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Good Bye AllakazhamFollow

#1 May 03 2006 at 11:21 PM Rating: Good
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One of the selling point of Allakazham is it support to fair play and encouragement of players to not use support or tools that are considered "improper" by the MMORPG service provider.

Today sys admin of Allakazham admitted that Alla will be sold to the parent holding company who also owns IGE. Yes, the move may make sense in expanding Alla, but I will not compromise the double standardness. You can expand your business Alla, but I will not be your customer or supporter.

I understand money is important, but to me values are just as important. There are things cannot be bought by money. This is not a murder nor any hideous crime, but it is blanant double standardness -- something that plagues in American society everyday. I understand double standardness is needed sometimes, but if Americans will follow more closely to what they preach, American society and its image overseas will greatly improve.

I will not extend my premier membership, and do not expect me to post here even a thread that I think may be useful or interest of me. You can make your money, but you won't be making my money.

Edited, Thu May 4 00:22:34 2006 by scchan

Edited, Thu May 4 00:31:36 2006 by scchan
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#2 May 04 2006 at 12:58 AM Rating: Decent
Wow, selling to IGE's parent company?

That's, disturbing, to say the least.

The ads to buy Gil already bothered me, I can only imagine how much worse it will get.

Goodbye Amanada, I don't blame you and appreciate the topics you've posted and the help you've given.
#3 May 04 2006 at 1:43 AM Rating: Good
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498 posts
Yah, that pisses me off. Chances are I'll head back to the dead VN boards or over to a terrible KI...... This just sucks.
#4 May 04 2006 at 3:19 AM Rating: Decent
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792 posts
I too am taking my leave of this sellout of a website. So what if I don't have premium? I don't care. It will take many, many people leaving to show Allakhazam.com how royally they f[u][/u]cked up. And such an event cannot occur if no one takes the step away.

To those of you who I enjoyed conversing with and laughing with, I will truly miss you. Hopefully we will cross paths in-game or elsewhere.

To those of you who I hate... I hope you die a slow, agonizing death. You know who you are.

Goodbye.
#5 May 04 2006 at 3:20 AM Rating: Decent
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792 posts


Edited, Thu May 4 05:01:35 2006 by Speedly
#6 May 04 2006 at 3:20 AM Rating: Decent
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792 posts


Edited, Thu May 4 05:01:58 2006 by Speedly
#7 May 04 2006 at 3:20 AM Rating: Decent
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792 posts
Quadruple post. THANK YOU, SH*TTY ALLAKHAZAM SERVERS. YOU COME THROUGH ONCE AGAIN.

Edited, Thu May 4 04:56:57 2006 by Speedly
#8 May 04 2006 at 5:52 AM Rating: Decent
There is a post on the Main board that links to:

[http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/general.ffxi.discussion/55393-zam.com.refugees.html]

A thread started on those boards for those Alla posters looking for a new home.

I checked it out, and it seems like a nice enough place, but they have no databases like here.
#9 May 04 2006 at 6:11 AM Rating: Default
i dont see the problem if it makes allas database better who gives a crap >< i cant wait for alla to update on all new ToAH stuff so what if they linking up to gilseller site just dont click on it stop being over dramactic and carry on with the weekend thread like we normally do the foumrs aint gonan change so why should we
#10 May 04 2006 at 9:03 AM Rating: Decent
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Ok I will reply -- old habits, and need to make myself clearer.

I will admit, Alla will remain one of the leading source of info for me, but ffxi.cannotlinkto is quickly taking over a lot of needs for that even before this annoucements. cannotlinkto does have better database of data, but it has no forums. Somepage database does update quite fast.

There are RMT ads on Somepage, but the main reason I decide to boycott Alla is not because of RMT itself, it is the double standardness. RMT is in fact "legal" in Everquest.

