Public Statement: MSTS, Big_Ed, Squeekazoid

Webslave · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:25 pm

Dear visitors to the MSTS forum;

We, your moderators, issue you with this open statement today, as it has come to our attention that the actions of a number of individuals primarily within this forum have caused discomfort and concern to several visitors. We feel that Railpage Australia™ has a duty of care in this instance to cause this type of behavior to cease, and act in a transparent manner to bring closure to this issue.

We issue this statement as a neutral party – with no defined stake in MSTS politics. We have nothing to gain by siding with any side in this matter.

As some of you may be aware, on July 12 2006 a user with the handle “Squeekazoid” registered on these forums. It is no secret that this user attracted the negative attention of some of our users through his poor typing and linguistic skills, and his overzealous – albeit keen – posting behavior. In our opinion, for all his faults – he appeared to just be a keen kid with perhaps a little too much time on his hands.

Early in his posting career he released details of several MSTS reskins that – while perhaps being of poor quality – clearly showed a desire to put in the work required. One of the reskin screenshots he posted was of a model released by MSTS group Team-Alco (members; MattAustin, steam4me, gallop3, big_ed) that he had reskinned against the terms of release included in the readme file of the distribution. When he was pulled up on this by a member of Team Alco in the public forum, Squeekazoid explained that his understanding was that he didn’t need permission to do this as he had been told by a contributor to Railway Digest that he essentially had free-reign.

Since that time, Squeekazoid has been the constant target of attacks by big_ed, whereby Squeek would retaliate when provoked ensuring a flamewar was not far away.

At some point later, Big_Ed chose to announce his intention to cease publicly releasing freeware models to the MSTS community. In what can easily be interpreted as an act of spite (although this can't be proven), Ed chose to make it clear that work that he does complete will be released only to friends and ‘selected forum members’ – and while we agree that it is his choice to do this, we think that it is poor form to attempt to segregate the community so publicly. Furthermore, his desire to publicly pin the decision on “gimme pigs such as these”, and later Squeekazoid in particular was somewhat questionable.
(Source: http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p678207.htm#678207, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p678099.htm#678099, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p677719.htm#677719, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p722430.htm#722430)

As a result of this, a number of users turned their frustrations on squeekazoid, provoking a large outbreak of flamewars, and causing a large monitoring burden to be placed on the moderators. Despite the fact that Squeekazoid’s conduct had improved slightly over time, Big_ed continued to remind users in threads unrelated – that Squeekazoid was the cause of him no longer releasing freeware content for MSTS.

As time went on, Big_Ed chose to:

Enter threads with the sole intention of provoking Squeekazoid – choosing to refer to him as “Squeekaroid” and “Dickazoid” among other names
Infer that Squeekazoid is a homosexual as a term of insult
Suggest the use of anal lubrication
Make comments about the sexual development of squeekazoid
Insult SA users in general
Made derogatory comments about his family
Made threats about interfering with the future employment prospects of him
Posted a new year’s resolution to “Make a certain SA gunzel’s life hell” (meaning Squeekazoid)
Publically posted the personal phone number of Squeekazoid (who is, by the way, underage and this was known to Big_Ed)
Commented that he would like to strike Squeekazoid
Repeatedly called Squeekazoid an “infidel”
Told Squeekazoid that his mother had the right idea and that she was stupid to give birth to a “suckhole like you” after Squeekazoid had asked Ed via PM to leave him alone as his mother was dead and thus he had nobody to look after him
Made comments that his partner was “fat, ugly” and “has 5 heads”
Made it known that he had Squeeakzoid’s home address details and made suggestion that “If you have your head kicked in it would be bad luck because I am in another state” and that “there have been 5 takers on your address so far” commenting that he should “be careful from now on” and that “I always get even”
Telling Squeekazoid to “Die you bastard”

As well as a vast number of other similar offences. Not a very good impression from somebody who by his own admission has been employed in the railways for 30 years when they pick on a 16 year old kid. One could be forgiven for thinking that Big_Ed may have withdrawn from releasing freeware content as a means of turning the userbase against Squeekazoid in order to satisfy a personal grievance, however that cannot be proven. It is worth noting, however, that had Squeekazoid not been continually provoked, this issue would have died long ago.
(Source: http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p677719.htm#677719, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p678116.htm#678116, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p678134.htm#678134, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p678207.htm#678207, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p721494.htm#721494, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p722430.htm#722430, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p723284.htm#723284, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p714531.htm#714531, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p710478.htm#710478, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p702071.htm#702071, http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p713321.htm#713321, PMs reported to us)
See also, sample PM that was reported to us in a complaint:

mbrowne1045 · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:40 pm

Well said there James. I had wondered what the whole MSTS debarcle was about, and chose to stay away from it. But this sums it up perfectly. Thank you.

Lord mbrowne1045, Ambassador of Graftvegas, also a Commodore of the Lithgovian Navy, in charge of the Lithgovian Ute Brigade, Sea-Lion division.

New Nick Cave Album is out. Purchase your copy today.

My Website

TheLoadedDog · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:40 am

Webslave · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:11 am

Netherealm · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:33 am

Thanks for bringing the bigger picture to everyone who didn't know the full story, James. Me included.

It makes me feel sorry for the crap that Squeek and Ed were going through, and how something so simple started something so much worse than it had to be.

- Netherealm -

2001 · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:45 am

Some blokes fight over girls. Others bicker over whether Holden V8's reign above Ford V8's.

Now I see blokes firing ammunition over screen pics of locomotives.

What next ?

2001

Member Falls Creek 2018 Olympics Committee.

Denis · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:14 am

Hi Guys,
I would just like to add one or two things, I am also on completely neutral territory on this and dont know BigEd at all, have met Squeek only once.

