So, some of you are curious about why I'm telling you all to pull your support of HL. Well, recently (last week), I was officially banned from being Featured on HL because I raised issue with their formatting. As you all are aware, I format my entries to be literally correct. I use proper indentation and paragraphing (as can be used on a blog), and I use text formatting (italics) to emphasise certain words, or highlight quotes.
These are JOURNALISTICALLY CORRECT things to do. However, HardestLevel has refused to take my critiques into practise, and immediately removed my entry. Need I remind anyone that there was a HUGE debacle not long ago in which HardestLevel was practically FORCED into putting other people onto Featured, other than their Fascistic "editor" Awinnerisyou.
Need I ALSO remind anyone that it was ruled that the current editorial methods were INCORRECT AND INVALID?! No, I do not. Not to any of you who are intelligent enough to remember that. I've stated before that the "editors" on the Xister sites have more power than real editors have. They do not discuss with their authors any changes that need to be made, or are being considered to be added.
I was NEVER told my entry did not meet a "visual preference", and my entry was, again, butchered in its format. Once again, MY work, was written in the pisspoor style of one "Joe". After reading more into things, I discovered that "Joe" is Awinnerisyou.
So wait, the very guy who was told by John of Xanga to change his shit, to listen to the community, to stop editing posts to HIS STANDARD... IS STILL DOING IT!? WHAT?! At this point, having re-read the messages sent betwixt me and "Joe", and seeing his attitude on compromise...I won't be satisfied with just a revamping of the way Featured is run on the Xister sites.
I want Joe to be let go. He has no communicatory skills, no expertise in editing, and no idea what he's doing. He was told how to act, how to approach, and he went against EVERYTHING in order to mold HL into whatever the fuck he wants it to be.
I said "ENOUGH!" last time. I shouted. I screamed. I was a raging asshole to everyone in my path. Not this time. No, this time I've aimed my sights on you, "Joe". You went against ALL agreements. You acted out of selfish desire, and you put no thought towards your position, or the community. You expect us to conform to your style, which is NOT WHAT AN EDITOR DOES. An editor is required to go over a submitted work; edit grammatical errors, and re-submit the edited work back to the author for approval.
NO PUBLISHING IS EVER DONE WITHOUT FULL CONSENT OF THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF ANY CHANGES MADE. NONE! NEVER! THAT'S NOT HOW IT FUCKING WORKS!
I've had enough of this. It was bad before, when there were no actual rules about this. But we went through HELL and a major shitstorm from MANY XANGANS about this issue. And he has the nerve, the GALL to continue to pull this shit?!
I'm calling for Joe's position to be open to a member of the Xanga community. I don't care whom, as long as they have been here longer than 2 years; understands how the community runs; can show an unbiased opinion when needed; and has ACTUAL EDITORIAL SKILLS. I'm sick of seeing "interns" running our community like this. It's appalling. It's disgraceful. And I won't be represented by these people.
And yes, I called "Joe" a fascist. Because that's exactly what fascism is. I'll give you a few pieces of what Fascism entails. And while HL isn't necessarily a "government", the "Editor" right now is the "governing body" of HL. Ergo, the following has more pretext: "Fascist governments forbid and suppress criticism and opposition to the government and the fascist movement"
Gee, when I criticised him firstly, I was blocked, banned, and verboten to do anything other than muddle on my own HL account. When I did it again, I was VERBOTEN to ever be Featured again; all because I opposed his views on how the site should look.
"Fascism is much defined by what it opposes, what scholars call the fascist negations - its opposition to individualism". I complained that my post's formatting was uniform, and sounded nothing like me. I was denied, ignored, and banned. I will repeat that an EDITOR cannot, under any circumstances, alter the format of a submission without express permission from the original author that the changes are valid, and acceptable. EVER.
But that's exactly what happened to me.
Not only am I asking for a change in Xister Featured Structure, and Joe's "retirement", but that my "banning" from being Featured be removed. I was unjustly banned. Yes, I became angry later on in the discussion, because of all the aforementioned issues. Because we've been through this, and he hasn't learned a goddamn thing. He feels that he can do as he please, and piss on you and me. We mean nothing.
Nevermind the fact that had me and some key Xangans not raised HELL (and had I not complained initially about the lack of diverse Featured content), that HardestLevel would STILL be Featuring the SHIT out of Awinnerisyou. There'd be no users, no comments; and no one would care. Much like they did before changes were made.
And guess who are the people who DEMANDED those changes? Me, SimbaThe2nd, AnamcharaConcepts, Fairywife, and others! It took US to get things to change. Joe did NOTHING on his own. The "success" of HL right now can only be attributed to those of us who spoke out against his reprehensible behaviour. He's proven to be an utterly INEPT editor and site owner. He needs to be taken off the site IMMEDIATELY, and replaced with someone competant.
He has shown that he refuses to adapt, and learn. He wants it his way, or no way. And you can see this from his responses to my messages. Note that I started out friendly, and as time passed, I became irate.
I find it disheartening that I have to become a JERK to get any response from anyone. I'm NOT a jerk; and I don't care much for being one to get things done. I wanted a civil, ACTUAL compromise; and even offered to give some concessions to HL to keep my formatting right. AND I WAS NOT LISTENED TO.
