As you can see, Massassi is in shambles. We can't log in to the files server to post new files, and even if we could, they can only be successfully downloaded by about 1 in 10 people. We don't have any new original content, which was always our major source for new visitors (via announcements on other sites). Our site uses frames which is a major hinderance to search engines, thus virtually eliminating that as a source of new people. Anyway, why bother attracting new people if the site has nothing to offer anymore?

We have two choices:

1. Let Massassi die. We can finish her off quickly by closing the forums and the chat.

2. Attempt to revive the glory days. There are of course new and interesting Star Wars games coming out on a regular basis. We could easily tap into those (assuming some of them are editable) and get our visitors back. However, it requires two things:

A) A rewrite of the Massassi back-end. Not a big deal, already 90% done. In fact, the only thing I really have left is the file submission system.

B) A new server. This is the hard one. While Recon Networks has served us well, the recent files server issues don't seem like they're going to ever be resolved. Apparently we are now sharing bandwidth and server space with all their other hosted sites. The servers are never configured properly anyway, and it takes months to get them to fix anything. Even that would be fine, except I don't have the time or energy to call them on the phone every single weekday until they fix the problems.

So, looking around, no shared hosting provider has the storage space or bandwidth we need in any of their standard plans to handle Massassi. Most of the managed hosting providers require a minimum of like $300/month, which I'm not willing to pay right now. I'm trying to buy a house and get my finances in order to better provide for my future (I'm 26 now and have nothing saved for retirement at all).

I'm willing to pay something like 100/month for a dedicated server. The server must have 500GB of transfer per month and at least a 40GB hard drive. We must be able to have a MySQL server running, along with mod_perl, mod_php4, and the ability to configure PHP to our liking. We must be able to have an unlimited number of domains/subdomains/email addresses/mysql databases/mysql users. It must run Linux or FreeBSD, -NOT WINDOWS-

I am talking about a dedicated server. I have done some research and the closest I can find to that price is:

http://serverbeach.com/
http://servermatrix.com/

ServerBeach offers Debian Linux, which I really like. The server that fits our needs is $109/month. I have a coupon code where I can get 100 off after the first 3 months, so it's basically 4 months for the price of 3.

The other one only runs red hat linux. That's okay, I guess.

Anyway, I'm really trying to figure out whether anyone would donate to a paypal account or something to keep massassi alive. Is there enough here worth saving?

I'd ultimately like to make the site more community-driven, similar to PerlMonks.org. Basically, every user has a "level" and you need to do certain things to gain levels. Such as forum posts, news contributions, etc. We could make donating allow you to get to a certain level just by donating (don't know if that's a good idea). The higher your level, the more priviledges and responsibilities you have. Basically, if you get to the top level, you can moderate virtually every area of the site. You can only get to the top level if people vote you there. Top level people can say immediately approve news posts for the main page. Whereas anyone else can vote "yes" on it and if there are enough "yes" votes it will go there. But top levels can remove it if there's something bad about it.

Anyway, I'm sort of rambling. Here's the questions I want you to answer:

1. Is there enough here at Massassi that's worth our time and effort to save?

2. Would you personally be willing to donate every once in a while to keep the site up?

3. If we had a program to only allow donations up to 3 months hosting in advance, would you be more willing to donate (for example, if our server is 100/month, we would only allow up to 300 in our paypal account, and donations would automatically be cut off until the next 100 comes out).

4. Would a more community-driven site be a good idea? Would you rather "elect" moderators in some fashion instead of me/us appointing them?

5. Is there anything you'd be willing to do on a regular basis for Massassi in order to help us survive. Posting levels, news, level reviews, moderating comments, etc.?

Thanks for your time.

I would do anything to keep Massassi alive. I may not know much involving computers etc, but I would try to keep this site going. I mean where else can I get really pissed off at people and throw my PC out the window?

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"Buildings that we have created to be aesthetically pleasing are slaughtering birds."

W.. T.. F.