Alla promotes fair play, and a lot of its posters are also. RMT is against TOS of FFXI, so Alla has been anti-RMT in FFXI. I see that is a compromise of values that Alla preach. Somepage never ever say they are anti-RMT, and sometimes Somepage does not even have choice what type of ads they can use. It is more a personal displeasure that people change their values for a money reward. IMO value determines who you are, why you are unique with others. If values can be changed suddenly to suit personal needs, I really do not know if I can trust you, or I think I know who you are.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#11 May 04 2006 at 9:57 AM Rating: Default
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699 posts
I really don't see what "double-standardness" is happening Amanada. A double standard is when someone expects something from person A and expects a completely different thing from person B. That person then holds two people to two standards: i.e. a double standard.

As far as I am concerned, I do not feel as if this website has held me to any type of moral standard.

If anything I think this website is value neutral.

What exactly do you think will change with its change in ownership?

If you are making a statment in protest about the new ownership, that is one thing. But I think perhaps you might have taken your moral sentiments too far.

Edited, Thu May 4 11:04:07 2006 by galapagosiananna
#12 May 04 2006 at 9:58 AM Rating: Default
Thanks OP for posting this in the server forums- because the main forums didn't have enough crybaby threads.

Yes, let's go to KI where the Gilseller banners are plentiful.

I'm glad everyones lives are so sheltered that who owns Allakhazam is the biggest drama they have in their life.
#13 May 04 2006 at 10:35 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:

I really don't see what "double-standardness" is happening Amanada. A double standard is when someone expects something from person A and expects a completely different thing from person B. That person then holds two people to two standards: i.e. a double standard.


IMO Double Standard also means the standards hold by yourself. One day Allakahazam owners say one thing, and then another day say something completely opposite.

Quote:

If anything I think this website is value neutral.
What exactly do you think will change with its change in ownership?


I feel the freedom of speech and the relatively little moderation of the forums will be jeorpadized to satisfy the interests of the ownership. I am not saying this is something new, it happens everyday in mass media where media say things only they seem profitable for them or satisfy the political and economic agenda. (/cough Fox, CNN) What just happened to Alla just a smaller show of a bigger common problem. I believe everyone should have the right to say any opinion they hold unless it becomes nothing but trades of insults.

Animal, I do not like to flame, if I want a flame war I would have posted on those Feba flaming threads on the main forum. The point I say here is to remain relatively low key, and I doubt everyone understand why this change of ownership could be an issue. A key issue for KI is that KI probably have no say what ads they can use, and KI has taken no stance in RMT. I don't mind a person being communist, Republican, or Pro-Nader or whatever, but I do mind people being inconsistent in what they say. You have the freedom of belief, but I do think people should at least try to pracitice what they belief. It is hard to do, but in Alla, I don't think they need to do what they are trying to do. One of the stance of Alla owners for a very long time is to play fair along the rules. It is no surprise on main forums and even here in Cerberus forums are strongly anti-RMT and botting. That was what the owners promote too -- fair play and RMT and botting is considered cheating in FFXI. What owners just did is to reverse what they had promoted a very long time. Alla just lost his uniqueness and their defining character.



Edited, Thu May 4 11:38:33 2006 by scchan

Edited, Thu May 4 11:39:50 2006 by scchan
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#14 May 04 2006 at 10:43 AM Rating: Good
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2,021 posts
I think the term you were looking for, Ama, is hypocritical. They're very quick to jump on anyone posting regarding RMT transactions, but selling to an RMT company. That is hypocritical; not really a double standard.

Animal, I don't remember you being so hostile. Let's leave the drama for KI please. Post constructively as there is enough animosity in Vana already. Most of the people that come to Alla look for constructive criticism, not bashing.
#15 May 04 2006 at 11:00 AM Rating: Decent
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Sorry Leet, my english was not too good. I admit I used the wrong choice of word to lead to confusion. Heh, At least I wasn't as crazy as Feba in main forum even he said he will not going to post, and still continue to post pages of flame war :P I am hypocrite too. :P

A lot of posters argue in main forum that nothing will change -- that is a lie -- something WILL change, but we just do not know the degree. It is better to "pre-emptive strike" to possible undesired change and keep them in check (if it works at all).

____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#16 May 04 2006 at 11:02 AM Rating: Decent
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699 posts
Everyone reading these threads about this business transaction should take a few minutes to look at a few of the tags on your clothing.

