The funny story of how I bought a coin on CCF
desslok
Posts: 310 ✭✭✭
I thought I'd share an amusing tale with you. Let me say upfront that this is not a rant, not a complaint, and not a stab against a competing forum. It's just a rather comic story of what happened to me on my way to a desirable coin.
The story begins about a month ago when someone posted in one of the forum on Coin Community Forum (CCF) an image of a coin I really liked. Details are not important, it's enough to say that it is an error coin which is hard to find and would fit nicely in my collection. The poster mentioned that he doesn't collect errors but saw it at a B&M and it caught his eye. I started thinking how I could go about making an offer on it.
Now, I was a participant at CCF a while back but my account was apparently banned for life because I've made two posts with "WTB" in the title in two different forums (at the same time), and unfortunately it was on discussion forums and not on trade forums and it's a big no-no there. I never got a notice on the ban, my account just stopped working. I wrote CCF an e-mail apologizing for my mistake and asking if I could get a second chance. I never heard back from them so I simply let the matter drop. So now I had no account I could use to communicate on that platform.
Now, a word about me, I consider myself a good Internet "netizen". I participate in several different forums on a variety of topics in different websites, I served as forum moderator myself on two different occasions (not coin-related forums), and I've never ran into trouble. Regarding the coin hobby, I've been a collector for about 20 years now. I'm not a dealer (not that there's anything wrong with that...), not an advertiser, and not a spammer. I'm a software engineer by trade and a hobbyist coin collector.
So I set about opening a new account. True, it's against the rules for a banned member to open another account, but I figured the end justifies the means. I used my real name and real contact information. But then I hit the next stumbling block: I cannot post a request to buy the coin on the discussion forum (that's what got me into trouble with the previous account), and as a newbie member I cannot send a PM to another member until I reach "valued member" status at 50 posts.
So I figured I'll behave nicely and be a good forum member for a while.
Turns up this is not so easy in itself. As a newbie, you may not post links. This means I cannot discuss interesting things seen on eBay (not even closed auctions where I'm neither the buyer nor seller), cannot discuss current coin-related news affairs, and cannot post a link to a personal website showcasing my own collection of error coins. I'm not allowed to offer items for sale or buy. Introductory messages and family-oriented discussion is allowed in specific forums but these do not count towards the 50 post goal. And neither do short responses to people's posts, if you just say "Nice coin!" in response to someone else's bragging post, the post is allowed but does not count. They have people or robots go after you and decrement the post count for posts of insufficient quality.
But not a minor obstacle such as this would deter me. Posting photos is allowed, although limited to 150KB images. Using my photoshop to scale down some pictures, I posted some quality coins I recently purchased, and got some very nice replies and some discussion going. I started threads about my main collecting interests. I answered questions. All in all, I was trying my best to be as good forumist as I can.
Then, at about the 41 message mark, disaster struck again. I started a thread asking for dealer recommendations in a specific niche I was trying to fill. I even wrote in the message body that I hope it's not against the rules. The thread stayed on and I actually got some good recommendations and leads. Then someone replied that there's a good website he's using and that I would find useful. However, the link he posted was replaced by a canned text saying an auto-filter had blocked the link. No reason was given as to why. Curious as to what the mysterious link might be, and being that I still can't send PMs due to my lowly status, I posted back asking him if he could send me the link via PM or perhaps if he could post it in a way that wouldn't trigger the auto-filter. Big mistake.
My messages were deleted and I got an e-mail from an anonymous person identifying himself only as "CCF Forum Admin", quoted here:
"Seriously? A site is banned from here and you tell another member just to “bypass” the filter?
Who the hell do you think you are?
You don’t run this joint. Not even close."
Hmm. At that point, I was already at the 47 posts mark. Knowing that I could be on the edge of the cliff, I scrambled on to the CCF website, posted 3 very quick responses to other threads, got my "Valued Member" status ratified, and finally, at long last, after a month of being nice and good, managed to fire a PM to the person who posted that coin more than a month earlier.
