Some Sims 2 webmasters are just...

ManagerJosh · Aug 3, 2003

Some Sims 2 webmasters are just...

RUDE. I mean RUDE. During a bunch of standard security checks on the mainsite, we picked up some staff center board that belongs to sims2center.

I couldn't tell if there was hot linking going on (cause their boards was password protected) so I asked and gees...these guys are touch

Sims 2 Center Staff <staff@sims2center.0catch.com> wrote:
I can not disclose the information on that message board. I can however tell you there is no hotlinking, as I myself have been a victim of such a thing, and will not allow any of my staff or my visitors to hot link to anyones sites. further more hotlinking is only when linking to a file or application of a website, not a page. The only link contained on that messageboard is to the main page of world sims. And the way you claim to have gotten the information is totaly ludicris. There is no such program that scans the entire internet to see if a specific link is being used. Your getting it through an embeded counter, or tracker at your site. Everytime one of my staff members use the messageboard as a means to get to your site, your tracker picks it up, and shows you the link where they came from. I know because I have one on my site as well. Your just trying to see what people are saying about our website, and your mad you hit a password protected messageboard. Please don't bother me with this again or I'll turn you into yahoo for using your email as a spaming tool.
----- Original Message -----
From: WorldSims WebMaster
To: Sims 2 Center Staff
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 11:57 PM
Subject: Re: WorldSims Active Matrix Report: Sims2Center

This is a routine security check we do. Active Matrix is designed to track hot linkers and if we have suspicions about hot linking, we dispatch staff to investigate.

For example. Active Matrix recently picked up these URL(s

http://pub162.ezboard.com/fsims2centerfrm25.showMessage?topicID=11.topic

We only target specific topics because that's what active matrix is designed to do. We can target sites with a 98% accuracy on who's hot linking or and who is not.

If you could just provide us with selected details what's going on there..such as selected messages to show that you are not hot linking, then we will be on our way. We are not trying to infiltrate your admin center nor are we trying to cause any problems. We are simply asking for details on a particular link that lead to our site to ensure bandwith isn't being taken.

As for first amendment rights, that goes away the minute hot linking (bandwith theft) is involved. If you were to write an article and quote someone's text without proper permission, or credit where it is due, it would be considered theft despite your claim as first amendment rights because you wrote the article.

We aren't accusing you of anything. We are just performing a check to ensure hot linking isn't occuring.

Your cooperation would be most appreciated.

All the best,

ManagerJosh
Director of Operations, Security
WorldSims.org, LLC.
http://www.worldsims.org

Sims 2 Center Staff <staff@sims2center.0catch.com> wrote:
I have no idea what your talking about. If you mean that I was providing a link to your site on my messageboard, and you were wondering why, then I'm just going to say it's private. Thats the way it goes. I password protect those forums for a reason, I'm protected by US first amendment law which states freedom of speech, even in the writen word. If your trying to accuse me of something take it up with ezboard.
----- Original Message -----
From: WorldSims WebMaster
To: staff@sims2center.0catch.com
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 10:28 AM
Subject: WorldSims Active Matrix Report: Sims2Center

To Whom it May Concern:

My name is ManagerJosh, and I'm the Director of Operations and Security here at WorldSims.org, LLC. We picked up your S2C Staff Headquarters ezBoard Forums on our Active Matrix Security screen a few weeks ago.

The URL picked up was http://pub162.ezboard.com/bsims2center

We picked it up again a few days later, with more duplicate URLs.

We tried to investigate what was the thread/post made but was unable to because of security restrictions placed by you. Any details related to this incident would be great as it would help clear any suspicions.

All the best,
ManagerJosh
WorldSims.org, LLC.
http://worldsims.org
Click to expand...

I'm wondering what I did to offend them... Cause I don't know what I did...and seriously he didn't need to be so uncooperative.

lilfaeriegirl078 · Aug 3, 2003

ugh! what a butthole! and isnt the like owner of the sims2 center or whatever like 12? its sickening

mattho · Aug 4, 2003

Wow, the internet has become yet another medium for chaos and dispute. What is the world coming to!

ManagerJosh · Aug 4, 2003

I have no idea what age the owner is, however I can you that whatever age he/she is, they certainly think they know it all.

simsamgrl16 · Aug 4, 2003

im guessing his/her size iz 10-with a very good vocabulary! lol peeps shuld act their age, not their shoe size

ManagerJosh · Aug 4, 2003

hahah...their latest response..

Yes you are being rude whether you believe it or not. I've asked several members for opinions and they agree that you are being rude in addition to being uncooperative. There was nothing for you to protect. All you had to say was "we aren't hot linking or doing anything illegal"

Since the boards are private, I respect that. As I stated before, we aren't trying to infiltrate your admin boards.

I started emailing you because our active matrix program picked activity from your boards.

Now you are also putting words in my mouth. I said ezboard would provide me with the proper information, not a password.

Active Matrix is really good. We pinpointed an exact URL if you don't remember.
http://pub162.ezboard.com/fsims2centerfrm25.showMessage?topicID=11.topic

Certainly you can go ahead and contact a lawyer. They would agree with me and saying you were:

1) Being rude
2) Being uncooperative
3) Active Matrix is used within legal bounds.

We actually track thousands of sites everyday. They come from all over the world and once we see the site is okay, we mark it on the system so it doesn't appear again.

