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Trash Talk - Come March, the forums will be changing

Mine GO BOOM - Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:13 pm
Post subject: Come March, the forums will be changing

Quote:

Did that cause you to miss a heart beat? Smile Good, it did its job then. So what's this all about? Well the next release will not be version 2.2. Instead it's taking the codename "Olympus" and will, upon release have the version number 3.0.0. Each new release, at least each new minor revision update will take a codename.

Why are we renumbering? Well I'm sure some will say it's a ploy to try and "compete" with other boards. Many of which have upped their version numbers to stay "competitive". However this is not the core reason for our decision.

We use the kernel numbering scheme. The methodology of that requires the major number to change when backward compatibility is broken. That's the case with the new release. Not one style will work "as is", practically no Mods will function. Even the language file contents and structure are completely different. This warrants, in our opinion cause to increment the major number. NB: An upgrade script will obviously be provided (and is currently in beta test) enabling you to upgrade your existing 2.x database to 3.0.0.

It also reduces concern amongst our support teams coping with people noting issues with "phpBB2". A major version increment differentiates clearly between 2.x and this new release.

So to reiterate very clearly, the next major release of phpBB, now 3.0.0 "Olympus" is still en-route. We are very unlikely to hit the initial window for the beta release. I would anticipate instead a late-Feb/early-March release. The final feature list is complete and work progresses on implementing as much of this as possible. Such items include (but are not limited to):

Warning system
Completion of report system
Completion of "new" module system and updating of ACP/UCP/MCP modules
Styling
Permissions

and a number of other minor and more significant items. Of these the ACP poses the biggest component.

I can confirm that "Olympus" will feature an entirely new style produced by Tom "subblue" Bebbard, designer of subSilver. This new style will not ship with the beta, it will not ship with the release candidates. It will only ship with 3.x. This is to prevent the same situation occuring with the new style as happened with 2.x ... designers copying the style for other boards, diluting the "wow factor" upon phpBB 2's release. Such boards can go find themselves a top flight designer if they so wish. I will however say I think you'll like the new style Smile

We are also considering continuing development of the 2.x line (codename yet to be decided Smile). We understand that some people will not upgrade to 3.x, they like the reduced complexity and lower feature count of 2.x ... it does "what they want" so to speak. The 2.x line would see us continue bug fixing along with the introduction, where appropriate, of elements coded for the 3.x line. Such elements could see speed and security enhancements being introduced. While retaining compatibility with the majority of Mods and styles. I say again this is not a "for sure" but it is a probability.

Keep an eye on the announcements forum (or sign up to our mailing list) for further information on phpBB 3.0.0 "Olympus".

What does this mean to all you losers out there? It means that all my fancy little cool mods will go away. But don't worry, I'll probably readd the good ones back in. Just don't expect the dice rolling one to last though.

Once the new software is ready for release, I'll be probably changing the forum structure around a lot. So if you want to suggest a new layout, feel free here. Just remember, when suggesting a new layout, make sure you include where all current posts will filter into. That was the only reason I never moved the old forum's posts into here, was just one big large mess.

Mr Ekted - Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:24 pm
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Time to move on....

Assassin2684 - Fri Jan 14, 2005 3:01 pm
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I dotn kno any layout at this point..i will try to think of somthing. But just a word at advice..only add a few more fourm spots if you have to becasue i ent to this one fourm and it had alot of topic things and it was a mess.

Mine GO BOOM - Fri Jan 14, 2005 3:34 pm
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Assassin2684 wrote:

The point is to reduce it. A bunch of the ASSS forums don't get much traffic, and could easily be merged together. Renaming a few forum names to better suit their topics.

I know some people wanted to have changes, and since everyone is all into making the Wiki laid out nicely, give them a try to see what they think would be nice. Doesn't mean the forums will change, looking at options for the future.

And Ekted, what will you move to? These forums will always be centralized about helping people with Subspace zones, be it subgame or asss.

Assassin2684 - Fri Jan 14, 2005 4:28 pm
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I have a feeling that continuum will fall under assses power and subgame will be gone

But you never kno lol. Anyway im not sure what wiki is btu i will check it out.

Mr Ekted - Fri Jan 14, 2005 4:46 pm
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I used to only visit ssforums. Then they started tweaking shit, moving forums, merging/splitting them, losing entire DB, changing default theme daily, removing themes that were in use (by me). Their front page was about 4-5 pages long for me (1600x1200, small text).

