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  • Subject: Bungie loves us, let's call it a speed bump.
Subject: Bungie loves us, let's call it a speed bump.

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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For better or worse, this thread is here for your reading pleasure. If you read through the thread, you will see excellent examples of how a forum is to be used in situations such as this. The posters in this thread were very thoughtful, and careful with their comments. The moderators, and employee, were very diplomatic, and reasonable. The problem addressed within this thread seems to have been handled. It is not apparent whether the problem was already being handled or this thread served as a catalyst. With a bit of logic coupled with humility, I must assume that my timing is simply stellar. It must also be noted that Achronos was more understanding, and caring than he may seem as reflected in this thread.



This topic had a significant impact on a not small number of people from the B.net community. Namely those of us who participated in IRIS. I couldn't think of a more appropriate place to open this topic. Problems resulting from mishandling of the IRIS packages resulted in the loss of at least a few members that I am aware of, and has upset many others. Even those whom did not "get in" agree that it is/was a problem.

Basically, I'm another crybaby that unlocked a server (4) and never got a package. I'm pretty upset about this. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that I "deserve" swag for my participation. I do feel that since I was promised such, that it should be delivered. At this point I've all but written it off, but it still peeves me. I don't even care if I get the cool t-shirt, a book, those neat limited edition avatars, or whatever else you guys (or whomever) stuffed in those packages. I want that stuff, but really, more than that, I'd just like some sort of recognition (considering the fact that it was promised). Even a letter saying: "That was cool of you to participate, we appreciate it!" would be nice. It's extremely annoying that people who unlocked server 1 and 2 got their packages, and then: Game Over. Nobody else wins. Iris was fun, and I'd have done it even if I didn't think that I would ever get anything for it (despite its flaws), but when I am told that "you will be rewarded for your participation", and then others who did the same recieved their "rewards", then naturally I expect to recieve something.

Seriously, this is pretty disenheartening. I've already bought the game, and purchased Bungie Pro, and a few other neat Halo 3 goodies. I don't suppose you have to worry about losing me as a customer (at least where this game is concerned), but I'll be very wary of participating in future events, for fear that they will be butchered in the presentation/closing. I have been lead to believe that Bungie only handled the first two server's packages, and a third party was left to the rest. Even so, the mistake reflects upon Bungie. Whats more, I have yet to hear any kind of official apology, or update as to what happened/will happen.

I am a loyal Halo fan, and I suppose I will remain so, but as a Bungie fan, I am at a loss. I would have been one of the first to embellish your name with fine complements and praise, and when it comes to game developement, this will still be true. Only, now, I cannot say that Bungie follows through with their promises. Again, I am aware that this is supposedly not your mistake, but it is your responsibility to address the problem, and I have yet to see anything along those lines. It's just frustrating is all. I thought for sure I'd hear something about all of this by now.

I'm sure that I will get burned a bit, and probably quickly locked. I hope I won't be burned by your own ninjas, but I kind of expect it considering the fact that the B.net community seems to be looked down upon by its very creators (not that I don't understand why) in many of the threads that I have read. This is not intended to stir anything up, and I don't expect the thread to live long enough for anything to get stirred up anyway. I'd just like some sort of real response on this issue. Even if it's just a news story explaining that we're screwed, someone botched the whole thing, and we'll never get anything. Just gimme some sort of information, or excuse, or reason, or something, please.

[Edited on 10.25.2007 5:09 PM PDT]

  • 10.18.2007 2:08 PM PDT
Subject: Iris Packages
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Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Preliminary note: As most Iris participants already know, I received my package for Server 1 and voluntarily refrained from participating in the opening of all subsequent servers.

Now to respond: agreed.

Although Bungie is, by its nature, secretive, it seems that Bungie and Microsoft are using their clever non-acknowledgement of the Iris marketing program (part of the immersion factor) to pretend as though they do not owe an obligation to the fans who helped build the hype for Halo 3. At the same time that they tout the participation statistics and super-low budget of their viral marketing program (thanks in large part to the tireless, unpaid, volunteer efforts of dozens of Community members), they have alienated entire swaths of the Bungie community without so much as a thank-you.

