Stuff

You know, personally, I would have voted no had I seen this thread in time. However, I was not here, and the issue is obviously moot at this point. I've heard enough about Merlin and co to not want to trust them, including a friend of mine who happens to be a member here and has dealt with abuse at the hands of LL, albeit not necessarily as bad as some of the things I've read in this thread.

I would like to address a couple of other things though.
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First of all, yes, there are dissenting opinions from some p2pg'ers against TPG Staff, and dissenting opinions from some TPG'ers against p2pg, well, since there is very little staff here, I'll say members. That's simply the way it goes. Humans will be humans and not all are great, in fact, many just plain suck.

Anyone who's frequented TPG Comm Staff sections most likely knows that I'm a Super Mod there. I would also hope that my reputation and perception are shaped by who I am and what I do, rather than by where I hold positions. I am not an abuser of what power I hold, at any site at any level, and anyone who has dealt with me very much would probably agree, although I won't be so arrogant as to assume that I am loved by all who speak to me.

However, there really should be some unity between these two sites if they are ever going to legitimately cooperate and do the bittorrent community the most good. I'm personally beaten down by all the bickering and the flaming opinions thrown back and forth, from BOTH sides. I've voiced my opinion about things at TPG relating to this site, as I do feel that it can be a great boon, whether it's in harmony with TPG, or on its own away from it.

I really am tired of all the accusations that are flying around, and how TPG Staff, in whole and in part, are labeled as they are by some who hold membership, here, there, or both places. I'm certainly not here because I'm a TPG Staffer, but I'm also not anti-p2pg because of it either. I like to think that I can keep an open mind and be impartial when a situation calls for it, and I think most of the time I am able to do so. We're all adults here, and while freely being able to voice any and all opinions may be wonderful, I think, as adults, we should also be using common sense when voicing those opinions. I'm not asking for moderation of posts or threads, because the rules have already been laid down, and because some would take offense to it. We can't expect to be able to let some speak their minds and not let others do the same.

Therefore, I'm going to voice an opinion now that many may end up hating me for.

Retro, I'm now going to address you, and only you. You have voiced your many opinions here in public, therefore I feel it is only fair that I do the same. I'm not going to call you names, slander you, or otherwise try to start another war or give you or anyone else fuel for their fire, but I am going to speak my mind.

First, I'm going to say that at one time, I had much respect for you, and I still do respect your abilities in what you do. I'll probably never understand the basics of coding, much less all the nuances and the ins and outs of it, but then again I'm not needed to fill that role. You are one of the elite when it comes to coding, and for that I have all the respect in the world.

I understand that you may have felt like you were being sleighted by the top Staff at TPG. I also understand that because there was one vehement voice from TPG that screamed against p2pg, you got angry. That person is who he is, and while he may not always conduct himself as professionally as he should, he too is entitled to his opinion. Yes, there were two people who were of the opinion that p2pg was nothing but a stab at "stealing from TPG" or whatever you want to call it, from what I saw, there was not a sizeable faction who thought p2pg should crawl under a rock, as you made it seem in your post about departing from TPG.

You have successfully managed, with that post, to do two things, and not do one thing you said you would. You got people to rally around you, you misrepresented facts by not stating them clearly when you had absolute freedom here to make things crystal clear, and you have not had very little involvement with either site, as you originally stated. You have not been "involved" at TPG since your staff departure, and that is your choice. But, you have been very involved here after all. I did expect a man of his word would hold to it. Perhaps you changed your mind?

Again, you have complete freedom to say exactly what you think, and your fellow SysOp, jericospeedy, has been the shining example of voicing his opinions here to the utmost. I certainly don't fault him for speaking his mind, whether I disagree with him or not, and this is not an attack on him. It is, however, a question to you as to why you've chosen to make vague enough statements as to induce people into thinking that you were driven out of TPG by decided mistreatment from several people, which I don't truly believe you were.

