A Petition for Change

[Slight of the Living Dead]

My fellow dedicated ATZers,

There has been a lot of talk around the boards over the last few months about how the site has "lost it's way," "not as good as it used to be," and things of that nature. While these statements are obviously subjective, whether they have any truth to them or not is not as important as what we can do for this website moving forward.

While we do have the opportunity to work together as a community on the Forums to make our beloved ATZ site the best it can be, many of us strongly feel that the rest of this site is sorely lacking, having been neglected and left non-updated for far, far too long. There are many members, myself included, that have posted here on the forums or written DeadKev directly and volunteered our time and services to help create and manage new, relevant content for the website, only to have our individual communications ignored.

Now is the time to show our support for one another and this website. Where individual communications may have failed, I challenge anyone who feels that AllThingsZombie.com MUST make itself fresh and relevant again, starting with the "main" website as well as the Forums, to reply to this thread and voice your opinion here.

If you have a special talent or skill you would like to share that could benefit the website (you're familiar with HTML, you've designed websites before, etc.), please feel free to put that in your reply as well. I will once again offer my services: I am familiar with HTML, and as I have proved over the last few months, not only can I write and create knowledgeable and relevant content for this website, I am dedicated to visiting and improving this site, visiting it multiple times every day. DeadKev (or other Administrators that may be reading this), I am volunteering my services to AllThingsZombie.com...how can I help to make this site a better place for all of us?

Thank you all for taking a moment to read and consider these thoughts. Again, if you feel the same way as many of us do, consider this thread the official "petition" to begin updating and refreshing this website, and "sign" your name by replying to this post ASAP and voicing your opinion. Thank you.

--Tony

[Creeping Death]

Anything it takes man, long live ATZ...

:drinking:

[zombie surfer]

I have been posting here for quite a while now & have noticed it isn't as good as it was when i first joined but that doesn't mean it can't be again. I have tried other sites but i still feel more at home on ATZ. The rest of the site could do with some work but i have no experience in these things or i would be willing to help.

[Zombiehunterdude]

I have no XP what so ever on the such but like you im eager to help preserve the site that is more and more my home.
I to offer my serveries however they may be used.

[DarthJoe8]

and BZN has been MIA...anyone know where he's been, I hope all is well. :drinking:

[Shredmonkey]

I run quite a few sites and I am the co-founder of LiveLeak.com so, whilst I'm no genius (far from it), I know one end of a site from another and I would gladly help out.

[VegetarianZombi]

I'm willing to help out. I'm a web professional having built sites for Disney and currently ESPN. I currently run my own zombie site which takes a lot of time, but I'd be willing to help clean this place up. But here's the thing ... we can petition to the moon and back, but unless someone with server access reads these messages, nothing is going to happen. Personally, I'm guessing this site is dead to whoever owns it and is now just collecting ad revenue. In time, you will come here to find a domain holder.

What I suggest is an exodus. We create another zombie site with message boards and a content management system (to keep things up to speed) and get people to move over there. If anything, to preserve the community. I can provide server space. I can install message boards and we can replicate the structure here. Moderators here, should be moderators there, but the key thing is that we build an active community.

Just a thought. If someone wants to take me up on it or at least discuss, shoot me an email via www.aworldonfire.com ... I rarely come here anymore for the precisely the reasons you state so don't bother with a private message.

In any case, good luck.

[echo112]

I'm no good at websites but tell me what to do and I'll do it!


I'm good at grammar if that helps?

[Bob]

Those of you familiar with me already know why I think the forum is declining.

Almost all the heavy hitters have stopped posting.
All we are left with is mall ninjas and children.

Most users hate super-threads.
Most users hate being treated like children.
Most users hate being constantly nagged.

The staff here must realize that threads are organic in that if they cannot evolve and change they die.
Just because a new thread is vaguely similar to an existing thread is not a sufficient reason to combine them.

Do not berate users because they post off topic in a thread.
Do not delete messages because it is off topic in a thread.
Do not berate users publicly.
Do not pick on a user because of his race and gender.

Moderators should not take things not directed at them personally.
Moderators should moderate not enforce their will.
That's why they are called moderators not Dictators.

Hell most of the heavy hitters don't even come here often enough to poll and see how they feel about things.
They have given up totally on this place.
I on the other hand think it still has the potential to recover but things must change for it to survive long term.

This forum must become organic and evolve and change and face the future head on.
One can rest on his laurels for only so long.

[mattifikation]

I, too, suspect that this web site's owners have abandoned it. I've mentioned to people in IM that I honestly believe the only reason this web site is still up is because the domain and server space was paid for in advance, and taking it down would cost more money than leaving it up.

If you really want to fix this web site up, I'd suggest contacting the owner by snail mail or telephone and making an offer.

[Crombie]

Payment for the site is a sunk cost. Removing it would not cost anything more than a few seconds, a rm -f -r *.*, and then DROP DATABASE vBulletin.

I can only imagine that the ad space pays for some of the hosting cost, and therefore Dead Kev does not really have to think about why this place stays open. I fully expect that one day it will just disappear forever.

[Creeping Death]

Those of you familiar with me already know why I think the forum is declining.

Almost all the heavy hitters have stopped posting.
All we are left with is mall ninjas and children.

Most users hate super-threads.
Most users hate being treated like children.
Most users hate being constantly nagged.

The staff here must realize that threads are organic in that if they cannot evolve and change they die.
Just because a new thread is vaguely similar to an existing thread is not a sufficient reason to combine them.

Do not berate users because they post off topic in a thread.
Do not delete messages because it is off topic in a thread.
Do not berate users publicly.
Do not pick on a user because of his race and gender.

Moderators should not take things not directed at them personally.
Moderators should moderate not enforce their will.
That's why they are called moderators not Dictators.

Hell most of the heavy hitters don't even come here often enough to poll and see how they feel about things.
They have given up totally on this place.
I on the other hand think it still has the potential to recover but things must change for it to survive long term.

This forum must become organic and evolve and change and face the future head on.
One can rest on his laurels for only so long.