What's probably worse is the promise of receiving a reward that was never fulfilled. This leaves the distinct painful feeling of being "used" for Bungie/Microsoft's own purposes and then discarded once no longer needed. After so many people put in so many long nights and hard work on this alternate-reality game, I can completely understand the feeling of alienation that must accompany utter silence in response.

We know that the ARG was not completely run and administered by Bungie. But Halo 3 is Bungie's game, and Bungie reaped the benefits of the ARG's success just as much as Microsoft did. The complete lack of "sacking up" (as Frankie puts it) and lack of taking responsibility for fan alienation is a bit sad for a video game company that put itself on the map by fostering intense community involvement.

Of all of Iris's disappointments, this one continues to be the one that bothers people the most. My PM box regularly reflects this basic fact, as does the nearly-1000 post thread in CompoundIntelligence entirely revolving around this subject.

I, and the other thousands of loyal fans who will love Bungie no matter what, sincerely hope that our feeling of "being used" is mistaken and misplaced. Bungie's silence regarding Iris, which was understandable for ARG-ey type purposes during Iris, but which continued even after it ended, is already a bit upsetting to those of us who put in countless hours answering fans' questions, helping solve puzzles, and keeping things organized so that Bungie and Microsoft could more effectively build hype and ship more units of Halo 3. But to fail to send the "rewards" -- or even mention them! -- that were promised to a mere 300 loyal Iris-players and Bungie fans truly adds insult to injury.

Like Geppetto, I don't necessarily think that the only cure is actually sending the packages. We are now to the point where that doesn't matter as much anymore. Besides, a cheap T-Shirt, a poster, and a gamerpic is not something that I think a lot of people are losing sleep over. The real problem is the broken promise and arrogant silence that we have received in response to our questions.

Please take some responsibility and tell us what happened and why.

[Edited on 10.18.2007 2:47 PM PDT]

  • 10.18.2007 2:35 PM PDT
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You guys would be surprised. I almost made this exact same topic today. But just decided not to. I did not open servers 3-5. However, I've still been curious upon the fact of what the packeges would be as well as why they have not came to people houses. I just don't think it's fair that these people have not recieved anything for 2 reasons:

1. These people were promised a prize when being one of the first 100 people to sign up. That doesn't make bungie look good when this does not happen.

2. When people from servers 1 and 2 recieved prizes, it increased peoples hope when going for the other servers. I think it's a bit unfair to just give prizes out for two servers and the leave the other 3 hanging.

  • 10.18.2007 2:43 PM PDT

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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Nice to see you Odmichael. Thanks for the response. I suppose I should point out that this thread (as long as it lives) will be mostly visited by Compound Intelligence members. Pretty much everyone from the group was along for almost the entire ride, and all of us were (including the ones that didn't "get in") very disappointed, and continue to be without any resolution to the issue.

Foman, I too have gotten many PMs on this topic. Enough that I had to develop a nice diplomatic, generic response. It's tough when you work to enthuse your members, and encourage their participation by inflating the excitement, and often defending Bungie (for IRIS's bungles), only to be left aside in return. Again, my time spent was of my own accord, and I don't feel that that alone entitles me to anything. The disappointment is in the fact that this has been ignored. We should at very least be told if something will ever happen.

  • 10.18.2007 2:58 PM PDT

--] GT: thebruce ( @thebruce0 )
--] http://Halo.Wikibruce.com
--] http://4DFiction.com

I likewise was one of the players to help unlock server 5. There's not much I can add to the sentiments already expressed in the previous posts, with which I wholeheartedly agree, on every major point.

And let it be known that numerous efforts have been made by many in the community to seek answers, but as mentioned above, the nature of Iris gives the makers an excuse or a reason not to be required to respond. I sincerely wish this isn't the case, and the fact that we haven't been able to find or contact anyone 'in the know' is entirely legitimate, but it is hard to believe.

