Something just isn't right (and let this serve as a heads up)

[tigressjewel]

:ISCLAIMER:: The opinions expressed in this are just that and in no way meant to be official advice. No names were mentioned, but I promise the facts are true as I know them.

Ok, some of you may be aware of this stuff I'm about to bring up, but I was not until I decided to catch up on some reading today.
Very recently there have been people banned and CL badges stripped for what I think (stressing this is my opinion, so not worth a lot in the big scheme of things) are minor infractions of VMK values. We all know we aren't supposed to give personal info.. well, for whatever reason VMK is taking this limit to the extreme now. I have read that someone was banned for saying they were playing from WDW. (Guess you aren't supposed to say your location at any time.) Another player was banned for telling someone to message them a trade offer to a fan site. One more disturbing ban was a very good friend of mine who got a two hour ban for saying they live near WDW. This player returned after the ban to find their CL badge gone, title still intact, but two days later, title ripped as well. I'm really puzzled by this. Mostly it puzzles me because the players I read about are good examples of helpful players in the game. Players who are polite and have always gone out of their way to do their part to make VMK a fun place to be.
It saddens me to see people with a postive influence gone from the game forever, yet see VMK staff who won't even take time to answer questions. The stock answer seems to be.. keep checking the home page or, I don't know, wish I did. I heard a good one today too. "If you want to know about rooms, game items or costumes, ask a tester" No kidding, a VMK staff said that. But I digress....

I try very hard to keep a postive attitude about the game. It is, after all, just a game, but is it? For me its become more of a community and something that really adds to my life. Silly as it sounds its true. So in that regard I do care what happens in the game and to the people on my little list.

In trying to make sense of this I have a theory that there is a reason for the crack down on personal info. I have no idea what that reason could be and I think its best for me not to speculate because thats how rumors get started. But I choose to believe that there are good intentions of keeping VMK (and our kids) safe behind all of this. I plan to really watch my words and further I plan to keep an eye out for those soliciting personal information from those I know to be children. Thanks y'all for listening.

 

[TinkerBelle2992]

I know! I am afraid to talk on their sometimes, because I am afraid I'll get banned! I don't say anything that would get me banned, but now you never know!

 

[PlutoEpcot]

I always get so nervous because every time I say something like normal and it goes to a *** and it sounds like I am saying a swear. Also I want to be a community leader so I don't want to get banned to ruin my chances.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I do know who you are speaking about and agree...

I will defend VMK's protections for kids and all of us- by having a set of values that you can feel comfortable to have your kids in. But I really think they need to have a big staff meeting and get everyone all on one page.

When we have all seen players who are rude, mean, and grossly inappropriate we have reported them. We have all seen players using the dictionary dancing to curse and do other things. Many have seen players fight and threaten- one actually came into a room and said, "I shoot you"

We don't usually hear the results of our reports of these people- for the most part- we don't know them and thankfully those types don't frequent this board.

But then we hear of many who are unfairly banned- or excessively banned for something fairly minor- full IP bans on homes where one player was guilty sometimes unknowingly. And we hear of some of the best players on VMK getting banned and their CL titles stripped because of at best was a stretch of stating personal information.

The one CL she was talking about was having a conversation with a young kid from the DL area- they were discussing Expedition Everest and he said he didn't know much about it because he lived near DL and she responded that she lived near WDW. Near does not mean in Orlando or in Aneheim at all. It just means closer- You can be in Tennessee and when discussing the parks say you live near WDW. SO really the two hour ban was more than enough punishment. When she noticed the badge missing the next day she felt it was a slap in the face. As a community leader this person could barely log on without getting several people in her room and countless guests roaming in and out as well- she always kept a positive attitude with all players- even the ones that were driving others in her room crazy. She goes out of her way to greet all players, visit new members in their rooms, and will lead players on the game to learn about the game. She tolerates repeatedly answering the same questions over and over and more- a person who I always felt was a role-model not only for other players but community leaders too.

I am sorry for her to have to go through this- and although I'm sure this will hurt her feelings- in the brief time I've known this woman- I suspect that she will continue to play without her CL and will continue to have crowds in her room and will continue to answer questions, go look at rooms and help new players. Because she was much more than the CL before her name and the removal of that and her badge won't really change who she is.

I do know many are very upset about this particular situation and that several have written into VMK with letters of support for her.

