Bumble the forming of a lynch mob and making people take sides is the least effective way to make improvements. Harley sets rules for her DB and lets the chips fall where they may and people might get pissed for a bit (including me) but the bottom line is it works. Maybe tight rules firmly enforced would be the corrective that's needed.

But trice, they are not my words - they are your own words...

Can dish it out, but can not take it. As soon as a lawsuit his way is mentioned, he runs. Typical Trice.

Harley,

Thanks for the voice. Walter & I did have some disagreements at first. I think most of them were just misunderstandings. We exchanged some good PMs and I thought we were cool with each other, but then he got into it with Ed over the whole patent thing. As a poster, I didn't see it as a problem, but since he is a mod, he should have exercised better judgement. He went way over the line and even admits it himself in posts below. I think he should resign or be removed.

Thad we all make mistakes. Its easy to get fired up about a subject once you start debating it, and you have to respect Walter for admitting the mistake and trying to make amends.
If the problem between you is just the patent thing, I'm sure you can easily work through that and have a better understanding afterwards.

it is perfectly acceptable to express your opinion over the validity of a patent, even when in a conflict of interest. But you STILL think he should resign. Would that make the board any better? What about when (possibly fake) pawns call Caissus a goose stepping moron. Personal racist attack and not related to Goth at all. They don't even get a warning. Sounds like a double standard bordering on a vendetta to me.

You are right, harley, but the overall problem here is more than just that. With the two of us as mods and the way this board goes with all the flareups, it is impossible to manage. The best solution in my opinion is for him to be removed. I am not saying this just because I think he was out of line with his patent posts, but for other reason too, the main one of which is that the voices of many other people are speaking and the overwhelming majority of them want him removed. Doing so would bring peace back to this board.

redsales, you are right in thinking that there is a double standard going on of sorts. I am not moderating much of the language that is going on right now because I am too busy dealing with trying to get the situation with Walter resolved.

As soon as that is resolved, I will try to clean up some of the insulting posts that have eluded me recently. I can do a good job of moderating this board, if given the chance, but I cannot overcome all of the negativity/bickering/debate over Walter's position.

And you think it is good for prospective investers to read in reguards to ED??

This post was directed to Brumble's remark about being the best for Brainking.

I respectfully disagree on that point, Thad. The loudest voices may want him removed, but many of the quiet readers would like for you to work together.
This may not work for you, but it could be worth a try... myself and NOT a floosie have an agreement that if one of us makes a decision like banning or hiding someone, the other person doesn't interfere. Co-moderators need to stand together, support and respect each other even if you don't necessarily agree with their every decision. Even if you only said "ok, I don't personally agree with that banning/hiding, but that was their decision and I stand by them". It would be much better than one of you banning someone, only for the other to come online and unban them. If you disagree so strongly, PM him. Calmly explain why you think its the wrong decision, then let him decide from there.

Could I suggest you remove the racist post by Thomas Barnes (3hrs ago) or edit it please

anyone up for an easy win at gothic chess? send me an invite :o)

That player was banned yesterday by Fencer due the suspicious circumstances of thier wins. So its old news LOL

Hello everyone, I just logged on. I was away for about 6 hours and woke up to a nice surprise. 53 messages, most of which are useless personal attacks from one member to another. I will draft a proposed set of rules for posting and post them. One this is clear and that is that personal attackes from one member to another have to stop. Name calling (goose stepping ...), insults of all sorts, attacks on Walter, Ed and other members. We need a clear set of rules for hiding and banning members. I will work on this over the next few hours. On the one hand, I don't think it is good to remove free speech and become a discussion board Fascist moderator. At the same time, members have to show some respect for one another. I have to find a way to balance free speech, respect for others, and the interest in Gothic chess only. I will try my best to be impartial in all this. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them to me privately. Considering the way things are, I could do with some help.

I forgot to mention one thing. The board did have rules posted in the past. I will look at those and if they are suitable, I will remind everyone of them. I don't mean to step in and take authority away from Thad and Walter. Any decisions will be made with their consent. Ideally we could arrive at a general concensus and balance the needs of the moderators and the contributors to this board, regardless of whether they are Brainrooks, Brainpawns, etc.

It's very simple, if it doesn't have anything to do with a game that is being played and the moves/strategy of the game then delete it. You don't have to please anyone or worry about not pleasing anyone. This board should be about Gothic Chess here at this site. Let Ed deal with any further discussions on his patents or others deal with Ed at his site. Have conversations start off with "in game # "the strategic positioning or whatever, you catch my drift. You da man, keep it simple. The game could be mentioned in their Subject line. With people, you are dealing with a much more complex board than just 10X8 and the pieces. So, the simpler the rules are the better.

