A female Caedes-member and friend (member since the begin of 2006) told me yesterday by PM that she was seriously thinking about leaving the site. She explained to me very well why she has this intention. I was frightened because it would be another very good photographer and 'old friend' who disappears from Caedes. Recently many of these 'old friends' preceded her. Therefore I started this thread.

It has become very clear now that 'captain' *Caedes (Geri) is not the one who is 'pulling the strings' on this site actually. How can he? He is sparkling by his absence at the moments when his leadership really is needed.

The person or persons (whether I have to use the singular or the plural form, is not yet clear to me) who has/have gained the real power on this site now, show(s) that he/she/they can't bear any form of criticism. Firm but fair criticism seems to be not pleasing to him/her/them, so this kind of criticism is ignored. Meanwhile attempts are made to lull the other Caedes-members by meaningless and evasive answers. Indicative of the way how is thought about them. Furthermore, the Caedes-members who are 'complaining' (please notice the quotes) are treated denigrated and bantered. Only a few days young threads, such as this one and this one are banned to the Elephant Graveyard. Caedes-members are treated like cattle. They can upload pictures but for the rest they, in spite of the existance of a Discussion Board, should keep their mouths shut. They seem to be no longer capable to judge the to the (late) AC nominated images. Any form of participation is no longer tolerated. The Mod or Mod's who has/have gained the real power on this site now determine(s), blind to any kind of reality, what's good for the Caedes-members. Openness and transparency are hard to find.

I have already said (in one of the above mentioned threads) that this site begins to show authoritarian characteristics, but by the above observations, my suspicions were confirmed. The reply will undoubtedly be: "If you no longer don't like this site, you have to quit with it anyway." Forget it, one don't get rid of me that easy. I let not deprive my hobby.

My only goal however is to expose unpolite and denigrating behaviour with the intention that attention to it will be payed by the captain. I have already expressed my fear to be on a sinking ship. I see more and more now that my fear really becomes true. It seems that the captain already has abandonned the ship.Therefore it's necessary that the returns on his ship soon to give proper orders. If not, more (former) Caedes members will join 'Flickr' or to Caedes comparable sites, using mostly a username wich differs from the one on Caedes.

Kind regards, Cornelius.

I'll respond more in depth later, but I can say that since I started here, the EG was always used fairly quickly and decisively. There became a point when that was relaxed, and I'm not quite sure why - but during my early years here, both Piner (who was the Consul then) and *caedes would move threads that had clearly become unproductive in order to prevent the continued tone of that current discussion. We've always been free to start over on the original topic, attempting to keep tempers and tones in better check, or with a fresh perspective that was worth discussion.

Cat, I agee with you. The Elephant Graveyard is for such reasons a very proper instrument, but not the proper tool to move only 3 days young, and apparently by one or more Mod's unwanted, threads.

"It has become very clear now that 'captain' *Caedes (Geri) is not the one who is 'pulling the strings' on this site actually. How can he? He is sparkling by his absence at the moments when his leadership really is needed."

Incorrect, on some points.

Here are the things that those of us on the Caedes Administrative Team can do:

i) Approve images.
ii) Place images in Limbo, when there are some questions about copyright, for example.
iii) Reject images for violations and transgressions of the Caedes Code of Conduct.
iv) Move unproductive discussion threads to the Elephant Graveyard.
v) Shame comments in violation of the Caedes Code of Conduct.
vi) Praetors, only ... can promote images to the Main Galleries.

What 'we' can't do:

i) Promote members to the ranks of the Administrative team.
ii) Change any of the site code.

I.e. Disable the Voting Booth, disable the Art Council. And conversely, re-enable those functions.

iii) Place News Announcements on the site's front page.


Any and all actions, in the final analysis, are decided by.. *caedes.


And I resent your insinuations, Cornelius.

And I haven't quite forgiven you for your actions in the past when you thought it was a 'constructive' move to band together a group of members and withhold posting images till 'yous' got an answer to whatever it was at that time.


You want an answer from *caedes, since he is the only one that can really address these concerns that have been brought up in the last while?

PM him.

Constantly posting discussion threads in an effort to raise awareness.. is not productive to my mind. In fact, quite the opposite ... and as has been borne out by recent discussions ... it is inflammatory, upsetting to some members ... and quite frankly, and in my personal opinion ... I am tired of reading the same things over and over and over again.