I then decided that with all respect, I won't go down without a fight. I sent the forum admin the following reply, being careful to phrase it in a polite manner as I could:
"Dear Forum-Admin,
Hiding behind the anonymous cloak of "CCF Forum Admin" does not mean you can send me abusive and insulting messages. If I were to use this kind of language on the forum or in an e-mail correspondence do you, I would have been banned for life. Common courtesy is a two-way street."
I hit the send button, said goodbye to CCF in my mind, and waited. As I expected, I got no response to the e-mail. And also as I expected, my new "Valued Member" account on which I worked so hard, was again banned for life. The password no longer works. I made one last attempt at another e-mail to the admin, saying I feel that it's unfair to block me, that I've done nothing to warrant such treatment, that I could be a valued and useful member as I've been. I have not heard back.
And the coin in question, you're asking?
The PM got through. I got a reply from a very nice person who was actually happy to have received the communication. After some discussion, I made him an offer on the coin which he accepted, and the coin is now slowly making its way to me by registered airmail. Both of us are happy with the deal.
The internet is really a wonderful thing, bringing together individuals from across the globe who share common interests and allowing them to communicate. At least, that's what happens when hard headed forum admins don't get in the way.
The story begins about a month ago when someone posted in one of the forum on Coin Community Forum (CCF) an image of a coin I really liked. Details are not important, it's enough to say that it is an error coin which is hard to find and would fit nicely in my collection. The poster mentioned that he doesn't collect errors but saw it at a B&M and it caught his eye. I started thinking how I could go about making an offer on it.
Now, I was a participant at CCF a while back but my account was apparently banned for life because I've made two posts with "WTB" in the title in two different forums (at the same time), and unfortunately it was on discussion forums and not on trade forums and it's a big no-no there. I never got a notice on the ban, my account just stopped working. I wrote CCF an e-mail apologizing for my mistake and asking if I could get a second chance. I never heard back from them so I simply let the matter drop. So now I had no account I could use to communicate on that platform.
Now, a word about me, I consider myself a good Internet "netizen". I participate in several different forums on a variety of topics in different websites, I served as forum moderator myself on two different occasions (not coin-related forums), and I've never ran into trouble. Regarding the coin hobby, I've been a collector for about 20 years now. I'm not a dealer (not that there's anything wrong with that...), not an advertiser, and not a spammer. I'm a software engineer by trade and a hobbyist coin collector.
So I set about opening a new account. True, it's against the rules for a banned member to open another account, but I figured the end justifies the means. I used my real name and real contact information. But then I hit the next stumbling block: I cannot post a request to buy the coin on the discussion forum (that's what got me into trouble with the previous account), and as a newbie member I cannot send a PM to another member until I reach "valued member" status at 50 posts.
So I figured I'll behave nicely and be a good forum member for a while.
Turns up this is not so easy in itself. As a newbie, you may not post links. This means I cannot discuss interesting things seen on eBay (not even closed auctions where I'm neither the buyer nor seller), cannot discuss current coin-related news affairs, and cannot post a link to a personal website showcasing my own collection of error coins. I'm not allowed to offer items for sale or buy. Introductory messages and family-oriented discussion is allowed in specific forums but these do not count towards the 50 post goal. And neither do short responses to people's posts, if you just say "Nice coin!" in response to someone else's bragging post, the post is allowed but does not count. They have people or robots go after you and decrement the post count for posts of insufficient quality.
But not a minor obstacle such as this would deter me. Posting photos is allowed, although limited to 150KB images. Using my photoshop to scale down some pictures, I posted some quality coins I recently purchased, and got some very nice replies and some discussion going. I started threads about my main collecting interests. I answered questions. All in all, I was trying my best to be as good forumist as I can.
Then, at about the 41 message mark, disaster struck again. I started a thread asking for dealer recommendations in a specific niche I was trying to fill. I even wrote in the message body that I hope it's not against the rules. The thread stayed on and I actually got some good recommendations and leads. Then someone replied that there's a good website he's using and that I would find useful. However, the link he posted was replaced by a canned text saying an auto-filter had blocked the link. No reason was given as to why. Curious as to what the mysterious link might be, and being that I still can't send PMs due to my lowly status, I posted back asking him if he could send me the link via PM or perhaps if he could post it in a way that wouldn't trigger the auto-filter. Big mistake.
