Aqua-Soft Forums"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
There's more to life than your computer, go ride a bike or something, people.
Why are our screenshot getting removed?
This thread is going nowhere fast. I think all that needs to have been said has been said.
Read the rules, follow them.
The end.
Yes what Zaft said.
This should have been dealt with in private and the Mods/Admin's actions should not have been questioned and attacked so openly. This place would be nothing without the hours these guys put in and you are getting upset over a screen shot - please just grow up.
Do I hear the sound of this thread being closed soon? I certainly hope so...
No, this thread will remain open. Why should it be closed? The thread has turned into a valid discussion on what should and should not be allowed. I like to see members' input on things like this.
This thread is going nowhere fast. I think all that needs to have been said has been said.Read the rules, follow them.
The end.
Yes what Zaft said.This should have been dealt with in private and the Mods/Admin's actions should not have been questioned and attacked so openly. This place would be nothing without the hours these guys put in and you are getting upset over a screen shot - please just grow up.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."There's more to life than your computer, go ride a bike or something, people.
I think the points have been made.
Well, didn't know 3 people spoke for everyone else...
Maybe a new discussion thread with an appropriate title, listing the various reasons for and against allowing SSs of rips/mods, and closing this one. (although I believe this issue has been analyzed to death, it's obviously quite a touchy topic)
This is really a matter of re-examining a rule, rather than a question of a moderator's actions. I think the mods have been gracious enough to provide quite valid reasons for their actions based on the current rules, despite being put on the defensive all the time.
nevermind.
@ Unbeliever: Apologies to you; I was simply agreeing w/ Cyanide's general take on "people" who run forums like their own little fiefdoms (& yes, I agree w/ your observation it wasn't the most articulate post!!); I actually had no idea he may have been referring to you indivudally. I've seen numerous forums fall apart due to egos and such... My general observation is that I'm wondering whether the root of the apparent discord actually is about SS being deleted--there seems to be something more fundamental going on here. Anyways Unbe, sorry again that you took my way-too cavalier response as being any kind of shot at you, b/c it wasn't meant in that way...
@Unbe: Your actions have gone on for way toooo long without any kind of a check on you. You need to be put on a leash, bro 
because you have turned into a rabod diseased dog who is running amok biting any and all who comes within 10 meters of aquasoft..
Mods like you are the #1 damaging thing to a community like Aquasoft.. because you have started thinking Aquasoft is your property, Aquasoft is your own little playground where you can go around bullying any member ... where you can mod at will according to your whims and fancies... but nope it dont work that way mate
I vote you step down as Mod because you have lost your "mod" sense, you have lost respect and you are sooo darn unfit for the Mod positon now. There should be an open thread again to let members choose their mod in place of you, unbe.
As a member of this great comunity, i will take part in this thread.
1.- I agree all the way down with Timan in every single post, he has achieved a clean and rule-following argument to answer all your screenshots concerns.
2.-I dont think that stating bad things agaisnt Unbe is right, i think Unbe (if not the best) is one of the better forum moderators i have seen, hey may be too tought at certain times (well maybe all the times 
) but he really keep this forums nice, neat and clean.
3.- So people just chill out, customizing is for fun, not for arguing, and like Link said, is just a PC (or Mac) just turn it off and evetything is over, just get over it...
Hold on. Don't jump to conclusions. I never said you didn't. Not everybody here is talking about you, be it directly or indirectly. I know I was never talking about a specific moderator. All I said was that if rips were going to get deleted, then they should all get deleted.netox, I have always equally treated rips, whether Windows or Mac but I suggest you read the first paragraph of this post.
Since TIMAN is in favor of continuing this discussion (for some of us it's still just "discussing" an issue), I would like to ask this in public so everybody benefits from the answer:
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF MAKING NEW RULES? WHO MADE THE ORIGINAL RULES?
If the answer is Timan and only Timan, then I suggest this to you Unbeliever (or any other moderator): if a Mac themer contacts you asking you to delete a screenshot sporting their WIP theme then you should tell them something like: "Sorry. I'm not allowed to do that because that's not an Aqua-Soft rule. Try talking to Timan about it. Tell him to make a new rule about this, and if he does I'll gladly enforce it."
I don't know for sure how much power or flexibility Timan gives you moderators, but if your role as a moderator is to enforce the forum rules, then you (moderators, not only Unbeliever) should just, umm, well, enforce-the-forum-rules. If deleting WIP rips is not against the rules, then I don't see why that "rule" is being enforced, regardless of all the possible repercussions that this behavior may bring.
As with any other position of authority, authority figures have to be objective and imparcial. I hate smoking, but if I were a cop and I saw somebody smoking in the street I couldn't go over there and give them a ticket for it just because I don't like it, or I don't agree with it, because it's simply not illegal for them to do so. Same thing goes for any other type of similar situation. I can't see how a moderator of this forum can have the ability or the audacity to carry out a "law" that isn't really a law, based solely on their personal interpretation and view of the situation.