Based on conjecture, and assumptions that have no roots in reality.

Have a good day, sir.

And for the last time..

*caedes need not be signed in, nor have logged onto the site to know what is transpiring.

He has FTP access to the server and alllllll.. logs of activity.

The purpose of the EG is to shut down threads that have become unproductive or devolved into a tit for tat argument. The age of the thread is irrelevant as is the identity if the member who started it.

Just wanted to clear that up.

----And I haven't quite forgiven you for your actions in the past when you thought it was a 'constructive' move to band together a group of members and withhold posting images till 'yous' got an answer to whatever it was at that time----

Your words "whatever it was at that time" proves that you're not telling the whole truth, Les.

To 'refresh' your selective memory, I will quote now what I really wrote:
------
"@ Les,
the reality is that many people have stopped their activities on the site (for a while). See, for instance, the by Gregg (Eggray) started thread under Discussion Board/Non-art Website Issues/So few new images today. Some people have already left the site frustrated and others have the intention to do so. You always have pretended that there are no problems, and now you write a vague open letter to people in which you assume by its title that they want to destroy the site.
Unless you have written the letter to yourself, it seems to be a rather stupid action, to me.
You have placed now constructively minded people, having the best intentions for the site, in the suspect area.
I had expected from you a different approach, because you're a serious, very involved, and experienced moderator.
You’ve told us in another thread (Discussion Board/Elephant Graveyard/Social Caedes) that the financial situation of the site is far from rosy.
Instead of trying to keep the doubters inboard, you make them, by your style of acting, only angrier. You may have possibly right, but having right is rather different than getting right. In any case, the way you’re acting, as a responsible moderator, has nothing to do with ‘customer-friendliness’. Any member who wishes to remain, should be cherished rather than being approached in such an agitated way.
If that could be achieved, then this thread can be instantly banned to the elephant graveyard as well and many people will decide not to turn away from the site, where in the past, they have experienced a lot of friendship and fun.

Believe me, I belong to that group of people.

Please, look in the mirror. You could render the site a great service with this.

Regards, Cornelius."
-----

and this:

-----
"When a MOD is criticized by Cyndi (Cynlee), there's no hesitation to place her written opinion in the 'Hall of Shame, because it would have been offensive.

Next, Jimbob (Jimbobedsel) let us know that his mother has passed away. He does this by sending in a picture of her and he uses the narrative as a way to inform us, a possibility which was always allowed on Caedes.
Jimbob's mother was not even buried or his post becomes criticised in a shameless manner. This, apparently, couldn't even wait until after the funeral. This is not only a matter of bad timing, but also demonstrates a lack of respect and discretion.
The MOD's however felt no need to take any measures now. Imagine, doing so could be explained as affecting the freedom of expression.

The next one in the row is Pat (Icedancer). In my view, Pat is the most social person involved at this site, and she contributes most to strenghten the cohesion between the Caedes-members. Her ears are washed however on an unmistakable way.

This all is experienced by me as allowing 'double standards'. This makes me feel less at home on this site, which I basicly love and of which I am a proud member, because this site has a social face too. There may now be offered apologies, but that does not mean that my sad feelings has been removed now. I can imagine very well that my above mentioned friends still feel hurt to the bone.

That's why I decided to show solidarity with them and stop my activities on this site for a while too. Depending on how this discussion will develop and based thereon is decided, I will determine whether or not my I will resume my activities.
Time will tell me.


Cornelius."
-----

You gave me the advice to send a PM to Geri. Hope you' realize that this is a contradictionary advice, because you have said as well: "He has FTP access to the server and alllllll.. logs of activity". So it will a waiste of effort and unnecessary to do so.

Thanks for reacting again like a by a hornet stung person. Thanks too for showing your continued frustration. I have already noticed the result of this behaviour. It's a pity however that you can't make the difference between a firm discussion and the by me, to this site, contributed work.

Finally I like to say this: I'm not the one who's upsetting members.
I'll repeat a previous advice to you: please look in the mirror.

Have a nice day!

Apparently you do not give respect to those that express disapproval with your own thoughts expressed. As again, you've reduced a discussion to that of a personal arena.

You dismiss what I post as 'twaddle'.

I told you what I thought, and it was honest. Perhaps, impassioned.. however, that is truly how I feel/think/believe ... when I see the same topic come up in so many days.

And no, I have not forgotten what has transpired in the past.