EdTrice: This is not a place for repeating your worthless promises over and over. I am interested in a partnership with reliable and honest people, not you. And as I said before, I don't wish any more off-topic babble about hypothetical lawsuits, sponsors, investors and other funny stuff from your side. Take it, or leave the site.
And just to make it clear for other, I support opinions of Caissus, BIG BAD WOLF and similar ones.

It takes awhile to read 58 posts, but then it's only a few minutes. ThomasBarnes posted things he shouldn't have and is now banned. He had plenty of time to edit them and didn't. Thad is no longer a moderator. I made a mistake in choosing him over bwildman, and I can't undo it now. bwildman is no longer interested in being a moderator. Cerebro was mentioned to me by an opponent of mine in Gothic Chess. It turns out that I had played him a few months back and he seemed level headed, balanced, and liked to play Gothic Chess. I wrote him and asked if he'd like to try being a moderator on this discussion board. He said he'd give it a try. I'm impressed with him so far. He's done nothing and taken no actions as yet. Imagine that, all that power at his finger tips and he's touched no buttons! I think that's a good start and perhaps we'll have the moderator that some have been clammoring for. Just because someone disagrees with me doesn't mean they won't be a good moderator or that we can't work together. He's still studying the old posts and reading the current ones, I assume. After he does his research of the old files we'll work out some ground rules.

I might yet switch the MODE to "Approve all posts" as has been suggested in some recent posts. I think a really helpful option for Fencer to add to the moderator's toolbox would be one that allows certain users to be placed on approved messages only. It could be placed next to the Banned and Hidden users windows are. The way it's set up now, it's all or none. The overwhelming majority of posters cause no problems with their posts and add to the dialogue in the discussion boards. Those few that cause trouble really make it bad for everyone else. It forces the moderators to either put up with everything or completely restrict everything. Yes, banning the trouble makers will work, but not when some of the banned people have a vocal group of supporters that flame the board the moment that action is taken.

I'm going to post a lot less often or very rarely to this board for now on. That should allay the concerns of those that I worried when I carried on the other day. Someone, harley it is, mentioned making mistakes. I certainly have made some of late. This way of communicating is lots different than talking to someone face to face or on the telephone. I'm learning quick. Apparently this board has created a stir in other places, just from the sudden appearance of people that haven't posted here at all or in a long time.

This board is for Gothic Chess and related subjects. Patents in and of themselves are not what this board is about. Gothic Chess being unique in the respect that it is patented and the game itself has a history of how it came into being has caused the two subjects to come together in a clash of wills on the subject. Ed has a proprietary stake involved and feels he must guard it. Seeing how some companies have lost their trademark or patent from not doing so, it's hard to fault him for it. (Like the name, Aspirin, for example). Some of my posts about it have certainly shaken that up, especially when others have given their opinion on it that furthers the discussion against his ownership of it. Why he threatens lawsuits when all that we're doing is talking is beyond me, but that more or less is what all the recent commotion on this board has been about. Aside from this last post concerning my interpretation of recent events, I will no longer post about patents. I hope this helps with the flaming. And since I will rarely post at all from now on, I know it'll help. I will continue to moderate this board for the time being. I have mentioned to Fencer that I might step down from the job. I have more or less enjoyed the job, though it certainly has some drawbacks. In a week or two we'll see how it goes and I'll let you all know. I asked one other person yesterday if he'd like to try his hand at it. After I got home from work today, I had received two replies from him. The first said yes, he'd give it a go. The second one said he'd reconsidered and was turning it down. Perhaps the 53 messages between the two letters got him thinking? So it'll be Cerebro and I for the time being.

Thank you for your support and understanding,
Walter

Walter, WHY did you remove me as moderator?

In the subject I am using a statement of Walter and I think, this board should be only for Gothic Chess questions, but not others you discussed here. Please notice, that I am not interested in your damned fight in the last 100-200 postings!
But I am interested in performing Gothic Chess and building up an german speaking homepage about Gothic Chess. Since September, when I tried Gothic at first, it became more and more fascinating for me so that braining is getting my gothic chess playing board, not even chess (chess was the reason why i at first joined brainking).
So, I want to build up a german speaking homepage about gothic chess in the next future (at first i have to finish some other projects). If you want tto help me or to partipcate themes at this planned site please contact me at markus.nemetz@1000schoen.at
Another question: How many Gothic Ches Clubs are in Europe? Suppose not much, in Austria I suppose none. If any interested Austrian read this please contact me - it would be funny to build a club up.
Ant at last: I am thinking about ordering some boards and figures from gothicchess.org - so please if you are interested too please contact me - we can save money (Ed Trice offered a special prize) and shipping costs!