I came to these forums because they were stable. They always look the same, work the same, etc. If everything is going to change, I will simply remove my bookmark.

Solo Ace - Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:16 pm
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One big change in a long time doesn't hurt, does it?

I think you can't compare the situation on ssforums to the changes which MGB wants to make, although I hope he won't keep changing it though.

And uhm, MGB, why are you calling your forums' visitors losers?

Mine GO BOOM - Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:41 pm
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Solo Ace wrote:

And uhm, MGB, why are you calling your forums' visitors losers? :p

Not all, just you.

As to my intentions for these forums: if I plan on doing anything big, it will be with the consent of those that visit these forums. Almost all the little changes I've done to these forums have mostly been for those that visit these forums.

Any large changes will be done with future notice and user input. And it will be done en masse at once, not slowly changing bit by bit. Thats something that annoys me too.

Solo Ace - Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:59 pm
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Ah, so that's your way of telling people you love them, I knew it.

SuSE - Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:44 pm
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Boring. Let me know when they stop putting code outside of Style files and when they decide to leave the ACP Styleable.

Solo Ace - Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:44 pm
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Since we got back on this subject again, how's your "perfect forum system" goin'?

SuSE - Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:48 am
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it's absolutely perfect in my mind

Anonymous - Sat Jan 15, 2005 8:41 am
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I suggest not to move to the new forum until at least 3 months after release to avoid possible attack from new exploits. And by then this theme should have been cloned and Mr Ekted will stay.

Also I hope the new forum has ignore user and subscribe to forum features. Maybe even post rating and filter so I don't have to read all the spam posts like "that was me forgot to login", "what he says", "that's right", "haha", "i'm not a loser, you're a loser". The only problem with that is it relies on the majority of voting users to know what is spam and what isn't, which will be hard for a lot of the regular posters.

Cyan~Fire - Sat Jan 15, 2005 3:54 pm
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Smong wrote:

so I don't have to read all the spam posts like "that was me forgot to login"

MGB could always disable guest posts. I'd much rather that myself, but there are good reasons to the contrary, seeing as you're posting as guest right now.

Smong - Sat Jan 15, 2005 6:16 pm
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I was referring to the one line posts made by CypherJF and Solo Ace in particular. In one extreme case someone posted as guest, then I think cypher said something like 'was that you?' and then the guest posted 'that was me'. I bet I get some one line respone now saying 'yeah that's right Smong here's the link to that topic'.

Gravitron - Mon Jan 17, 2005 10:26 am
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Oh nos! Miss-Erected is threatening to leave.
What will MGB do now?
Tune in to find out!
Same dork forum, same binaric time!

It is about time to change, three or so versions ago.
Any kid could run a script to make this old version of the forum go poof.
Far too insecure.

Too bad about losing all the 3rd party module features, it was the only good thing in this forum, wonder why MGB even bothered to begin with, couldn't he anticipated a major upcoming update will wipe it?

Well, when the brain is asleep, the fingers do a extra work.

Mine GO BOOM - Mon Jan 17, 2005 2:20 pm
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If you haven't noticed, these forums have keep up with the security fixes. When a new version is released, or a new security patch is placed on their forums, I apply the needed parts to protect these forums. As for the version showing at the bottom, its just for show. This is still the 2.0.3 base code, which ironically enough, didn't have the last big phpbb worm's security risk at all.

As Mr Ekted does actually help people here, I have no problem attempting to please him. He is a vital part of the community, and is a good teacher to those learning programming.

Unlike yourself, when he was confronted with things he has done wrong, didn't go on a full force rant against me. You used to be an intelligent person, and I'm sadden to see that Gravitron has died.

Gravitron - Mon Jan 17, 2005 2:48 pm
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Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

I really could care less if you are being a good husband to Mrs. Ackted and trying to please her.
Infact, I truely had no idea that it does infact going on like that here, I was no where near that direction, I suppose the hat does burn on the thief's head.

A good teacher to those learning programming?
I could only find about, oh, a thousand of those, give or take several hundred dozen of thousands on a plethora of indie game development and junior coding BBSes.

Unlike myself, he's bussy being in Kasa's rear and trolling around with a funny looking cape, adhering himself to this title as the king of subspace or something.
Maybe he managed to evolve since, but the last time I checked, the only thing he really actually did, as in pushing bytes together, excluding consulting or otherwise feedback, was putting together a modable user GUI.
Very nice and well done indeed, but it's about it.
Also, unlike yourself, brutus, he didn't decide to act wrong when he saw julius doing wrong, he did not stab julius who trusted him out of all in the back.

