I'm not sure where to write this, but as it will contain a suggestion i suppose it belongs here. Also, I'm pretty sure it will be deleted very soon because it will not be something what people with 'power' here like to hesr so I guess it doesn't really matter, right ?
What has started happening on this forum is very sad and discouraging. One of my friends and crewmates, and, I'm pretty sure, one of most active forum users has been banned from forum for 21 days only for making a valid and very good suggestion. Where is the problem here ? Well, I guess that certain authorities here either don't like good suggestions and support only generic, simple ones, or this is a note to all of us that forum activity, despite all the chatter we here, and cries that the forum is not active enough, is unwelcemed. What else could be the reason to ban a user for making a suggestion ? What is the messege being sent to all other users by this act of, with the lack of any other appropriate word, repression ?
I am personally very agitated, dissspointed and above all discouraged to continue putting personal efforts into this game and forum knowing that I'm not free to speak, discuss and debate things without being afraid of being banned and ultimately losing my account, not for a well approved reason like insulting or attacking anyone on a personal level, because no one will ever hear that from me, but for speaking my mind and writing freely. It seems that we have to think hard before writing anything, not about putting our thought in a way other would understan, not about gramatic or semantics, but whether some people will agree and support the idea or will we get banned for ideas, or even having ideologies some which will not be supported by the present authorities.
I appeal on everyone making these decisions not to use their privileges according to their subjective oppinons (or even prejudice), but to try to be objective and respect everyone ideas and suggestions. I suggest that this forum finnaly becomes a place where OSM enthusiast would be able to freely exchange ideas, where users will be respect, where people won't have to think twice before expressing their oppinions, and finally where we will all, both the community and those hearing our ideas, work together to improve our game and make it better, 'cause we all know that the game needs a breath of fresh air (not new graphics which is being designed, but feature and gameplay wise).
Over and out.
With respect,
Ivan