Where was it made?

...The things we choose to care about.

{Peace}
#17 May 04 2006 at 11:23 AM Rating: Decent
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Lynchilles,

My issue is not with China or 3rd world industries or how gil farming factory "works" if that is what you are trying to imply.

Welcome to business world where money determines everything. Not everyone believe in that. I don't mind people making money, but you can make money and have class. Heh, Bill Gates and late Dave Thomas pour huge sums of money in charity (literally like half of the money they make). Ask Walton family and Mudrock to do the same thing :P
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#18 May 04 2006 at 11:36 AM Rating: Default
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699 posts
Quote:
My issue is not with China or 3rd world industries or how gil farming factory "works" if that is what you are trying to imply.


Either is mine.


and that is my issue...
#19 May 04 2006 at 11:48 AM Rating: Decent
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Ok since China got brought up... I will say I really think about China change.

Even working conditions in China may be sub-par in American standards, change is happening very fast and quality of living is without doubt improving in China. I recall seeing on BBC or Times Magazine website quoting a former UN Sec General saying no one has done more then Deng Xiao Peng (former China leader from 1976-1990) has done more in improving the quality of life in China. China quality of life from mid 1800s till the death of Mao (1976) is sh*t -- internal warfare, wars with European powers and Japan till the end of WWII (with China always losing until WWII), corruption and poor goverance of Chang Kai Shek and Ching Dynasty (lead by Empress Dowager) government till 1949 and was changed to famine and brutal rule under Mao till Mao death.

Wiki actually have a good articles of modern China history... It is very depressing. And a lot of such sad history has no one to blame but to Chinese themselves.

There are still poor and homeless people in China, environment pollution is terrible in China, worker rights and safety are not well protected. But at least there are no famine, no war, most can have electricity and can afford at least a TV or a car. That is unthink of even 30 years ago. Even President Bush himself said, China now is nothing what he think it is.

Things are continue to change in China, and even quality may still be sub-par, it is heading the right direction. China never enjoyed this good goverance, strife free society over a century. That should be considered good. And do consider cost of living of China is also much lower than US, so even income is less, the consumer purchasing power is not actually that much weaker in China.

Edited, Thu May 4 13:01:08 2006 by scchan
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#20 May 04 2006 at 12:37 PM Rating: Good
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2,021 posts
Why is it I feel like I'm the only one that understands Ama some times. LoL.

Lynch, you seem like a pretty level headed guy so I'll see if I can help "clear the air" so to speak.

Ama is a man with an extreme moral conviction. This isn't a bad thing, but he tends to come across as pushing it on others (which is bad). I don't think it's intended (maybe it is and I just don't take it that way. LoL), but he is also the type to let his opinion be known. I think most of us are that way, we just have different ways of speaking our minds.

What Ama is trying to say is Morals > the almighty dollar. He's disappointed that Alla would show a genuine dislike towards RMT and thus ban people for attempting transactions on their boards, then turn around and sell out to the companies that they shunned. This is his opinion (one I agree with, just not to the same degree), and he is entitled to it just as everyone else is entitled to theirs. I don't think it had anything to do with China, sweatshops, RMT itself for that matter; mereley the hypocricy of the event.

Do I understand Ama's reasoning? Sure. Do I think it's a bit extreme? Yeah. I agree with no longer using a paid premium membership, but I think that's where I would have left it. But, as I've said before, different people react to different things in different ways. It's what makes us individuals. LoL.
#21 May 04 2006 at 1:03 PM Rating: Decent
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Sometimes do need to say things aloud (louder than "needed") to get the point across. I will not say morals > dollar. Sometimes when desperate, you will do whatever you need to. I just wish to see a compromise in the meaning of dollar and morals. I think you can maintain to be dollar-sensible while holding up pretty good and consistent morals. You can filty rich robber barron or a be a poor hero and live poor and with honor... That is not what I am trying to say, I just thinks there is always a compromise spot.