Another part of the tension left out here is/was Squeeks actions at a number of locations and times (highlighted by 4/12 at Islington) where he put his own life at risk by being 'in the wrong place' and on a number of occasions where he put our credibility as enthusiasts at risk by trespassing on rail property for his photos, both TA, ARTC and private operator areas.

Some, in particular one young member, immediately apologised for these actions but Squeek didnt help his own case along with his outburst of teen attitude, www.railpage.com.au/f-t11325304.htm
www.railpage.com.au/f-t11325229.htm
www.railpage.com.au/f-t11325274-0-asc-s15.htm

There were also other outbursts I can't seem to find for the moment, these things also inflammed tensions in the SA forum and are not represented here.

From what I can see Squeek is a very keen, enthusiastic young fella, his main enemy seems to be himself. Think before you do etc, and it is ok to take constructive criticism from people who know better and have been around longer.

We are not all teachers, who must be hated and disobeyed, some of us are actually good people, who are trying to help, instead of snapping back (also known as 'taking the bait') why not accept the criticism (you don't have to thank us) and just try to do better next time. Attitude certainly doesn't help.

Just wanted to point out that this tension, was not only from the MSTS forum, but other areas too. Stay behind the fence, trains run on tracks, not people. If you think you shouldn't be there, or you think you might get in trouble for being there . . . Don't be there!

Cheers

Denis

Steamranger Volunteer

EL60 · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:48 pm

well said James Well Done

SCT G's and EL60 Octagonal best combo on freights!!
http://s444.photobucket.com/albums/qq161/EL60/September%202008/ all pictures of mine are copyright 2008 EL60 (Michael)

savy3801 · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:22 pm

Thanks for that Post James.

I can't get over what Squeekazoid was like,
And the thread i'd replied about the NR Horn, I should'nt said to him that was a great work. Confused

I remeber BrianB, e-mailed me that Squeekazoid (Nathan) infact repainted his N-type cars without his permission.

When I saw his real name. then that reminded me from what Brian said to my e-mail in late 2005.

Oh well, I'm glad I don't repaint models until I have e-mail with permission since I'd got permission from Brian Bere Streeter to repaint his n-Type cars and got permission from Joseph Spinella to repain 3801 in the grey nurse livery.

Again James.
Thanks for letting everyone of us know about this relating topic of big_ed and Squeekazoid

cheeryo
savy3801

Savy3801 -
I Might Not be a Battered Sav that you get from a Take-Away Food shop , But I'm a big fan of the 3801.

UnitedG · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:41 pm

The internet is a strange place and for some obscure and unfortunate reason there are some instances where people either forget or choose to forget that the laws of the land apply to the internet and indulge in types of behavior that are unacceptable and amount to a gross misuse of the internet. As a general rule such people would not indulge in such behavior in public as they would face the full force of the law and possible public humiliation. It would seem that on the internet, an alias name provides a sense of anonymity and protection.

In recent years there has been much attention to misuse of the internet and guideline materials now exist to inform people as to what is and is not acceptable.

One site in particular that users of the internet may find useful in dealing with internet issues is via http://www.netalert.net.au/00772-Legislation.asp. Users of the internet should perhaps be conscious of the measures that are in place and observe the spirit of the information. Under the law, ignorance is no excuse.

Also, Life is far too short to take issue with such trivial issues.

Regards

Me

ic6594 · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:13 pm

I'm certainly not siding with anyone, because I have limited experience as shown by my number of posts, and my age ( 3-4 years younger than squeekazoid), but there was no need (and this sounds really stupid) for the irrationality displayed by Big_ed. Admittedly a lot of things that Squeek did were wrong, dangerous, etc., but surely we're all guilty of some of the things?

Standing away from the battlefield that is this forum topic;
IC6594

GeoffreyHansen · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:14 pm

Alltrains · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:43 pm

I respectfully request from the Administrators a right to reply to this Public Statement as when a couple of links are opened my username is the first name visible. I await your reply

mjja · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:38 pm

You may certainly put your word in. Keep in mind though that you're not a named party in this matter. Reply only if you feel that your actions need defending.

Happy Gunzelling and remember, "Go by rail!"

Michael Angelico
President, Smart Passengers Inc
(My opinions are my own unless specifically stated.)

Alltrains · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:47 pm

Thank you mjja.
On the link www.railpage.com.au/f-p678207.htm listed in the Public Statement
I lodged a post on 7 Nov 2006 at 11:56 that was aimed at every person on that thread in regard to copyright issues being breached.
The only response that was posted was by squeekazoid at 12:02 which was two posts below the one that I lodged and I feel that this post should have been mentioned in the Public Statement as It is relevent to the events that occurred.
According to the Public Statement it appears that squeekazoid had done nothing wrong except for only one indiscretion for failing to obtain permission from Team-Alco to do a re-skin.
What about all the other indiscretions that he committed before this incident with Team-Alco and any involvement with Big Ed, none of these incidents have been taken into account and listed in the Public Statement, where if anyone criticized any of his work they would be abused by him, even when squeekazoid opened a thread and asked if anyone wanted a tram and a person simply answered "nope" that person was accused of critisizing his work and that that person could not re-skin anyway.
You will find these threads in these links www.railpage.com.au/f-t11321590.htm , www.railpage.com.au/f-t11321157-s0.htm , www.railpage.com.au/f-t11322725-s0.htm and www.railpage.com.au/f-t11324182-s0.htm . In my honest opinion I feel that the Public Statement as released by the Administrators is biased against Big Ed.
And as one of your own Administrators said "We're a neutral party who, after reviewing the facts, has reached a NON-neutral conclusion.
Please look at these threads and please re-evaluate the Public Statement as squeekazoid was just as guilty as Big Ed.
Thank you
Regards
Russell