My messages were deleted and I got an e-mail from an anonymous person identifying himself only as "CCF Forum Admin", quoted here:
"Seriously? A site is banned from here and you tell another member just to “bypass” the filter?
Who the hell do you think you are?
You don’t run this joint. Not even close."
Hmm. At that point, I was already at the 47 posts mark. Knowing that I could be on the edge of the cliff, I scrambled on to the CCF website, posted 3 very quick responses to other threads, got my "Valued Member" status ratified, and finally, at long last, after a month of being nice and good, managed to fire a PM to the person who posted that coin more than a month earlier.
I then decided that with all respect, I won't go down without a fight. I sent the forum admin the following reply, being careful to phrase it in a polite manner as I could:
"Dear Forum-Admin,
Hiding behind the anonymous cloak of "CCF Forum Admin" does not mean you can send me abusive and insulting messages. If I were to use this kind of language on the forum or in an e-mail correspondence do you, I would have been banned for life. Common courtesy is a two-way street."
I hit the send button, said goodbye to CCF in my mind, and waited. As I expected, I got no response to the e-mail. And also as I expected, my new "Valued Member" account on which I worked so hard, was again banned for life. The password no longer works. I made one last attempt at another e-mail to the admin, saying I feel that it's unfair to block me, that I've done nothing to warrant such treatment, that I could be a valued and useful member as I've been. I have not heard back.
And the coin in question, you're asking?
The PM got through. I got a reply from a very nice person who was actually happy to have received the communication. After some discussion, I made him an offer on the coin which he accepted, and the coin is now slowly making its way to me by registered airmail. Both of us are happy with the deal.
The internet is really a wonderful thing, bringing together individuals from across the globe who share common interests and allowing them to communicate. At least, that's what happens when hard headed forum admins don't get in the way.
0
Comments
http://www.shieldnickels.net
Apparently nice folks there
BHNC #203
I've never been to that site.
I hope this post counts.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
It's a very good reminder that regardless of any differences, our hosts here are good to us and level headed.
Glad you got the coin! Good story.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
I've run into similar 'forum dictators' in other websites and it really takes the joy out of the thing.
Please do show the coin when you get it!
Let's have a look at that coin once it arrives.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
<< <i>I vaguely remember that site from a few years ago - something about a forum "dad" and a forum "mom" and all the members were the "kids" - it was a bit more than weird. >>
CCF is a service provided by a small set of individuals. It's not some big faceless corporation, providing a forum for their customers. They show up at many big coin shows (they are at FUN right now) and you can certainly discuss the world with them. Their big focus is being family-friendly - in a 1950s kind of way - and so we're all their kids sitting around the kitchen table talking about coins. It's not a democracy, but rather a benevolent dictatorship. Just like Dad said: My house, my rules? You don't like the rules (and yeah, they are a bit arbitrary) - don't play in their sandbox. They've banned a couple of photo hosting sites that don't (in their opinion) do enough to block contact they don't like (although it IS legal).
<< <i>Moderators
Moderators control individual forums. They may edit, delete, or prune any posts in their forums. >>
And they do
<< <i>Censoring
The forum automatically censors certain words that may be posted; however, this censoring is not an exact science, and is being done based on the words that are being screened, so certain words may be censored out of context. Websites that have abused this forum or generate a conflict of interest with this site may also be automatically censored. Important: Deliberately bypassing the censoring feature in any manner will result in swift and possibly extreme consequences. >>
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
<< <i>Well sir, you write very well and reasonably, broke your story into paragraphs instead of a giant block of text, appear to be rational, accepted responsibility for your actions, took purposeful actions toward the goal you had in mind, even made the subject line of this post about the topic rather than being vague, so in my book you're quite welcome to post here all you want and you'll do just fine, better in fact.
Let's have a look at that coin once it arrives. >>
Couldn't have said it better.
<< <i>WOW! Usually when someone posts a new website here I am eager to check it out. I will not even bother going over there to browse. Whoever runs it must have a small.....slab?
It's a very good reminder that regardless of any differences, our hosts here are good to us and level headed.