I agree with most of what your saying here, bob.
And I hope Im not one of those "mall ninjas" or "a child". :lol:

This thread is depressing.... I don't want to ever think of the site dissapearing, because its my favorite website. :cry:
I try to get on atleast 1 time a day, and sometimes twice.

Maybe we should advertise?..... :think:

[mattifikation]

Payment for the site is a sunk cost. Removing it would not cost anything more than a few seconds, a rm -f -r *.*, and then DROP DATABASE vBulletin.

I can only imagine that the ad space pays for some of the hosting cost, and therefore Dead Kev does not really have to think about why this place stays open. I fully expect that one day it will just disappear forever.

Dropping it kills the ad revenue, thus costing money.

[Bob]

Not you CD

It has been a favorite forum of mine as well.
I seldom post here now because it is a crap shoot as whether or not the effort will have been for naught.
Ya know when one or two disappear that's one thing but when most of what you post disappears it becomes a why bother sort of thing.

[Creeping Death]

Not you CD

It has been a favorite forum of mine as well.
I seldom post here now because it is a crap shoot as whether or not the effort will have been for naught.
Ya know when one or two disappear that's one thing but when most of what you post disappears it becomes a why bother sort of thing.

Im one of the avid posters of this website, and there are only like.... 40 others on here.

It says theres quite a few active members at the bottom of the page, but that includes members who get on once, and never again. :drool:

[hotlead]

This is my first post since September, and I'm posting only to support Bob's comments.

This site was pretty cool when I joined up, even considering the monster-threads and romper room atmosphere, but recent months have seen it go way downhill.

There is a lot of potential with this site, I'd like to see it make the most of that potential.

[kiltedninja]

About half the time I know why my shit gets deleted, but sometimes my posts just up and go missing, it really pisses me off.

The real thing that gets me angry though is super-threads, sometimes merging two smaller ones that were just created and are identical is one thing, but when it's something like 4 different threads(exaggerating here a little) and they're all about remotely similar things, it's time for change. People don't want to talk about EXACTLY the same thing, they want to talk about specifics, and veer from the topic a little. We almost always get back on by ourselves, and if it gets too bad, more often than not one of the more veteran posters says something.

[mattifikation]

I think the OP was getting at the main site, and the fact that the front page is all excited about the upcoming release of a movie that came out last year... you know, that sort of thing.

The forums are beyond help, with idiots like me running around. :lol:

[VegetarianZombi]

About half the time I know why my shit gets deleted, but sometimes my posts just up and go missing, it really pisses me off.

The real thing that gets me angry though is super-threads, sometimes merging two smaller ones that were just created and are identical is one thing, but when it's something like 4 different threads(exaggerating here a little) and they're all about remotely similar things, it's time for change. People don't want to talk about EXACTLY the same thing, they want to talk about specifics, and veer from the topic a little. We almost always get back on by ourselves, and if it gets too bad, more often than not one of the more veteran posters says something.

Disappearing posts could also be attributed to the lack of maintenance. I bet if the administrator reindexed the boards, a lot of missing stuff would reappear. I noticed this sometime back when my post count was different than my actual post count. Of course, if this site had an admin people would know and if it were a case of over zealous mods, then he could reign them in.

[Darkness]

"As I have said many times, you are also free to call up the archived threads yourself. For instructions as to how, just click on the following link."

http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showpost.php?p=336295&postcount=7

[homelitexl]

im behind u all the way i miss the way things were back when i started

[homelitexl]

guys im startin 2 think this exodus idea might be a good 1 anyhow idk wat 2 say bout it i want the old ways back and yeah they need 2 update it

[CAVU45]

I agree with everything Bob posted. This place is getting very tiresome, very fast. I do believe this will be one of my last posts here. I'm voting with my "feet".

[Creeping Death]

I agree with everything Bob posted. This place is getting very tiresome, very fast. I do believe this will be one of my last posts here. I'm voting with my "feet".

One of the reasons that this is happening is because people keep giving up. Im not trying to directly blame you, but its the truth.

All this forum needs is for members to keep getting on, and for there to be an owner who isn't busy all of the time.

[Bob]

This is not a sexist remark.
This is common sense, plain and simple.

When I was a scoutmaster I was in charge of leading and directing young men and male parents.

In no way would I have been qualified to lead a troop of Girl Scouts.
I just would not have understood them.


This is not to say it cannot be done but even under the best of circumstances it will not be the same.

Some of the rules here I willingly accept.
For example the one about discussion of harm to living humans.
I agree with that one.
The one about not discussing the manufacture of field expedient explosives.
I heartily agree with that one.

But some of them...

[Creeping Death]

This is not a sexist remark.
This is common sense, plain and simple.

When I was a scoutmaster I was in charge of leading and directing young men and male parents.

In no way would I have been qualified to lead a troop of Girl Scouts.
I just would not have understood them.


This is not to say it cannot be done but even under the best of circumstances it will not be the same.

Some of the rules here I willingly accept.
For example the one about discussion of harm to living humans.
I agree with that one.
The one about not discussing the manufacture of field expedient explosives.
I heartily agree with that one.

But some of them...


I agree, those rules are neccesary.
Also: remarks of religion and sexuality, and even race are very important.

But why isn't it okay to get a little off topic?

[Shufflef00t]

I vote we throw darkness to the curb and let BOB mod this place.

[Bob]

Thanks Shufflefoot

However that is not nor has it ever been my intent.
Besides I have to much history here to ever moderate anything.

I just want this place to once again be fun.

[Darkness]

I vote we throw darkness to the curb and let BOB mod this place.

"Sorry, but you haven't been here long enough, to warrent a Vote, anyway." ;-) :lol:

"Thank you Bob, for your personal support."