No the programming is accurate and it works. We pick up lots of things from various search engines. We've contacted people before.

If you want to discuss this further, talk to my lawyers at legal@worldsims.org

I have much respect for many webmasters on the internet. I even respect you. It is how I am able to ally myself with some of the largest sims websites on the net and make friends in high places at maxis.

I have better things to do than to listen to your ranting about civil rights and your other annoyances when you don't even know half of its meanings and purposes.

All the best,
ManagerJosh
WorldSims.org, LLC.
http://www.worldsims.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sims 2 Center Staff" <staff@sims2center.0catch.com> | To: "WorldSims WebMaster" <worldsimswebmaster@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: WorldSims Active Matrix Report: Sims2Center
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2003 23:18:05 -0500

Thats the kettle calling the pot black. I was not being rude. You requested privite information even after being told it had nothing to do with you. That was rude. I'm not as dumb as you think I am. I've been around the Sims community for quite a while now, I know all about your problems, and your sites problems. I wasn't being uncooperative, I was protecting my own ***. And my staff members have to know that they can say anything they want in there without being harrased for it. Your first email was threatening, and therefor I was taking my position instead of being snowballed. Ezboard would not provide you with the password, all they would do is provide the information from the thread, and as I told you when I replied to your email, that all I was doing is providing a link to your site. You should have dropped it them. If this so called Active Matrix you have is so good, it would have told you the exact link that was being used. Not to mention your so called active matrix program is a violation of my civil rights. You were not given permission to spy on my personal doings. If you think by threatening me with lawyers for being uncooperative is going to get you anywhere it's not. I also have the right to get a lawyer and pursue the civil rights violation.

I also have the utte most repect for other webmasters, I know what running a site is all about. I also know your not tracking every link to your site, or you'd be going through hundreds of other sites a day. Anything using the words world or sims, could potentially be detected by this "special" program of yours. That alone to me would seem a daunting tast. I feel I was targeted purposely, especially since you used the wrong email address. Maybe you should have more respect for other webmasters.

----- Original Message -----
From: WorldSims WebMaster
To: Sims 2 Center Staff
Cc: worldsimswebmaster@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2003 11:00 PM
Subject: Re: WorldSims Active Matrix Report: Sims2Center

That's all I need to hear that no hot linking is occuring. As for Active Matrix, I am not disclosing how it works since it is propritary. No it isn't the counter. We use it to track who's coming from what part of the world. The statistics provided by Bravenet.com are very limited on who comes in. Active Matrix gives us a huge list of who's coming in or not.

I suggest a little respect being shown to other webmasters. We are asking politely if you are hot linking or not and we are not being rude or nasty in anyway.

If I wanted to see what people want to say about your website, I'd visit other sites around the net.

I'm not mad about reaching a password protected forum. There are many ways going around that. Such of that includes having my lawyers contact ezBoard with a subpoena and having them provide us with the proper information to see what's going on.

If you think I'm spamming, I would say you are being rude and nasty in addition to being very uncooperative.

You are more than welcome to report me to Yahoo for claims of spamming because after they look at these emails, they will see it as a false accusation and they may contact 0catch.com to have your entire email and website account frozen.

.
All the best,
ManagerJosh
WorldSims.org, LLC.
http://www.worldsims.org
Click to expand...

ManagerJosh · Aug 4, 2003

Edited above to include my last two emails...the one in response the latest one I got...and the response to the very previous one that came in.

Jake · Aug 7, 2003

well.. that looks like a ver long and nasty argument. Hope its resolved quickly. I dont really follow everything thats goin on.. but then i am slow Good luck gettin it figured out Josh

ManagerJosh · Aug 7, 2003

LOL...they replied back and I had my lawyers deal with them...from what the firm said...they haven't replied back....LOL

simsamgrl16 · Aug 7, 2003

wow sum peeps like the cold shoulder in arguements well if the door is closed, go through the window lol

Sasile · Aug 15, 2003

lol they're just looking to pick a fight Josh. People like that love to argue and so that's what they are doing. Don't let it get to you, they aren't worth your time.

katrina · Sep 4, 2003

wow! what a rude person! I don't think I'll visist their website....

lilfaeriegirl078 · Sep 6, 2003

his site isnt even that good anyway! not compared to josh's here

katrina · Sep 9, 2003

I haven't found any forums as good as these ones

katrina · Sep 9, 2003

of course, that could have a little to do with the chance to win sims2 incentive....

FaeLuna · Sep 10, 2003

Trust me, this was already a great place before the current contest came out! :whitekitty:

katrina · Sep 11, 2003

I just wish there were more people on when I'm on. There's hardly ever anyone on when I am. :(

Log in or Sign up

Some Sims 2 webmasters are just...

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

lilfaeriegirl078 New Member

mattho New Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

simsamgrl16 New Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

Jake New Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

simsamgrl16 New Member

Sasile New Member

katrina New Member

lilfaeriegirl078 New Member

katrina New Member

katrina New Member

FaeLuna The One and Only

katrina New Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Some Sims 2 webmasters are just...

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

lilfaeriegirl078 New Member

mattho New Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

simsamgrl16 New Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

Jake New Member

ManagerJosh Benevolent Dictator Staff Member

simsamgrl16 New Member

Sasile New Member

katrina New Member

lilfaeriegirl078 New Member

katrina New Member

katrina New Member

FaeLuna The One and Only

katrina New Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches