What do you guys make of this?

[Roomy]

Recipients: Jmarie, MJDuncan1982, Redhots, roomy, sagegirl

02-05-2007, 06:35 AM

Banned Posts:
Rep Points Rep Power: 0


PM Policy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Member of USMB,

There has been a recent change in policy regarding personal messages (PMs) that has not been publicly announced. Under previous ownership, PMs were private, and not readable by anyone except the sender and recipient. However, new ownership has installed a modification that allows administrators to read PMs. This feature is not a built-in option of the vBulletin system, nor is it condoned by vBulletin (see post #12 here), which is why this option was not used previously.

Please be aware that your PMs may be read at any time by the board owner. Several members' PMs have been read, and infractions have been issued regarding the contents of these PMs.

I stand a good chance of being demoted and/or banned from USMB for sharing this information. However, as those who have been around USMB for a while may recognize, I have made every attempt to treat all members fairly in the course of my moderating duties. I felt that this policy should be public knowledge so that no one would inadvertently break the rules via PM, only to find after the fact that their message was not private. Attempts to have this policy announced by the board owner have gone unanswered.

For further questions about this policy, please feel free to contact the board owner, Greg Bernhardt.

Regards,



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I have just recieved this pm from a mod who has just been banned for sending it (I assume).I have removed the mods name for privacy reasons as I do hold privacy in high regard, unlike the new owner of this board.This post will more than likely be deleted shortly and I will probably be banned, in the unlikely event that I am not banned you wouldn't tell the difference because I am soon to leave this board and never come back.

To Greg Bernhardt and all you other peeping toms, I say fuck you and fuck your board.BYE BYE.

[Roomy]

You have been banned for the following reason:
flaming

Date the ban will be lifted: 02-15-2007, 11:00 AM

[Pale Rider]

We're a step ahead of ya Roomy.

Just rest asured, NOTHING, and I repeat, NOTHING, like that will ever happen here.

I'm taking the liberty of speaking on behalf of all the admin/mod here at this board.

PM Jimmy if you think I'm pulling your chain.

[jillian]

We're a step ahead of ya Roomy.

Just rest asured, NOTHING, and I repeat, NOTHING, like that will ever happen here.

I'm taking the liberty of speaking on behalf of all the admin/mod here at this board.

PM Jimmy if you think I'm pulling your chain.

He was referring to MFM's banning as well.

[Dilloduck]

Recipients: Jmarie, MJDuncan1982, Redhots, roomy, sagegirl

02-05-2007, 06:35 AM

Banned Posts:
Rep Points Rep Power: 0


PM Policy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Member of USMB,

There has been a recent change in policy regarding personal messages (PMs) that has not been publicly announced. Under previous ownership, PMs were private, and not readable by anyone except the sender and recipient. However, new ownership has installed a modification that allows administrators to read PMs. This feature is not a built-in option of the vBulletin system, nor is it condoned by vBulletin (see post #12 here), which is why this option was not used previously.

Please be aware that your PMs may be read at any time by the board owner. Several members' PMs have been read, and infractions have been issued regarding the contents of these PMs.

I stand a good chance of being demoted and/or banned from USMB for sharing this information. However, as those who have been around USMB for a while may recognize, I have made every attempt to treat all members fairly in the course of my moderating duties. I felt that this policy should be public knowledge so that no one would inadvertently break the rules via PM, only to find after the fact that their message was not private. Attempts to have this policy announced by the board owner have gone unanswered.

For further questions about this policy, please feel free to contact the board owner, Greg Bernhardt.

Regards,



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homepage!
Find all posts by
to Your Buddy List



I have just recieved this pm from a mod who has just been banned for sending it (I assume).I have removed the mods name for privacy reasons as I do hold privacy in high regard, unlike the new owner of this board.This post will more than likely be deleted shortly and I will probably be banned, in the unlikely event that I am not banned you wouldn't tell the difference because I am soon to leave this board and never come back.