[SWAT Zombie]

i used to come to this site regularly a couple of years ago. i used the site to look up movies and stuff. i also came onto the forums as well. i don't remember my username, i would have continued with that if i could remember, but i'm pretty sure i had the same avatar. i didn't have access to the internet for quite a while so i didn't get to come here for a long time. it was always a favourite and i'd hate to see it go when i've only just rediscovered it again. i hope it can be salvaged and that people stick with it, i'm only just starting to get back into the swing of it.
and i see no reason to get rid of Darkness. its not her fault and she seems to be doing a good enough job controlling all us naughty little boys and girls, and by the looks of it, mostly on her own. :)

[UNDEAD FRED]

I throw my support behind Darkness as well, she has a tough job, on her own as it seems. She doesnt make the rules, but as a Mod its her job to keep the peace in this zombie apocalypse, I think she has done a great job so far.

[homelitexl]

jw hey darkness do i get a vote

[Darkness]

"Besides, what other Mod, would dare give these, 'naughty little boys and girls', their own ATZ Gun Club Social Group?" :)

[buddy christ]

i hate to hear this discussion. i really do. i have been a member here for a little while now. but i was reading this forum for the last 4 years now before that. this was such a passionate site and full of input. yes it has dipped now for awhile, but i still come here first all the time. this could still be a great site and i think it will be. the posts have totally slowed down though from all of the old regulars which is very disappointing to me. i do think, i and others are partially to blame because we never put our 2 cents in. a stagnant site is a dying site. i am putting this forth because this is or was the premiere site for zombie fans and it should stay that way. i do not want to stay in the background and if i can help bring this site back to life i am more than willing. please keep this site alive.

[arayner]

I hope someone intervenes. I would hate to see this site disappear for good, as I've been posting here for a couple of years. Where else am I going to keep up to date with the undead!

[Creeping Death]

Very true statements once again Bob. :clap:

The truth is, I have personally never seen Dead Kev online in a year besides one instance where the site almost crashed.

Does it take an emergency to get the owner to pay attention to this place? I just wish he would pick up interest again, and start getting on all of the time...... :doh:

I don't know if Bad Zombie Night has just been busy or not, but I've noticed his log-ins are becoming more and more rare.
Bad Zombie Night is an administrator here, and its important that he gets on.

As for Darkness, great mod. But sometimes I think that sometimes when somebody sticks up and says something back about one of the rules: she gets offended.

That is just a guess..... :drool:

Also, this thread is 3 pages long, and most site announcements don't go past 1, so it shows that people do care about this place....

Rant over.

[Darkness]

"Bob, what is Posted in Pm STAYS in Pm. That's why is called PRIVATE messeging. DO NOT post private messeges in Public Threads."

[Crombie]

I would also like to commend Darkness being willing to be a moderator, and the primary person behind bringing back the US&D forum. Without her around that forum would have remained locked, and most likely eventually deleted. That forum has to be a difficult one to moderate because in the past without active moderation it just devolved into a lot of e-peen one-upmanship. It is funny how I do not see this mentioned at all in this thread.

[Bob]

Any excuse huh?

[homelitexl]

hey bob what wa s darkness rambling on about

[kiltedninja]

It's private until He decides that it's public, actually. Just like I could post what he tells me, if I so wanted, he can post what he tells you Darkness. Stop censoring him so much, he's got something to say, if he wants to say it, let him say it, even if you don't care about it. I'm asking this as a friend, try and work it out, see what he really has to say, be a little more open minded about it, and work from there.

[Slight of the Living Dead]

Well certainly, when I started this thread a few weeks back, I had hoped that it would spark some conversation. Even though it has, at times, taken a turn into random territories, the sentiment remains much the same as it was when I first posted the "petition:"

-->we all enjoy our time spent here on ATZ talking about zombie-relevant stuff
--> we would all like to see the "main" site updated with more relevant and current information in order to attract promising new members to our community
-->many of us feel that, while the content of the site has lagged a bit as of late, we definitely have the potential to keep the community alive and thriving

It's that last point that hits home the hardest. I know a few posters have mentioned a "mass exodus" from this site to another, and if that's what it takes, then so be it. But it seems that most of us, myself included, aren't quite ready to totally give up on ol' ATZ just yet.

Darkness, a few questions for you, as the lone Moderator that has weighed in on this thread:

1. Do you have any direct contact with DeadKev? According to his profile, the last time he logged on was in April, and that was in response to the "emergency" outage issue. Does he care at all about the forums, or any part of the site, anymore? When I first joined back in July, I sent him a very articulate and well-thought-out message offering my assistance to the site and to the forums, a message that went utterly ignored. So I was just curious how much contact the Mods may have with him.

2. Do you have any control or access to change the "main" part of the website, or are your "powers" limited to the forums?

3. Do you have any direct contact with Bad Zombie Night? As the only other Moderator, he doesn't seem to be very "present" with us either.

4. Finally, what do you recommend someone like myself do to "volunteer" assistance with the site? As I said, my messages and attempts at direct contact with DeadKev have all gone unheeded. What can I do to look into becoming a Morderator on the forums or helping to create and change content for the website?

To everyone who has read or posted on this thread so far, I sincerely appreciate the support and passion you all have shown towards making ATZ a great place to "hang out." Hopefully we'll all be able to do our part to help continue to make it a great place to be!

--Tony

[UNDEAD FRED]

I would love to see a zombie fiction section, or maybe even a zombie fiction contest. post the winners stories on the main site. It would be nice to see people support other people here that post zombie stories. Im sure there are some good writters that are members here.

[homelitexl]

i think me or bob should replace the owner im on here almost everyday

[Creeping Death]

You've also been accused of being a Troll.

A troll wouldn't make a good owner. :drool:

[homelitexl]

shut up dammit i aint no troll they say that because i post my beliefs

[zombie surfer]

i think me or bob should replace the owner im on here almost everyday

If that happens the site is doomed.

[MorganaLeFaye]

I vote we throw darkness to the curb and let BOB mod this place.

I vote newbs learn their place and STFU.

[homelitexl]

cmon people im serios i aint a goddamn troll
and iwant to see this place back the way it was when i started and i doont care what it takes to make it happen i just wanna see it go back plsu ill do anythink to help it out

[Creeping Death]

cmon people im serios i aint a goddamn troll
and iwant to see this place back the way it was when i started and i doont care what it takes to make it happen i just wanna see it go back plsu ill do anythink to help it out

Im not saying your a troll, Im saying that you have beem accused of it.
And no offense, I just don't think it'd work out very well if you ran the whole place. :drool:

[mattifikation]

I vote newbs learn their place and STFU.