Okay, after I just got over my mini-heart attack there, I felt a little compelled to reply. I stopped reading right there. That. Is. Not. An. Option.

Thank you.

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Have a good one,
Freelancer

Kill massassi? What kind of sick idea is that? How did that ever CROSS YOUR MIND!?

Hmmm... If it were for the survival of massassi I could definately make levels.

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"The Oracle told me I would die with my boots on. I've worn tennis shoes ever since." - Axis

1. Yes, let's save it.
2 & 3. Being 16, broke, and with parents who don't like to do anything online with a credit card, including a paypal account I sadly must say that this will not be possible for me.
4. I support whichever gets me in power quickest.
5. I'd be willing to do anything.

Branching out into other games sounds like it would be the best way, what with KotOR and Republic Commando.

Of course, Massassi is like a wounded dog and probably needs to just be shot.

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Checksum: I thought about it, I guess I'm striving for my own personal ideals. I'll just project those ideals onto Jesus and say "I'm trying to be like Jesus" so that I won't have to listen to you banter endlessly about me worshipping a false god or some such.

The Last True Evil: Ironically, that's very Christian of you.

I've been with Massassi for a while and I know there are a lot of deticated members that care for this site, I being one of them. If Massassi shuts down where will we turn to for Jedi Knight stuff and completely random discussions? Please keep Massassi alive.

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*Bjorn*
muhahahha FIRE!!!!!!!! >:) ;(.
hi

1. Not really.

2. No.

3. No.

4. Yes. I'm not a big fan of the leadership choices here.

5. I found ReconGamer, I think I did my part.

I like how you say you'd shut down the chat. Imperialism at its finest. I'd rather see it go back into its original hands.

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Superstition brings bad luck.
-Raymond Smullyan, 5000B.C.

1. Is there enough here at Massassi that's worth our time and effort to save? Yes

2. Would you personally be willing to donate every once in a while to keep the site up?Yes

3. If we had a program to only allow donations up to 3 months hosting in advance, would you be more willing to donate (for example, if our server is 100/month, we would only allow up to 300 in our paypal account, and donations would automatically be cut off until the next 100 comes out).See answers 1 and 2 (maybe not 100! I don't really have alot of money, but I can scrap together 20 bucks every so often :/ Even a little is better then nothing rigth? Plus I won't waste my cash on useless things I don't need I buy anything that looks cool, Brian is so badass, it's like a sin not to help him out.)

4. Would a more community-driven site be a good idea? Would you rather "elect" moderators in some fashion instead of me/us appointing them?yes! Wolfy should be an Admin! Jaiph rocks! Flexor For Admin! Gebohq for Admin!!!! They are all so good, respectable, honest, nice, and when it's time to be the MAN they seem to know how to act.

5. Is there anything you'd be willing to do on a regular basis for Massassi in order to help us survive. Posting levels, news, level reviews, moderating comments, etc.?I could post things to help out. Althought 50% of the forums don't really like me...but the other 50% do. I am on the computer...ALOT. I am usually at massassi ALOT. I have been here since 1999. And I am willing to help out in any way I can, if it is wanted/needed.

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I’m not going to die, I’m going to see if I was ever alive. - Spike

It's not your right to decide whether they live or die. They deserve a chance! - Vash

[This message has been edited by SAJN_Master (edited February 23, 2004).]

JK is the lifeblood.

We need new blood.

if(getThingFlags(source) & 0x8){
  do her}
elseif(getThingFlags(source) & 0x4){
  do other babe}
else{
  do a dude}

Whatever you do, at least leave the forums. These are the best forums I've ever come across on the entire internet. That in itself is a good base for a website.

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Have a good one,
Freelancer

I would be quite willing to donate some money to save the massassi, seeing as I love it so very very much. I'd do anything you needed me to do to help out.