While I'm not positive this thread will fall on anything but deaf ears, I felt I should at least also pass on my sentiments on the matter. Perhaps I'm not looked at in very much of a good light by various people behind the curtains due to the raising of a number of negative points about Iris in the review I wrote for ARGN.com
http://www.argn.com/archive/000640cause_sooner_or_later_its_o ver.php

However, that is no excuse for continued ignorance regarding the request simply for *closure* on this issue, which has been so vehemently ignored. And if not ignored, then the competence and reputation for hearing and listening to the community I think is definitely in question, as this issue has existed, loudly, in the Iris community, since before Iris' completion.

I'm not even certain that I, as a Canadian resident, would be "elligible" for a reward. But as the game was open to -all- people, and all 500 were told they'd be rewarded, I feel that all 500 are due some form of recognition, or closure at the very least.

  • 10.18.2007 3:17 PM PDT

Tom Achronos
Bungie.net Overlord
twitter: http://twitter.com/Achronos

"I have no words that would do justice to the atrocities you commit to the English language, as well as your continued assaults on the concepts of basic literacy and logical reasoning."

Bungie did not run the IRIS ARG. It isn't a matter of ignoring you, it is a matter of us not being able to help you. Microsoft's marketing guys ran that. I wish we could help you more, but we simply do not have any information on any promised prizes and such. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is.
Posted by: WFGeppetto
Nice to see you Odmichael. Thanks for the response. I suppose I should point out that this thread (as long as it lives) will be mostly visited by Compound Intelligence members. Pretty much everyone from the group was along for almost the entire ride, and all of us were (including the ones that didn't "get in") very disappointed, and continue to be without any resolution to the issue.

Foman, I too have gotten many PMs on this topic. Enough that I had to develop a nice diplomatic, generic response. It's tough when you work to enthuse your members, and encourage their participation by inflating the excitement, and often defending Bungie (for IRIS's bungles), only to be left aside in return. Again, my time spent was of my own accord, and I don't feel that that alone entitles me to anything. The disappointment is in the fact that this has been ignored. We should at very least be told if something will ever happen.

  • 10.18.2007 3:21 PM PDT

I am a Floodian

Guys, stop lowering your standards, now. I think that though it is right for you to not expect as much at his point in normal circumstance, recent events have shown that this is no longer the case. The Lukems Incident in the Halo 3 forum(which I will assume you know about) is already infamous, and perhaps the worst showings of fan abuse that I have ever seen. IRIS is right behind it. However, there is something I have noticed in bother Foman's and Geppetto's posts. You guys don't care anymore. You do realize the problem here don' you? It doesn't really matter as much what has happened as long as you get some form of recognition, a letter, and shirt, anything. What started with "I want some shwag", has turned into "I want, um... something". If you keep lowering the standard due to the time lapse, it will become "I want this to go away."

It is the coldest, meanest, and most underhanded move a company can make. They simply pretend something didn't happen, until you, the person who was abused, start pretending it didn't happen as well.

EDIT: These two incidents were put under the same case because during the ARG/IRIS system, Bungie was still under Microsoft.

[Edited on 10.18.2007 3:24 PM PDT]

  • 10.18.2007 3:22 PM PDT
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Posted by: Achronos
Bungie did not run the IRIS ARG. It isn't a matter of ignoring you, it is a matter of us not being able to help you. Microsoft's marketing guys ran that. I wish we could help you more, but we simply do not have any information on any promised prizes and such. I'm sorry, but that's just how it is.
Posted by: WFGeppetto
Nice to see you Odmichael. Thanks for the response. I suppose I should point out that this thread (as long as it lives) will be mostly visited by Compound Intelligence members. Pretty much everyone from the group was along for almost the entire ride, and all of us were (including the ones that didn't "get in") very disappointed, and continue to be without any resolution to the issue.

