Administrators and Members of MousePad;

I fear that my original prediction of the subscriber issue has started to affect us. The Pad has changed, and not for the better. Ever since you integrated the Subscriptions, Padders have been fighting among themselves in a sort of Civil War-the subscribers against the regulars, the newbies against the old timers. We have separated and segregated ourselves into two sects, the "dedicated" Padders, who attend meets and know many Padders personally, and the "non-dedicated" Padders, who do not do any of the above mentioned acts. This conflict needs to be stopped, but not in the harmful way of suspending and banning members. You may deny that these things are happening, but they are.


In response to this issue, I propose that the Administrators of MousePad select a few Padders who have shown no preference to any group to act as temporary "mediators". Through these select few, Padders who have an issue with one another can come to terms peacefully, instead of in the flame war which is destined to happen if no action is taken. I propose that no warnings or disciplinary action will be taken against the Padders involved in the threads involved in this issue is they agree to resolve their issues peacefully through these mediators.


MousePad has developed a bruise, and the only way we can heal it is with a peaceful resolution.



Regards,
Sean

I strongly disagree that the current issue has anything to do with the subscriber issue. That was resolved, the ribbon went away, and it hasn't been an issue.

The bizarre "clique" battle that's been going on was touched off by a completely different chain of events that would have happened independant of the subscriber change.

Most of us are adults here. We should be able to resolve our differences and talk to each other without some manufactured "mediator" system.

I strongly disagree that the current issue has anything to do with the subscriber issue. That was resolved, the ribbon went away, and it hasn't been an issue.

The bizarre "clique" battle that's been going on was touched off by a completely different chain of events that would have happened independant of the subscriber change.

Most of us are adults here. We should be able to resolve our differences and talk to each other without some manufactured "mediator" system.


I feel that the two events are connected. The pad has split, and it was helped along by the subscriber issue.

I had the same hope that people would be able to resolve this on their own, but it appears that it may not happen.

I feel that the two events are connected. The pad has split, and it was helped along by the subscriber issue.

They aren't. The conincidentally happened at the same time, but rest assured that the clique thread would have happened, subscription or no.

The subscription issue resolved itself quite well. People discussed their opinions, a decission was made that addressed the bulk of the concerns, and the system seems to be working just fine. I have yet to see evidence of any caste system forming.

Well, I tend to agree with GD on this but I can see how subscription may have shifted the dynamic a bit.

We are no longer just a group Disney fans trying to connect with those who share our mania - rather some of us are now also a group of customers to a business enterprise. Is the MP staff "friends" or "service providers?" Both, or neither. Interesting to think about.

But I think the issues would have happend regardless of the subscription issue.

Well, I tend to agree with GD on this but I can see how subscription may have shifted the dynamic a bit.

We are no longer just a group Disney fans trying to connect with those who share our mania - rather some of us are now also a group of customers to a business enterprise. Is the MP staff "friends" or "service providers?" Both, or neither. Interesting to think about.

But I think the issues would have happend regardless of the subscription issue.


Exactly. It would have happened any way, but this, I feel, has increased its power.

We have separated and segregated ourselves into two sects, the "dedicated" Padders, who attend meets and know many Padders personally, and the "non-dedicated" Padders, who do not do any of the above mentioned acts.

DisneyFan25863, I like your style. You're looking for solutions. I love that!

I'm a "dedicated" Padder but I've never met even one Padder in person. I've never been to a meet, yet the Pad is as comfortable to me as it is to those who see each other all the time.

There are all levels of friendship to be found here. What's better than that?

What's better than that?I agree wholeheartedly. But apparently some people do not agree.

Padder dedication comes on many levels.

You have those who go to meets and hardly post
You have those who go to meets and post a lot
You have those who don't go to meets and post a lot
You have those who don't go to meets and hardly post
You have those who post on the boards for trip information and never considered meeting those who go to meets, or those who don't

It doesn't matter what "dedication" a person has to the pad, everyone is welcome.

Second issue.

This division that you are speaking of would have happend without the avatars and subscriptions. I am avatarless and subscription less and I fully feel the division. From my perspective it's been brewing just under the boiling point for a while now, and it's a conincidence that it happened when we got avatars back.

DF, I also agree with Helen, you are looking for resolutions. It's good. I don't think anyone is happy with what is going on now, not those in the "clique" nor those complaining about the "clique" or those who don't know whats going on.

Why if you prescribe to Mousepad and go to meets make you a "dedicated" padder i haven't been to one meet haven't seen any of the other padders face to face. But when i come to Mouseplanet i feel like im with people who know what im saying and can understand my views on Disney and other parks. Mouseplanet shouldn't be about im better because i prescribed but rather im happy im here. Know if you feel otherwise why? Do you get pride over the fact that you paid your ten dollars a year or you go to these meets regualry and someone like me who can't pay ten dollars a year our make it to the meets because off were i am located and getting there is an issue. If you are then obviously you haven't learn one thing since signing up. Were not here to declare a king or president were here to disscusses if you want to rule a world Buy Simcity if not. Good Day Sir!

In response to this issue, I propose that the Administrators of MousePad select a few Padders who have shown no preference to any group to act as temporary "mediators".

How about we expect people to behave like the adults that they supposedly are and let them work it out or at least figure out a way to behave politely and co-exist on these boards, and those of us not involved just stay out of it instead of making it worse?

I think your intentions are good, but I also think you're making a lot of assumptions that aren't true. There's a lot that we as non-staff/non-moderators/non-admin don't know, and without that information, we're definitely at a disadvantage in coming up with a solution.

Continue posting on the topics that interest you. This too will blow over.

I don't think anyone is happy with what is going on now, not those in the "clique" nor those complaining about the "clique" or those who don't know whats going on.
I have no problem with what's going on now.

There are all levels of friendship to be found here. What's better than that?

Levels of friendship without jealousy from people who think they're not in a 'clique'.

I have been watching by the sidelines and I would like to add my 2 cents...

To be honest... the small changes and past posts in question do not phase me. Why? Well, MP is a great place to give and get great honest information about our favorite theme parks. I can hopefully help someone out by sharing my experiences, and opinions, and other tidbits of info. Being in the midwest, I will most likely never go to a gathering, but I will share as much as I can from my past trips. At the same time, I hope to gather info as well for my upcoming trip. I hope that people see me as an asset because I see every contributer here as an asset. If I get to meet someone in person from these boards because of this, I just consider that a cool happening of life. :) We are all equals on this board because we share one common love.

Do I care about if you subscribe or not? Nope. And I hope peope are adult enough to not care if I do or not as well. Will I in the future? I hope to later to show my support for this site. After all, beyond common belief, hosting a web page is not free, especially one of this magnatude.

MP is not the only online community I belong to. I also frequent one that is related to a particular sports car. And you know what? I am a newbee there and they treat me like one of the gang. They help me and I help them regardless if my car looks or runs like junk compared to some of their pristine rides. And this is coming from a group of hot rodders. Do they have these conversations as well? They sure do. They resolve the issue, people apologize, some get banned, some just leave, but the site is still there hosting up the best information for the car I drive. Maybe we can learn from other boards in regards to this. (Or at least see that we are not alone...)

Along the same lines... I agree with the previous statement...
I'm a "dedicated" Padder but I've never met even one Padder in person. I've never been to a meet, yet the Pad is as comfortable to me as it is to those who see each other all the time.
... and this is the way it should be to all who contribute or lurk these boards.

In essence, we all make this site what it is. I have to thank the Mod's for what they do and the extra time they put into this site. I know your time isnt free and I thank you for your dedication.

Ok, Ive said enough... Im going back over to the other threads.