I would recommend branching out into other games, especially the 2 new star wars games coming out, republic commando and Battlefront. Also, we need to get our name out, get our links on other editing sites, become the site that massassi was during the JK days. Massassi was the ONLY place to get JK levels and mods. Other places were alright, but massassi had everything. We need to get that "Massassi or bust" idea getting in full swing for either republic commando or Battlefront(Preferabally the former).

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Happy "Diseased" dud: You said I'd be like this guy. Boycotting everything..
Happy "Diseased" dud: ted kazcnisky. That's who it was.
Happy "Diseased" dud: Wait, That's the unibomer.
Happy "Diseased" dud: Wrong guy.

i tried to go to massassi.

got redirected to some site filtered out as pron

btw, i think the level idea would be great. it would mean we would be able to get rid of those lurkers who only download levels and never post at the forums.

Also, the frames would not nessessary if we make an inex at the top of the page on the main site.

we could also just can the main site and leave the chat and the forums and have other people host thier own files if worst comes to worst.

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your curiosity will get the better of YOU one day.
Jon`C:Irony is spelling 'quality' poorly.
Spork:Well I think 'Irony is spelling grammar poorly'
Snail racing: (500 posts per line)-@%

Also, we should have a fark like admission system, people submit news, levels, whatever. And the admins choose which should and should not be posted on the main page.

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Happy "Diseased" dud: You said I'd be like this guy. Boycotting everything..
Happy "Diseased" dud: ted kazcnisky. That's who it was.
Happy "Diseased" dud: Wait, That's the unibomer.
Happy "Diseased" dud: Wrong guy.

http://www.sanethosting.com/

------------------
Capitalization
Commas
Periods
Question Marks
Apostrophes
Confusable Words
Plague Words

Whatever you do Brian, do not let the people decide who the admins are or setup a "if you make more news/levels/monetary donations you get power" deal. That will lead to anarchy. These forums are not ready for democracy. We need a benevolent dictatorship.

Though I think if you had a Temp Mod system where one or a few people would be picked every month/week to be Mods for the month/week. Actually, having "elections" for Mods wouldn't be so bad, but for Admins it would be chaos.

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Checksum: I thought about it, I guess I'm striving for my own personal ideals. I'll just project those ideals onto Jesus and say "I'm trying to be like Jesus" so that I won't have to listen to you banter endlessly about me worshipping a false god or some such.

The Last True Evil: Ironically, that's very Christian of you.

I been with Massassi for four years now, it can't stop now (I can't leave for some reason...). Beside Massassi has a large archive of JK mods, levels, etc.

Being 14 and without a job, I cannot promise that I'll donate money to keep Massassi alive, but I would gladly do other things. Such as level posting, perhaps a bit of scripting, etc, etc..

So if you have a position too fill, just drop me a line:

sithghost129@hotmail.com

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"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity."

-Albert Einstein

I dont think anyone want to let Massassi die and yes I think there is plenty here worth saving.

As for giving people ranks/privileges: I think that is a bit dodgy as everyone knows, Massassi can get a bit elitist at times and I think that ranking people will exacerbate the problem. Voting people into admin/mod positions is ok though. The elitist issue is becoming a more noticeable problem as there are a lot of examples where people go out of their way to make others feel inferior. A major attitude change would probably help keep some members.


I'd probably be willing to donate as long as the account was capped. I'd be willing to help moderate, but due to a slooooow connection level posting/reviews is probably not the best idea.

As to the content issue, I think this could be major problem as Massassi seems to be a JK dominant site and like it or not, JK is unlikely to bring in new members (regardless of how much everyone here likes it). What would help if we could get more JO/JA related content up, but most of that traffic seems to go through jediknight.net, pcgamemods etc. A larger JO/JA editing community could help but it may be an uphill battle against other established communities.

Maybe we could have more community activities: like design this months logo, or more JK Arena type projects etc

But thats just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes, although you shouldn't cap it. I understand your meaning, but if anything it might just prove to be a problem. Also, you DESERVE a treat, and maybe with the extra cash influx you could/maybe find a better hosting service.
4. Most definitely
5. I dunno, but I can get my friends into editing, and perhaps get into it myself. I'd do everything I could.