You imply/infer that the moderators of the site are on a power trip.. yet ... come here asking us same individuals for answers to questions that we cannot answer.

That.. makes no sense to me.

At.. all.


No more from me.. I will leave you to your discussion here.

When I first became a member here, in the spring of 2006, it was pretty clear-cut as to how the site functioned, the hierarchy, what was expected of us as members. I don't claim to speak for anyone else here so I'll just say it as I see it for myself. Feel free to agree or disagree.

---I am a member, not a mod, and not an owner.

---I am free to express a concern or make a suggestion,as long as I practice courtesy (better sugar than vinegar,y'know)

---Although the web is normally a fast technological tool, it can sometimes slow down because of other factors, usually human, so I need to practice patience.

---I remember that this is a pretty dang good service provided to me, free of charge if I wish, a measly $3 if I don't.

---I concern myself with shooting photos, adjusting them in Photoshop, submitting them to share with like-minded friends I've made here, and absorbing the constructive criticism (and, yes, even praise - c'mon, we all do at least a little) from these good folks.

---I trust that the site is being managed properly, by people who are just regular people like me, and that conspiracies are found in the movies (and that Les is just trying to make a point using humor)

---Beyond this I need to remember that my investment in this site is my craft and my friendships here. If I were asked to be more involved then, and only then, will I be. Until that time I also need to remember that it is not my responsibility or place to demand satisfaction. When I buy a $4 plastic tub at WalMart (that costs $9 elsewhere) I don't leave my cart in a parking space, I put it in the cart corral--I don't look a gift-horse in the mouth, not at WalMart and certainly not here... which is an even better deal than WalMart.

Best wishes for you all.

-Nik

---I will leave you to your discussion here---

@ Les,
Like to say first that there's only one Mod, perhaps two, where I'm talking about. About the latter one I'm still in doubts. The other (active) Mod's have my fully respect. On several occasions I've expressed my appreciation for what they have done and are doing for this site.

In the second place I like to thank you honestly for participating in this firm discussion, so enabling Caedes-members to judge about who's insinuating and who's is telling the truth. It's however a relief to me that you didn't try to ban me from this site, like you did with Cindy (cynlee) in the past. You've haven't quite forgiven me certain things. I could say that your are rancorous, but honesty requires me to say that I haven't quite forgiven you this attempt as well.

I would like to say that I see a handfull of mods on the site - regularly and all of them, above the rank Aediles, on this site during the year at some point. I bring this up because I am curious as to how much help they get from the Aediles.

I did a quick check and found that 11 of them have not been on the site this year. Seven have not been on the site during the past two years. And 5 of them have not been on the site for more than two years. One has not been on the site for 6 1/2 years.

I took this look, not to point fingers, but simply to suggest that maybe the mods are not getting all the help they should be getting.

There has been quite a bit of talk about the busy lifes everyone are experiencing and I believe that. So, maybe, either light a fire under the Aediles or replace them with people who can and do come to this site and want to see it succeed.

As I mentioned, I do not know the Aediles role at this site, but if it is to give support and help to those above, then this may be someplace for Geri to give some new looks and focus.

To address some of the questions that seem to be circulating...

No matter how long Geri is absent, there is no power struggle among the Senate. We communicate with each other and consult each other regularly (as noted in another thread, I've not been around much in the past month or so, but prior to that, etc.).

As mods, we continue to fulfill the functions of the site that Geri has assigned us to do. We do so within the authority and abilities of the job. In general, we do not need to communicate with him on a regular basis in order to carry out those duties, because they are fairly standard, and anything that we have questions on, we consult other mods, and make our best judgment. This is the responsibility that Geri has invested us with, as mods, so that we take care of the majority of the day-to-day running of the site.

Anything that happens that does not have to do with day-to-day site function, is not something we generally have an ability to do something about.

To be clear... this is what falls in the day-to-day category:

Image approvals.
Gallery moderation.
Answering questions about the above, as we can.

and in the case of the Consuls, comment moderation to encourage a positive and productive atmosphere on the site.

I hope that clarifies a number of questions that I have seen raised.

On a separate issue, while I do not know what is happening with the AC, I do think it would have been good for the members to have gotten some sort of communication on it.