I vote somebody should move their hands.

[Bob]

It should be pretty obvious that I am not the only one wanting change.
By now I think everyone has realized there is bad blood between the staff and myself.
This and the fact that there have been several deleted messages from this thread is why I have been fairly quiet in this thread.
Once again a long well written post has dissapeared.

You have no idea how nice I am forcing myself to be in this.
Even now the acid is dripping off my fingers onto the screen and I have to keep deleting the things I want to say.
I will say this though this forum is not the only one with out of control staff.

I understand it gets tiresome reading every post no matter how boring it may seem.
Your patience wears thin with individuals and real life stresses creep into your online judgement of users.
You reach a point that you get tired of the same old posts over and over.
You just want people to shut up.

I think the problem here is solvable without removing any of the existing staff.
We just need some new moderators that don't hate Bob.
In posts existing and deleted there have been calls to make Bob a moderator.
Bob does not want to be a moderator here.
I come here to have fun in "Zombieville", Bob the moderator is not the same as Bob the user.
Moderators should hold themselves to a higher standard than the users.

A good moderator must keep the welfare of the forum foremost in his or her mind at all times.
They must keep personal likes and dislikes out of their decisions.
They must strive not to let emotions cloud their judgment.
This ain't Bob but it ain't Darkness by herself either she needs help.

Remember this, a forum is a gestalt. (the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts)
When you single out and drive off parts you reduce the whole.
Without the spice of users like Bob and his cronies you eventually reduce the most marvelous of Thanksgiving feasts to a bland tasteless grey paste that no one wants.

Darkness cheer up and have a great day remember, Bob is an old man and maybe he will have a stroke and die.
When you are sitting at the dinner table and everyone is stating something they are thankful for you can say "I am thankful my husband is nothing like Bob" :)

Everyone, Happy Thanksgiving

[homelitexl]

bob i wouldnt hold back if i was u

[mrlaughingman]

Moderators should not take things not directed at them personally.
Moderators should moderate not enforce their will.
That's why they are called moderators not Dictators.



mods arent gods

[DarthJoe8]

mods arent gods

Or, are they....:scare:

[homelitexl]

we should riot and no they arent there as human as u or pauly shore

[undeadkllr]

UH Pauly Shore is very far from human!!!

[homelitexl]

okay then that guy who does al bundy hes normal right

[mrlaughingman]

i know the mods are the reason why i hardly come here. i got tired of feeling like my mom was going to yell at me everytime i posted.

[Creeping Death]

The mods have "orders".

If they neglect what they are told to do, then they aren't doing the job, and might as well not me moderaters. :drool:

[DarthJoe8]

i know the mods are the reason why i hardly come here. i got tired of feeling like my mom was going to yell at me everytime i posted.


I have almost 6k posts and never once had a problem with the Mods...just saying. :drinking:

[Slight of the Living Dead]

Darkness, a few questions for you, as the lone Moderator that has weighed in on this thread:

1. Do you have any direct contact with DeadKev? According to his profile, the last time he logged on was in April, and that was in response to the "emergency" outage issue. Does he care at all about the forums, or any part of the site, anymore? When I first joined back in July, I sent him a very articulate and well-thought-out message offering my assistance to the site and to the forums, a message that went utterly ignored. So I was just curious how much contact the Mods may have with him.

2. Do you have any control or access to change the "main" part of the website, or are your "powers" limited to the forums?

3. Do you have any direct contact with Bad Zombie Night? As the only other Moderator, he doesn't seem to be very "present" with us either.

4. Finally, what do you recommend someone like myself do to "volunteer" assistance with the site? As I said, my messages and attempts at direct contact with DeadKev have all gone unheeded. What can I do to look into becoming a Morderator on the forums or helping to create and change content for the website?

This is also a frustrating part of this site -- when you have a direct question for Moderators, who have already posted in this thread, it seems difficult to get a direct answer! Darkness or BadZombieNight, a little help here...do you have answers to these questions? I'd hate to have to think that the only way to get a Mod to reply to you is to insult them or to break a rule, but that's the way it seems to be going lately! :x

--Tony

[mattifikation]

No offense dude, but you have a grand total of 66 posts. Why should anyone let you be a moderator?

[DarthJoe8]

No offense dude, but you have a grand total of 66 posts. Why should anyone let you be a moderator?


I don't think he wants to be a mod, I think he wants offer help with things like reviews and such regarding the main page...:drinking: I think.

[mattifikation]

Re-read his fourth question. lol

He wants to tell us what to do. :lol:

[Slight of the Living Dead]

I definitely don't want to tell anyone what to do...I just want to help in whatever way possible.

If that's by lending a hand to help redesign the main site, that's fine.

If that's by becoming a Moderator or some other type of administrator-type-role to help with basics like deleting spamming messages and keeping things running smoothly, that's fine.

If it's by shutting my big yap and being just another member of the mob, that's fine.

I just wanted to start by getting some answers to some questions, that's all!:drinking:

--Tony

[DarthJoe8]

Re-read his fourth question. lol

He wants to tell us what to do. :lol:

And then there's the forth question....:scare:

[Darkness]

"I do have a few things to say........"

"First:
No, I have no way of getting a hold of Dead Kev, other than the way everyone else does.
No, I have control in the Forums only.
Yes, Bad Zombie Night is around, he just isn't always seen.
No, I don't do the hiring."


"Now a few comments of my own....."

"If you guys wouldn't let your rants go on for pages at a time, I wouldn't have to keep reminding you to get back on topic. If you guys didn't go on rants for pages at a time, the threads wouldn't be so long and confusing."