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There is no signature

What about me who has no skill and no time to pursue level editting? And if you we do what you say, Massassi wouldnt be the "hub" for things such as Republic Commando mods. It would be too restrictive. We should keep free level systems. However, I would agree with the plan that only those that have posted a level/mod/whatever can use the Level Commenting System(not rating though).

Regardless of what happens to Massassi short of deletion, it needs to branch out to the new SW games.

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Checksum: I thought about it, I guess I'm striving for my own personal ideals. I'll just project those ideals onto Jesus and say "I'm trying to be like Jesus" so that I won't have to listen to you banter endlessly about me worshipping a false god or some such.

The Last True Evil: Ironically, that's very Christian of you.

First and foremost, we can't let Massassi die. I'd be perfectly willing to donate at least 10 dollars a month, if it means Massassi stays alive. I love this place, and even though I could do without a handful of it's members, I couldn't do without the other 100. And adding to that list sounds like a great idea to me.

A community driven website is an interesting idea, but with the ability for certain level members to control the lower levels is silly. I know quite a few active members that could gain levels fast, yet few people would be pleased to see their thread deleted because they don't spend as much time here.

One of my favorite ideas is a level review 'area.' I've always wanted to start up a level reviewing site, but I just don't have the management skills on top of what I already run. Considering the fact that the majority of Massassians have strong opinions, and even more so we have writers, a level reviewers board would be something I'd certainly be willing to join.

The election of administration sounds like the best idea. Everyone would have a voice this way, as well as we'd be able to have a wider variety of opinions in the staff.

A simple suggestion is to find a completely new aim for the site. Currently taglines and headers all pertain to Jedi Knight, dark forces 2. While I am one of the devoted old-scholars here, if we're going to keep up, we need to introduce new games. I write mean walkthroughs, and with my new computer on the way, I'll have my hands on quite a few new star wars games. Walkthroughs, Game help, Codes, Editing Resources, and News/interviews to equal some of the higher level websites would be something that'd increase traffic.

You could easily develop a team of Raters for all SW mods/levels in general. Second most, you could develop a 'News' staff, a group devoted to finding news, contacting mod teams, contacting game development websites, and gaining news from those sources. A tutorial submission (with some sort of persistency's in each tutorial) system for each SW game Massassi would host, as well as e-mails to some of the editing tools' designers to personally host their tools.

An option for money is always banner adds. If we could keep the small banners similar to the recon banner above, we'd be able to get some money per hit. I know I've clicked on a few adds on modding websites with free textures, or modeling tutorials, etc.

If there's anything I can do with my writing abilities and free time, I'd be more than willing to donate. As well, if you open that Paypal account tomorrow, I'll be one of the first to donate, and would continue afterwards. If it means keeping all of the friends I met here, and still keeping those enemies, I'm all for it.

JediKirby


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"I was driving along listening to the radio, when Judas Priest comes on. It was 'You've got another thing coming.' All of a sudden, I enter 'VICE CITY RAMAGE MODE' and nearly ran some guy over"
- ]-[ellequin

1. YES

2. Possibly

3. a mix of "electing" the mods and you appointing them would be nice

4. definately not file posting since i'm on dialup

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wang is within all

Must.. SAve... MAssAssI...

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IMPORTANT NOTICE PLEASE READ

Employees dying on the job are faling to fall down. THIS PRACTICE MUST STOP as it becmes impossible to distinguish between death and the natural movement of he staf.

Any employee found dead in an upright position will be dropped from the payroll.

You could have porn ads, you know where eight or nine pop up. Even if they're not a good source of revenue, they're still kind of fun.

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Superstition brings bad luck.
-Raymond Smullyan, 5000B.C.

Hmm I think electing mods/admins could work...but not directly. I think Brian should still make the final decision as to whether someone is suitable.

