This man has his priorities just right!
Showing posts with label JG500. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JG500. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Richard and Julianne - kudos for a job well-done
Oftentimes young teenagers forget to tell their Mum and Dad how much they love and appreciate them when they rebel, as all young adolescents do, and criticise the very people who feed and house them. And so it is with a few of us rambunctious cyber-adolescents on JG500.
I want to express my ongoing admiration and appreciation to Richard and Julianne for their hard work and support for the club. I know I express myself critically and directly and tender egos often misinterpret this as personal abuse. Although I play the ball and never the player sometimes the player's head gets very near the ball and, well, heads are the same shape as the ball aren't they? So, I hope my comments about JG500 are seen only as my continued support for the club and my desire to suggest improvements and offer assistance.
See: Forum Moderation Another Victim of Lag
I want to express my ongoing admiration and appreciation to Richard and Julianne for their hard work and support for the club. I know I express myself critically and directly and tender egos often misinterpret this as personal abuse. Although I play the ball and never the player sometimes the player's head gets very near the ball and, well, heads are the same shape as the ball aren't they? So, I hope my comments about JG500 are seen only as my continued support for the club and my desire to suggest improvements and offer assistance.
See: Forum Moderation Another Victim of Lag
Get a Life!
Yesterday a JG500 member told me I needed to get more fun out of life.
The irony was dripping of the screen as I was thoroughly enjoying my weekend chatting with my wife, planning my upcoming holiday, updating my blog and playing 500 with my mates. Conversely, this member was thoroughly miserable, whinging yet again about never being able to get a good game at the site, and very strung out for lack of sleep.
I enjoy my life - a lot! I have a great job teaching wonderful students; I sail up and down some beautiful coasts; I play 500 with some loverly people; and I enjoy getting up the noses of cheats and their defenders. But I don't give out foolish unasked for life advice - and I expect the same in return.
What I admire about the local people where I live is that they seem to know far better than many of my compatriots where to draw the line. They would consider it rude and uncouth to give a casual acquaintance life advice. So do I!
The irony was dripping of the screen as I was thoroughly enjoying my weekend chatting with my wife, planning my upcoming holiday, updating my blog and playing 500 with my mates. Conversely, this member was thoroughly miserable, whinging yet again about never being able to get a good game at the site, and very strung out for lack of sleep.
I enjoy my life - a lot! I have a great job teaching wonderful students; I sail up and down some beautiful coasts; I play 500 with some loverly people; and I enjoy getting up the noses of cheats and their defenders. But I don't give out foolish unasked for life advice - and I expect the same in return.
What I admire about the local people where I live is that they seem to know far better than many of my compatriots where to draw the line. They would consider it rude and uncouth to give a casual acquaintance life advice. So do I!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Forum Moderation Another Victim of Lag?
Isn't it time we grew up and took responsibility for our own forum? Then we'd only have ourselves to blame instead of Richard, and his limited time could then be spent on what he does the best instead of refereeing a dysfunctional mob of addicted card players ;)
Richard would probably love to lose this forum's load from his server and his busy day. In our email correspondence about my "Let's Talk 500" demonstration forum he said:
Sharon wrote:
BL Shaz but WD for trying.
Richard would probably love to lose this forum's load from his server and his busy day. In our email correspondence about my "Let's Talk 500" demonstration forum he said:
I'm happy to switch the current forums over (but) I guess this whole thing would be a lot more attractive to me if I didn't have to do any work... This would help my bandwidth costs too.Free moderated forums are easy to set up and administer, whether they are hosted by Google/Yahoo/MSN Groups or Forumer. As Jon pointed out, it wouldn't take much work to incorporate an independent forum into this site and they could be made to look as one.
- Let's Talk 500 - a demonstration of an independent feature rich moderated forum for players of 500
- Expired JG500 Forum Thread on Let's Talk 500
- Play 500 Google Group - a demonstration of a basic independent moderated forum setup in ten minutes
- My email correspondence with Richard about an independent forum for JG500
Sharon wrote:
Hi everyone,
I wanted to publicly state that my role as one of the site forum moderators is over.
I was initially approached by Anders in early April and agreed to be involved in both the set up of the Forum Code of Conduct and in moderating the site. My reasons for doing so were solid and I felt it was an extremely necessary step to move the site forward into the future.
It was not an easy process or task and the original Moderation Team (which included Grumma and another member as well) all spent many hours of our own time on a completely voluntary basis in meeting with the rest of the team to talk over our views, issues, processes etc, as well as drafting, reviewing and finalising do?@!ents and emails.
Forum moderation was launched in early May.
Since that time I have become increasingly disillusioned and incredibly disappointed with the level of support offered to us by the Administrators of this site.
Our moderation team has met and made specific recommendations to Richard via email about steps he needs to do in order to act on our decisions - emails to be sent to members who breach the code and offending posts to be removed. Despite the lapse of a significant period of time, Richard has not acted on our suggestions.