"New comers could be interested in those past conversations. Even though you may have read, and said, your fill, doesn't mean everyone else has."
(And if it bugs you, for them to read where you guys got young and stupid, then maybe you should consider that next time, BEFORE you post. ;-) :lol:)

"And if you didn't pick on the new comers, just for being new, maybe a few more would stick around, and become seasoned regulars. We need to remember that we were ALL new, at one time or another."

"You are right. I do try to read EVERY SINGLE THREAD no matter how boring, or stupid, or warped, they are. And no, it's not easy to keep track of everything, and still maintain some patience. But I do it for you guys. No matter how sick I feel, or how tired, or how frustrated I get, I'm always here as much as my body, and my life, will let me be. I'm sorry if that's not good enough for some of you."

"Last but not least, Rules are there for a reason, to keep chaos at bay, as much as possible."

[Bob]

I understand it gets tiresome reading every post no matter how boring it may seem.
Your patience wears thin with individuals and real life stresses creep into your online judgement of users.
You reach a point that you get tired of the same old posts over and over.
You just want people to shut up.

I think the problem here is solvable without removing any of the existing staff.
We just need some new moderators that don't hate Bob.
In posts existing and deleted there have been calls to make Bob a moderator.
Bob does not want to be a moderator here.
I come here to have fun in "Zombieville", Bob the moderator is not the same as Bob the user.
Moderators should hold themselves to a higher standard than the users.

A good moderator must keep the welfare of the forum foremost in his or her mind at all times.
They must keep personal likes and dislikes out of their decisions.
They must strive not to let emotions cloud their judgment.
This ain't Bob but it ain't Darkness by herself either she needs help.

Remember this, a forum is a gestalt. (the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts)
When you single out and drive off parts you reduce the whole.
Without the spice of users like Bob and his cronies you eventually reduce the most marvelous of Thanksgiving feasts to a bland tasteless grey paste that no one wants.


New users are the life blood of a forum.
They should get a feel for things before they go shooting their fingers off though.

Oh and just for the record, darkness posting in color makes her posts stand out and not get lost in a page full of drivel.
But she is a mod.
A user doing it is is just gay

[Darkness]

"I make my posts bright red, so they match my signature pictures. I was doing that long before I ever became a Mod." ;-) :lol:

[Bob]

Well you are a girl so you are allowed to color co-ordinate. :)

[Slight of the Living Dead]

New users are the life blood of a forum.
They should get a feel for things before they go shooting their fingers off though.

Oh and just for the record, darkness posting in color makes her posts stand out and not get lost in a page full of drivel.
But she is a mod.
A user doing it is is just gay

At least I compose my messages in normal paragraph style.
Not like some wanna-be poet who wants desperately to be "unique" as well.
Calling someone out for the color of their posts when you try so hard to make yours stand out...
Kind of hypocritical.
When you try just as hard to make your posts look different too, huh?

"Oh, and just for the record," I've always posted in some shade of green on all the message boards I've ever written on, it didn't just magically start the day I found this site--ATZ ain't that great and life-changing, Bobbo. And hey, my bad for volunteering my time and efforts to try and make this site a better place for all of us. Little did I know my response would be met with insults and rants about how great things were in the past, instead of anyone giving a damn about changing things in the present. Like it's been said before, if this is how you "old users" treat all the newcomers, it's no wonder this site has fallen off the map.

--Tony

[homelitexl]

you know this time last year i was the noob and yet look i stayed on

[DarthJoe8]

Like it's been said before, if this is how you "old users" treat all the newcomers, it's no wonder this site has fallen off the map.

--Tony

This is what Darknesses point was. I think you know that that isn't the norm around here but every site has people who are edgy. I personally never understood why some people seem to wanna be a d1ck just to be a d1ck, but whatever. :roll:

The way I look at it is if you don't like something that someone has posted then it's much easier to ignore it or if you must comment, pretend the person is standing in front of you and measure your words. Hell, even use some emoticons to ease any possible tensions. :)

I for one appreciate your contributions around here with your movie and book reviews and even this thread. I think a couple of ideas got crossed in this thread. Your's being one about how to help out with the work load and the other being a debate on how things are/should be modded around here.

:drinking:I like beer!!

[Slight of the Living Dead]

This is what Darknesses point was. I think you know that that isn't the norm around here but every site has people who are edgy. I personally never understood why some people seem to wanna be a d1ck just to be a d1ck, but whatever. :roll:

The way I look at it is if you don't like something that someone has posted then it's much easier to ignore it or if you must comment, pretend the person is standing in front of you and measure your words. Hell, even use some emoticons to ease any possible tensions. :)

I for one appreciate your contributions around here with your movie and book reviews and even this thread. I think a couple of ideas got crossed in this thread. Your's being one about how to help out with the work load and the other being a debate on how things are/should be modded around here.

:drinking:I like beer!!

DJ, I have always appreciated your level-headed and insightful input on this site, from the day I arrived. And you are right, sometimes things just get out of hand and things are said without thoroughly thinking them through, on all of our parts. Just like in real life! :)

I have enjoyed reading others' zombie-centric contributions to the site, and making my own as well. I am happy to keep on doing what I've been doing, and hopefully we'll all have a grand time on the ol' forums, uniting in our common hatred for those undead, festering pusbags! :drinking:

--Tony

[Creeping Death]

Slight of the Living Dead: I appreciate your attempt to help the site, so I hope your not referring to me when you say that we treat the noobies bad.
:clap:

DarthJoe8 and Mattifikation: Ease up man, slight of the living dead is only trying to help.
:)

Darkness: Your job is your job. I understand what you have to do.

Bob: You have good points as usual.

Homelitexl:......heh...... :doh:

[VegetarianZombi]

Now that you guys have all hugged and made up, are you going to look at the issue that this is a dead site? The forums may be going strong, but you need to face the fact that this community is teetering on the edge. Someone needs to get in touch with Dead Kev. I'm thinking the best way to do that is to contact the ISP who hosts this site. Send a message to them and ask them to forward it to the domain owner. If he still doesn't contact you, send the ISP a bogus cease and desist email regarding some content the main site. I guarantee you that will get Dead Kev's attention.

I'm telling you ... one day you will come here and find this place will be gone. If you value the relationships you have made on this board, you need to do something.

This site is hosted on asmallorange.com ... here is the traceroute:

1 19 11 6 72.249.128.109 -
2 49 7 6 8.9.232.73 xe-5-3-0.edge3.dallas1.level3.net
3 13 10 9 4.69.145.205 ae-4-90.edge4.dallas3.level3.net
4 15 21 14 4.59.32.10 mzima-netwo.edge4.dallas3.level3.net
5 66 48 64 69.174.120.50 te1-1.cr01.atl01.us.mzima.net
6 34 33 45 67.199.136.166 xe0-gnax.cust.atl01.mzima.net
7 39 33 43 63.247.69.178 atl-core-g-g1-6.gnax.net
8 33 27 27 75.127.98.103 frogurt.asmallorange.com

Good luck

[mattifikation]

Right, so we contact Dead Kev, and then what? Odds are he abandoned this site because there are more pressing issues in his personal life and more lucrative opportunities in his professional life.

People generally don't abandon things without a reason.

[Creeping Death]

Right, so we contact Dead Kev, and then what? Odds are he abandoned this site because there are more pressing issues in his personal life and more lucrative opportunities in his professional life.

People generally don't abandon things without a reason.

But he can hand over the ownership to somebody else?
Right? :think:

[UNDEAD FRED]

Dead Kev is a important film maker in horror, I dont think he has time to take care of the site, hes in post production of his latest movie.

[DarthJoe8]

Dead Kev is a important film maker in horror, I dont think he has time to take care of the site, hes in post production of his latest movie.


I hope its a zombie movie!! :drinking:

[retro zombie killer]

I've just stopped by to visit and see what's up. Wow, look like things are rotten in Denmark to steal a phrase or Zombie Land to be more accurate! I, for one hope the site stays up! I enjoy reading what others have to say and seeing what's up even if I don't post! I only post if I have something to say or add!

Kudos to you, DarthJoe8 for starting this petition and everyone else who's trying to keep this site going!

[DarthJoe8]

Kudos to you, DarthJoe8 for starting this petition and everyone else who's trying to keep this site going!

Hey, thanks but it wasn't me. :lol:It was a noob, Slight of the Living Dead. :drinking:Check out his reviews in the reviews section.

[ZombieGore]

When I first joined ATZ I was stoked to find people as wierd as me...but after a couple of months it all wore off...this site cannot continue with an owner who doesnt care...
I would love for this site to continue though...

As for Darkness, I say keep up the good work, your pretty much the only one who runs this site it seems and youve always been fair imo...

And remember people...just because you have an opinion...doesnt mean you have to be a d1ck...

[Bob]

Zombiegore
...

[undeadkllr]

OK so how much is hosting and how much does he want for the domain??? I mean let cut to the chase. Peoples interests change, and thats cool, I understand that. But money talks and bull shit walks.

[Slight of the Living Dead]

OK so how much is hosting and how much does he want for the domain??? I mean let cut to the chase. Peoples interests change, and thats cool, I understand that. But money talks and bull shit walks.


You're absolutely right, man, but unfortunately we can't even get DeadKev to respond to any e-mails sent his way. He probably wouldn't even respond to a "buy-out" request, as sad as that is! :x

--Tony

[UNDEAD FRED]

Why dont people just post more? Its a open forum, try to make it better. Just post a few times everyday.

[DarthJoe8]

Why dont people just post more? Its a open forum, try to make it better. Just post a few times everyday.

Right!! For a site that's been mostly abandoned from its owner this place rocks. When you do a search for zombie whatever, ATZ comes up. :drinking: It's all because of the people who visit and love zombies!! We are whats great about ATZ!! :drinking:I like beer!!

EDIT: I'm doing my part on posting!! :guns:

[VegetarianZombi]

Why dont people just post more? Its a open forum, try to make it better. Just post a few times everyday.

It doesn't matter if you post or not. What's going to happen is that one day Dead Kev is going to realize that this site isn't worth the trouble and he will pull the plug. He will either cancel his isp account, or he will open up a web control panel, and press the little delete button, thereby deleting every profile, thread, private message, and sarcastic remark without so much as a sound.

I originally suggested an exodus to another site or create a new version of this site on another server, pointing all new people there. I will be happy to set up the server space and provide bandwidth. Someone would need to purchase a domain, and more importantly, the community would have to want to go.

Otherwise, we contact Dead Kev via. his ISP and either ask for the keys and/or try to do a community fundraiser to "buy" him out.

[UNDEAD FRED]

I been looking at this site since 2004, and joined in 2006. Dead Kev has never really been around. Im just saying lets all just start posting more, try to steer it clear of the apocalypse.

[ZombieGore]

Zombiegore
...

bob...the periods make what I have to say more important...

[Bob]

Zombiegore
It is impossible to polish you.

[homelitexl]

anyhow we need to find the cause of this problem and fix it

[Creeping Death]

I highly doubt that Dead Kev would just go:

"Well...... I'll delete the page just for shits and giggles."

He knows that people actually like to get on the page. :)

[homelitexl]

we still need to fix it im goin down with the ship i aint desertin

[mattifikation]

I think what we need is more taco up in here. This place is kind of a sausage fest. And by "kind of," I mean you can't back up without getting a dink in your asterisk.

[ZombieGore]

Zombiegore
It is impossible to polish you.

Damn...I have such a good comeback for that...its against the rules though...:cry:

[arayner]

I think what we need is more taco up in here. This place is kind of a sausage fest. And by "kind of," I mean you can't back up without getting a dink in your asterisk.

Priceless :lol:

[DarthJoe8]

I think what we need is more taco up in here. This place is kind of a sausage fest. And by "kind of," I mean you can't back up without getting a dink in your asterisk.


That's why I don't back up!! :drinking:

[Creeping Death]

Who gives a damn if its a sausagefest.