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Cantina Cloud | BCF | The Massassian 1 & 2 | Gonkmeg
Corrupting the kiddies since '97

I'd be willing to donate, if and when I can afford it. Given the young age of most of the people here, I'm sure I'm not that only one who would fall in this category.

Also, I'm not so sure that allowing admins and mods to be voted upon is such a good idea... I dont think that the general public here at Massassi really has a solid understanding of whats best for the site.

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And everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon...

DSettahr's Homepage

Brian, this is kind of off topic, but I need to talk to you about my email account. I had to leave it for a 2 weeks or so because I was extremely busy, and now there are 436 some new emails there, all with viruses and I can't get through them without 400 some bloody virus-alert popup windows coming up. So if anything got sent to news@massassi.net in the last little while, I haven't been able to get it. Sorry.

Do you have any suggestions? I would e-mail you, but... I can't.

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BV's rendition of Titanic: Let's have sex. I won't let go. I don't need this stone.
The End.
~ Wolfy

Furthermore, I would be willing to pay 5-10 bucks for a forum account. Something similar to the system setup at SA could work I think.

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And everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon...

DSettahr's Homepage

BV: http://www.massassi.net:8383/ You can log in using your username/pass and delete all your spams using the web interface.

1. Is there enough here at Massassi that's worth our time and effort to save?
I believe there is. This site has been a part of many of our lives for quite a while and while its end wouldn't really impact our lives in any real manner, it would be something I think most of us would regret. This is a great community. Assuming some of these ideas are put into effect, I think it could be a great resource, as it is now for help and as it could be for everything.


2. Would you personally be willing to donate every once in a while to keep the site up?
Unfortunately, at the moment, no. Being 16 and without even a job currently, I have absolutely no money to waste. However, I bet that there are plenty of people who would be willing to donate small amounts of money adding up to enough to keep it going. If I had an income of even $100 a month, I'd spend $1-5 of it to keep massassi alive. And I know more deidcated and more WEALTHY individuals here who would probably do the same.


3. If we had a program to only allow donations up to 3 months hosting in advance, would you be more willing to donate (for example, if our server is 100/month, we would only allow up to 300 in our paypal account, and donations would automatically be cut off until the next 100 comes out).
This could help regulate the money and keep the donations coming smoothly.


4. Would a more community-driven site be a good idea? Would you rather "elect" moderators in some fashion instead of me/us appointing them?
If it would take the workload off of the few, I think this could be a great idea. Especially since this community is fairly tight.

5. Is there anything you'd be willing to do on a regular basis for Massassi in order to help us survive. Posting levels, news, level reviews, moderating comments, etc.?
Me, personally...I don't get to play much games anymore, partly due to the money problem, so I've been kind of cut off from the main Massassi site, but I've stuck to the forums. I'd do what I had to if it'd help you out. We lubb you.

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WOOSH.
-----@%

[This message has been edited by BobTheMasher (edited February 23, 2004).]

I would be willing to donate less than $20 or so.
I'm just a poor college kid.

Massassi can't die.
SW Battleground(I think it's called) and republic trooper ought to help revive us.

------------------
On a Swedish chainsaw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
Immorality- 1 Cor. 6:18, 2 Tim. 2:22
Impure thoughts- Col. 3:2, Phil. 4:8
Alcohol- Eph. 5:18, Prov. 20:1
Anger- Gal. 5:22, Prov. 20:3
Pride- 1 Peter 5:5, Dan. 4:37
Worry- 1 Peter 5:7, Phil. 4:6-7
speech- James 1:26, Eph. 4:29-5:2

To all the massassi oldies,

is this about the same or even worse than that U.G.O crisis a few years ago.

------------------
your curiosity will get the better of YOU one day.
Jon`C:Irony is spelling 'quality' poorly.
Spork:Well I think 'Irony is spelling grammar poorly'
Snail racing: (500 posts per line)-@%

It's different, but whilst Recon has it's issues I'm not sure anything could suck as hard as UGO.