Foman, I too have gotten many PMs on this topic. Enough that I had to develop a nice diplomatic, generic response. It's tough when you work to enthuse your members, and encourage their participation by inflating the excitement, and often defending Bungie (for IRIS's bungles), only to be left aside in return. Again, my time spent was of my own accord, and I don't feel that that alone entitles me to anything. The disappointment is in the fact that this has been ignored. We should at very least be told if something will ever happen.



That doesn't mean they don't have connections to find out what happened to the other prizes. They still appear to have strong ties to MS and obviously could call the agency that DID plan and carryout IRIS.

  • 10.18.2007 3:26 PM PDT

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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Thx Bruce, I'm a fan. Especially of the wiki.

Thx Achronos, this is the most attention I've ever seen this topic get. Of course, I feel that your response is unsatisfactory, but I don't expect you to do better. You have said exactly what I expected to hear, and I know that this is the case. It just seems to me that someone would be raising some cain with whomever is responsible for the blunder. I understand that Bungie wasn't responsible for the problems, but responsibility lands upon the creators of the concept, as well as the creators for the basis of the concept. I would have expected some sort of little easter egg style gimme (an avatar, or some other empty little coolness) in lieu of our expected "reward".

If this is the most I will get in response, then I am at least pleased that something was said.

Squirel: I agree, but I didn't feel that such blantantcy would be productive, and I am not pissed at Bungie alone. I would have to assume that they are in a difficult situation, especially considering that they would have to confront Microsoft on the issue. Diplomacy is of value. I understand why what has happened so far (or hasn't happened) has gone this way, I am simply disappointed.

edit: I work as a custom cabinet builder, and I can most easily explain my position by using contracting terms from the construction industry. I suppose this is the point I mean to get across:

A contractor for a particular job has the responsibility to coordinate ever aspect of the project. When subcontractors do not fullfill their responsibilities, the ultimate responsibility lands upon the head contractor. He is the one that chose which subs to use, and is binded to see the project though to fulfillment as expected by the customer. When something of this nature happens, sometimes the customer has to deal with some delays, as the problems are resolved, but in the end, it is the contractors problem, and they are obligated to deliver the agreed level of quality, and amount of product within a resonable time even considering the unforseen problems. Due to the nature of this particular case, this doesn't apply so much in legal terms, but the concept is the same. Bungie set up, or at least agreed with the idea of an ARG, and Bungie had the most to benifit from it's success. Bungie is the Contractor.


[Edited on 10.18.2007 3:42 PM PDT]

  • 10.18.2007 3:34 PM PDT
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Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

Achronos, I know that your role in sending out server packages is non-existent. Moreover, I know that OTHER Bungie employees were not sending out server packages either. Hell, I got one -- I saw the return address. So I have no problem with your answer that you don't really know, because I have no doubts that it's the truth and, as the BNet administrator, it's not really your (Achronos's) job to find out.

Microsoft clearly doesn't give a rat's ass about following through. None of us are truly surprised, I would hope.

But what bothers me, and I think many other people in the Community, is the fact that Bungie's content writers, marketing people, and public relations people (I've got a few names in mind) won't take ten minutes out of their day to stop posting on NeoGAF and call up the Microsoft marketing department, get an answer, and relay it to the Iris community. This is disturbing for the people who participated in Iris and have believed what they've heard about how important the Bungie Community is to Bungie. And if anyone thinks I'm overstating the extent of the disappointment, or speaking only on behalf of 300 fans, I'm not -- take a swing through CI's forum archives and take a look for yourself.

I personally don't think that this is one of those issues where a vocal minority is complaining and the rest of the Bungie community is rolling their eyes. I think that there is a pretty solid consensus here that giving us some closure would be, if not completely satisfying, at least the right thing to do.

[Edited on 10.18.2007 4:12 PM PDT]

  • 10.18.2007 4:08 PM PDT

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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Is it possible that we might be able to find out who we should bother about this? Is there someone whom we should be bothering instead?