More to the point, If you're so sorely disgruntled with TPG and it's that horrible of a place, why haven't you just laid it all out, plain as day, for everyone to see? Speak your mind, my friend, speak it thoroughly, and speak it well. You are clever when it comes to the written or typed word, I will admit. I've been amused by many of your posts, and think highly of you for it.

What I'm saying is, if it's your vendetta, or your anger, or whatever it is, then use your voice to further it. Please don't make veiled references at times that are designed to plant more in people's heads than there is to the situation. Your posts here have grown increasingly antagonistic with regard to TPG, and since it's not good to bottle it all up, just say all the things you're thinking, air it out. Lay it on the line for everyone to see. There's no shame in it. Everyone gets outright pissed, you included.

I know you value the ability to say something without necessarily "saying" it, but sometimes it just needs to be said, not "said without saying". What I've read and caught up on from this last week's worth of posts, at least from you, is almost nothing but barbs designed to keep poking at TPG and its staff, stoking the fire, stirring the pot. Use that dazzling brain of yours and make a message so plain and clear that no one can miss the unvarnished truth it in.

You've branded yourself the traitor, and far from everyone views you that way. I personally spoke up behind you in saying that I didn't see p2pg as capitalizing on TPG's downtime. I know you were there at least once when I did so. But you've lumped us all into the same group because you won't call out those who you say held against you. And the fact is, I believe you are content with doing so. I don't care what others may or may not be glad or sad that you left. I was sorry to see you go, and in a huff, at that. But I honestly expected better of you than the sniping and the less-than-clear references you have made.

I don't think it's fair to me, personally, to be made out as a "bad guy" because of the people you are angry at. Nor is it fair to the others who are not the sources of your feelings to do so. If you have the freedom to say exactly what you think, then you should do it. I know for certain that you have the ability to do so, and most likely in a witty and interesting fashion.

It's one thing for you to hold a grudge, whatever the reasons, over whatever period of time, for whatever things were said or done. It's definitely your prerogative. I'm asking you to step out and tackle it head-on. Don't mince words, put a mist over the truth, and relish what others do because of the things you say while not saying them. You command respect, and that's clear. Therefore, no one's going to think less of you for being absolutely blunt. Don't make references to miraculous appearances and perfect timing, expound on the conspiracy theory. Don't allude to a faction of anti-p2pg opinions, expose them to the light of day. Don't brand yourself a "TPG Traitor", come out and say "I think they hate me, and here's why!" This is a forum where you fear no retribution, use it to its fullest!

Retro, I respect what you do, and I respect who you are. I just thought you were above this type of approach, and I honestly expected you to "knock one out of the ballpark" as the big hitter, rather than settle for a single and wait for the others to come to bat behind you and bring you across the plate. It disappoints me, and it hurts to see someone I had great respect for taking what appears to be the low road to me. I don't expect you to be concerned with my opinion, but because I have the freedom to say it, I'm saying it.

Like I said, I'm sure many opinions of me will either be formed or turned based on this post, but screw the bickering, screw the backbiting and backstabbing. Just get it out and put it out there for all to see. We're not all bad at TPG, but it seems you would like it to appear that way. You don't need to keep anything back. If you're as revered and respected as it appears, those people will side with you either way, so tell them the absolute bare facts. They'll love you no matter what.

For the rest of you, take my post as you will, if you've read the entire thing, formulate your opinions of me based on what I'm saying. If you know me and I've put myself on your bad side after this, so be it. Just don't feel that way because I'm expressing my opinion. If you don't know me and you've formulated an opinion after this post, then do it based on how I am behaving, don't base it on something someone else said or didn't say. I'd rather make a fool of myself for someone than to have them assume I'm a fool by association.

Retro, don't snipe from the tower, get on the ground and throw the punches. Get dirty. Get into the thick of it and give it all you've got. Everyone has respect for that, which means it's a win-win situation for you. You're one of the biggest names in the bittorrent community, and by comparison, I'm a small fish. Just don't scoop up the small fish in the net you intend to use to catch the big fish for the seafood feast, mate. We're not worth frying up. You'll still be hungry after you eat us, and it sucks being unsatisfied..