I have had email correspondence with Richard today. His responses to my questions, comments and suggestions were entirely unsatisfactory to me. I am extremely frustrated by Richard's lack of action and support which he purports to have for the moderation process.
As a consequence I am unable to continue my personal involvement in moderating the site and seriously question the value in having moderators at all given the current logistical arrangements.
The effectiveness and capacity to act of the moderation team is significantly compromised by the set up as it is now.
It is very unfortunate as my aim was certainly always about improving the site for everyone.
I wish to pay tribute to the energy, drive and level-headedness of Anders who is an incredibly mature and impressive young man. Grumma and our other original team member spent many hours on do?@!ents and processes and their work was important and highly valued. Brillo has been a clear thinking, sensible and essential part of our moderation team.
A big sigh of relief and warm regards from,
Sharon
(Who is now looking forward to spending her 500 time playing cards rather than moderating!)
BL Shaz but WD for trying.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Flippa's Charter of Cheat's Rights
This is my favourite Lee post, a response to Flippa's defence of online cheating at JG500, a defence used many times over the years by members and affiliates of the Vitriolic Hall of Fame. Sadly, thanks to Richard's ongoing attempts to hide the site's cheating history, this thread expired along with the rest of the club's history. This extract is from the Cheating thread from 2007 and is available in the blog's Public Folder.
FLIPPA’S CHARTER OF CHEAT’S RIGHTS
1. Cheats shall be at absolute liberty to practise wide ranging public deception. In particular:
1.1 Cheats shall be entitled to prey upon any and all members of this club, particularly newer members, at their absolute and wide ranging discretion.
1.2 Cheats shall be entitled to receive accolades in this public forum when the fruits of their deception are realised, and publicly acknowledge what skilful players they are.
2. Cheats shall also be entitled to:
2.1 Absolute privacy. Despite a cheat’s absolute right to practisie wide ranging public deception, no member shall be permitted to confront a cheat publicly (in like manner) by using this forum.
3. Cheats who are confronted with allegations of cheating and who subsequently admit that they have in fact been cheating shall be entitled to:
3.1 A complete re-write of history. Despite their own admission of cheating, cheats shall be entitled to have this damning admission ignored and the evidence they were confronted with pejoratively described as “so-called evidence” and “trumped up evidence".
4. Upon being established as a cheat, cheats shall be entitled to divest themselves of any responsibility and consequences for their actions. In particular:
4.1 The impact on the cheat as a consequence of being caught is the sole and paramount consideration. Cheats have a right to empathy and sympathy despite being the author of their own misfortune. The impact on other members who have been victims of the cheats deception shall be absolutely disregarded.
FLIPPA’S CHARTER OF HONEST MEMBER’S RIGHTS
1. Honest members have no right to publicly campaign for fair and honest play.
2. Honest members shall not publicly complain when they have been the victim of cheating, despite a cheat’s complete liberty to practise public deception.
3.Honest members shall completely disregard their own feelings of having been played for a mug and respect a cheat’s right to privacy and empathy.
4.Honest members must tolerate the existence of cheats in this club. An honest member’s only right in this regard is the generous privilege of avoiding playing the cheat.
5. Honest members have no right to be concerned that the tolerance of cheating may lead to the widespread breakdown of honest, fair play in this club. Any honest member breaching this rule shall be deemed to be a crank and “site policeman”.
FLIPPA’S CHARTER OF CHEAT’S RIGHTS
1. Cheats shall be at absolute liberty to practise wide ranging public deception. In particular:
1.1 Cheats shall be entitled to prey upon any and all members of this club, particularly newer members, at their absolute and wide ranging discretion.
1.2 Cheats shall be entitled to receive accolades in this public forum when the fruits of their deception are realised, and publicly acknowledge what skilful players they are.
2. Cheats shall also be entitled to:
2.1 Absolute privacy. Despite a cheat’s absolute right to practisie wide ranging public deception, no member shall be permitted to confront a cheat publicly (in like manner) by using this forum.
3. Cheats who are confronted with allegations of cheating and who subsequently admit that they have in fact been cheating shall be entitled to:
3.1 A complete re-write of history. Despite their own admission of cheating, cheats shall be entitled to have this damning admission ignored and the evidence they were confronted with pejoratively described as “so-called evidence” and “trumped up evidence".
4. Upon being established as a cheat, cheats shall be entitled to divest themselves of any responsibility and consequences for their actions. In particular:
4.1 The impact on the cheat as a consequence of being caught is the sole and paramount consideration. Cheats have a right to empathy and sympathy despite being the author of their own misfortune. The impact on other members who have been victims of the cheats deception shall be absolutely disregarded.
FLIPPA’S CHARTER OF HONEST MEMBER’S RIGHTS
1. Honest members have no right to publicly campaign for fair and honest play.
2. Honest members shall not publicly complain when they have been the victim of cheating, despite a cheat’s complete liberty to practise public deception.
3.Honest members shall completely disregard their own feelings of having been played for a mug and respect a cheat’s right to privacy and empathy.
