My letter to VMK regarding the banning of several community leaders today.

[shiregirl]

I have just sent this letter into VMK, via the black hole.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing this letter as a note to express my feelings of frustration over the banning of several VMK Community Leaders today. It is my understanding that some community leaders were banned for using allowed words to get around the VMK dictionary. For instance, one community leader was asked by a player how someone can get the Fireworks magic pin. The community leader in question responded that the player need to achieve a score of at least 240,000 points and come in second place by saying “too for tee house and points and not win.” I also understand that a new community leader was banned for saying hive as the number five when she was trying to work out a trade with someone.

I have several thoughts on this issue. First, I understand that is VMK’s intention that community leaders act as role models for other players. They are expected to be the best VMK players, and they are expected to follow all the rules. In this sense, a community leader who uses allowed words to bypass the VMK dictionary is not setting a good example, even though this is not expressly forbidden in the VMK values or user agreement. Consider this, however. VMK staff members are well known to use these dictionary by-pass phrases themselves. Yavn is known to have said to people that the next VMK event will happen in a few “weak.” All the staff with VMK in front of their names who I have seen have also used words such as for to replace numbers (“four”), etc. How can you expect CMs to set a good example if staff does not set a good example themselves? I find this to be a highly hypocritical stance. If it has been decided that these dictionary bypasses will no longer be tolerated, then why was this not communicated as a warning to all players, or at least all community leaders? Have you decided to pick on a few people in order to set an example to everyone else?

Another thought: numbers are an integral component to the English language. We use them all the time in every day speech. There are many subjects in VMK that are very difficult to discuss without the use of numbers. It was my belief that community leaders were meant to answer questions about the game. Here are a few examples of questions that cannot be answer by community leaders if the bypass guidelines are enforced, followed by the answers CLs can be expected to give if not using the bypass phrases.
What time does VMK close? Later on.
When is the event? Sometime soon.
What time does the judging for the event begin? In a bit.
How many credits do you get for playing pirates? Not enough.
How many times do I have to play pirates to win the Invisibility pin? A bunch.
How many barrel chairs will you give me for this set of ears? Uh… some.
Ridiculous, right? After all, the point of a community leader is to provide answers to other players. Maybe you should instruct all CLs to answer like this: I cannot tell you. Use the help button to ask a cast member.” Or “Go find out on the VMK home page: I can’t say what the home page is, but it is the page you were on when you log into VMK.”

The point of my letter is this: it seems that there are some major inconsistencies going on in the VMK hierarchy. Some of you allow dictionary bypass phrases, and use them yourselves while others send warnings to people using them or ban people for using them without warning. Some of you desire community leaders to assist with the answering of questions while others seem to want to severely curtail the information that can be communicated to VMK players. This does not lend itself to an ideal gaming experience. It is frustrating and confusing, to say the least. If an adult such as myself feels this way, imagine how the kids who play the game feel. Please remember, many of the community leaders you have chosen are young themselves (that much is patently obvious). My advice: whatever you decide to enact on this matter, please make sure it is clearly communicated to VMK staff, community leaders and players. This way everyone will have a fair chance to follow the rules and a good idea of the consequences of breaking them.

Thank you for your time. I do hope you will consider my ideas, and those of the others I know have written to you about this. VMK is a great game environment, one that I care about. It would be a shame if things continue the way they are. If they do, I am sure many players will decide to move on, and many great members of the VMK community (leaders or not) will be lost. I am already aware of one community leader who has asked to resign the position in response to these events.

Sincerely,
shiregirl

 

[Maleficent2]

Welcome back.

Very well stated letter and I totally agree with you.

Mal

 

[goofy4dizney]

LOL shiregirl! Some of those were really funny!

My favorite: "How many credits do you get for playing pirates? Not enough."

My thoughts exactly!!

 

[DarkSideMoon]

such a nice letter sent into the black hole of death? WHY? THe HUMANTIY!!!lol, anyway, i highly doubt youl get an email back, that letter was something they cant argue with.

 

[Bubble Gum Girl]

On topic: You Go Girl But Yet Why Are We Defending Community Leaders Sorry but nobody defends the regular players??

Off Topic~ Being as to I may be going to Disney World Next Year!! I just have to try really hard in school and not blow it!!

 

[GBShorts]

holy cow, shiregirl, that letter blows mine to bits...to BITS I say!

*clapclap* well done...

 

[PixieMixie]

Well I had no idea some CL's got banned today.