And the oddest thing about all of this- is that she is the one who for quite some time would caution all players about revealing personal information- and would bring some of the more stubborn players into trade windows and once booted one of her friends because he just wouldn't stop and she didn't want him to get banned...

Anyway- so yes your facts were accurate in this and it really is sad that the good are being hurt in this. That although I understand VMK's policies and support the rule of not revealing personal information I think this oversteps the spirit of the rule and its intentions. I also feel that by focusing so much on some of these players they are missing the ones who really need to be disciplined.

 

[HollyJoy]

I agree with you. It saddens me to see all of this happening, for VMK *USED* to be a very fun game. Now, not so much. I am constantly worried about what I say, as well as what is being said in the room I am in. A room I was in yesterday got a warning about personal info, and NOBODY SAID ANYTHING WRONG! It's ridiculous. With that being said, I understand the reasoning behind the not giving out info thing, and I respect it, for I have two kids playing.. BUT... it seems to be taken a bit to far on Disney side. They need to relax a bit. I've actually started playing over at Habbo Hotel because it's much more relaxed there. Look me up! I'm Tinkgirlygirl

 

[blizzard]

A room I was in yesterday got a warning about personal info, and NOBODY SAID ANYTHING WRONG! It's ridiculous.

Just wanted to mention that yesterday's warning went out system wide. I had two windows open in different rooms (both single characters with no one else in the room) and both got that same warning message.

Sounds like VMK has decided to crack the whip with regards to personal info. Think before you speak, is I guess the best advice. I also think that VMK should do a review of the situation before removing a CL title. A ban itself is not necessarily a reason for removal, if after a review it's determined that a warning would have been sufficient.

 

[qruthie]

My personal opinion is VMK needs to lighten up a bit. There is no way to 100% protect the players no matter how much VMK limits the dictionary we can use. Players will find a way to communicate within the game.

Here's what bothers me. When I took the VMK Insider Tour at WDW, I introduced myself to the tour guide and then said I am qruthie in the game. He pretty much flipped out and said we are NEVER to give our player name to other people. Well too late because I found out about the game through an internet site where we listed our player names.

Then along comes the ipod contest and what are we supposed to do? Give our player name to our friends!

So it seems like we're not supposed to give out personal information except when VMK says it is ok?

I just don't get it...

qruthie (the 'q' is silent)

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I've actually started playing over at Habbo Hotel because it's much more relaxed there. Look me up! I'm Tinkgirlygirl

And you will find me over there as PixieBellaBlonde

 

[Tampa]

I gave up on reporting peeps who have been mean or disrespectful after the 5th time I was thanked, and told I have an ignore button.

 

[Maleficent2]

Just wanted to mention that yesterday's warning went out system wide. I had two windows open in different rooms (both single characters with no one else in the room) and both got that same warning message.

Ditto that, that warning was game wide not room specific.

I totally agree with most everything everyone has said...we all just will have to watch our P& Q's for awhile.




PixieBella so that is where you have been!?!?

 

[AZCat]

qruthie - I must have had the same tour guide. It really seemed strange for the guide to react the way that he did.

 

[GuestRiku]

Thank you for the warning, they are going ban happy

 

[LittleRydia]

wow im glad its not just me noticing these things. Really, whenever I mention dis on VMK i get a warning about pesonal info! like the other day i was talking to a friend about the secret santa, and told her about the cool stuff i got for my western room. and bam, a warning came up saying i should not give out personal info? whats up with that?

 

[qruthie]

I'm cranky today...

The most retarded thing about the no personal information policy is this is a game with characters and it just seems natural to make up a virtual life and virtual personal information for them. Why shouldn't my character be able to live next to WDW and go there every day? That doesn't mean I as a person live next to WDW and go there every day!

It really annoys me (today especially) that any "personal" information that is shared in the game is assumed to be fact.

qruthie (the 'q' is silent)

 

[Diznygrl]

So now we're not even allowed to talk about The Dis?? I've been afraid to say much of anything on VMK for a while now because of fear of banishment, but this is just getting ridiculous!

 

[Ravensdark99]

Well, I mentioned that before and I will do that again, seems to me like VMK turns into some kind of dictatorship...about 15 years ago gouvernement in Eastern Germany handled matter of free speech and information quite the same actually.

It´s the same thing everywhere. As soon as some people (staff) in this case gets a bit too much power they start to use them against other people.

This VMK platform is based on a server in the United States, and I believe there is still some forms of free speech there.