Glad you got the coin! Good story. >>
This
Secondly, I wish this site did some of the things you outlined in the CCF style.
Third, you did better than I would have......if I had a rude response like you received, I would have gone off on them for being rude like that. It could have been handled much better. Saying it is just the way it is because they are a "mom and pop" shop, is a BS excuse. There is no excuse for treating someone unknown, new, like that. If they didn't know you were already on there, and had the experience, then the expectation they had was that you really were new. If that were true and the way they treated someone new, then they have issues.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>Well sir, you write very well and reasonably, broke your story into paragraphs instead of a giant block of text, appear to be rational, accepted responsibility for your actions, took purposeful actions toward the goal you had in mind, even made the subject line of this post about the topic rather than being vague, so in my book you're quite welcome to post here all you want and you'll do just fine, better in fact.
Let's have a look at that coin once it arrives. >>
Maybe he's too smart for us...
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
I think its possible to rate strictness of forum moderation on a scale. The scale could be labeled in "Glicks" , which would be a measure of how many weeks it would take to get 1,000 posts.
If our hosts here banned any discussion of counterfeit PCGS slabs, then that's their right.
This is what you agreed to when you signed up with CCF:
<< <i>Privacy Statement for Coin Community Forum
...
Any user who finds material posted by another user objectionable is encouraged to contact us via e-mail. We are authorized by you to remove or modify any data submitted by you to these forums for any reason we feel constitutes a violation of our policies, whether stated, implied or not.
...
This site may contain links to other web sites and files. We have no control over the content and can not ensure it will not be offensive or objectionable. We will, however, remove links to material that we feel is inappropriate as we become aware of them. We reserve the right to revoke the membership of any member, with or without warning, who posts links to offensive questionable content at our sole discretion.
...
By pressing the "Agree" button, you agree that you, the user, are 13 years of age or over. You are fully responsible for any information or file supplied by this user. You also agree that you will not post any copyrighted material that is not owned by yourself or the owners of these forums. In your use of these forums, you agree that you will not post any information which is vulgar, harassing, hateful, threatening, invading of others privacy, sexually oriented, or violates any laws. You also agree that you will read and understand all the forum rules before posting.
If you do agree with the rules and policies stated in this agreement, and meet the criteria stated herein, proceed to press the "Agree" button below, otherwise press "Cancel". >>
And that's the difference... when Bobby said
<< <i>"I cannot even explain the reasons here for my decision. It's so disgusting that any explanation of it wouldn't be appropriate for here no matter how it's worded. >>
- it's his site, his rules. CCFs rules are there to keep it as that family friendly 1950s place Bobby and the others want it to be. And he's exactly within his rights. It may be ridiculous (trying to hold back the tide), it may be short sighted, it may be impossible, whatever. It's their right. If you can't live by their (arbitrary) rules, then move along. Or even better, start a competing site with YOUR rules and see who wins in the marketplace of ideas!
If Bobby wants to make it harder for people to sign up, spam the forums and then go away, it's within his rights. And something I appreciate. If the moderators step in and quash inappropriate posts within minutes (I've notified them 15m after things have popped up, only to have it gone by the time I could click the alert button and write two sentences of explanations), great - another feature I appreciate. If people who violate the rules early on get slapped a little harder than long time members get slapped, that's their rights. I think I've had one post edited out of 1000. I thought it was OK, they didn't, s'be'it. On the balance I think the benefits outweigh the restrictions so I stay.
Me? I'll go anywhere where people talk about coins and talk about coins. If I wanted to discuss gun control or recreational pot or building ramps so disabled people can access buildings, I'll go somewhere else to talk about those things. Even if I don't go there, I respect your right to do so - I am Charlie.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
One thing I want to say is that in my mind, forum moderation is actually a good thing. On different occasions, I've seen forums destroyed by trolls and I've seen forum destroyed by abusive participants, and all because there were no moderators or the moderators did a poor job. However, moderation comes from the word "moderate". I feel moderation should facilitate communication, not hamper it. Moderation should stop trolls, spammers, and abusive posters who attack and insult others. Moderation should not stop people on the forum from communicating with each other in good spirit.