I just think status quo of Alla is fine. What owners did go against what they preach with the reasoning of improving the status quo. Heh Ichiro said, "Why mess with success?" when asked how he bats. Isn't Alla successful right now?
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#22 May 04 2006 at 1:21 PM Rating: Good
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2,021 posts
It's pseduo successful, Ama. No Alla "user" can say what financial status the admins of Alla posess. They could very well be barely covering expenses (yet I doubt it. I also don't think they're raking in the cash either).

It's very common for small businesses to sell out to larger entities, often contradicting their own moral stand. It could be that the load of updating/maintaining the site was no longer worth the revenue coming in and rather than shutting down altogether, they merged. It's impossible to say. It's also not for us to know; it's their business.

My final take on this, if you are upset with their decisions, cancel your account. You can post and keep in touch with others for free. By doing this and NOT clicking on ads, you're not (technically) supporting them. Yes you use their database and forums, but you're not financially aiding them or the RMT companies.
#23 May 04 2006 at 2:50 PM Rating: Decent
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My posts have obviously been misinterpreted.

I am merely questioning where our moral priorities lie. People are posting about the outrage they feel about this situation. All over on many boards people are complaining about this great injustice. They threaten to stop posting in protest, move to other forums, etc.


Get over it.


There are significantly better things to complain about and I think it is somewhat disgraceful when people choose such a comparatively morally devoid topic (such as the hypocritical sale of a video game forum to a holding company) as the basis for a moral platform.

Hence: "...the things we choose to care about."

On a second note

I said to look at the tags on your clothes.

We are so disgusted about Alla selling out and we feel their actions are hypocritical. Yet many of us wear clothes imported from countries that violate basic human rights. Many of us wear clothes made by child-labor.

I am one of those people unfortunately. I have clothes made in questionable locations. However, I have tried to learn about these things, and now when I go shopping, I try to be a little more careful about what I bring to the check-out counter. However, these clothes still make up part of my wardrobe.

This is just one example. So before I go calling the kettle black...

I am just sad that we take for granted such a priviliged position sometimes, and direct our self-made moral righteousness in the most inappropriate of places.

If you want this forum to play host to social justice topics, why not make it a real topic instead of the injustice of a video game forum sponsorship...

{Peace}

Edited, Thu May 4 16:24:03 2006 by galapagosiananna
#24 May 04 2006 at 3:28 PM Rating: Decent
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I think it is generally bad to assume that whatever coporate world produces involve unethical pracitices. There are business leader who are committed not to compromise international law and common "ethics" to increase profit. Are there clothes produced by unethical business -- yes, there are. But not every business does that. And "more ethical" business finds its way to make a profit that is reasonable too.

Do I consider potential business practicies when buying something from the store? Yes I do to a certain extent. I refuse to talk to MCI representives nor I go buy a Nike shoe, and part of the reason I disagree with some MCI and Nike business practices.

I have said a lot of times what happen to Alla is a small issue to a grand problem. This does not mean we should ignore the small issue. I think it is important to begin with a more manageable problem. At least Alla owners do listen to its user, send an email to Walton family, you may never hear them back.

Galapagosiananna, I think you are little over generalizing.

A lot of people are just unaware of the bad business practices some people use. But when you see a problem that is obvious and may be able to do something about it, I think you should try to do something.
____________________________
Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#25 May 04 2006 at 3:29 PM Rating: Decent
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2,021 posts
Wow.... you've got some pent up hostility bro. LoL.

Well to be honest, I never read the main forums. This was the first I even heard about it. Sooooo... I don't have the same "I'm sick of hearing about it" mentality that you have. I tend to take everything on a case-by-case basis anyways (at least TRY to LoL).

Anyways.. no use getting so worked up by anyone. It was a business decision that was made that, honestly, has nothing to do with us and has no real impact on us. If more people choose to participate in RMT because of it, it's not Alla's choice, but the individuals.

Anyways, enough said on the topic. (>^^)> Next. LoL
#26 May 04 2006 at 3:56 PM Rating: Default
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267 posts
Here's something i always said in highschool when there is no solution to be found...

"It could be worse... your head could look like a ****"

enjoy!
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