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Author Message
25 new of 480 responses total.
cmcgee
response 209 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 16:31 UTC 2006

I'm glad to hear those ghost filters are gone.

I too wish Cross and spooked were back on staff.  I'd like to hear from
Board members exactly what they need from Grex users/members in order to
quickly move forward on reappointing them.
jadecat
response 210 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 16:52 UTC 2006

My only qualm, as a member and not a board member, is the issue of
having hot tempers- of their both resigning in a huff and now rethinking. 

Tempers and ego will always be an issue (as a general statement for
anyone, not just for these two) so can either of Mic or Dan give any
reassurances that the next time they feel pissed off/unheard/shat on
that they won't again quit in a huff and then later come back and want
to be part of staff again?

Yo-yo-ing I'm Staff/I'm not/I'm Staff/I'm not doesn't exactly speak for
staff stability. Now I know this last time around it was a removal due
to poor communication, and no reinstatement due to Mic quitting.

That said, their interest in helping to improve Grex is something Grex
really needs right now.
jep
response 211 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 18:16 UTC 2006

Neither cross nor spooked did any damage in the way they resigned.  I
don't have any qualms about them returning.  I hope they can.

Marcus is still on staff, right?  How long since he's done anything on
Grex?  STeve has had absences of months.  Dan and spooked have remained
active, offered suggestions, and participated as non-staff members as
much as they could.   Why should dropping out of the staff count against
them in any way?  I perceive no absence of regard for their abilities,
or their trustworthiness.  They both say they are interested in applying
their skills to at least one problem of crucial importance to Grex. 
What's the argument for keeping them *off* staff, again?
spooked
response 212 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 18:29 UTC 2006

I resigned because I was not offered an apology.  I still to this day 
have not been offered an apology by that certain individual whose 
discretionary behaviour was not appropriate, and (whilst the discussion 
has been done in discussion out of my eyes) I can bet who has since gone 
conveniently missing (again) when any decision (with regards to positive 
contribution) involving cross or myself needs to be made.

I don't like to get personal, but I have stated on the record this IS 
personal for a small few persons on staff.  It is about reputations and 
friendships spanning over a decade instead of what IS being done, and what 
has NOT been done in the last few years.

I did think America was a democracy, fair and equal.  At least that's what 
I hear from watching Fox News.  How the Grex staff operates is not the best 
example of this.
jep
response 213 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 18:49 UTC 2006

The Grex staff is not a democracy.  Neither is the company I work for. 
Why should they be?  Would you want Grex to vote on whether you should,
I don't know, delete some file or spend your time on a project of your
choosing?  Grex is a democracy but the staff is not.
cross
response 214 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 19:00 UTC 2006

Regarding #210; With all due respect, I think that shows a lack of
understanding of the underlying issues as to *why* both Mic and myself
resigned from staff.  Should we just let staff and board members insult us?
I mean, honestly.

How about this: I think it's bullshit that Marcus Watts is still in the
wheel group with root privileges when he hasn't been active on grex in
several years.  I think it's bullshit that no one spoke to Steve about the
way he acted towards both Mic and I in the last go round.  I think that it's
bullshit that major technical problems go unsolved on grex and people are
worried about ``huffs'' (which isn't how I see it at all, for the record)
and not about fixing the underlying problems because, God Forbid someone
should inadvertantly insult Marcus or Steve or anyone else in the process.
I think that it's bullshit that there is no accountability with staff
because we all want to sit around playing Happy Family and singing Kum Buy
Yah instead of facing some hard realities.

All Animals are Equal, but Some are More Equal than Others.

