Moderator double standard?

I don’t feel particularly “persecuted” here, if that was directed at me, though I do feel that there is a sizable contingent who don’t like me. Hopefully there is a larger one that does, and probably a much larger one that doesn’t give a crap one way or the other, if they even know who I am.

However, I’ve been a part of this community for almost… what… 7 years? There are a lot of people around here that I really care about and like to consider friends. That is why I post here.

To extend the analogy to the SDMB - the drinks are free, and the bartender lets you come to his bar even though you sometimes call him an asshole to his face.

Yeah… sure made it difficult to find out who it was when you linked to the post. Besides which, I think you should properly attribute the quote anyway.

ASSHOLE!

[sub]hee hee hee :wink: :stuck_out_tongue: [/sub]

Here’s what I don’t understand:

If a person is going to do something “questionable,” why not just email an admin to ask if it’s okay?

When I ran the past two SDMB Secret Santa threads, I emailed Tuba to check. Collecting and distributing peoples’ home addresses definitely falls into the “questionable” range. And next year, I’ll check again–things can change a lot in a year.

Opal knew damn well that posting that link was “questionable” because she stood to make money off of it.

And to the people asking why Opal is treated differently–well, this is just my best guess, but I’ll offer it up for discussion: Opal is a person who makes her living by making money off of the internet. Over the years, she has tried over and over to use the SDMB as a conduit to making money. Naturally, any thread started by her will be examined closely.

Her statement that a lot of the time she has just posted “looking for feedback” on t-shirt designs is disingenuous at best. People post asking for feedback on stuff all the time. But they are asking about a one-time thing or a brand-new venture. They are not soliciting feedback on products of an ongoing business concern. The SDMB is not a consulting firm that you get to use for free.

And of course, she was probably hoping that people would contact her asking to buy something with the design she was asking about.

It’s natural that some people have found some financial benefit as a result of their association with the SDMB, just like it’s natural that people have found romantic relationships here. For example, I received one of Eve’s books for Christmas. I may not have known about Eve’s books if not for our association with the board. But Eve is not here to make money. She’s here to participate in the board. Therefore, I certainly don’t begrudge her a few extra cents in royalties. I don’t know what Opalcat’s primary purpose for participating here is, but there is enough history there for me to be somewhat suspicious when she starts a thread.

They don’t call me Sunshine for nothing, but…maybe Opal was just trying to share something with other Dopers that she thought might be beneficial to them and had no thought whatsoever about making money for herself. That’s what I thought when I read her OP.

Why do people see Opal’s request for feedback on t-shirt designs as “disingenuous?” Why can’t she ALSO be just one of the “People post[ing] asking for feedback on stuff all the time?” Why single her out? I understand she may have crossed the line in the past but it seems to me she’s made it clear she understands where the line is now and has no intention of crossing it again. Why continue to paint her with the same brush forever? I don’t get it.

Thank you Sunshine.

You’re welcome.

But I paid for the big salad! Lib just carried it!

You’re welcome, Opal.

However, I see no reason why member preferances would not be taken into account, Coldfire & Dantheman. Of course, the Staff makes the final decision.

Well, in my clumsy way, that was my point, DrDeth. I didn’t mean to imply they did whatever popular opinion said, but my guess is that such opinion probably is taken into account to some extent.

:smiley: You’re a gem.

And she says that every single fucking time. Get it yet?

:rolleyes: It has been a different situation every time. I didn’t think this was across the line, or I wouldn’t have posted it. Now I know how the administration perceived it, and so I wouldn’t post anything about earning money in any way ever again–obviously.

But please, feel free to assume the worst of my motives. I’m used to it.