As for that being a full force rant?
Triple laugh with a sunday icecream plus whipped cream and cherry on top mixed in a keg chuckling down through my throat.
You obviously have no idea what is a real full force attack.
Well, what can one expect from a newbie who spent his time in SS using his head as a mine ramming device instead of developing and honing his skills while using his head to operate the repel-mine-plower strategy.

Actually, I am much more intelligent now, thank you for the enlightening experience, I was very naive apparently even I thought I knew it all, thanks for proving me wrong and showing me the real ways of the world, it was a good lesson which I had to be taught.
Arigato Sensei.
You've laid the bed, now we all sleep in it, we'll make sure of it.
That's my return gift to you, for the precious present you've given me, dear old friend.

P.S.
The sadness is all yours and yours alone to carry, none of us, most certainly myself, do not share such burden.
For the death of that Gravitron, as you define him, is your sole responsibility, your curse, your blame.
If there's any grief in you, be aware that you and your actions are its cause.
For you have sawn the wind, and now shall reap the whirlwind.

Dr Brain - Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:01 pm
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Deceased: Gravitron.

Cause of death: Suicide.

You will be missed. Bye.

Gravitron - Mon Jan 17, 2005 4:03 pm
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Brain's informative title wrote:

Everything to the right of this text is 100% false

Dr Brain wrote:

Deceased: Gravitron.

Cause of death: Suicide.

You will be missed. Bye.

Wrong!
Deceased: that Gravitron
Cause of death: Murder&Assassination&Betrayel

Miss him all you wish. It shall help you not. For I miss him not.
The apocalypse is now resident. And I am here to stay.

D1st0rt - Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:25 pm
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Resident Evil Apocalypse? Are you a zombie?

Bak - Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:23 pm
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I agree with gravitron on everything, let's stop insulting him guys he's pretty smart.

Dr Brain - Mon Jan 17, 2005 7:28 pm
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Actually, I think Gravitron is the one insulting us, and not the other way around.

If you were being sarcastic, I'm sorry. I find it hard to tell if people are being sarcastic in places filled with morons (not that you are, mind you. I was referring to people like Smithy and LP).

Cyan~Fire - Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:49 pm
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Do we even need to state the obvious?

Just ignore him, all he wants is attention. Maybe it'll go away once he matures.

Gravitron - Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:17 pm
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You are in no position to pass judgement or trash-talk, little kid.
Now run off back to your newbish zone.

Very nice brainy, we have a saying in hebrew : "one in heart, one in mouth", perhaps you can figure it out.

Blindmonkey21 - Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:29 pm
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God damn dude, stop the bitching.

Mine GO BOOM - Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:57 pm
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A problem is that Gravitron sees everything that isn't positive in his eyes as the following. Originally, it was amusing because he did it rarely and in good taste. Over time, he got worse, and over did it. I'm sure this will bring out a responce from Gravitron, so I'll let him explain.

Blindmonkey21 - Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:44 pm
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Hehe I remember that topic I took Brain's pic of the "free cat" and I made it one of my favorites

Nice pic brain!!!

Dr Brain - Tue Jan 18, 2005 8:07 pm
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It's not mine. I wish I could take credit for it, but I can't.

Gravitron - Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:01 am
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Nice image MGB, where did you get it off from, Harve Caen's site?

^ Yes MGB, you would know about this kind of treatment to your employes, wouldn't you?
Nothing like the nurturing environment whereas you are encouraged to get stabbed in your back by those you refered to as friends.

You guessed correctly, and indeed I shall.
Here be my reply:

I don't recall if this post was made purely by my own initiative or because MGB had requested me to monitor the place more closely and actively.
The situation on the forums was that they were begining to deteriorate in content (spam, threads in the wrong forums, psuedo-trash talk outside of the designated forum, excessive bashings, eruptions, etc.).
And the staff was "Missing In Action", as always and so, I made this tongue in cheek, sour-sweet, bastard beat (excuse me, I'm watching a rerun of that anti-trance episode in Samurai Jack) of a post.
Whack!
Without a warning, nor even as much as a single word, MGB tosses me down from all the floors & stairs.

Mine Go Boom wrote:

I try to run this without the staff being visible, so it seems as if they don't actually do anything, which I hope they never have to.

