While I don't care if there is an sb anymore or not, I would like to add my two cents here.

I use to LOVE logging on to LDW, and play LDW games because of the sb. It was a good place to meet new people. I looked forward to new game releases, and I have gifted 3 relatives with a total of 12 games as well. I have made a few close friends through the sb, friends I hope to have for a lifetime.

Having said that...

Now LDW is not a happy place for me. When I try to post in the SB, I more often than not, find MY shouts are deleted. I get reprimanded for things others are allowed to do/say, and often the same happens to my friends. Everytime I have questioned it, I get a run around about how I violated the rules, yet the moderator/admin explaining the violation can never REALLY answer my question. I do not believe they understand the rules any better than I do. (perhaps not even as well, since what is conceived as a violation for me, is overlooked when others post the same, or worse)

Not only is the 'red glove' inconsistant, it is prejudicial. I know this will be disputed, but any long time SB user has to admit that it is obvious.

The result of the treatment I have been given, and I am talking about being called a liar by a moderator when stating fact about my VF game, having a mod tell me and 2 others via pm that we should NOT USE the sb or it will be removed (altho she later said that she didn't say that... I wish I had kept that pm) My shouts get deleted and it is an 'oversight' that even more useless shouts are allowed. We cannot tell others that we have sent them a pm so their attention is brought to the fact (against the rules)yet a game in the forum can be announced to the point of dominating the SB. I was told announcing a pm is against the rules because it doesn't effect everyone. Niether does a game. I was also told that the person the pm is for can check for new messages. The same can be said for a forum game. Check the forum. Fair is not a word that can be in any way associated with the SB.

I think it is imperitive that instead of the continual promise of improvement being handed out whenever there is a dispute over rules and fairness, that a real change be made.

I do not speak for anyone but myself when I say, I will not be spending my money on any more LDW games until something changes to correct the way some of us are treated. Being called a liar in the SB by a moderator (who by the way, is quick to reprimand in the sb, but will only discuss in private) has resulted in the retirement of my games. What fun is it to play if you get called a liar when you discuss them?

My first suggestion is that if there is reason to delete a post, or reprimand a user , pm the user and explain. Public humiliation is not going to do anything but hurt people who have actually spent money to buy the games this forum is based on. YES... WE are the customers and the people who pay the salarys of the LDW employees! I HATE it when I see these kids cower and apologize for some silly thing they got 'red gloved' for, when often it is something others have done and it was ok.

Respectfully Hoping for Change,
Spinny