Semi-OT - forum censorship

I have recently found out that Wetcanvas is actively censoring certain links (to other forums) out of private messages between users... and this really upsets me. I personally have made furthering accurate information about lampworking one of my core values, and it breaks my heart to see a popular company that actively seeks to "protect" its customers from other sources of information. WC is now a for-profit company, and profit has for some time gradually been rising over the sharing of information as their primary goal.

I can't talk about this freely on WC, so I am talking about it freely here, since I don't run the risk of censorship and this is a completely uninvolved place. I'm really, really upset about this; although I had some time ago made the decision not to post any tutorials to WC (I am not giving a profit-seeking company my hard work for free) and have been wavering on the decision of whether to advertise with them. Well, that decision is made; my dollars go elsewhere. I spend over $2000/yr on advertising and not a penny of it will go to them... meanwhile, I WILL be contributing, financially and otherwise, to not-for-profit forums like

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and
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not to mention putting my body and voice in places where I think I can make a difference, like here. :)

Reply to
Kalera Stratton
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I saw that too - I was very surprised.

There's also so many rules now about what you can post and where you can post it I mostly just read the lobby and look for cat pics :)

I can't help but compare it to the kayaking board - similar concepts but so different in execution. The owner of that board now takes ads too, and you can "buy" a membership - but the only time the admins intervene is when the guys (it's almost always males) get to abusive name calling and/or threats (real or not they are against the user agreement).

Good for you on your decision!!

Reply to
KDK

From the WC User Agreement: "The Private Messaging system we use is a facility only available to registered members of WetCanvas!. Private messages are stored on our server. We will not open your private messaging folders except to investigate a report of abuse, to protect our servers, or if required to do so by law. "

If they are viewing/editing private messages (as opposed to public posts), they are in violation of their own rules, and that's a pretty egregious invasion of privacy.

Some of their other rules also seem pretty draconian, protecting/promoting their "member partners" but gagging other business associated persons.

Oh, well, no loss to me, never used it.

Val

Reply to
VManes

What a shame! I have to admit, I rarely look at WC anymore unless someone wants me to see something there and e-mails me a link. I just don't have time to go through it all.

Reply to
Beadbimbo

I really enjoy the wearable art show and tell, it gives me loads of inspiration! I save all the photo's of jewellery that I love in a folder and then look through it when my muse needs a kick up the arse!

Charlie.

with

Reply to
Charlie

Is this stated somewhere?

Reply to
Barbara Forbes-Lyons

Oh, boo hoo.

Geez. It's "their" website/forum. They can do what they want, including making a friggin' profit, banning fools, and monitoring content!

One nice thing about the internet is that there is no shortage of domain names and web servers. You don't like somebody's website or forum? Start yer own with yer own precious "core values", already. Let's see how long YOU remain non-profit and altruistic.

You need to get a life if some forum has you "really, really upset". It's a simple solution: Just don't go there any more.

Reply to
Moonraker

Thank you for pointing this out, Kalera - the WC situation has been bothering me for some time - especially since they still actively ask for "donations" from the members to "keep the site going", because it's a "valuable resource for artists" and it costs a lot to keep the site operational (beg, beg, beg). That would be fine if they weren't selling advertisements and vendor forums for profit, and censoring everyone's posts for "offending links". I think it's unethical to do both those things. WC claims to be doing everyone a favor by being available. For Profit websites aren't doing favors - they are in business to make money. That in and of itself is fine, as long as they don't masquerade as a community service. I don't like the censorship, and haven't for a long time, because it's biased based on the whim of the moderation team. They keep telling us that they don't play favorites, but in fact, they do. Evidence of that is pretty clear, all over the Glass Art boards. I wouldn't buy advertising there. I still read the boards and post on a rare occasion, because like it or not, that is the place everyone goes to trade information. But I have to tell you - if the attitude of the guys who run Art Glass Forum were better, I would be over there in a flash. But I find them to be almost as one sided as the people at WC. As a female beadmaker, I really have never felt welcome there. And ISGB is fine, but somewhat elitist, so I am almost afraid to post there. As it sits, I am somewhat dissatisfied with many of the forums out there - so maybe it's just me. LOL

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Completely uncalled for. Kalera raised some great points, and your abrasive, abusive post makes you appear very unintelligent and belligerent. WC has had problems for a long time, and there are many people who feel this way about it. It's her right to call them out on censoring private messages, and to let the beadmaking community know about it. It's called "word of mouth" and it's very effective.