Rules are also a necessity, but rules are there to serve the community, not the other way around. You don't have to memorize countless pages of rules and hire yourself a lawyer, before you can post a simple request for information. And if you commit an offense, then it's OK for a moderator to delete the problem post and it's OK to warn, and it's even OK to suspend someone for a probation period, but "ban for life" can't be the first, last, and one and only result for every minor infringement of one of the myriad of rules, some of which don't even make any sense.
<< <i>
Let's have a look at that coin once it arrives.
>> Maybe he's too smart for us...
>>
OK, OK, I'll tell you all about it. I'm not trying to keep anything secret, it's just that the coin in question is a darkside coin and therefore technically off-topic in this forum. Also, I didn't want to divert the discussion to being about this one specific coin. The coin itself is really not the issue here, it could have been any coin. But I can understand some people are curious, so just head over to the CCF post that actually triggered this whole mess:
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=191188
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
<< <i>I respect the fact that it's his site and his rules >>
No, you don't - by your own admission in the original post, you knew you were banned and engineered around that ban for your own purposes.
<< <i>I simply stated that I disagreed with his opinion and he banned me for it. >>
First rule - and this is typical of dozens of boards I post on - is you don't argue with the moderators. Adapt or move on.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
<< <i><< I respect the fact that it's his site and his rules >> >>
<< <i>No, you don't - by your own admission in the original post, you knew you were banned and engineered around that ban for your own purposes >>
@BStrauss3 - you seem to be confusing me (the OP of this thread) with FadeToBlack, who made the comment you quoted.
<< <i>@BStrauss3 - you seem to be confusing me (the OP of this thread) with FadeToBlack, who made the comment you quoted. >>
Yes, you never did state that you respected CCFs rules. Reading back I'm sorry I confused you - without any respect for CCFs rules - with FadeToBlack - who just doesn't like them... I mean, aren't these YOUR words desslok from the ORIGINAL post?
<< <i>So I set about opening a new account. True, it's against the rules for a banned member to open another account, but I figured the end justifies the means. >>
And a little later on
<< <i>One thing I want to say is that in my mind, forum moderation is actually a good thing >>
I guess you mean as long as it's not applied to yourself?
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
<< <i><< One thing I want to say is that in my mind, forum moderation is actually a good thing >> >>
<< <i>I guess you mean as long as it's not applied to yourself? >>
No, I mean as long as it's applied for the purpose of keeping the forum a nice and safe place for discussions, not when it's applied arbitrarily to block people who have done nothing wrong.
My first account was blocked without notice, without warning, without a time limit and without possibility for appeal, just because I posted a thread in the "World Error and Variety Forum" where I said in the title that I'm looking to buy world error coins. And it's not that I'm the Home Shopping Network, I'm a private collector.
My second account was blocked not for any action on the forum at all, but because I replied politely and in private e-mail to the moderator after he has been verbally abusive towards me. I posted the exact text of the exchange, you can be the judge. Do you consider it reasonable for a forum moderator to talk like that to forum members?
They are extremely vigilant in upholding the letter of the law rules there. Some of the mods there like to flex their e-muscles at any opportunity.
<< <i>In the end it boils down to: their sandbox/their rules.
They are extremely vigilant in upholding the letter of the law rules there. Some of the mods there like to flex their e-muscles at any opportunity. >>
CCF, aka Coin Community Family, is oriented toward Young Numismatists and as such is more tightly moderated than most other coin forums.
<< <i>
<< <i>@BStrauss3 - you seem to be confusing me (the OP of this thread) with FadeToBlack, who made the comment you quoted. >>
Yes, you never did state that you respected CCFs rules. Reading back I'm sorry I confused you - without any respect for CCFs rules - with FadeToBlack - who just doesn't like them... I mean, aren't these YOUR words desslok from the ORIGINAL post?
<< <i>So I set about opening a new account. True, it's against the rules for a banned member to open another account, but I figured the end justifies the means. >>
And a little later on
<< <i>One thing I want to say is that in my mind, forum moderation is actually a good thing >>
I guess you mean as long as it's not applied to yourself? >>
You do realize that your actions on this site with regards to your posts would have been moderated and you would now be banned from ccf. You better hope this does not get back to them as your actions in this post are not conducive to the way they feel their members should be acting as their actions are a direct representation of their site. You and some other posters on this thread need to be very careful as you are extremely close to being in violation of the rules of this forum. I will not explain what those rules are as you have already agreed to them and if banned I will not tell you why you were banned. If you don't like this please move on.