We're not actually in the same place, so theres no need for as many girls as possible.
They just aren't as interested in Zombies. :drool:

[ZombieGore]

That's why I don't back up!! :drinking:

no you just get drunk and stumble back...lol:drinking:

[homelitexl]

never look back and keep movin forward

[mattifikation]

Didn't Pain used to be a moderator also? What happened to that guy?

[ZombieJack]

Hi, I joined this forum yesterday and I have no intention of being driven away :). I didn't know the problems before I joined but I've just read this thread and I can really see the problems now. I'd be willing to help if you ask me to help, just send me a private message because I'm all for change and attracting more people to the site.

I was just wondering if perhaps starting a new site would be a better idea? If we can't ever control this site, it seems like a lost cause really, however sad that may be, but if we lose this site randomly one day, we won't be able top contact each other to make a new site, that's why, I my humble and noobish opinion :), I'd suggest we made a new site and told people about it here and we moved to this new site. This however may be easy for me to say having no emotional attachment to this site (yet) but I think it's the best idea.

No matter what we need to keep this community going so I'm here for the stay.

TJ

[Creeping Death]

Hi, I joined this forum yesterday and I have no intention of being driven away :). I didn't know the problems before I joined but I've just read this thread and I can really see the problems now. I'd be willing to help if you ask me to help, just send me a private message because I'm all for change and attracting more people to the site.

I was just wondering if perhaps starting a new site would be a better idea? If we can't ever control this site, it seems like a lost cause really, however sad that may be, but if we lose this site randomly one day, we won't be able top contact each other to make a new site, that's why, I my humble and noobish opinion :), I'd suggest we made a new site and told people about it here and we moved to this new site. This however may be easy for me to say having no emotional attachment to this site (yet) but I think it's the best idea.

No matter what we need to keep this community going so I'm here for the stay.

TJ

I wish it were that easy, but there is so much history here.
We'd all lose all of our posts, friends, clubs, and everything.

It can't all be re-created. :doh:

[ZombieGore]

I agree with Creeping Death...I lurked these boards way before I ever made an account...I have never been on another fourms site that I have liked more then this one...Ive been doing my best to post on a regular basis...ZombieJack if you want to help then all you have to do is keep posting...dont be scared to jump into conversations...some people may come off as jerks at first but really they are all pretty cool dudes...

[Creeping Death]

I agree with Creeping Death...I lurked these boards way before I ever made an account...I have never been on another fourms site that I have liked more then this one...Ive been doing my best to post on a regular basis...ZombieJack if you want to help then all you have to do is keep posting...dont be scared to jump into conversations...some people may come off as jerks at first but really they are all pretty cool dudes...

Nuff said.... :clap:

[mrlaughingman]

I agree with Creeping Death...I lurked these boards way before I ever made an account...I have never been on another fourms site that I have liked more then this one...Ive been doing my best to post on a regular basis...ZombieJack if you want to help then all you have to do is keep posting...dont be scared to jump into conversations...some people may come off as jerks at first but really they are all pretty cool dudes...


wait am i on the list of cool dudes and if so when did that happen.y

[Creeping Death]

Is it just me, or am I seeing a spike in activity in the past few weeks?

Thats all it takes to keep this place up.
So lets keep the up the good work. :)

[ZombieGore]

Is it just me, or am I seeing a spike in activity in the past few weeks?

Thats all it takes to keep this place up.
So lets keep the up the good work. :)

Ya ive noticed it also...I just really wish we could get some work done on the main page...

[DarthJoe8]

I agree with Creeping Death...I lurked these boards way before I ever made an account...I have never been on another fourms site that I have liked more then this one...Ive been doing my best to post on a regular basis...ZombieJack if you want to help then all you have to do is keep posting...dont be scared to jump into conversations...some people may come off as jerks at first but really they are all pretty cool dudes...


Lurk?? What's this lurking I keep hearing about?? I found ATZ when I was looking for comics, saw the main page was at that time not as out dated as it is now, found the forums, read about 3 or so topics and joined the same night!! :lol:

Lurking...if you're a zed fan there is no lurking. :loon:

:drinking:

[zombie surfer]

Lurk?? What's this lurking I keep hearing about?? I found ATZ when I was looking for comics, saw the main page was at that time not as out dated as it is now, found the forums, read about 3 or so topics and joined the same night!! :lol:

Lurking...if you're a zed fan there is no lurking. :loon:

:drinking:

I didn't lurk either, i stumbled on this place while looking for reviews of Uncle Sam. i also joined the same night.:)

[UNDEAD FRED]

I was stoned when I found this site, go fiqure:evil:

[Darkness]

"I was looking for the name of a Horror Movie, stumbled on to this place and registered that day." :)

[SWAT Zombie]

i'm pretty sure the first time round, several years ago, i found the site when looking for stuff about upcoming zombie movies but didn't notice the forums until a few visits later. joined up, stayed a while but then stopped coming because i didn't have any decent or regular access to the internet for quite a while. got me some adsl2 happening late last year but didn't think to come back until i was looking for stuff on zombie movies again and thought "oh yeah. i remember that site". deja vu :)

[ZombieGore]

Lurk?? What's this lurking I keep hearing about?? I found ATZ when I was looking for comics, saw the main page was at that time not as out dated as it is now, found the forums, read about 3 or so topics and joined the same night!! :lol:

Lurking...if you're a zed fan there is no lurking. :loon:

:drinking:

On the contrary...I "lurked" lol because i am a zombie fan...gotta make sure im not joining a forum with a bunch of :poo:heads who just get on to sling :poo: at each other...but if it makes you feel better you are one of the reasons i joined...i saw that the regulars were kinda like a family...and I need some internet homies lol

[weirdenator]

On the contrary...I "lurked" lol because i am a zombie fan...gotta make sure im not joining a forum with a bunch of :poo:heads who just get on to sling :poo: at each other...but if it makes you feel better you are one of the reasons i joined...i saw that the regulars were kinda like a family...and I need some internet homies lol

lol i joined because every one here semmed freindly and you guys are:lol: i found while looking for that lawson film that is not real:cry:

[mrlaughingman]

you know no one has answered my question yet when did i ever become cool.