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Cantina Cloud | BCF | The Massassian 1 & 2 | Gonkmeg
Corrupting the kiddies since '97

well this is the start of my fourth year at massassi...(yikes has it been that long...) at the very least we should not let massassi die...

things have tailed off as of late, thats for sure and something needs to be done, there seems to be plently of new material on the horizon, lets get ready for it.

The paypal idea sounds good, in that there are a few members of the site who have pretty decent jobs, (i hear) or are on the verge of graduating and maybe getting some, surely some out there would be willing to put some money aside for a site that has probably entertained them for hours on end, be it through topic discussions or level downloads.

I myself am broke, university does that to you, but durning the summer I could scape together a few £10 ~ $15 here or there while working, i'd only spend it on booze anyhow, surely if 10-20 regular members got together they could support the site....

*if* this were all to go ahead i would recommend not putting a cap on the funding, there may be months were donations are a bit thin on the ground and others there might be more than enough, better to save up in case of trouble.

as for admin/mod issue, we need folks who have a good head on their shoulders and are willing to stick to the rules, or let them bend at times when needed....voting people in for some roles, ok, admin's....don't think so, that requires, IMO, a long assoication with the site and a person who has built up respect through their actions and who won't act like an arse when they get the job.

don't let massassi die.

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I heard someone say once that the world is a fine place and that it was worth fighting for....I agree with the last part.

People of our generation should not be subjected to mornings.

Rbots website

Its no where near as bad. The issue isnt as pressing (IE, its not like we have to solve this within the next couple of days or massassi is gone forever)

Things were so close to the end back then that I think blu registered temp forums on ezboard just in case.

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And everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon...

DSettahr's Homepage

Sure, I'll buy my way into Admin-ship. That is what you're asking, right?

Seriously, yeah I'd donate a little each month to Massassi. Already pay $5 a month for TotalFark, so why not this place too.

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The Massassi-Map
There is no spoon.

[This message has been edited by Spork (edited February 23, 2004).]

I agree with whoever said that elected mods might work, but definitly not elected Admins. I don't think that would be a good idea.. at all.

And I also agree that we need to branch out. Battlefront is going to be editable (I'm almost sure), and it would be a great idea to start spreading the word now that we're going to be there, front and center, just like the old days. We're going to be #1 for Editing SW Battlefront, come submit all your mods here! But we'd need to start spreading the word to other places now, start trading links, ect.

Viva le Massassi!

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MadQuack on Military school: Pro's: I get to shoot a gun. Con's: Everything else.
"I'm going to beat you until the laws of physics are violated!!" ! Maeve's Warcry

RIP -MaDaVentor-. You will be missed.

Here here James!!!

I think we should branch out to other games, Those games that we all have, Serious Sam games, UT2k4 which we ALL will get :P. But with all these new SW games comeing out, we might not need other games.

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I’m not going to die, I’m going to see if I was ever alive. - Spike

It's not your right to decide whether they live or die. They deserve a chance! - Vash

[This message has been edited by SAJN_Master (edited February 23, 2004).]

things that could help.

1. Make a system where if someone is seen flaming someone a number of times, they get a temporary ban(1 week).

If they get a number of these bans in a year(say, 10) they get a perminant ban unless they email the admins saying why they should remain here.

2. Change the name of the site to somthing that lots of pron sites haven't got a redirect site with a slightly different(ie. the url with a typo)name.

3. Try and get links from other sites.

4. Make a debate forum with a mod/mods instructed to close threads that have broken down into a flame war, gone irrecovorably off-topic, in a state where posts are just disecting other posts, and most importantly, enforce godwin's law.

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your curiosity will get the better of YOU one day.
Jon`C:Irony is spelling 'quality' poorly.
Spork:Well I think 'Irony is spelling grammar poorly'
Snail racing: (500 posts per line)-@%