Regarding #213; The thing is, the staff *wants* to run itself as a
democracy.  Or, a benevolent dictatorship.  It's fine if Steve and Marcus
make any changes they want, but God Forbid someone should do something else
without consulting one of them first.
spooked
response 215 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 19:10 UTC 2006

Dan is spot on again.  I have never spoken to him one-on-one, yet it is 
quite clear to me he speaks the truth, fair-and-balanced by his reaccounts 
(through the public record) of how staff operates versuses how it guises 
to operate.
spooked
response 216 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 19:49 UTC 2006

I put this proposition forward.  Staff decides whether it wants cross and 
myself onboard by this Friday (it has already had weeks to decide).  If by 
this time, I have heard nothing, I will remove my offer of services and 
utilise them elsewhere - you will not see or hear of me again on Grex, 
ever.


cyklone
response 217 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 20:49 UTC 2006

Re #210: Are you willing to apply that standard to current staff as well? As
I recall, STeve was pretty "huffy" as well.
keesan
response 218 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 20:52 UTC 2006

How can 'staff' decide when it is a conglomeration of different people?  I
don't think there is going to be a board meeting again until next year. 
Please don't make statements like this, most of us want you here and you are
probably asking for something not possible.  Can the board appoint a new or
returning staff member before the next meeting?
jadecat
response 219 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 20:57 UTC 2006

resp:214 I may not have a complete understanding of the event, but I did
read the items in coop. I also think that you would be a good addition
to staff. Additionally, I remember when you were a part of staff and a
few not-so-terrible things were said, then misinterpreted into the worst
light possible, you blew up at the writer and quit in a huff. 

No, I don't think you should be insulted by staff and board. I think
perhaps you should grow a thicker skin as to what's insulting. My
intention, with my last post, was to say that you were very helpful and
useful when you were on staff. Then you let a situation get WAY out of
control and got mad and quit.

Let me also say that I don't worship at the shrine to Marcus and STeve.
Okay? I'm not going to sit here and claim that they are the only ones
who know what's in Grex's best technical interests. I think your, and
Mic's, input would be very valueable. I just want to see you stick
around long enough to implement your ideas! :)

resp:216 Ultimatums, even disguised as porpositions, rarely make the
giver look good, or make anyone want to give in to that person. Or maybe
that's just me, they tend to put my back up. It sounds petulant. "I
didn't get an apology so DO THIS or I'm taking my toys and going home."
I don't think that's what you intended, and I doubt that everyone else
will read your statement the way that I have. You know, too, that Grex
rarely, if even makes decisions on anything in less than a week's time.
jadecat
response 220 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 21:12 UTC 2006

resp:217 (which slipped in) Yeah, STeve got huffy- but he didn't quit
staff over it. Which to me is the difference. Sure, get upset, defend
your position, but don't allow yourself to be easily insulted, don't
have a hyper-reactive 'then I quit!' reflex, and don't take all of it so
personally. 

I don't think current staff is perfect, most everything seems to take
too long, and I agree that STeve and Marcus seem to be the main factors
in all decisions. I'm not sure that's appropriate, especially given that
Marcus is too busy for Grex, and has been for years.

However, I'm also speaking as someone who enjoys Grex but doesn't have
any technical knowledge to speak of. I don't know UNIX/any of the BSDs,
I don't know how to implement programs (like Sindi's spam blocker), and
I pretty much just enjoy Grex for the social/community aspect. 
spooked
response 221 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 21:18 UTC 2006

It has been more than a week, in fact several weeks (including Dan's 
requests).  Moreover, I was given assurances when I resigned that if I 
wanted back in it would be done so promptly.  

I am making definitive statements with regards to being wished-washed 
around, not just with Grex staff - but also my professional work, and my 
personal life.  I'm at a stage of life where I don't need to prove myself 
to anyone nor be trapped-in by political bullshit.  I am offering my time 
and services - Grex is NOT doing me a service, coincidentally something 
lost on some of the Grex current staff.  My statements in regard to how 
Grex staff operates are not selfish, they are purely for the good of Grex 
--- if people cannot see that, that's not my problem (it is theirs' and 
Grex's).


slynne
response 222 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 22:01 UTC 2006

FWIW, I can understand why Grex has the system it currently has for 
deciding who gets to be on staff. The staff basically makes 
recommendations to the board. I think this is a system that certainly 
worked very well in the past but has some limitations now. 