Without the staff being visible, said he? (actually they really did not do anything, mostly they're inactive, which is why MGB kept rehiring so many staff members over time)
Several months later, it got a bit worse and spams grew intensive and MGB forms up a prison camp out of the BBS, he of course stars as the head chief warden.
He starts to slam temporary bans here, perm-bans there and insultive user-titles everywhere.
Did he fairly warned anyone, did he made a post to inform people that there's a troubling increase in acitivty of the disturbance nature, did he tell the public that it reached a point where punishment has begun?
No, he did not.
Instead, he made an announcement detailing "offenders", what each did and what did they get in return.
Staff acting without presence, in stealth,...is the pot calling the cattle black?

I've been in server help for many years, prior to being staff.
I did not ask to be staff, I was asked to join staff, upon accepting, I took the job seriously.
I have never abused power, and I rarely used power.
When I did use power, I mostly either split topics and/or moved them to the appropriate forum.
The only person I have ever used power on directly, personally, was me - I banned myself as an act of protest, the first person to be banned on this BBS.
However, unlike MGB's proclaim and assurances of the peacefulness of these message boards (that no one is getting banned and that I was the only one who was ever banned, something which shortly after he turned around himself by banning people), I was not the last.
When I was given the duty, I was given respect.
And I returned to the position with the same respect by respectivly acting responsibly.
During my service of server help, my integrity there has been impeccable.
After a while, as MGB begun experimenting in another project (which was abandoned, and now the wiki somewhat fulfills its place), he finaly made the decision to switch to phpBB.
Again, I acted in strained behaviour and made sure to keep in line and maintain dignified conduct.
Then MGB threw me out, said I violated his inner rules.
I tried to reason, and find out what I did wrong, explain myself.
I'm on probation, said he, and if I "clean up" I can get back.
I attempted to keep business as ussual, but apparently, he decided that while he can dictate certain behaviour to me, it's A-Okay if he kept acting like I been accused of.
Perhaps he thought he's god and that I must be tested of my "faith" and "conviction" before I'll be allowed back to his "loving bossum(sp?)".
Well, I failed that test.
He kept teasing me, dissing me, laughing with others as they mocked me, almost encouraging them to verbaly molest me.
See, his idea of backing-up his "friend"s was to help them being back-stabbed by other people.
He wouldn't let me to continue as ussual, maybe he didn't really want me to get back either.

Betray me once, shame on you.
Trison me twice, burn in hell before (my) remittal.

And so, my last news post in server help main page came : With friends like him, who needs enemies?

This is my account of events of past.

Funny how Gravitron was right, as ussual.
But for his saying he's always laughed at, outcasted.
And when the awakening comes, and his word proves true, another takes the credits and act as he would.

P.S.
Congratulations to you, dear old friend, you have succeeded where all else've failed, you have managed to reach to me, to hurt me, you have altered that Gravitron and brought upon his discontinuance.
All that remains, is one last frozen tear of anger.
To pay the price, can't forgive, can't forget, all emotions fade, I turned to stone.

Pat yourself on the shoulder, for you've triumphed like a cancerus mutation in corrupting the pure and righteous transforming them onto the beast.

P.P.S.
Response is spelled with "s" not "c".
I suppose it is fitting, since you bring your template.sss with the use of the letter "K"cabbatS.

Hello, Ashley. Hug?

Dr Brain - Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:52 am
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Too long to read all the way through.

What I did read was B.S.

P.S. If you die now, everyone will only remember the good times.

Mine GO BOOM - Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:49 pm
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Gravitron wrote:

Harve Caen's site?

Where I normally get most of my images, from Something Awful's forums. Other images, I usually save from random websites that might be useful later.

Gravitron wrote:

The situation on the forums was that they were begining to deteriorate in content (spam, threads in the wrong forums, psuedo-trash talk outside of the designated forum, excessive bashings, eruptions, etc.). And the staff was "Missing In Action", as always and so, I made this tongue in cheek, sour-sweet, bastard beat (excuse me, I'm watching a rerun of that anti-trance episode in Samurai Jack) of a post.

You are correct. At the time of your posting, it was a very aggressive move. Re-read your original global announcement. From a user's point of view, it is written in a harsh demeanor. My first responsibility to protect the user's freedoms was to prevent you from acting out, not directly as a punishment. Even if your intent was good, your appearance was negative.

Samurai Jack is a good show. Have every episode downloaded, and have shared it many times with friends and strangers via Bit Torrent. If you'd like, I could throw it up for others, though it is 11 gig total and will take a while.