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Then Kalera needs to keep her whining over on the bead forums and not in rec.crafts.glass.

WC is paying for web server space and providing a forum. You don't like the way they do things? TOUGH. It's their game, it's their rules. Get over it, or get gone. Nobody should ever have the expectation of privacy in posting "private" messages on a public forum. What dreamworld are you living in?

belligerent.

Reply to
Moonraker

I was a member of AOL for almost seven years, and watched it go through several transformations. One of those transformations was shifting from mostly member-supplied content to entirely advertiser-supplied content. After all of the forums in which I was interested were either commercialized or eliminated altogether, I bailed out. It didn't help that my account was once bounced for the alleged commercial link in my message board sig line.

It sounds as though WC is going through the same kind of transistion, and will wind up the way AOL has -- losing members at rapid clip.

One rule about communications of any sort is: Know your audience. From what people have written here, it sounds like WC does not know its audience, or even care.

Operating and maintaining a forum is, in fact, an expensive proposition. In order to maintain an income flow, it is in the company's best interest to not alienate the customers by violating their own privacy policy.

Arondelle

Reply to
Arondelle

Kalera and Kandice, I agree 100%. I no longer post there nearly as much as I did in the past. Too many rules, no consistency in their application. They will no longer get any $$ from me.

Kandice: Don't be afraid to post on the ISGB board. Your beads are lovely! You know what you are doing and it shows!

Moonraker: This IS rec.crafts.BEADS. Kalera had every right to post here complaint here.

Reply to
aheartoffire

My bad, this is rec.crafts.glass AND rec.crafts.BEADS. My statement still stands. Kimberly

Reply to
aheartoffire

I so appreciate being able to read people's opioniors on this and other forums. Whether I agree or disagree. The diversity of interests and beliefs are what makes the world an interesting place.

What makes it a sad place is when people are attacked on a personal level.

Denise R.

Reply to
Glitzy Glass

And what world are you living in? This is Usenet, remember. People are free to post information, opinions and feelings. That includes you *and* Kalera. Being abrasive and nasty is not only unnecessary, its ignorant of the 'world' YOU are in.

Take your own advice. Get over it.

Reply to
Polly S.

Kandice, I'd love to see you post more on ISGB. I would especially welcome pics of your beads under show & tell, or anything you would like to tell us. I post all the time and I'm a newbie (and a fuser, no less) compared to the long time beadmakers. Why are you afraid? This is just my personal opinion, but I think the "feuds" on ISGB tend to be long time personality issues between people, it shouldn't affect other people posting. Patti

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Reply to
Beads1947

My eyes have been playing tricks on me lately. I thought this said "NUDE People".

Reply to
JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]

So Kandace is a cross poster, by your own admission? That is a bad everywhere, is it not?

This is childish for a Usenet discussion, here it is free, post to your hearts content and if someone doesn't agree, they don't have to read it. But if you are posting on SOMEONE ELSE"S Property, i.e. web forum maintained by them and paid for by them, then "them " has all the rules, posted or not. You have the right to go there , or not. To drag that crap, likes or dislikes, to here, meaning rec. crafts. glass , is also a waste, but again, that is my viewpoint. Take your money to another forum, why would you advertise on someone else's site anyway, for what you spent you could probably have your own!!

Reply to
Javahut

JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP] wrote: > My eyes have been playing tricks on me lately. I thought this said > "NUDE People".

Made ya look! hehehe at least nude people would be a lot more fun!!! ;)

Reply to
Polly S.

You'd think so but if I were nude and the weather wasn't pleasant or if there were a lot of mirrors around I might not be so much fun. But then again - what the heck? I've been naked around others before and we all have cheeks...................... :-)

Reply to
JoAnn Paules [MSFT MVP]

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