[ZombieGore]

you know no one has answered my question yet when did i ever become cool.

everybody on the board is cool by association because they are on the same forums as me...

[mrlaughingman]

ok i can live with that

[Creeping Death]

I also joined the same day I found this place.
I actually searched: Zombies.

The website Allthingszombie came up, then I clicked on message board. :)

[ZombieGore]

I found the site while I was getting drunk and watching Diary of the Dead...so hurray for drinking and GAR:drinking:

[TheAsylum]

Those of you familiar with me already know why I think the forum is declining.

Almost all the heavy hitters have stopped posting.
All we are left with is mall ninjas and children.

Most users hate super-threads.
Most users hate being treated like children.
Most users hate being constantly nagged.

The staff here must realize that threads are organic in that if they cannot evolve and change they die.
Just because a new thread is vaguely similar to an existing thread is not a sufficient reason to combine them.

Do not berate users because they post off topic in a thread.
Do not delete messages because it is off topic in a thread.
Do not berate users publicly.
Do not pick on a user because of his race and gender.

Moderators should not take things not directed at them personally.
Moderators should moderate not enforce their will.
That's why they are called moderators not Dictators.

Hell most of the heavy hitters don't even come here often enough to poll and see how they feel about things.
They have given up totally on this place.
I on the other hand think it still has the potential to recover but things must change for it to survive long term.

This forum must become organic and evolve and change and face the future head on.
One can rest on his laurels for only so long.

Amen! I am a new member and new to forums altogether. My first post became a nightmare because the moderators act like Nazi's instead of simply educating. I then took the "high road" and posted a new thread. The Moderators then simply combined that post with the old post that they had issues with. What a nightmare!:x :x :x

[Darkness]

"I did not have issues about the Thread. I had issues about FOUR copies of the same Thread."

[TheAsylum]

"I did not have issues about the Thread. I had issues about FOUR copies of the same Thread."


I'm sorry, I took censoring someone's content and closing threads as a bad thing. Like I said, I'm new to forums!

[Darkness]

"I did not do that."

[TheAsylum]

"I did not do that."

I never said "you" did, but someone did it. This just proves the original poster's point of people being treated like children.

[mattifikation]

The original poster's point was that the web site doesn't get updated often enough.

[TheAsylum]

The original poster's point was that the web site doesn't get updated often enough.

I was referring to the poster that I quoted in my first reply.

[mattifikation]

Hey, didn't Pain used to be a moderator here?

[weirdenator]

Hey, didn't Pain used to be a moderator here?

whos pain??

[massacre07]

I am also new here and I'm going to pitch in a little of my two cents about what I see and what I know.

First what I see. As a new person I felt generally welcomed, I always make a point of not posting garbage on forums, I dont spam and I dont flame. Within the first several hours of me signing up a fellow forum member posted on my profile page "nice posts", this made me feel more welcome. However I have noticed the treatment of some of the other newer members to be less civil. I see the term mall ninja getting thrown around a lot and perhaps why so many people come, make a few posts and then never return is that because new members are not given the opportunity. I quote a lot of movies and right now Platoon is coming to mind
'A new guy's life isnt worth as much because he hasnt put in his time'
Im not suggesting the forum breaks out in open celebration everytime someone joins but maybe some of the vets around here could cut the new, less knowledgeable guys a break opposed to fourteen of fifteen posts about no one knowing what type of gun a "m3" might be.

Second what I know. I know that this website is not as bad off as it seems. Personally I dont know how this place has changed or whether to say its for the better or the worse. But I can tell you that its not as bad as it seems because new people are still coming. Sure some of those people arent staying for whatever reason but people are still typing zombies into google and coming here, and thats a good thing. The content on the website is only a hook to drive people to the forums. Yes the main pages should be updated, but do things like the news feed is taken form the forums. Ive seen it before where the news appears on the main page, but when you click more it drives you to a thread in the forums. Advertise somehow, are their other site admins on this site who want to see this community flourish? Post something in your news feed or blog, tell your friends, put a link to this site and its forums somewhere on your site.

If you feel that updating the main page is the primary course of action get behind it, go on a vigil to get it done, but dont sit there and think that all hope is gone because a few people are dropping off the forums.

[Creeping Death]

I am also new here and I'm going to pitch in a little of my two cents about what I see and what I know.

First what I see. As a new person I felt generally welcomed, I always make a point of not posting garbage on forums, I dont spam and I dont flame. Within the first several hours of me signing up a fellow forum member posted on my profile page "nice posts", this made me feel more welcome. However I have noticed the treatment of some of the other newer members to be less civil. I see the term mall ninja getting thrown around a lot and perhaps why so many people come, make a few posts and then never return is that because new members are not given the opportunity. I quote a lot of movies and right now Platoon is coming to mind
'A new guy's life isnt worth as much because he hasnt put in his time'
Im not suggesting the forum breaks out in open celebration everytime someone joins but maybe some of the vets around here could cut the new, less knowledgeable guys a break opposed to fourteen of fifteen posts about no one knowing what type of gun a "m3" might be.

Second what I know. I know that this website is not as bad off as it seems. Personally I dont know how this place has changed or whether to say its for the better or the worse. But I can tell you that its not as bad as it seems because new people are still coming. Sure some of those people arent staying for whatever reason but people are still typing zombies into google and coming here, and thats a good thing. The content on the website is only a hook to drive people to the forums. Yes the main pages should be updated, but do things like the news feed is taken form the forums. Ive seen it before where the news appears on the main page, but when you click more it drives you to a thread in the forums. Advertise somehow, are their other site admins on this site who want to see this community flourish? Post something in your news feed or blog, tell your friends, put a link to this site and its forums somewhere on your site.

If you feel that updating the main page is the primary course of action get behind it, go on a vigil to get it done, but dont sit there and think that all hope is gone because a few people are dropping off the forums.

Amen to that! :pray:

About the updates:
The owner of the site, DedKev, apparently doesn't have the time to check on this place, which sucks. I wish he could give the rights to someone like Bad Zombie Night or Darkness, that way we would be here forever. :drool: