On AutoSimSport Rant

On careful consideration, I can understand why certain offense was taken to the final column of this month's edition. I am aware of the criticism, and have evaluated the column. However, I stand by the fact that it was firstly a rant and, secondly, reflected a real problem within the sim community. In addition, freedom of speech is precisely that - freedom to speak as you will. But ... freedom of speech is not freedom to hurt. Therefore the offending column will be re-edited and re-posted within 24 hours. All the best, and hope some of you njoyed the rest of the ezine. Alex.

Alex, Freedom to speak doesn't mean you should exercise that freedom. I have just read what you wrote in the final section and I must say that I am shocked and saddened by the personal attacks there. It just isn't the place to air personal grievances in public. I'm embarassed to have my name associated with such abuse. If people don't want to participate in your magazine, so be it (as that seems to be the real reason that you went to town on them!). It is a pity as the rest of the magazine was very good IMO. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to have any more to do with FILSCA, there is enough bitching in the sim-racing world without AutoSim Sport adding to it. There is also a lot more important things (highlighted by recent international events) to get worked up about. Take care, Ash

As I said, I have re-edited the piece, and certainly did not mean to cause such frenzy - had I known it would illicit such hate-filled emails (not yours, btw, but I have a few choice ones) I would most certainly not have spent the time to create the ezine. The edition was, with the exception of one section, my work, so I take full blame. I should have known better. However, it is a lesson learnt. The overwhelmingly negative feedback has demonstrated, perhaps completely, that this type of ezine is not needed nor wanted by the majority - so I'll see if there is a small market out there for it or else can it completely. As a personal note, Ashley, had I known that the 100 or so man-hours it took me to create this ezine would have resulted in your embarrassment, I would most certainly have had second-thoughts about it. It was, and remains, a labour of dedication to the community, and by focusing on the small developers, I thought I was doing you - and guys like you - a favour. So I apologise for the debacle and claim only my lack of intent - and bad judgment - as reason. Saddened to read you post. All the very best, Alex "Ashley McConnell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Alex, > > Freedom to speak doesn't mean you should exercise that freedom. I have > just read what you wrote in the final section and I must say that I am > shocked and saddened by the personal attacks there. It just isn't the > place to air personal grievances in public. > > I'm embarassed to have my name associated with such abuse. If people > don't want to participate in your magazine, so be it (as that seems to > be the real reason that you went to town on them!). > > It is a pity as the rest of the magazine was very good IMO. > > I'm sorry, but I'm not going to have any more to do with FILSCA, there > is enough bitching in the sim-racing world without AutoSim Sport adding > to it. > > There is also a lot more important things (highlighted by recent > international events) to get worked up about. > > Take care, > Ash >

Alex, I think that the overwhelming view is that the ezine itself was good and was well worth reading. As I said, I was embarassed by the tirade of personal abuse and I enjoyed the rest of the ezine. I would even agree with the point of the rant (people needlessly bitching ruins the sim community), but the way you did it just added to the bitching (as you now know unfortunately). I didn't (and didn't intend to) say that your hard work wasn't worth it or wasn't appreciated. I think that the rest of the stories were very interesting. Hate-filled emails seem to be the norm these days :(. When all is said and done it's only a few pixels flickering on a screen (How ever much we enjoy it!) :) All the best, Ash --- http://www.siroccoracing.com

Appreciated Ashley; as I said, the best I can do is edit the content and re-upload. It's the first issue, let's call it a problem birth - but it is alive and will get better. "Ashley McConnell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Alex, > > I think that the overwhelming view is that the ezine itself was good > and was well worth reading. > > As I said, I was embarassed by the tirade of personal abuse and I > enjoyed the rest of the ezine. I would even agree with the point of > the rant (people needlessly bitching ruins the sim community), but the > way you did it just added to the bitching (as you now know > unfortunately). > > I didn't (and didn't intend to) say that your hard work wasn't worth it > or wasn't appreciated. I think that the rest of the stories were very > interesting. > > Hate-filled emails seem to be the norm these days :(. When all is said > and done it's only a few pixels flickering on a screen (How ever much > we enjoy it!) :) > All the best, > Ash > > --- > http://www.siroccoracing.com >

alex martini wrote:

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> On careful consideration, I can understand why certain offense was taken to > the final column of this month's edition. I am aware of the criticism, and > have evaluated the column. > > However, I stand by the fact that it was firstly a rant and, secondly, > reflected a real problem within the sim community. In addition, freedom of > speech is precisely that - freedom to speak as you will. > > But ... freedom of speech is not freedom to hurt. Therefore the offending > column will be re-edited and re-posted within 24 hours. > > All the best, and hope some of you njoyed the rest of the ezine. > Alex. > >

The best relationships get off to rocky starts.

As I've said before, the rest of the ezine is great. You're showing good judgement to edit it and I look forward to more issues. Probably just leaving that one item behind and moving on is the best to do. Bob Simpson

The freedom of speech argument is pretty seriously weakened by the lengthy and pompous (I'm sorry but that's the best description that fits), download disclaimer that the ezeen hides behind. For all I know you've got pictorials of sim racers copulating with sheep in your rant and you need the disclaimer to protect you from slander/libel suits. I have no idea because I have chosen not to download given that disclaimer. Personally I don't hold opinions that have to hide behind such a statement to be of much value. I'm no lawyer (otherwise I'd know if such a thing was slander or libel) but I doubt that disclaimer would stand up in any court of law to any blatant crimes so what's the point of it? You're also using the same argument FILSCA did in the beginning, "we've put a lot of work into this so you should appreciate it". There is no link between the two as far as I can tell. Chuck Heston probably puts a lot of work into the NRA, some may appreciate it, many don't. I'll be recommending to any leagues I'm involved in not to have any involvement with FILSCA until after their next democratic election of officers. (coincidently a question that wasn't answered in my other post). Art

mcewena wrote: > The freedom of speech argument is pretty > seriously weakened [...] There is no freedom of speech argument. Nobody suggested he doesn't have a legal right to say what he did. Having the right to say something doesn't mean what you're saying is right. If you rant about how much you hate black people, calling it a 'rant' and pointing out your legal right to say it doesn't make it any less offensive. IMO, his reaction to the criticism has been as immature as the original rant, including such pouts as "negative feedback has demonstrated, perhaps completely, that this type of ezine is not needed nor wanted by the majority". You can just see the bottom lip sticking out on that one. The magazine was enjoyable, but the 'rant' column needs to go entirely, at least until he can genuinely see that this particular rant was not only in poor taste but highly hypocritical.

My legal knowledge is based almost entirely on US and british TV crime dramas so I'll admit to a serious handicap (but problem no more so then most lay folk), but to me the download disclaimer (repeated below) says, "We can say what ever we want and you can't critisize or respond in any meaningful way." Seems a little over the top to be talking about virtual cars going around virtual tracks so I didn't bother. WARNING: By downloading AutoSimSport, you waive any rights you may have against AutoSimSport, its editors, its writers, or any other person related to AutoSimSport in any way. Download and read the issue at your own risk. Click the frontpage of the issue, and enjoy. The PDF file requires Acrobat Reader.

Blatant crimes does not fall into libelous/slanderous/defamation/contractual law. I cannot absolve myself from breaking the law. What I can do - and have attempted to do - is protect the good people who write/contribute to the ezine. The last thing they need - after investing time for free - is a libel suit from some groan who thinks the content is 'innapropriate'. Hence the waiver agreement; when you d/load, you d/load as is. If it offends you, then you are free - as you have chosen - not to download. Te issue of whether it will stand up in a court of Law is an odd thing to bring up; it amazes me Art - and others who have said this in this forum - that the issue of libel/slander would even be brought up re: a free ezine created for the community with nothing but time and good wishes. In short, we work for free, we distribute for free, we make no money, and I personally pay for the software that was neccessary to create it, and FILSCA pays to make it available for free. Libel? Slander? Defamation? For a freely distubuted ezine? Yes, Gordon (whose post is in this thread) my lip is very down at this kind of nonsense. You are free to enjoy the ezine - or hate it - or slag it off - or not bother with it. But to inimate at slander/libel is a tad much, don't you think? "mcewena" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> The freedom of speech argument is pretty seriously weakened by the > lengthy and pompous (I'm sorry but that's the best description that > fits), download disclaimer that the ezeen hides behind. > > For all I know you've got pictorials of sim racers copulating with > sheep in your rant and you need the disclaimer to protect you from > slander/libel suits. I have no idea because I have chosen not to > download given that disclaimer. > > Personally I don't hold opinions that have to hide behind such a > statement to be of much value. > I'm no lawyer (otherwise I'd know if such a thing was slander or > libel) but I doubt that disclaimer would stand up in any court of law > to any blatant crimes so what's the point of it? > > You're also using the same argument FILSCA did in the beginning, > "we've put a lot of work into this so you should appreciate it". > There is no link between the two as far as I can tell. Chuck Heston > probably puts a lot of work into the NRA, some may appreciate it, many > don't. > > I'll be recommending to any leagues I'm involved in not to have any > involvement with FILSCA until after their next democratic election of > officers. (coincidently a question that wasn't answered in my other > post). > > Art >

>But to inimate at slander/libel is a tad much, don't you think? How can it be a tad much if you've just said that's what the disclaimer is there to protect you from? Like I also said, I have no idea what's behind the ominous warning, but given the self importance of the disclaimer itself I'll vote for "not bother with it". It's like being asked to sign a waiver to open up the TV Guide.. BTW don't bother answering the FILSCA election question, I think I answered it for myself, I searched the public filsca forums for "election" or "elected" and came up with nothing since the fall of 2001 so I got the message.

Well Art, I'm in no mood to have a to and from with you, life's too short. But no, the disclaimer is there to - as I said in my previous post, and I repeat for your benefit - protect the writers from any groan finding the contents innapropriate. The operative word being - for a third time, just in case you missed it -innapropriate. The discussion of libel/slander has been one that you have invented - and repeated - over the course of your emails. If you want to explore the libel/slander issue, please go ahead. You have my details. Btw, I'm curious to know of your contributions to the community. Please let me know; I think it only fair if I have an opportunity to crtique your contributions. Only fair, don't you think? "mcewena" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> >But to inimate at slander/libel is a tad much, don't you think? > > How can it be a tad much if you've just said that's what the disclaimer > is there to protect you from? > > Like I also said, I have no idea what's behind the ominous warning, but > given the self importance of the disclaimer itself I'll vote for "not > bother with it". It's like being asked to sign a waiver to open up > the TV Guide.. > > BTW don't bother answering the FILSCA election question, I think I > answered it for myself, I searched the public filsca forums for > "election" or "elected" and came up with nothing since the fall of 2001 > so I got the message. >

I guess I don't know what innapropriate could mean in the context of the written word if it wasn't vaguely libel/slander (unless there really are sheep photos in there....?) Yes I guess my imagination invented it, because I read the disclaimer, read the posts about the editorial policy and decided not to bother downloading. My contributions to the community? hmm well lets see, mostly this week I've been busy poking fun at a pseudo club that says it speaks for sim racing leagues, but I'll problably give that up soon as a lost cause. I placed 3rd in my league race this week, on a server that several (outlaw non-filsca) leagues around the world use that sits in my basement. I had such high hopes for what filsca could be so that's the sad part...

alex martini wrote: > Btw, I'm curious to know of your contributions to the community. Please let > me know; I think it only fair if I have an opportunity to crtique your > contributions. Only fair, don't you think? Well for one he's provided a server for my GPL league and several others for the past couple years, which is more help than anything FILSCA offers. And he does this for free, makes it freely available, makes no money from it, and personally pays for the software, hardware, and bandwidth that was necessary to create it (well maybe with the exception of a donation of an old video card and a hard drive). Not once in all the years that he has been doing this has he publicly asked for his contribution to the community to be recognized. I guess he simply enjoys doing it, like so many others out there that contribute something useful to the community. And it's all done without a disclaimer in sight... Just one question Alex, did you come up with the disclaimer before or after you wrote the rant? That is the only part of an otherwise good ezine that I could see anyone finding "inappropriate". Perhaps you could reduce your burden by eliminating the rant section altogether and stick to the forums like the other "groans". The odd thing is that Art was the one that suggested it might be worthwhile for the leagues he's involved with to join FILSCA. Your responses to his posts have certainly answered any doubts I had about joining. Best of luck with FILSCA. Fortunately it's not something that most of us need to enjoy league racing. Ken

Thanks Ken, but more importantly: I placed 3rd in my league race ;)

> alex martini wrote: >> Btw, I'm curious to know of your contributions to the community. Please >> let me know; I think it only fair if I have an opportunity to crtique >> your contributions. Only fair, don't you think? > Alex, well done on Filsca and your ezine Tip - the ezine needs to be G Rated - the bad language is very on the nose and will potentially wreck Filsca b4 it really becomes anything imo Feel free to let loose in here though - LOL.

Indeed; glad to hear it - the disclaimer? The disclaimer was the first thing I came up with, for obvious reasons. As for innapropriate, I have 1 death threat for having called Victor a "baker" - if you d/load issue 2, you'll see the details. You'd be surprised what people get angry over; sometimes, even a simple free ezine stirs people to sending out hate mail (the one about raping my wife is a gem - stay tuned to Issue 2 for details). As for FILSCA, if the idea of keeping lifetime stats for every driver/team/league, a quick and easy way to manage your league, and a club of other dedicated league managers is not your cup of tea, then so be it - fortunately, there are thousands that would argue with you. But each to his own. All the best, Alex "Ken MacKay" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:MK8Hd.213819$[email hidden]...

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> alex martini wrote: >> Btw, I'm curious to know of your contributions to the community. Please >> let me know; I think it only fair if I have an opportunity to crtique >> your contributions. Only fair, don't you think? > > Well for one he's provided a server for my GPL league and several others > for the past couple years, which is more help than anything FILSCA offers. > And he does this for free, makes it freely available, makes no money from > it, and personally pays for the software, hardware, and bandwidth that was > necessary to create it (well maybe with the exception of a donation of an > old video card and a hard drive). Not once in all the years that he has > been doing this has he publicly asked for his contribution to the > community to be recognized. I guess he simply enjoys doing it, like so > many others out there that contribute something useful to the community. > And it's all done without a disclaimer in sight... > > Just one question Alex, did you come up with the disclaimer before or > after you wrote the rant? That is the only part of an otherwise good > ezine that I could see anyone finding "inappropriate". Perhaps you could > reduce your burden by eliminating the rant section altogether and stick to > the forums like the other "groans". > > The odd thing is that Art was the one that suggested it might be > worthwhile for the leagues he's involved with to join FILSCA. Your > responses to his posts have certainly answered any doubts I had about > joining. > > Best of luck with FILSCA. Fortunately it's not something that most of us > need to enjoy league racing. > > Ken

Hey Byron - hence the disclaimer! I have not feedback on the 'language', but - we have a lot of 'new' talent on board, so Issue Two will, I hope, be a far better Issue than 1. We can only try. Thanks for your kind words man - much appreciated (makes a change from the love emails I'm getting!). Best, Alex "Byron Forbes" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:41ed4fc7$0$8188$[email hidden]...

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>> alex martini wrote: >>> Btw, I'm curious to know of your contributions to the community. Please >>> let me know; I think it only fair if I have an opportunity to crtique >>> your contributions. Only fair, don't you think? >> > > Alex, well done on Filsca and your ezine > > Tip - the ezine needs to be G Rated - the bad language is very on the > nose and will potentially wreck Filsca b4 it really becomes anything > > imo > > Feel free to let loose in here though - LOL. >

alex martini wrote: > Indeed; glad to hear it - the disclaimer? The disclaimer was the first thing > I came up with, for obvious reasons. As for innapropriate, I have 1 death > threat for having called Victor a "baker" - if you d/load issue 2, you'll > see the details. You'd be surprised what people get angry over; sometimes, > even a simple free ezine stirs people to sending out hate mail (the one > about raping my wife is a gem - stay tuned to Issue 2 for details). Doesn't matter what you publish, there will always be someone who will find fault and overreact. I'd worry about the crazies more than the groans. So what was the point of the disclaimer if this sort of stuff is getting through? All it seems to have done is put off more people from reading the ezine. It might be worthwhile to just try to shrug some of this off, otherwise it'll boil down to just another flame war. And the best way to fend off the crazies is to be careful about what you write in the first place. But it's your show, do as you see fit, I'm just offering some advice. > > As for FILSCA, if the idea of keeping lifetime stats for every > driver/team/league, a quick and easy way to manage your league, and a club > of other dedicated league managers is not your cup of tea, then so be it - > fortunately, there are thousands that would argue with you. But each to his > own. The leagues run fairly smoothly now with the tools that are available (namely replay analyzer, which is required to upload results to the FILSCA database anyway). Had a look at the FMI and adding another layer of registrations and management for handling drivers/teams/divisions can only increase the effort required. The lifetime stats is an interesting feature, though we have kept detailed stats on all our drivers from the beginning. However at this point our main goal is to have some fun racing on-line. Guess we haven't haven't gotten to the point where we have to take ourselves that seriously (and hopefully never will). BTW it's unfortunate that of these thousands that would argue with me that there were only about 12 active leagues that bothered to race under FILSCA during 2004, representing little over 500 active drivers. Considering that there were at least 4 leagues using Art's server in 2004, plus one more that he helps run on another server, perhaps Art's contribution is more substantial than I originally thought. ;-) > > All the best,Ditto. Ken