Rule 2) Anyone posting crude or vulgar pictures or language will no longer be allowed to post. No more warnings.
Rule 3) Anyone attacking another poster or making disparaging personal remarks will no longer be allowed to post. No more warnings.
Rule 4) Anyone making libelous remarks concerning any individual, any company, or any other entity will no longer be allowed to post. No more warnings.
Rule 5) If you have nothing to contribute to an OP then do not post. Snide remarks and other negative comments will result in your losing your ability to post. No more warnings.
Rule 6) This forum is about US Coins. If your post is not directly related to US Coins then this is the wrong forum. Do not post it or your posting privileges may be removed.
Rule 7) This is a PCGS forum. Posts promoting or bashing other grading companies or service are not allowed. Those posts will be removed and your posting privileges may be removed as well.
Rule 8) This forum is provided for the education and sharing of information. Not as a personal soapbox. If you want to learn and share information about US Coins you are welcome.
Rule 9) Your signature may contain multiple images and/or links but must be limited to a single line. If you would like additional advertising space on this site please contact our Advertising Department. Violators will have their posting privileges removed.
Rule 10) If you don't like any of the rules outlined above see Rule 1.
<< <i>
<< <i>@BStrauss3 - you seem to be confusing me (the OP of this thread) with FadeToBlack, who made the comment you quoted. >>
Yes, you never did state that you respected CCFs rules. Reading back I'm sorry I confused you - without any respect for CCFs rules - with FadeToBlack - who just doesn't like them... I mean, aren't these YOUR words desslok from the ORIGINAL post?
<< <i>So I set about opening a new account. True, it's against the rules for a banned member to open another account, but I figured the end justifies the means. >>
And a little later on
<< <i>One thing I want to say is that in my mind, forum moderation is actually a good thing >>
I guess you mean as long as it's not applied to yourself? >>
And your purpose in picking a fight would be? I think we all understand the story in the OP and we can each take it for what it's worth. If you like it like I do then fine, and if you disapprove then say so and that's it. There's no need to be the one that makes this what it shouldn't be so move along.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Coin Community was created to nurture and develop new collectors, specifically including YN's. We have young members there, and you would not believe the hoops we jump through to keep that site safe for kids. Or, I should say you wouldn't believe it only because you never read the rules, where we quite clearly outline our mission, including the phrase "If you wouldn't want your 10 year old daughter to see it, then don't post it here," which should be a hint. We run the place to a strict G-rating, and that is final. We meet the standards for hosting people under 13, and we always will. If you spam us with affiliate links, don't care about the ad content on your site, publish material known to be untrue, or similar as a website, you go away and you don't get a second chance. Members get extra chances, like FadeToBlack did. We have a few solid members who didn't catch on the first time; it's worth our effort to try to rehabilitate.
Imgur does not filter. No biggie. It's their right. We can't allow linking to them as a result. No biggie there, either, at least to our other 30k members. Our own image-editing upload routine holds you to a small filesize, but I have no trouble making it display gradable 800px images, and all you need to do is link from a host with more control granularity and we won't care.
CCF is wrapping up yet another FUN show, where we've given away a few hundred more pounds of coins to kids that were either donated by the membership or purchased by the site. That's what we do; that's what we're about; if you want to be part of it you're going to be held to a higher standard of behavior in our forum than on any other. We take very seriously the responsibility of ensuring there are collectors into the future, the same way you look at your responsibility as temporary owners of the history you have in your slabs. Same goal.
It's that simple.
And FadeToBlack, please don't make me publish the entire episode with you. We delete nothing. We have every word of that drawn-out episode. You won't like it. We still think you're just someone who simply refuses to live with our rule system, and that's fine.
<< <i>In the interest of completeness, please allow me to offer the input of someone with a different viewpoint - that of one of those Coin Community Admins you're having so much fun hating on. Heck, I'm probably the one who frosts you the most.