Below is the conversation between me and "Joe". Note that at the end, he tacks on the "Head Editor" name to his, in a transparent effort to be "above" me, and assert superiourity.
You're no editor. You're a selfish jerk. A n00b. And unworthy of the position you have.
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From HardestLevel.com To Me:
-7/8/09
From Me To HardestLevel.com:
Cool! Uhm, I think when I submitted it, the site garbled up the post. It was meant to look like it does on here. I noticed that this happens too on Xanga.com.
http://zeus.hardestlevel.com/706418254/hr-231-poised-to-label-games-to-death/
Could you please edit this?
-Sent 7/9/09
From Me To HardestLevel.com:
Hey, just letting you know that the post submission page messed up the format of my H.R. 231 Bill post. The original format is on my website. I'm asking that you please change the Featured post over to the proper format.
Also, I submitted a new post for review for Featured, but the original posting (the one with "" around the title) got screwed up in the submission process. The one I was hoping to see up is the one with the proper formatting and pictures within the post.
I'm not sure what's up with the Submission Page. It's been acting weird on every site.
-Sent 7/10/09
From Me To HardestLevel.com:
Okay, it's been a few days since my initial message. I was under the impression this was a "new era" for this site, but I'm really not seeing much of a change. At the very least, a message of acknowledgment that you read my message would be respectful.
The format of my post was not correct as per a mistake on the submission page. Please re-review the entry on my HL account site, and change the featured article as per posted. If not, then remove my post from the front page.
I really don't want to have to go into ANOTHER series of issues over something that can simply be solved civilly. I'm giving the benefit of the doubt because of the nature of the issue, but I've only so much patience.
You also have me blocked on your personal site; and not only that, I had to get on John's case just to be unblocked on this site to begin with. You were told to "play nicely", I expect you to do so.
I'm trying to be nice, but patience wears extremely thin. I'm not letting this go.
-Sent: 7/12/09
From HardestLevel To Me:
Dear Sir,
If you are referring to the bold text and indents of the paragraphs, then I believe I understand why you are referring to the format as "not correct". Other than that, I am truly unaware of any significant format changes.
I will revisit HardestLevel later tonight, and I believe I will remove the post because it does not meet your standards. We do not use bold or indented text, and that is our visual preference. While I wouldn't go as far as to say this much is non-negotiable, I would much prefer to keep a uniform visual format for all posts.
Thus, I'm sorry if we are unable to reach a consensus on this and sorry for the late reply.
-- Joe
-Sent 7/13/09
From Me To HardestLevel.com:
I don't mind the italicized or bold edits. But the paragraphing is definitely all wrong (ie, there's none where it needs to be).
I was also not informed of a new staff on HL's site. Is there a more effective way of reaching staff in regards to issues? I'm hoping there is a streamlined approach now as opposed to how the site was run prior to the "incident".
I would speak to John about the issue of formatting, as he was directly involved in the process. Though I must say I do like the left-justified approach.
-Sent 7/14/09
From Me To HardestLevel.com:
Apparently it IS non-negotiable, seeing as you went and deleted my work without my consent, or any further dialogue. You have NO etiquette when dealing with an issue and as such, I'm removing my support of this fascistic site.
Your 'visual format' is a Wall Of Text monstrosity, and illiterate. I shall do everything in my power to discourage use of your site. I will not be abused, misrepresented, or neglected.
I WILL be talking to your boss.
This slight will NOT go unpunished.
-Sent 7/17/09
From HardestLevel To Me:
Sir,
I indicated previously I had the intention of removing your post from the main page, as you yourself asked. As written: "I will revisit HardestLevel later tonight, and I believe I will remove the post because it does not meet your standards. We do not use bold or indented text, and that is our visual preference. While I wouldn't go as far as to say this much is non-negotiable, I would much prefer to keep a uniform visual format for all posts."
So, there was fair warning and your post is merely set to private; it is not deleted.
Moreover, I must say, I feel your characterizations of me are way off base. I have replied to your messages with tact and with reasonable timeliness. The idea that I or this site is "fascist" is erroneous and misconstrues the very definition of the word.
Please continue to enjoy (or don't enjoy) the site, but I think it is fair to say we will not be using your submissions in the future.
-- Joe, HardestLevel Head Editor
From Me To HardestLevel :
I'd rather you not. You've shown no respect for what I write; and insist on forcing me to conform to a visual style that is poor, and literarily incorrect. I'd rather not be represented by horrendous editors.
You opened no doors for communication; despite saying that the topic was not "non-negotiable". Rest assured I will be taking this up with John. Your handling of this situation was childish, and went against everything agreed upon by myself, John, and Awinnerisyou.
I'm assuming you're NEW here, but maybe you didn't get the memo that editing other's formats was ruled WRONG by John. And that the editorial process was being changed to better promote the USERS, not the editors.
By forcing US to conform to YOUR visual style, you're being fascist. And no, your response was NOT timely. It took WEEKS to hear back from you. And when I did, you'd made a decision without consulting me. That was not a part of the agreement made between me, the users, and HardestLevel; and was touched upon by the very OWNER OF THIS SITE.
So please, don't use my entries; because I'd rather not be represented by someone with no understanding of how to format an article.
But I'm sure you'll content yourself with the vacuous entries being featured. Which is why HL is never going to amount to much under the rule and law of such horrendous staff.
Ta.
-Sent 7/20/09
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