4.Honest members must tolerate the existence of cheats in this club. An honest member’s only right in this regard is the generous privilege of avoiding playing the cheat.
5. Honest members have no right to be concerned that the tolerance of cheating may lead to the widespread breakdown of honest, fair play in this club. Any honest member breaching this rule shall be deemed to be a crank and “site policeman”.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Expired JG500 Forum Threads
In a misguided attempt to stifle discussion about cheating, inactive threads on the JG500 Forum expire after two months. This has had the opposite effect of encouraging cheating as the offenders know their records are wiped clean every few months. Benno the Cheat has used his official "pardon" several times since he first used Toby's account to award himself a JG500 gong two years ago. Many other cheats are still happily beating unsuspecting newer members safe in the knowledge that JG500 has no official site history anymore.
However, some of the more interesting expired threads, saved as PDF documents, can be read in this public folder:
Thursday, May 15, 2008
SOCIAL and COMPETITION games - suggested improvement
One improvement I have been thinking about is having the option for members to play either SOCIAL or COMPETITION games, Yahoo Games has this option. This option could go on the new game form that Smith/Anders are working on.
SOCIAL games would be the same as what we have now - no change.
COMPETITION games would only be for rotated members 4somes. The game server would automatically chose and rotate partnerships. If the same 4 members resumed their battle at a later date then the game server would remember and keep the rotation going. A second Competition ELO just for this type of game choice should be created.
To raise more $$$ for the club I would be happy to pay an extra $5/month to qualify for COMPETITION games.
SOCIAL games would be the same as what we have now - no change.
COMPETITION games would only be for rotated members 4somes. The game server would automatically chose and rotate partnerships. If the same 4 members resumed their battle at a later date then the game server would remember and keep the rotation going. A second Competition ELO just for this type of game choice should be created.
To raise more $$$ for the club I would be happy to pay an extra $5/month to qualify for COMPETITION games.
My first games at JG500
My first games at JG500 were with Rat, then named Streamline after a horse that either broke his heart or made his fortune, don't know which. Rat must have beaten me about 50/2 that first day in two-handers. I had no idea what he was doing but, as someone who thought himself to be a fairly good 500 player, I knew I had found a place to improve my game and have some fun. Since then, I have enjoyed 1000s of games with him. He has always been willing to play all comers and rotate as often as they want. A great player, a good sport and a good bloke too - but don't tell him I said so. Shame about his B.O. though!
Within the first week I ran up across Dave, one of the site's finest players and another great guy. It was Dave who has probably taught me more about the finer points of 500 than any other. Two of Dave's lessons immediately spring to mind: "The best block steals your opponents bid" and "When your partner starts an NT run near the end of the game - sacrifice your higher cards of that suit so s/he can keep the lead and win the tricks".
In those early days there were many lovely folk who have drifted away but we spend many hours winning and loosing and taking the #$%^ out of each other. Patty Ducati, Boo, Guy and the rest of you - happy new year and I hope to play with you again sometime soon.
Moving to more recent times I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with and against Paddy (Pat), especially in those fierce two-handed battles when all the other members are either sleeping, working or walking (Hi Nancy). What would we do without each other and this site, darls? You have come a long way since you bid your first open misere and immediately led the Jack of Diamonds - LOLOLOL - do you remember?
It was brilliant last year to catch up and play face-to-face with Badger - one of nature's gentlemen. When Roy first started playing here he thought a 6 bid was daring, a 7 bid was almost impossible to get, and we all popped the champaign corks the night he finally bid 8! That night I also met Trinity, still the finest 500 player I have ever played, and Noff, another champ, who kindly hosted the night. I look forward to many more such nights when Linh and I finally return to Australia.
Within the first week I ran up across Dave, one of the site's finest players and another great guy. It was Dave who has probably taught me more about the finer points of 500 than any other. Two of Dave's lessons immediately spring to mind: "The best block steals your opponents bid" and "When your partner starts an NT run near the end of the game - sacrifice your higher cards of that suit so s/he can keep the lead and win the tricks".
In those early days there were many lovely folk who have drifted away but we spend many hours winning and loosing and taking the #$%^ out of each other. Patty Ducati, Boo, Guy and the rest of you - happy new year and I hope to play with you again sometime soon.
Moving to more recent times I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with and against Paddy (Pat), especially in those fierce two-handed battles when all the other members are either sleeping, working or walking (Hi Nancy). What would we do without each other and this site, darls? You have come a long way since you bid your first open misere and immediately led the Jack of Diamonds - LOLOLOL - do you remember?
It was brilliant last year to catch up and play face-to-face with Badger - one of nature's gentlemen. When Roy first started playing here he thought a 6 bid was daring, a 7 bid was almost impossible to get, and we all popped the champaign corks the night he finally bid 8! That night I also met Trinity, still the finest 500 player I have ever played, and Noff, another champ, who kindly hosted the night. I look forward to many more such nights when Linh and I finally return to Australia.
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