And at last: Thank you very much, Ed, for this game!!! And you, Fencer, for brainking at all!!!

Altough Schachmdmt you have me on your enemies list (for a very silly reason i can say), you spoke well. I joined this site for playing Chess and Backgammon but in the meanwhile i discovered Gothic Chess. And now i'm addicted to it.

Since i'm playing Chess many years like all of you, i guess, my analysis for the game has been huge and the surprises i have from the Chess game are getting smaller and smaller. And since G.C is something totally new, the areas we have to discover are endless, so this game is more fascinating than Chess right now.

I would like to thank Ed and Fencer for the same reasons, too. And while i don't know how many players would care for having Gothic Chess here,i do care and in fact it's a reason i'm being here.....So i would like Gothic Chess to continue be an available game here at Brainking.

Dear Chessmaster1000, i removed you from my enemies, and I sent you a message. The reasons were clear and we will discuss them in a private way, not here.
But with the other points in your postings I agree with you.

This is a great idea;but the price is a little rediculous. Since I play Gothic Chess almost exclusiveally;it would be a great help.

Bird Chess is an extremely inferior to Gothic Chess;so why would anyone possibly think the 2 are the same. Bird invented Bird Chess;Mr. Trice invented Gothic Chess. Gothic Chess is by far the better and easier to play by both White And Black.

can you tell me if i could made in this game http://brainking.com/game/ArchivedGame?g=496689 more than perpetual check at the end? i did not found anything.

I agree on better but easier??? What difficulties do you find playing Bird Chess?

Ed sent me an email this morning around 10 O'Clock. He tried his password to
BrainKing 3 times and it is not working anymore. I just wanted to let you all know!

awwwwwwww Im gutted LOL

that happened to me yesterday too!
tell him to request his password

It happened to me before 4-5 days, but after 20 minutes i have entered without problems. I just hope this is the case for Ed, altough i'm afraid that............

it happened to me too just today..! try a pw request

HOME fellowship needs TWO more players to join in the team tournament.

suppose it's too late now for joining the team tournament - it has just started!

Oops! Ha ha when I checked yesterday it hadn't started! :o)

ask fencer. maybe he can add a team into the running tournament, i do not know.

I doubt it. Thats ok anyway, I advertised enough at HOME for players, people just aren't interested enough. I was only going to play myself to make up numbers, its not a tournamet I'd normally join.

i wish we could've played cylinder team..that one seems so fun. Like goth, it totally belittles knights.

maybe fencer should reduce the amount of players in each team for warped space. in my opinion 5 are too much, 4 are ok.
in the fact it was hard to get the 6 players for the team for the gothic team tournament. i wrote many messages ... in my opinion 4 players each team are enough.

is ed trice now able to login? i am a little bit wondering whe he does not move in the tournament "Remembering Jestone" ...

redsales, HOME is still looking for one player so we can join the team tourney.

Ed should be able to log in...
if he times out,it'll be his own fault,and no one elses.

i'm in the only team signed up already, harley, sorry!

the team tourny has started...4 teams made it so.

I got the following information (which i can not verify): "Chess Federation has a newsletter you can get in your email. I think ChessCarpenter writes it. Anyway they mentioned the article on Chessville.com in this one but at the end was a message from Ed. He still can't sign on to BrainKing. This could be bad for all of us."

That's why I am asking.

Fencer has never lied to me in the 2 years I've been a member here.
I asked him if Ed Trice was banned....he said no.
Ed is obviously not trying to get in.

Okay and now some information from me, just to prevent wrong speculations:

1) The account EdTrice is fully functional and no restrictions have been applied to it.
2) The BrainKing password system is still the same and was never changed. It works the same for everyone.

End of discussion.

And my point of view is that Mr. Trice should spend less time on lawsuits and more time on trying to type correct passwords. This last attempt of getting some attention is really poor.

LMAO

thanks for the infos. as i said i could not verify the infos i get so i asked here. so all is ok and we can play and need not to discuss about that. thanks fencer!

I got a message too...

bwild, I meant cylinder chess, thats what redsales was discussing! Wrong board, I know...!!