Unbeliever (and this time I'm only referring to you, because you're the only one who has admitted to doing this): You might NOT LIKE the fact that people post screenshots with WIP theme rips. You might AGREE with theme designers who don't like this either. You may THINK that if you don't take action against that type of behavior then those themes will never be released, and you may WANT to avoid that. But the bottom line is very clear: IF your authority is limited to enforcing the EXISTING rules of this forum, then you have NO AUTHORITY to delete screenshots with WIP theme rips, because IT'S NOT A RULE. You say Timan and you disagree sometimes on several issues, but if he's the only one who can make the rules, then it really doesn't matter if you don't agree with him.
Because I am aware of your tendency to be aggressively defensive I want to make clear that I'm in no way telling you, or any other moderator, what to do or how to do it. These are suggestions, and if you read carefully, then you must have noticed that I used the word "if" a lot. That translates to all my ideas being subject to the truthfullness of my assumptions. If any of these assumptions were incorrect, then I will gladly stand corrected.
I also want to make VERY CLEAR that my statements are only related to the way you handle these types of situations, and they are not related to any other aspect of your moderating. This is the topic at hand, so my ideas are limited to this topic, and this topic only. I think I've been very respectful so far, and I only expect the same from you, and everybody else.
To everybody, without pointing any fingers: Being disrespectful is not going to help you get your point across. Good arguments are based on consistency and your ability to express yourself as objectively as possible. Personally attacking someone doesn't prove anything. Wanna prove someone wrong? Sit down and think about coming up with a convincing, clear, well structured argument.
EDIT: I won't apologize for writing a long post, nor will I call it a rant. If anybody here is too lazy to read, then you shouldn't even participate in any discussion of any kind. A discussion involves exchanging ideas. If you only want to express yours and not even read somebody else's, then you're not really here to discuss anything; you're just here to impose your will.
Regardless of what happens here, I will be most displeased if Unbe resigns.
-NC
P.S: This is a web forum, not a drama club.
Unbeliever (and this time I'm only referring to you, because you're the only one who has admitted to doing this): You might NOT LIKE the fact that people post screenshots with WIP theme rips. You might AGREE with theme designers who don't like this either. You may THINK that if you don't take action against that type of behavior then those themes will never be released, and you may WANT to avoid that. But the bottom line is very clear: IF your authority is limited to enforcing the EXISTING rules of this forum, then you have NO AUTHORITY to delete screenshots with WIP theme rips, because IT'S NOT A RULE. You say Timan and you disagree sometimes on several issues, but if he's the only one who can make the rules, then it really doesn't matter if you don't agree with him.
See, netox, this is what exactly most of the memnbers here have to say, including myself. Now, if unbe gets this clear.. there would be no need for this thread to exist.
To everybody, without pointing any fingers: Being disrespectful is not going to help you get your point across. Good arguments are based on consistency and your ability to express yourself as objectively as possible. Personally attacking someone doesn't prove anything. Wanna prove someone wrong? Sit down and think about coming up with a convincing, clear, well structured argument.
I totally agree with your point here ....with the exception that this is unbe we're talking about.
This individual has far gone beyond the *admissable and tolerable* limit of getting into a proper conversation and discussion with.. he does NOT understand a polite approach anymore, he is unabashedly self-righteous, disgustingly egoistic and so damn full of himself that to even attempt to strike any conversation with him is equivalent of hitting yourself on the head with your own soiled shoe.
I think we should keep in mind that this thread is about discussing on rules regarding screenshoot posting, not about attacking any particular individual. To be honest, I have not seen Unber steeping over the limit in this discussion, he has given the explanation and that's all that matters.
Just my 2 cents
^^ I guess you are right that tleast in this discussion he's been within limits... I only brought up points because he was the mod in question.
Anyway, let the screenshot rules related discussion continue .. as I have stopped posting most of my desks because of the same rule..
See, netox, this is what exactly most of the memnbers here have to say, including myself. Now, if unbe gets this clear.. there would be no need for this thread to exist.
If I understand Unbe correctly, he's removing the SSs not based on his opinion, but rather based on the fact that he has recieved requests from the original mac authors to remove the offending SSs, and that this is a recurring trend. Disclosing this reason and info might have cleared up any question of motive for actions
This individual has far gone beyond the *admissable and tolerable* limit of getting into a proper conversation and discussion with.. he does NOT understand a polite approach anymore, he is unabashedly self-righteous, disgustingly egoistic and so damn full of himself that to even attempt to strike any conversation with him is equivalent of hitting yourself on the head with your own soiled shoe.
This is certainly a valid interpritation of Unbe's behavior, especially if you take every comment at face value, but it does take a little effort to get his *sarcasm*-- it does not come across well in a written medium, esp. the internet.
Because I realize the inhuman amount of time and effort Unbe and all the mods put in to keep this place squeeky clean, and that things (misunderstandings) can get frustrating, I'm going to have to side with Unbe. He's been tough, to say the least, but a little sugar-coating can go a long way (just a suggestion to save future headaches)...