  • 10.18.2007 4:21 PM PDT
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I get more ass than a toilet seat.

well geppetto if Achronos said MS was running this and Ms and bungie broke up i really dont see it happening now for sure

  • 10.18.2007 4:25 PM PDT

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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Posted by: Aznb01p
well geppetto if Achronos said MS was running this and Ms and bungie broke up i really dont see it happening now for sure


This is part of the reason I finally decided to voice my concerns. I think that now, more than ever, it is important to address this. If it is not looked into soon, then there will be very little that can be done, and either way, I feel like Bungie should make some sort of attempt to correct the mistake.

  • 10.18.2007 4:58 PM PDT
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The Marty Army

Ah, look at the lonely people...

Ahhh, IRIS, good times, good times...

Yeah, I'm slightly disappointed that I didn't receive a package. But, I don't think the late nights were really wasted, I had fun. Microsoft had better get on the ball for their next ARG, though.

  • 10.18.2007 5:41 PM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"

I'm sort of in the same boat as you (well, perhaps I'm just clinging on to the sside with my arm).

I had thought I had participated in the opening of both server 1 and server 2, but this apparently was during those "glitch" times where unlocking them was possible, but it wasn't suposed to be done yet.

Nonetheless, it said I "was to be rewarded" for my efforts. While I had my doubts about receiving the package due to the circumstances, I really liked the look of the T-shirt, and hoped that Microsoft would honor their errors.

Who am I kidding. Microsoft? Honor their errors? Right.

  • 10.18.2007 5:56 PM PDT
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Any aspect of Halo not made by Bungie sucks. Proof will be Halo Wars.
You just wait.

  • 10.18.2007 6:18 PM PDT

Cogito Ergo Sum

I feel kind of ridiculous writing such an ill-written post when Foman, Geppetto and theBruce have written such thought intensive ones.

Anyways, I feel pretty jipped not getting a package. In no way can I see that we've been rewarded with anything other then a great game, and Microsoft didn't even make it. It is there fault we haven't gotten anything and they need to at least say something about it. I mean, we're not going to get a package but the least they could do is say sorry or something. I don't know, the whole thing was kind of sloppy if you ask me.

  • 10.18.2007 6:47 PM PDT
Subject: I thought that the Bungie Community was for more than free advertis...

Halo3Planet, the place for all things Halo 3..

Need help finding skulls, make sure to go here.

At first, when I did not receive a package, I was pretty dissapointed. I spent many hours of time -blam!-ing about it to others who were complaining as well. But, in retrospect, I really don't care all that much anymore. Yeah, it would've been cool to get some stuff, but participating was just a helluva lot of fun. Just the waiting and looking and trying to find how to open the servers was actually more fun than the race once they were opened.

IRIS also caused me to become a lot more involved in the community. I have been watching the forums for a while, but I never actually participated in these kinds of events, and I'm upset I missed I Love Bees. But, IRIS brought a bunch of us together, and we were all working towards a common goal, albeit it was somewhat disappointing. And, isn't that what being a community is all about?

Yeah, I know, it's sounds cliche, but that's really how I feel on the subject.

EDIT- I also think that the "You will be rewarded" thing wasn't an actual promise. After hearing that server 3 people didn't get packages, I just figured it meant your reward will be an open server, with tons of goodies inside. So, that means the first two server packages were sent solely to gain attention for IRIS.

[Edited on 10.18.2007 7:33 PM PDT]

  • 10.18.2007 7:15 PM PDT

I am a Floodian

If that is the case about the 3rd and 4rth severs then Bungie needs to say that within a week.

  • 10.18.2007 7:32 PM PDT

I broke through the Fourth Wall a long time ago, and I have no intention of going back.
CompoundIntelligence: Hit us up.

It's a shame, really. I "helped" unlock Server 4, and in no way feel entitled to anything; I just wish that they would make some sort of statement as to why nothing was sent out. I find it kind of curious that they haven't said anything~ I'm sure someone comes into work every day to find his/her inbox filled with 40 or so "WTF werz my sTuff?!1 I want NOWw!"-type emails. Ah well... hold on to hope, right? Right.