In the meantime, the site is subject to change, at Geri's whim, and no one else's. Nothing that is available is guaranteed to remain available, even when it would be nice. Change comes slowly around here. I was campaigning for the ability to have both sent and replied messages available in our pms long before I became a mod. If you can persuade the man something is useful, he'll do it... eventually. Other times, it's a case of "be careful what you ask for". What he chooses to implement or disable in response to issues raised, or features he thinks are useful, can sometimes be exactly the opposite of what any of us might have wished for. We accept that for the privilege of continuing to post here.

Today I note that there is a limit to the amount of creds I can give. Frankly I think that's pretty awesome. No idea when it happened, but I hit it, okay, now I know about it.

So anything that is a site *change*, rather than day-to-day stuff? It's unlikely that the mods will have an answer, or feel comfortable sharing what they know if something is up in the air, because part of our job is also to be discreet about what things that may never come to be are under discussion. I understand that can be frustrating, but so is discovering my frigging dvr recordings are always messed up because somebody decided that they wanted to show a different episode of The Big Bang Theory than the one advertised in the channel preview.

you guys should goto the Wayback Machine,im telling you it will be an eye opener.i think it goes back to 2001.

Thanks, Cat. That's all it took. No confrontation, just plain facts.

Hi Cornelius
I joined this site in February 2007 as artist philflossman, over the five years here at Caedes many artists have come, and gone, it's simply a normal pattern, and nothings altered recently. I've accessed my Caedes Control, and had a good look at my friends list. All my non active friends have left this site at different times, and there's been no recent surge.

What's the S.O.S about? Caedes is a great wallpaper website, and I have really grown as photographer over the years, I can only thank *Caedes for all the time he spends here running his ship. (o:

What is the Wayback Machine?

its an internet archive site

Actually I suspect that many of the mods do not understand why the things I clarified are still an issue, as all of this information has been given before, as straight answers, to several of the people who have been involved in this latest round of questions. Primarily all I did was repeat this for the benefit of a few people who seem to have either forgotten, or are new enough here not to have seen previous answers.

Towards that end, if my answers above were considered clear and sufficient, I would ask that those interested copy and save them somewhere for reference, as threads turn old and get buried and are harder to access.

You clarified some things, CAT, but not why Geri doesn't respond, but then you say you don't have that answer and I believe that. It is just hard to understand why he doesn't respond when we talk to him directly, but as has been said, he is free to do as he wishes.

And don't anyone go jumping all over the place because I said that. I have no intention of offending anyone and deserve to be treated with dignity.

That is a neat site that you mentioned Mike. I left a link for others HERE

the top guys below caedes are there for a reason they do why he wants thats why he picked them.they dont have an agenda.the fact he doesnt have to sit on the site 24/7 seems to me like he made good choices in minions.

That is indeed a cool site...never knew of it before...when you mentioned Wayback Machine I thought it was your way of saying people should check back into the old posts from years ago here at caedes to see what things were like...so thanks for that.

Thanks, Cat. In one of my above comments I've said: "The other (active) Mod's have my fully respect. On several occasions I've expressed my appreciation for what they have done and are doing for this site." You're one of them!
You've provided us with relevant information. Some parts of the information should we have known for an already long time. Think however that the Caedes main page is the best place to announce changes to the site (e.g. AC, the amount of credits that can be given, and so on). These anouncements should contain a link to further and more detailed information about these changes on other pages of the site.
It will be very helpful for newcomers as well to find their way on Caedes.
Thanks again for your clarifications. Highly appreciated.

Okay, I agree with that, but we've also explained a number of times that *caedes is the only one who can approve and post front page items. On top of which, he's the one making the changes, and he often does post it as front page news, exactly as you've described. So when threads are posted about changes, and the mods have already answered to the best of their ability, it's generally assumed that these threads are directed towards Geri, in hopes that he'll see them. Which is why we don't get the questions and sometimes hostility of "why haven't any of the mods said anything on this thread?"

Of course, sometimes it's just because nobody has been on or had the time to answer yet*, but sometimes it's because we've already answered to the best of our ability and are assuming that the question(s) aren't directed at us. If the question where "Hey, has there been any update on this [known thing], any news? I suspect more of us would be more likely to pop in and say "nope, haven't heard anything here".

*As discussed in another thread, there's been a recent overlap of mods with busy lives. I'll work to coordinate better on that, I think I was the primary ball dropped there on it.

To me, Lyn (LynEve) has put forward a constructive idea in another thread. Because the subject matter partly matches with this tread I'll provide here THE LINK to this thread.