To Greg Bernhardt and all you other peeping toms, I say fuck you and fuck your board.BYE BYE.

Just got my version of this little "memo" too. Nice place huh?

[dirt mcgirt]

What do you guys make of this?

Here's what I make of it. The moderator who just got banned from USMB for mass PMing everyone has a huge amount of character. I commend him for it. He practices what he preaches and his actions are consistent with what he posts. I'm not surprised that the other USMB admins and moderators haven't spoken up despite their personal rants on censorship and privacy. It says a lot in my book. I've always thought highly of this mod and this only reinforces my opinion of him. Kudos.

[Mr. P]

Here's what I make of it. The moderator who just got banned from USMB for mass PMing everyone has a huge amount of character. I commend him for it. He practices what he preaches and his actions are consistent with what he posts. I'm not surprised that the other USMB admins and moderators haven't spoken up despite their personal rants on censorship and privacy. It says a lot in my book. I've always thought highly of this mod and this only reinforces my opinion of him. Kudos.

[Jon]

Here's what I make of it. The moderator who just got banned from USMB for mass PMing everyone has a huge amount of character. I commend him for it. He practices what he preaches and his actions are consistent with what he posts. I'm not surprised that the other USMB admins and moderators haven't spoken up despite their personal rants on censorship and privacy. It says a lot in my book. I've always thought highly of this mod and this only reinforces my opinion of him. Kudos.

When I read this thread the first time, the moderator in question immediately came to mind. I agree with everything you've written.

Now they're denying that PM's are read over at the other board. Typical.

[jillian]

Here's what I make of it. The moderator who just got banned from USMB for mass PMing everyone has a huge amount of character. I commend him for it. He practices what he preaches and his actions are consistent with what he posts. I'm not surprised that the other USMB admins and moderators haven't spoken up despite their personal rants on censorship and privacy. It says a lot in my book. I've always thought highly of this mod and this only reinforces my opinion of him. Kudos.

He totally walks the walk. I have huge admiration for him.

[jackass]

I still am able to go to said website. Havent been there in a long time..so I have flew under the radar. I asked Kathianne about it and seems as though they are...not trying to deny it...but also trying to act like its no big deal.

[Roomy]

He has the courage of his convictions.It's just a shame that there are no others like him over there, they are more interested in protecting their own positions than that of the membership, I think they have killed their own board, no one in their right mind is going to post on that board after this, surely?

[jimnyc]

He totally walks the walk. I have huge admiration for him.

Same here. Although I only know Jeff from online, it's quite obvious that he has a huge amount of character and integrity. I am extremely grateful to have him a part of our team.

[darin]

Here's fodder for the discusson on whether or not USMB reads PMs:

I logged on a few days ago - first time in about a month.

I sent a PM VERY MUCH like this (I can't quote it obviously):

"Hey Bonnie!! LONG time no-chat! I really hope things are going well for you! I'm not on this board much anymore - hanging out on Jim's new board more and more - www.debatepolicy.com - Drop a note and catch up with me either here, or there! All the best!

Regards,

Darin"


A few minutes later I sent:

"Heya Hobbit! How's junk and stuff? How's this new board layout working for you? Drop a note when you get a chance! I hope all is well w/ you and yours!

Darin"

BAM! I was banned.

Here's the FIRST excuse Greg Gave:

dmp and (xxxxx) have been trying to undermine the operation of USMB contacting past and new members about debatepolicy. They have zero interest in USMB and I won't tolerate their childish behavior.

Later Jim sent Greg an Email asking wtf was up:

Greg replied:

He claimed to me this morn, (Via email) that the user you sent the link to forwarded it to him! Hell, Bonnie ain't been online there in forever!

Somehow Greg 'knew' I had sent a PM to Bonnie with the link to this board. Fishy, eh?

Jeff asked Greg, on my belalf:

Darin (who is a coworker and friend of mine) told me that he got banned after sending a PM to Bonnie (whom he knows in real life). Now Bonnie hasn't been logged in since December 27, so she coulnd't have read her PM yet. So how did he earn his ban?