Gravitron wrote:

Without the staff being visible, said he? (actually they really did not do anything, mostly they're inactive, which is why MGB kept rehiring so many staff members over time)

Staff never had to be very active. Originally, they were people who visited the forums often and knew what they were doing. Their names appeared red so people would know that their sources of information could be trusted. Later, staff was to help with posting news, adding more answers to the FAQ, and replying to Server Help email questions.

You were the only member to actually visit often and help with other points of interest, such as the old Help Desk testing and these forums. Even as one of the messages you've posted in the Staff pages went along the lines of what happened to the staff. My response was that the forums were running themselves very well.

Gravitron wrote:

Several months later, it got a bit worse and spams grew intensive and MGB forms up a prison camp out of the BBS, he of course stars as the head chief warden. He starts to slam temporary bans here, perm-bans there and insultive user-titles everywhere. Did he fairly warned anyone, did he made a post to inform people that there's a troubling increase in acitivty of the disturbance nature, did he tell the public that it reached a point where punishment has begun?
No, he did not.

There have only been one temporary ban, with warnings given in the offending thread. Smithy afterwards even acknowledged that he knew he did wrong. Since then, he has matured pretty well and is participating more in discussions now than before. The only permanent ban is on an open proxy because that IP was making many offending threads randomly throughout the forums.

As for the user titles? The general consensus of the users here are that they are amusing, and some people actually enjoy the unusual titles that they currently have. For the times in which people disliked them, I've removed them upon request.

Gravitron wrote:

Instead, he made an announcement detailing "offenders", what each did and what did they get in return.
Staff acting without presence, in stealth,...is the pot calling the cattle black?

That would be thanks to yourself. You showed me that trying to remain invisible only works against yourself. For these forums to remain as free to the users as possible, all inner workings need to be public knowledge. I felt that this is a very open way in which others can understand actions that I do. If you'd like, I can act more like other forums in which people and posts magically disappear.

Gravitron wrote:

I've been in server help for many years, prior to being staff. I did not ask to be staff, I was asked to join staff, upon accepting, I took the job seriously. I have never abused power, and I rarely used power. When I did use power, I mostly either split topics and/or moved them to the appropriate forum.

I am appreciative of what you did. I made a wise choice in hiring you. Until the above event occurred, I could say no wrong about you. I did this also for another person, Catid. I too had to defend my decision of both you and him being visible as staff members on my site to my peers. Most of it was directed at Catid, but I got a bit of flack for even having you on my staff, as others thought you were a bit out spoken towards the community. I defended you then, and I'll still defend you now.

Gravitron wrote:

He kept teasing me, dissing me, laughing with others as they mocked me, almost encouraging them to verbaly molest me. See, his idea of backing-up his "friend"s was to help them being back-stabbed by other people. He wouldn't let me to continue as ussual, maybe he didn't really want me to get back either.

To be honest, I'd still bring you back if you didn't act as a threat to others. I understand why you dislike me, but I don't understand why you directly attack other users here on the forums. Even in the recent event with Pest you jumped right on people, though you still show the original side in which I knew you when you corrected yourself.

Gravitron wrote:

Congratulations to you, dear old friend, you have succeeded where all else've failed, you have managed to reach to me, to hurt me, you have altered that Gravitron and brought upon his discontinuance.

If the event occurred again, would I react differently? Yes. I can see from different points of view, and understand why you feel the way you do. I can see why you felt that I acted very harshly towards you without warning. A better way would have just to been to only have removed the global announcement part, and discuss it with you in privately as to why I felt it was wrong. But it didn't happen that way, so I'll learn from past mistakes.

Gravitron wrote:

I suppose it is fitting, since you bring your template.sss with the use of the letter "K"cabbatS.

The history of that K was because Sesame Street was on behind me as I was going through it, updating things. For that day, K was the special letter, so I threw it in there.

lp_street_soldier - Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:55 pm
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Most of that was just childish.

Pests - Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:42 pm
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MGB wrote:

Even in the recent event with Pest you jumped right on people, though you still show the original side in which I knew you when you corrected yourself.

Talking about the discussion we had in the other topic? Did something else happen that I didn't know about? Why is my name linked to the admin edit?

Mine GO BOOM - Wed Jan 19, 2005 10:21 pm
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Pests wrote:

Talking about the discussion we had in the other topic? Did something else happen that I didn't know about? Why is my name linked to the admin edit?

Sorry, grabbed wrong link. I wanted to get the post url instead, corrected now.