Animation Source Forums

Alright, only one rant has been posted on this, and I must admit, its a bit bias. This is an UNBIAS thread, meaning I'd like you to discuss both sides and apprciate the other peoples points of view. I kindly ask the mods to take into account peoples opinions and accept their explaintions thus far haven't satified everyone angered.. This way we can find out what everyone thinks and why exactly so many people were upset and if, as a mod suggested, they've cooled off and had saw it was foolish, not my opinion but that was what the mod posted.

My opinon is, the prank would've been good had they just accepted people were catching on instead of closing the threads. It was funny if they believed it for a moment then realized it was a prank, but blocking the threads was pointless as it only made people mad, made some people put unnessary items on their computers to 'save their threads', and we all know never to trust the mods on April Fools ever again, if they actually have something importent to say on that date, its like the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf. So my opinion, at first it was funny, then blocking the threads made it annoying. Unblocking them after an hour or so would've been ok but how long they did it was the problem. I also apprciate the mods apologizing for their actions, even if in my mind it wasn't serious enough.

That's my opinion, if you don't feel the same way, I respect that. This thread is so we can get to the buttom of this and see how people really feel. The reason this is in rants is because a lot of those discussing will have a rant, ether they're mad at the mods or upset people are taking it too seriously. Anyway, please discuss this.

I voted Amused.
It was a little akward for them to lock it.
But for me, it was still amusing. No point in whinning over the past.

In all seriousness, the prank was not funny. If they had scared people into thinking the site was going down, that's one thing. But locking most active topics is a different thing, and far more severe.

Many people enjoy this forum and come here to have a good time by talking with others, be it by discussing various things about Balto or The Lion King, or roleplaying with one another. Locking most of the active topics was not a very wise move, as it effectively inhibited the above from taking place, and left a lot of people very angry, including myself. People don't come here to be the blunt of a bad joke. A good natured April Fool's joke would have been fine, but this was taken way too far. I have seen a forum joke before, and that entailed the text of the forum being changed to a different language, or one that was made up. Posts were still comprehensible, though. And for a short time it provided an interesting and humorous atmosphere for the users. The staff of this forum, however, obviously did not think of the irritation this would cause, or they simply didn't care.

Before I get the "go get a life" or the equally feeble "It's just one day, go do something productive" argument, let me highlight that my distaste for this whole instance is based on principle. While the prank only lasted around twenty-four hours, I must ask why would the staff of a community forum do this to its members? People don't have an obligation to come here, so don't test their will in such a way.

I do not believe doing the community a dis-service such as that is rational at all, even if it happens to be a lame holiday. Children pull these kinds of pranks, because they either do not care or are ignorant to the negative repercussions that a prank might be. Someone who is older and knows better can both craft a more amusing and less irritating prank.

And for the record, I was hardly "punked". As soon as I remembered it was April 1st, I was skeptical about the whole situation. The prank itself, never mind its stupidity, was poorly devised, and contained many loopholes that even the most gullible of people could latch onto.

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Quoting myself from the other topic, slightly edited. I vote "Annoyed".

I respect how you feel and I can see where you're coming from. I must admit, some people's reactions were amusing to an extend, maybe cause I was technically in on it but forced by promise not to tell till the next day. Talking to Kohaku.

Ghostunit, I see you're point as well and they're good points. And I'm also hoping you respect how people like Kohaku feel, that's all I care about is everyone respect each other's opinion, that's how discussions should work and it avoids flames.

I have respect for Kohaku's and others' points of view, but I do not and cannot respect the way in which some put forward those opinions, which have been "stop whining/complaining/get a life/no sense of humor".

Well when they say stuff like that, at least in a direct way like that, they're not respecting other peoples opinions, which is what I don't want. If they have that mind set, I'd prefer them putting it in a way like 'I feel some people are taking this too seriously' then give their reasons for thinking so and not just telling people to 'get a life'. Would you be able to respect their opinion if they put it in those words?

Yes, I would. Few people on the other side, however, have seen fit to discuss the matter in such a way, which is irritating. Perhaps some of the mods have, but I say to this; It is easy for the perpetrators of a prank to find excitement than it is for those affected, is it not?

Good point, it does make since that the mods don't fully see the serious issues some people had with their prank because they didn't feel the effects of it. Then again, we've only seen the full opinions of a select few mods and cannot say if theses are the feelings of all the mods.

I agree with you, which in the past, me and you haven't been able to agree on a lot of stuff, but I agree wholeheartly except for one thing, the disrespect doesn't limit to the mods, it extends to members on both sides of the discussion. But the major point, the locking of the forums ruining an otherwise intresting joke.

I see your point, though I have seen one person on our side of the issue basically call those who enjoyed it crazy, it may of been a PM. Anyway, our point basically is, locking the forums ruined the prank and there is a lack of respect in this matter from both sides and the mods as well, well only one mod in particular is really pushing it and it was his idea so that's somewhat reasonable but the thing is, he's not entirely respecting those who didn't find it funny, which is the entire reason I posted this thread.

Yes, yes, said moderator is me. There's no need to further try to hide the name. I have never had any intention to hide my identity when voicing my opinions; I find it difficult to see that this stance has not been picked up yet.

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=26243&p=862226#p862226 (everything I needed to say is there).