Greg's reply - backpedaling:

I have no idea about dmp and Bonnie. But last night when (xxx) was banned both he and dmp came on usmb. dmp proceed to PM and email several users making it very suspicious (since dmp hasn't been back to site for a month) and I was ready to contact dmp about it until Jim confirmed my suspicions were correct. (emphasis mine -dmp)

So Darin gets banned for "guilty by association?" Why not contact Darin before banning him?

Well I made the decision to control the situation first. I took the risk because I knew he wasn't about to start posting at usmb again anyway.

That's the bottom line. Greg says he was simply watching THIS board after he saw joint-members sending PMs. After a PM was sent, He'd "know" somebody linked that user to this board.

When Greg first purchased the board he MENTIONED - of course I can no longer point to a direct quote - installing the feature which allows Admins to Read ANY PM sent. He said he'd install it to protect the board from libel, etc.

[5stringJeff]

OK, since the cat's out of the bag, here's the deal:

When I made that announcement last night, I acted as a moderator of USMB, in the interest of the members of USMB. I am not out to start a "board war." I felt that the posters on USMB ought to know what the owner is doing. That said, if Greg wants to read PMs, then Greg gets to live with the consequences of that policy. And as I predicted, I have indeed been banned from USMB for exposing the policy. Oh well.

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words in this thread.

[jimnyc]

Greg's ridiculous response:

As I've been telling some people that have contacted me, "please disregard any announcement not by either myself or Kathianne". Rumors spread by bitter people with agendas is suspect. Part of Kathianne's and my job is to help protect USMB from people who wish to undermine our progress. I won't get into what happened in regards to a few members a couple days ago because frankly it's just not publicly important. Part of the reason you come here is you have a certain level of comfort and trust in the staff. You trust that Kathianne and I will do everything in our power to help USMB grow and better itself. You trust that we will respond to your problems appropriately and with compassion. And we trust that you come here and will abide by the guidelines and be a productive and fun addition to the community.

Theoretically it's possible for administrators and even server personal to "read pms". After all they are not encrypted in the database and stored just like a post in a forum. This is true on 99.9% of forums. I can't even think of any that encrypt PMs, it's not even possible on 9.9/10 softwares. But this is not a matter of ability, it's a matter of trust. You can trust that I'd much rather be spending time with my girlfriend, at the casino or going out for a burger than the tideous task of scanning the database with tens of thousands of PMs so I can find out you went bowling with your grandama on sunday morning. Now if you believe the latter and that I spend countless hours reading PMs in order to "get people" then obviously you should leave as would I. But if you think I use my time on this earth more wisely and really couldn't give a shit what anyone writes then stay and enjoy the great community.

Kathianne and I will continue to bust ass trying to send USMB to the top. I think in my short time here I've proven that fact. You're all smart people, think about who is spreading these rumors and why, everything is politics baby! And if you want a definitive answer to the all important question, it's no, I am not reading your PMs.

I'm curious as to what agenda Jeff had, or what he had to be bitter about? He STILL REFUSES to answer how he knew about the contents of several PM's.

He talks about trust? I believe his lame response just showed how trustworthy he can be. Funny how he has PUBLICLY posted on vBulletins forums about installing the very software he claims he wouldn't install on USMB. So very sad.

He's insinuating I and/or Jeff is spreading rumors but the FACTS speak for themselves. He will not address the specific facts and hopes his lame response (And locking of said thread) would salvage what has transpired.

Do I have an agenda? Sure, to see this board successful. I'm very happy that many members decided to post here in addition to the other board. As far as members leaving, that's his own damn fault. Come into the board, make changes without speaking with loyal members, send infractions for things such as calling someone a 'moron' & then revealing the contents of PM's that of course he has no access to. I could care less at this point if his board succeeds or fails, but I do have a problem when I hear that the very trust and privacy of my friends is breached.