  • 10.18.2007 7:49 PM PDT

Formerly known as BASs13 and One Point Three

I never had the chance to open the servers, they got up to 100 within a minute (or at least it seemed like that). Microsoft, sadly, does not care for its customers like for example, 2K Games. As a part of the BioShock forum, I received a t-shirt and a special faceplate. I know that there are huge size differences, but I expect people to do what they say. But then again, it is Microsoft.

  • 10.18.2007 8:16 PM PDT

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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Posted by: Kellborn2112
Ah well... hold on to hope, right? Right.


That is exactly my problem. I still get a bit excited when I see the DHL truck in my neighborhood. I haven't been able to completely dismiss the possibility that my package will come. My biggest frustration is the fact that I don't know whether or not to let it go, and no one has said "That's it boys, no more goodies. Sorry." or anything. I am left with the slightest hope that the packages are actually out there, and may show up.

At first I thought that Bungie, and Microsoft (at least the involved parties from each company) were so busy with Halo 3's release, that they just got behind. Then, as the release date grew nearer, I thought surely they would send once the game was released. After the 25th, there was even speculation that a game might be shipped in the packages (I didn't really buy that one though). When the packages still didn't come, we thought that maybe the delay was because the new book Contact Harvest was soon to be released, and maybe that was the new item in the new packages.

The point is, our community never lost hope. In fact, as time went on, our hope only grew, and many began to expect even better things from the later packages. We all had such faith in Bungie, however misplaced, that we simply would not believe that the last packages would never be shipped.

This is where you say "Didn't you hear? Bungie didn't handle the ARG". Yeah, I know. This is what I'm trying to get across. It was Bungie's ARG (even if they didn't run it), it was meant to hype Halo 3, Bungie's game, and it did a wonderful job of it. IRIS even earned mention on a couple of T.V. shows, so it's advertisement value was not limited to those participating in the ARG, or even the Bungie community alone. Members of other forums that participated in IRIS, now use Bungie as a bad word, and many of them rarely bother with B.net. The impact of IRIS was much larger than many people suspect, and the number of fans that are now dissappointed is much larger than perhaps I even know. IRIS was made for, and based upon Bungie's game, and was intended to bolster sales, and enthusiasm so as to benifit Bungie. They should fix this. What's more, I don't even know who else there is to complain to, and I really don't like complaining anyway, but I'm hell bent on getting a satisfactory response.

  • 10.19.2007 7:43 AM PDT

--] GT: thebruce ( @thebruce0 )
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Ok, being a devil's advocate here. While I can agree with many sentiments regarding "Microsoft", I do not think that blaming all this in the typical fashion "on Microsoft" will help in any way. For one, Iris was run by a small portion of members, on a voluntary basis reportedly, so blaming this "on Microsoft" just comes across as cynical and immature in an typical anti-MS way.

Ultimately, this is a situation of finding out who is behind the campaign, contacting them directly, and getting closure; if not, providing a resource that itself can be escalated by someone else. Blaming "Microsoft" is not the way to gain respect and attention. If we want this issue escalated in some way, it needs to be professional and respectful, while being honest, accurate, blunt, and mature.

By all means, express discontent (or lack thereof), but choose your words with maturity and professionalism. ;)

/soapbox

  • 10.19.2007 7:50 AM PDT

RaTiOnAl AnArChY

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Exactly. That's the way I hope that everyone will approach this. I can't help but asking Bruce, you followed my post with this, did I say something that sounded immature? I don't think I did, but I am very concerned with approaching this in a mature, and respectful way, and if you have a suggestion, or critique on my comments in particular, I would appreciate a PM suggesting more appropriate phrasing.

Assuming that your post is meant as a general response, I hope that everyone who reads this will have the same opinion of how to handle themselves. Too many silly, angry, or accusatory posts will only serve to discredit us, and make it much more difficult to try to see it through. It is very important that we are intelligent and acurate in our posts within this thread, or it may backfire. Besides, that's just simple forum ettiquette.

  • 10.19.2007 8:13 AM PDT