The Lounge - moving forward

[Ableton_David]

Hi everyone,

There’s been a lot of tense emotions and speculations over the Lounge, where it is going, and bannings. We'd like to clear the air over a couple things.

First off, we'd like to address changes to the Lounge. The Lounge is a different place than it was a few months ago, when it was totally unmoderated. We received a large number of complaints about trolling, personal threats, and other negative actions happening repeatedly in the Lounge. We decided to work on the situation by setting some rules and moderating on them. Inevitably, this means that there’s less freedom in what can be posted here, which, understandably, is limiting and irritating to some. Although problematic, we still believe this was the right decision. The other option would have been to close the Lounge – something we still very much do not want to do.

Second, we’d like to address the issue of banning. Please know that banning isn’t something that happens easily, and never without prior warnings. Anyone who is banned from the forum has already been asked a number of times to rephrase things, or to stop trolling/bullying/flaming/spamming, as the case may be. Banning isn’t something anyone enjoys. Inevitably, banning is, to some extent, subjective, as are all kinds of moderation however, and we strive to make this as fair as possible. If you do receive a moderation request, please know that it is in no way a reflection on how anyone from Ableton feels about you as a person, or whether you are contributing something of value to the forum, or whether or not we personally agree with what you’re saying.

Hopefully, this post clarifies some things about the Lounge and about banning. With that in mind, consider this an apology on our side for failing to clarify things in a message like this at a sooner point. If you’ve been banned since we started moderating regularly, and this post clears anything up that wasn’t so clear before, and you’d like to still participate on the forum with its changed rules, then please send an email to [email protected]. Note that we aren’t asking for apologies or explanations from anyone – just send us a message with your username, and you’ll be back on.

Thanks, and have a great new year!

David, on behalf of Ableton

[smutek]

Cheers!

[Rave]

ty


\o/

[beats me]

I just wanted to say to anybody who has been banned that I miss you. Please come back. You are not a failure. The system failed you as worded above. The time for healing has arrived. Shit pies can still be baked and thrown as long as the presentation is appetizing.

[crumhorn]

I'm confused. David Abravnel is now Ableton_David? Is this part of some new friendlier image? like when Windscale became Sellafield?

[squelcht]

I'm confused. David Abravnel is now Ableton_David? Is this part of some new friendlier image? like when Windscale became Sellafield?

[steko]

----------------
crumhorn:

[auto-lock]

I just wanted to say to anybody who has been banned that I miss you. Please come back. You are not a failure. The system failed you as worded above. The time for healing has arrived. Shit pies can still be baked and thrown as long as the presentation is appetizing.

yes please guys, the lounge is kind of depressing without you.

[Machinesworking]

Cool, a clarification of intent like this IMO should have been posted at your start up as moderator though David.
Specifically the admission of the inherent subjectivity of moderation. It seems that the few people I spoke with that were banned here were under the impression that the 'set rules' applied, or had to be enforced 100% equally, which would keep you busy 24/7, instead of the entirely human trait of subjectivity and succumbing to the will of complainers. What bothers me doesn't bother others, and visa versa. I admit I'm all for almost zero moderation like about four years ago, and that isn't what most people are comfortable with, so I lose that battle.

[pulsoc]

Meh, it's time for some new blood anyway.

[v00d00ppl]

i can dig that. if you guys want to go crazy there is always /b/ on 4chan. I look at the lounge during lunch breaks on my work computer, so i guess this works out for me.

[LoopStationZebra]

I'd like to thank David for letting me return to the forum. To echo MW; while I don't like the new moderation, and can't figure out WHY there couldn't be just one part of the vast Ableton forum that remains unmoderated, it's not my forum and I need to play by the new rules.

So, in the spirit of the new benevolence, I wish you all a Happy New Year!

*absolutely DYING to use the angry emoticon but am quite gunshy*

[smutek]

Welcome back man, just go easy on calling people cocks and kill yourself and all of that shiz and I suspect you'll be gold.

[Machinesworking]

Welcome back man, just go easy on calling people cocks and kill yourself and all of that shiz and I suspect you'll be gold.

smutek = Ableton Guardian Angel©

[smutek]

You mean like those dudes that rolled around in the NYC subway wearing the red jackets?

They were like a fake gang or something, protecting people and shit.

Nah man, that ain't me son!