

I'm not going to go into who's right, who's wrong, etc, because I feel wrongs were commited all around.  But I assure you that the situation is not being ignored.  I even posted earlier that the argument would not continue in public.  Or does everyone have my posts ignored

And... well... I feel that the situation is between the two of them and the team at this point.  Thanks for the concern, and I can assure you that it will be handled

Totally agree and satisfied of this.

good management of the case.   with a good issue i hope....

[kingkingston]

beers and bbq sound good ? with this heat i need a beer

[SergeantAsh]

beers and bbq sound good ? with this heat i need a beer

Heat?? Heat??? its 6c in England right now...

[mark7144]

Nao is a rational person, I find it very hard to believe that he would consider stopping development on any of his mods based on how one user has treated him. Nao's not a little girl, he doesn't need this situation being exagerated and then for all of us to give him group hugs.

[weightman]

Well, thick skins are good and I am all for it. But, this was Nao's last post I believe, "I've sent an official protest to Metallica. In case you don't see me again, ask him why, he'll know. See ya on another planet, guys. Or another website. " So, I think he was pretty upset. Hopefully, the mods can negotiate peace.

[Succubus Evaligan]

I don't want that Nao leave...
He do a very good support for AEVA and SMF Media Gallery...