So I fully understand the need of protection for young children. But I don´t understand the fact that they simply overdo it.

What´s next , VMK staff parade where everyone who doesn´t clap their hands will be banned?

After thinking about it...anyone read 1984 ?

 

[tigressjewel]

It really annoys me (today especially) that any "personal" information that is shared in the game is assumed to be fact.

qruthie (the 'q' is silent)

Wow, this really strikes a cord with me, so bear with me, it could take a minute, lol This isn't a comment on your post personally qruthie, but just thoughts that came to my mind from reading the above statement.

This is exactly why they are so careful about personal information being shared in the game. In my view many kids are expected to behave and conduct themselves in much more of an adult way than used to be. I think a lot of homes have both parents working or are single parent, which leaves kids home unsupervised. My son is 12, he's very mature and very smart. He's also very responsible and I do sometimes leave him for a couple of hours to shop or something. Just because he is a "good boy" though doesn't make him an adult. Kids just haven't learned yet how to always make the right decisions regarding when its ok to trust a person and when its not. Toss into that mix the fact that its totally possible to portray yourself in any way you like online and have it be believable (expecially for an impressionable kid) and you have potential for very real danger. I don't mean to sound paranoid about this, but when I read about or see on tv about a 40yr old man who friends a 13yr old girl by posing as a 17yr old boy it scares the holy you know what out of me!! I watched a News show not long ago where they set up a sting. They had an adult pose as a 12yr old in a chat room and you would not believe the things men much older were saying. Several of them got the address and showed up at a house they had set up with cameras with no good intentions believe me!

I do have opinions that match most of yours as far as the way VMK handles things, seems they still have a long way to go to get it all figured out. I am definetely annoyed about bans of people who are a positive infuence in the game too. I guess we all just need to keep writing in and giving our feedback along with suggestions to help them improve. I didn't mean to go so long on this subject but as you can tell, I feel very strongly about doing my part to keep the internet (and vmk) as safe as possible!

 

[Maleficent2]

I really hate to say it but Internet Safety should not only be practiced in VMK but right here on the DIS....I know we here like to think of each other as family and/or friends but the truth is we know very little about who is really on the other end of that user name.

How someone portrays themselves on a forum board is not always a true representation of their true self.

A man could be a woman...a boy could be a man...a adult really a child....child really an adult

And that can goes both ways...some may come off as really nice and friendly but when you get to know them better they are quiet the opposite and some may come off standoffish or not so friendy and they are the nicest person you could ever meet.


Mal

 

[VirtuallyMe]

I really hate to say it but Internet Safety should not only be practiced in VMK but right here on the DIS....I know we here like to think of each other as family and/or friends but the truth is we know very little about who is really on the other end of that user name.

I do agree with this. It think the thing that shocked me the most on DIS boards was the fact that there were so many kids under age 13years posting and sharing their ages and almost exact locations on the board.

I know from past experience many sites like these don't allow anyone under the age of 13 to post because of the Internet laws in the US. But seems 13yrs is a magical age of good sense or something and 13yo's can legally have their own emails and register for online groups.

And on the other sites I moderated- we suspected that there were a few kids posting who were under the age limit- based on things they said- but they never did say anything like a grade or their age openly and they registered with an over 13 year birthdate- Now a few did slip and say they were in 5th grade or something and they got moderated immediately (couldn't post) and a pm sent to them asking out right what their age was- and usually led to their accounts being deleted. At the time there were quite a few internet sites losing their right to exist based on violations- but the way the law is set up as long as owners are not aware they are not being truthful and they do attempt to exclude those under age- then it is okay...

Anyway- long rambling post here- but I was amazed at some kids posting so much private information- remember that although your conversation on VMK disappears a few minutes after it is said- it is somewhat permanent here at the DIS boards. A kid could say the state they live in in one post. A name of their city or say they live near a certain city in another. The name of their school sports team in another- and before long- for someone who does want to find you- there is enough information out there.

And then add those kids who don't share any of that information- but have parents on the board who post and do share their information because they feel comfortable on the boards... and there is some risk here

As there is in most places. I think it is important to just be conscientious about what we post, what we assume about others, and keep in mind that for every active poster on this board there are probably several lurkers who never post a thing but read every single word.

 

[tigressjewel]

Mal and VituallyMe:

Yes!! Amen and thank you for acknowledging and adding to what I said. So well put.