I think things just got way out of control and people forgot about the mod staff. You already know where my opinions lie on this matter so I don't think I need to say much more. I just don't understand why this incident had to happen just because they decided to take it into their own hands. Well good luck with the future tasks that may happen...

o_o People actually make accounts just to be mean? -_- That's so wrong. No wonder you're supposed to just report stuff and let the mods take care of it.

~Sarah

*facepalms at the troll account*

I'm not sorry that I missed this mess. That went way over the victim role into bully the moment they posted those fan arts. We have rules and law for a reason. To protect people from their own stupidity. Seriously.

~*Aaryanna*~

I completely missed this whole thing, and I'm glad I did, alot of members don't appreciate the amount of work and effort moderators have to do to keep peace, and to deal with out of hand situations, even though I wasn't there I would like to say thankyou! for sorting it out!

Man I really had high hopes for this place as a site because I knew (regardless of chat room antics), that people used the report function and wouldn't resort to such stupid mob behavior. It's out of line, and frankly not your(the members) damn job to police the website and come down upon supposed rule breakers.

I love the addage "Never judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes." You can't just harass anyone whom you deem so because in the end the accusers and harassers look worse than the harassee. I understand that people communicate on this site and they may become fans of certain artists, but if you're one of our top artists, then you need to think about the consequences of said actions. Inciting an e-riot and promoting what I consider to be a massive troll effort on this site should get you banned without question. It's in the site rules, you should really read them. I will admit that sometimes people go too far with comments and I have rebuked them for it severely by responding, but I never make threats upon someone's life or tell them that they are idiots (whilst sprinkling in some four letter words).

Have some class, otaku. Stay above the level of those who break rules and act civily. I have heard several complaints from DeviantArt users who have said the site is overrun with trolling and flamers, and the members take it upon themselves to harass art theives and trolls. This site is held to a higher standard. Let's keep it that way.

Oh wow, obviously troll account is... obvious. That's just pathetic really, to go to such lengths over something that isn't worth getting so upset over.

I saw the comments on the apologies too, that they didn't need to and my first thought was, yes they do. They totally blew it way out of proportion.

Anyway, I just hope they don't create such a drama fest again, though you know someone will and you'll get the fun of smacking them when they do.

~Crystia

@Hiko:

That was their choice. Two people simply apologized to me directly instead of making a fuss. My response is actually directed to people commenting on the arts saying they shouldn't apologize when they really should. A pm or post would be better, but the art works.

Why couldn't they just write up a post apologizing and not make art with the apology? Sure maybe more people will see it, but guh. >>'

The very fact you have to deal with junk like this makes me surprised you haven't quit sooner. Props to you for dealing with the loonies for this long and shame on them for being... well... prone to blowing things way out of proportions and causing so much trouble for you, Adam and the rest of the staff.

Like I said before and will say it again, I have a high respect for the staff of this place. You guys can put up so many crap and still keep cool and respective.

I seriously, seriously hope this won't happen, but I know its asking too much. In any case, if next time something starts like that we can follow the example from the member who submitted that fanart and helped calming the mob a bit.

At least from my part, I'll step in and give them that link and a link for this world.

Thanks for all the hard work, sunfallE.

I'm with gome, I don't envy you your job one bit Beth. That whole mess was rather painful and embarrassing to watch. I really do hope people learned a lesson from it and will think before acting the next time they see something that is stolen.

Ah, yeah. That username. I remember seeing it when I took a look at the poor user's guestbook and noticed it. I was kind of surprised it was actually allowed to be a username... But I guess they can't be restricted like things in chat can be.

But yeah. This whole situation was taken waaay out of proportion, and I seriously hope nothing to this extreme happens again...

Hopefully.

I hope all the people who jumped on the "destroy the thief!" bandwagon feel ashamed of themselves right now. Just absolutely poor judgement, poor conduct that caused people to grossly overstep their status of "victim" right into that of internet bullies. Especially regarding the people involved, I never want to see anything like this again.

And don't think it wouldn't happen after such a stern warning; it's happened before. Said-member was severely reprimanded for inciting people to give an art thief a piece of their minds, so she apologized to staff for causing trouble (rather than the person they all chewed out, which is another thing). Of course, some months later, another "art thief" thing comes up, she decides to be vigilant hardass, and makes a blog linking to "a certain member" and kind of saying "I won't say to go and yell at her, tell her she's the worst person in the world and that she should go die in a hole... but....."

We had to reprimand her again for that, and any attempts to hide behind the "I didn't 'tell' people to do anything!" were shot down immediately. That said, this member is not a member of this site anymore, and we don't miss her.

Don't become the next one.