If I understand Unbe correctly, he's removing the SSs not based on his opinion, but rather based on the fact that he has recieved requests from the original mac authors to remove the offending SSs, and that this is a recurring trend. Disclosing this reason and info might have cleared up any question of motive for actions
You missed the point made above. Please re-read the above post by netox.
This is certainly a valid interpritation of Unbe's behavior, especially if you take every comment at face value, but it does take a little effort to get his *sarcasm*-- it does not come across well in a written medium, esp. the internet.Because I realize the inhuman amount of time and effort Unbe and all the mods put in to keep this place squeeky clean, and that things (misunderstandings) can get frustrating, I'm going to have to side with Unbe. He's been tough, to say the least, but a little sugar-coating can go a long way (just a suggestion to save future headaches)...
You are making it sound like Moderating aquasoft is akin to guarding the tense India-Pakistan border ... where even the slightest tension sparks off firing from both sides. No, especially now its not hard to moderate aquasoft. And he is not the ONLY mod, there are other mods who have an equal contribution towards keeping the site squeaky clean, as you mention it.
Besides, I havent seen any members saying things against any other mod...nor I myself have said anything against any other mod. This concerns ONLY unbe. why only Unbe? because his actions have been such.
Not everybody likes sarcasm. taking for granted that the "sarcasm" would sit well with everybody is a huge mistake. Now, if I were to start implementing this "sarcasm" in my job and start mucking and goofing up things at work ... and try to pass it off as "sarcasm" to my boss, I will lose my job. I will get fired.
If the mods are letting their frustration, their sense of "sarcasm" and their other 'tensions" in life to get to their job at moderating aquasoft, then I sincerely feel they should gracefully step down.. rather than keeping at it and ruining the interest of this portal as a whole. .
The screenshots that were originally in question as to why they were removed... wasn't it stated that it happened within the last few days? I don't know why everyone is attacking unbeliever's character considering he said he hasn't been here in the last week. Everyone is just generalizing a reason to point fingers because a new reason has risen up to strike a fight or a "discussion" as everyone likes to call it.
As for the ripped work, this is coming from one designer/artist to another. If you don't want your stuff ripped off, stop previewing it or whatever it is you do to show it off. Everything I've released here personally was a one time thing; bam; all at once. No one else knew of my actions nor did they have a viable opportunity to rip me off because everything was kept in secrecy until the very end. As for beta testing for a particular theme, stop letting people on the internet test your stuff, you don't know them therefore there's a high percentage you're going to get ripped off and it's going to start up situations just like this. In this day and age, all of the talented artists and designers need to be a little more wary with what they're doing because if someone deems them good enough, they're going to want what they have.
Sincerely,
The most cynical person on the planet.
Just wanted to show my total support to Unbe. You guys should get a life and cut him some slack 
@Cyanide: you better watch out what you write, I see some serious accusations in your posts. It doesn't look good when you're a member who's been here for like 5 months.
Now, everybody:
We'll see about the "make love" part when i catch you in Q3 tonight
I finally got it and just need to free some space to install it 
Oh and whoever spammed that 1337 photochop image of me all over AS, MacThemes and other places, needs to do a better job to piss me off
I'll respond to the topic at hand...not at the underlying movement for removement...
I probably post more screenshots of unreleased WIP Mac themes and even nicely done Windows themes than anyone I know. I have never been contacted about removing anything or not posting screenies. That being said I'm pretty legendary about unreleased things being NFR. I simply don't give things out. It is a fact of todays internet that "if you post it, it will be copied". Should it be that way? No, but it just is. I have to say that any themer that posts a WIP screenshot secretly knows it will be copied. It's been happening far to long to someone with that skill set to be that naive. It take a long time to make a theme and a lot of themers aren't kids who can throw hours upon hours into finishing something as fast as everyone wants it. Enter impatient people (me)...and others with their pirated photoshop and the rest is history. Some of the rub for this is the fact that it's cross platform porting....us vs. them, Apple vs. Microsoft, etc. One of the silliest arguments in history but an impassioned one no doubt. All this being said, the entire mantra behind AS is the emulation of the Apple GUI on Windows. Last time I checked, Timan isn't holding a letter from Steve that says rock on....they just allow it....quietly. Someone will make the argument that it brings people to Macs and thus enhances things for Apple. Inspired screenshots of unreleased but publicly shown themes do the same thing no?
As for the "mean ole mods".....just look at the sheer number of idiots that can't even grasp the concept of "not quoting images". I weep for the future.....rock on Unbe.
My full support to Unbe and his boxy iTunes icons , if someone disagrees with that just leave AS, nobody is forced to be in here, we are all here because we want it, the day i disagree so bad with the mods (like some ppl that have posted here) i just will leave, i will not star complainig like a baby...
its ok, im not longer releasing anythingtoo bad, i have soapsky and lemon done. aww well, my buds know where to get them.
Just wanted to drop by and laugh at you. I love it when people make threats on the internet like they would matter
Seriously, this is just a forum. I don't especially like Unbe, but what can you do about it? He does a great job (never thought I was gonna say that).