TARFU: Here's a question for the folks following this thread:
Would you rather have a "hands off" approach from GOG regarding the forums, or a micromanaged pit of draconian rules?
I ask this because I spent 3 years playing World of Tanks and their forums...if you even mention in passing conversation other gaming products (War Thunder, World of Warcraft, etc.) you get a warning, then a week's ban, and then perma-ban from forums (not game). Even console games from old systems like NES and SNES are not allowed to be mentioned in ANY form or place whatsoever.
The forums over there are a police state, and no fun whatsoever. One of the many reasons I quit playing and had my account deleted.
I personally prefer a little latitude and freedom when forums are concerned. Trolling and things like that just roll off my back. It's just part of internet culture. You need tough skin. However, I draw the line at doxxing and real life threats.
So, what say you GOG forum goers? Freedom or forum police state?
xa_chan: Forum police state. All the way. But not for what you might think. Only for political/ethnic/social discussions. This is a GAMING forum, and people come here for games. I don't want to ban political/ethnic/social discussions, it's always interesting to hear someone different's take on a topic, but just that the staff need a firm grip on it. I don't think GOG benefits from letting people saying Hitler didn't do anything wrong running free, whether they're just low-life scum internet trolls or really convinced Hitler did nothing wrong.
Freedom of speech is beautiful, but only if you accept to endorse responsability of your own saying. Otherwise, it's just a playground for aggression, slander, libel and propaganda. GOG, take your responsibilities.
Somebody here said that GOG has never been a forum to start with. It's sadly true. GOG is a company, selling products, which in itself is perfectly fine. But GOG could have been sooo much more in every aspect if only they took the time to cultivate that forum approach, to cultivate a community. But no.
People come to GOG for the political discussions. The free forum has been a significant draw for a lot of GOGers.
RWarehall: Guess what, I just lost more rep. See right here, one of the forum assholes downrepping anyone he doesn't like
Proof...Hedwards a serial downrepper.
real.geizterfahr: Uhm... Just wanted to say that I downvoted you too - and I'm NOT hedwards. Why did I do this? Because he was pretty civil in here (and this other thread) until you showed up and started to attack him :/
So, no, it's not "hedwards and his alt army". There's at least one user (me) who downvoted you for being overly aggressive.
RWarehall is one of the posters that treats any disagreement like a personal attack and launches straight into vitriol, then screams about 'spammers' and 'alts' when people downvote his rants. He hasn't yet connected his behavior up with the downvotes though, so I don't think he ever will. You're not the first to try and explain this to him.
tinyE: Serious answer: grade school.
I went to a really strict private school where they build little conservative asshole robots out of children. A fucking nightmare and I'm glad I survived.
Pax11: Funny, I went to a public school where they build little liberal asshole robots out of children. Different dream, still a nightmare.
I've been at schools where the administration was openly racist (to dark-skinned mother: You don't need to bother applying to move your son to the Gifted program, he isn't the right sort) and schools where the curriculum had to be rewritten because it was pushing liberal politics so hard a Democrat judge ruled it illegal.
Both were horrifying, just in different ways.