Coin Community was created to nurture and develop new collectors, specifically including YN's. We have young members there, and you would not believe the hoops we jump through to keep that site safe for kids. Or, I should say you wouldn't believe it only because you never read the rules, where we quite clearly outline our mission, including the phrase "If you wouldn't want your 10 year old daughter to see it, then don't post it here," which should be a hint. We run the place to a strict G-rating, and that is final. We meet the standards for hosting people under 13, and we always will. If you spam us with affiliate links, don't care about the ad content on your site, publish material known to be untrue, or similar as a website, you go away and you don't get a second chance. Members get extra chances, like FadeToBlack did. We have a few solid members who didn't catch on the first time; it's worth our effort to try to rehabilitate.
Imgur does not filter. No biggie. It's their right. We can't allow linking to them as a result. No biggie there, either, at least to our other 30k members. Our own image-editing upload routine holds you to a small filesize, but I have no trouble making it display gradable 800px images, and all you need to do is link from a host with more control granularity and we won't care.
CCF is wrapping up yet another FUN show, where we've given away a few hundred more pounds of coins to kids that were either donated by the membership or purchased by the site. That's what we do; that's what we're about; if you want to be part of it you're going to be held to a higher standard of behavior in our forum than on any other. We take very seriously the responsibility of ensuring there are collectors into the future, the same way you look at your responsibility as temporary owners of the history you have in your slabs. Same goal.
It's that simple.
And FadeToBlack, please don't make me publish the entire episode with you. We delete nothing. We have every word of that drawn-out episode. You won't like it. We still think you're just someone who simply refuses to live with our rule system, and that's fine. >>
So you're all about nurturing new collectors & YN's but you come here and threaten someone? Wow, you're setting a great example.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
<< <i>There is a thread on CCF (started yesterday) about the very Potty Dollar discussed here on another thread. I am curious as to whether that thread will be allowed to stand. >>
Most likely, but that's the kind of thing we have to think about. Every thread like that gets discussed. No, we probably wouldn't allow some of the coarser Potty Dollars.
<< <i>If you spam us with affiliate links, don't care about the ad content on your site, publish material known to be untrue, or similar as a website, you go away and you don't get a second chance. >>
Seriously? "Similar as a website". Not only is that ridiculously vague, there is so much information available online that similar as a website is an incredibly low bar. The recent potty dollar was just mentioned as having a thread on CCF. Well, there is thread here about that, making many of the CCF "similar as a website". Better delete those posts...
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
Conspiracy theories generally fall apart when you try and figure out how the conspirators find the time to do all the stuff you're accusing them of.
<< <i>Thanks everyone for all the replies.
One thing I want to say is that in my mind, forum moderation is actually a good thing. On different occasions, I've seen forums destroyed by trolls and I've seen forum destroyed by abusive participants, and all because there were no moderators or the moderators did a poor job. However, moderation comes from the word "moderate". I feel moderation should facilitate communication, not hamper it. Moderation should stop trolls, spammers, and abusive posters who attack and insult others. Moderation should not stop people on the forum from communicating with each other in good spirit.
Rules are also a necessity, but rules are there to serve the community, not the other way around. You don't have to memorize countless pages of rules and hire yourself a lawyer, before you can post a simple request for information. And if you commit an offense, then it's OK for a moderator to delete the problem post and it's OK to warn, and it's even OK to suspend someone for a probation period, but "ban for life" can't be the first, last, and one and only result for every minor infringement of one of the myriad of rules, some of which don't even make any sense.
<< <i>
Let's have a look at that coin once it arrives.
>> Maybe he's too smart for us...
>>
OK, OK, I'll tell you all about it. I'm not trying to keep anything secret, it's just that the coin in question is a darkside coin and therefore technically off-topic in this forum. Also, I didn't want to divert the discussion to being about this one specific coin. The coin itself is really not the issue here, it could have been any coin. But I can understand some people are curious, so just head over to the CCF post that actually triggered this whole mess:
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=191188 >>
This link didn't take me to any particular post.
Can't you just say what the coin was ?
The name is LEE!