Your letter is great! I agree with 100%

 

[Bubble Gum Girl]

So do I!!
What do you all think of my signature?

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
it's a small world
Mad Tea Party
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Space Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority

 

[JeanJoe]

Probably because:

1) defending a CL IS defending everyone, because they are players too, with no additional rights or privileges than any other players

and

2) because a 2h ban on a regular player is just a 2h ban; whereas a 2h ban on a CL is firing them permanently, at least as of current posted rules

On topic: You Go Girl But Yet Why Are We Defending Community Leaders Sorry but nobody defends the regular players??

 

[FlyThenFall]

Shiregirl, that was an expertly written letter to VMK. I can't really say much more...because you included humor and hard hitting facts that really reveal the insanity of today's events. It's great Shiregirl, an absolutely stunning letter that I agree wholeheartedly with! You go get them!!

 

[The Wolf]

Some good points eloquently put there shiregirl, well done.


OT:

What do you all think of my signature?

Nothing like signatures that are larger than your actual post. Nothing more fulfilling than trying to find what it is you're actually saying. Put the fonts down and step away from the control panel.

 

[Sundowner76]

Wow, I go to WDW for a week and CL's get banned?! Looks like they are still cracking down on the "do not get around the extremely limited vocabularly by trying to be creative" rule. I got a warning about it before I went on my trip. I can't believe they did it to CL's, people who have proven themselves to want to help others out in vmk.

 

[Belle1997]

Very well written thank you for taking the time to compose such an informative letter. I really think they do need to really look at what they are doing. I am still upset about my warning 2 weeks ago for saying you can buy things by clicking on the cash register. It seems register is a red letter word and I spelt it wrong. But they need to take into consideration what people are talking about. I feel very badly for the kids with learning problems who have a hard time spelling. This game can either really encourge them to work on there spelling or totally break any confidence they have. VMK needs to be more aware of these issues. I too have learning problems but have learned to adapt so in day to day stuff it is not noticeable however when I am tired it shows up and I get very frustrated with switching letters and thus breaking the rules of VMK. Makes communication very difficult and takes the fun out of the game. How many CL leaders have been banned for spelling mistakes I bet there are some out there because the word was not in the dictionary. Disney is doing everything to protect themselves but at the same time ruining a perfectly good game. Yes, no personal information should be shared to protect kids but they are getting a little extreme when they ban someone for saying trade hive hippos for hive trees. All it is is common sense. One thing I have learned when you tell a kid they can not do something always give them a positive alternative. No and explain why and help them with another way. So VMK what do you suggest we use instead of numbers to trade items?

 

[tolkien7]

I am completely confused. I was in Yavn's Tent Room last night (Yavn was not there) but there were many Community Leaders present. They were trying to engage us in a game. One question was "How many countries are in the World Showcase in EPCOT?" (I am paraphrasing). So I asked how we could possibly answer that, as numbers (written ###) are not permitted? I was ignored. The Community Leaders were using numbers (the answer was written I I) and no one seemed to care. Why is it that Fly has been singled out? (I read that Pebbles was reinstated). Is it okay to use numbers in a guest room? Can someone set me straight?

 

[Bubble Gum Girl]

Ok well but maybe they loose their badge or whatever you want to call it because they have to learn to listen or something?? I don't know.... Somebody told me that they WERE warned but they didn't follow what the warning said.

Me

 

[SurfingGirl]

nice letter Shiregirl

 

[kaitykatz7]

Great letter, I wrote in too if we get enough to write in maybe they will listen you can't fight alone but.....since they ban so many a day it is giving some others a chance to be a CL but I agree it isn't fair 100% with ya on that! go get em' girl!Lol.Just its very easy to let a number slip into talk trust me if I was a CL I would not be able to take it i'm gonna start a post about this once again you go!take it to the top bannana! lol

 

[iluvcountry]

BRAVO! Excellent job shiregirl. let's give her a round of applause everyone! :thewave: lol

 

[Ravenisfaven]

I just have one question, HOW LONG did it take you to write that letter?

 

[Loves Disney]

First of all, I just want to say that was a "well put" letter and I agree with you completely. I also want to say that I had no idea they were banning CL for using alternate words! I guess I should be more careful. I like to help the people and have found it possible to do so by "shifting around" the vmk dictionary. What good is a CL if one can't help another due to restrictions by staff. I am glad someone has brought this issue to the attention of the staff. It may not help 100% but hey, it has to help at least 1% on account of someone actually reading it right? 1% is certainly better than 0%.