However, I cant think of a system that would work better. The staff are 
the ones who know what kind of technical ability prospective staff 
members have. They also (hopefully) have some idea of who they might 
want to work with. Now, I dont really know what any staff members think 
about re-adding cross/spooked back to staff. But I know that my own 
first gut reaction when someone gives me an ultimatums is pretty much 
exactly like what jade describes in resp:219 . They really make me not 
want to have anything to do with the person anymore and that is 
ESPECIALLY so if I think the ultimatum isnt true (i.e. that the person 
giving the ultimatum doesnt really mean it). 

rcurl
response 223 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 22:07 UTC 2006

I vote to return cross and spooked to staff. Yes, I know I have no vote on 
this, but I want to express my belief that this would be good for Grex. I 
presume that they WOULD communiate with staff about any changes they plan 
to make to implement spam blocking, or whatever.

There is no provision in the bylaws for electronic meetings or voting by 
the board. This might be desirable to permit. The board can, however, call 
a special meeting with the priviso

"The time, place, and agenda of each BOD meeting shall be publicized one 
week in advance of the meeting, or as soon thereafter as feasible."

(The antecedent to "thereafter" is not clear, but it would be Grexian to 
be "the meeting".)

So, Please Board, do this. Now.

And also, Please Mic, hold off on your ultimatum.
tod
response 224 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 22:13 UTC 2006

This item reads like a cross between a Scientology audit and a Freemason
tracing board.
"I'm sorry, Dave.  I can't do that."
spooked
response 225 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 22:46 UTC 2006

As I feel board does not want me on staff, and I have heard nothing from 
staff (just as I expected because they are strictly politically-anal), I 
feel I will be leaving Grex very shortly.

keesan
response 226 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 22:57 UTC 2006

What gives you the impression the board members don't want you on staff?
tod
response 227 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:04 UTC 2006

*sound of crickets*
slynne
response 228 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:19 UTC 2006

resp:223 - well, you can always request a member vote to force Grex to 
put cross and spooked on the staff if you want to. 

resp:225 - As a board member, I dont really have an opinion about if 
spooked or cross should be on staff. If the current staff were to 
recommend either one of them, I would have no reservations about giving 
my approval to the deal. 

On the other hand, I can kind of see why the current staff might have a 
problem with them. While I think that both of them probably can do good 
things for Grex to the point where I have brought it up at a board 
meeting, I can honestly see why the current staff might not want to 
work with them. If I were on staff, I would have no trouble working 
with them but I am not on staff. 

As a board member, I am not inclined to force the current staff to 
accept people they dont want to accept. There are a lot of reasons why 
I dont think it is a good idea to step on the current staff's toes but 
frankly, one of the major reasons is that I think that it is prudent to 
stick with the staff members who DONT quit because they are the ones 
who...well...DONT quit. 

I would urge the current staff to consider them, of course. 
tod
response 229 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:23 UTC 2006

I would encourage the staff to keep doing what its been doing: Nothing.
spooked
response 230 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:23 UTC 2006

Grex's 2006 Board members are:

Mark Conger (aruba)            (treasurer)
S. Lynne Fremont (slynne)      (secretary)
Joe Gelinas (gelinas)
Bruce Howard (bhoward)
Lawrence Kestenbaum (polygon)  (president)
John Remmers (remmers)
Jan Wolter (janc)


o Have not heard from ---aruba--- on this matter.
o ---slynne--- obviously thinks I am foxing and have selfish motives.
o Have not heard from ---gelinas--- on this matter (though he IS a staff 
member also).
o Have not heard from ---bhoward--- on this matter (though he IS a staff 
member also).
o Not sure if polygon's weighted in on this matter.
o ---remmers--- has privately stated he regrets supporting my 
re-instatement offer to staff (and he IS a staff member).
o Have not heard from ---janc--- on this matter (though he IS a staff 
member also).

Considering OVER half of the current board are also staff members, it is 
clear to me that both parties are taking pleasure is seeing me go.


spooked
response 231 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:25 UTC 2006

Haha Tod, they need no encouragment for that :)


tod
response 232 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:26 UTC 2006

You're giving yourself too much credit.  I think they just aren't even around
as much as you are.  Its too bad really cuz staff could use people who
actually want to do some patching but I understand that nobody wants to feel
the wrath of STeve or marcus when its possible they might have to face them
at a Grexwalk for the ultimate haki sack showdown or something.
cyklone
response 233 of 480: Mark Unseen   Dec 12 23:28 UTC 2006

lol
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