I deleted the post this morning in recognition that it was a mistake, and simply hadn't the time to edit it before work. Fair enough - misunderstanding, mistake, I'm human and as far as I'm concerned its forgotten. Obviously I'm not the only one who was momentarily confused by the appearance of the "view warnings" tag when I logged in, what with it being right up with PM's and all... but its still obvious why it has appeared.
DuDe - it was a mistake. My bad, but you can hardly blame the assumption going on how I'm being treated lately. Anyway, done and over as far as I'm concerned.
sytaylor - I *did* accept the fact that I shouldn't perhaps have mentioned rather obvious p2p software several times in this thread, but that's hardly telling people anything they don't know already. Even vamp` admitted he was perhaps overly hasty in closing the thread, which I respect him greatly for saying. You're right though where you say if this had come up six months or so ago in the context of the thread (indeed the title itself gave the context as something like "Doom 3 alpha discussion for those who have it.") it wouldn't have been given a second thought. We'd all have jumped on the thread and talked about it, as we used to back in the fun days when a new ROM suddenly appeared playable.
And for the most part for those who never saw it, it was simple fps/config/tech spec discussion by people who ALREADY HAD IT... people interested and curious about it enough to have gone out and tracked it down, nothing promoting piracy or boasting of ownership as it seems to have been twisted to - indeed how do you boast about ownership when the thread was intended by its very title for people who also have it? I believe in letting people decide for themselves what they do with information, and the leak was hardly a sudden revelation on my part - heck, even slashdot and penny arcade have used the news. Why should we be any different? It's a talking point, and one I find interesting to debate as there are so many sides to it.
The reaction was out of proportion to what was going on in the thread, simple as that. This thread has had its value already in that people are talking again more than they have for a long while about what's going on around here. Personally I'm finding it interesting, especially now I remember the direct-connect hubs/Martin aspect.
I still don't think its any more wrong to discuss how to get Doom 3 alpha demo running better or what frame rate someone gets on what equipment, than to have the same discussions or sharing tips for how to get certain ROM's running better on emulators, or what fps rate you get in Majora's Mask. I'd have great value on Martin's own opinion of that seeing as how he owns the site, as in the light the thread was started and running, it was discussion pure and simple and FUN... without the admitted (but only small) errors of p2p reference, I didn't think he'd have a problem with it or I wouldn't have started it in the first place, and I don't see why the mods should either if thats the case.
Finally, to sytaylors remarks again - yes, it is amazing how messed up things get if Martin disappears for a while. It happens every time, too. The site used to go very strongly on staff/member interaction which seems to have taken a back seat recently. Even the "Great Flame War" had its purpose and was allowed to run. Member interaction was greatly entertaining and reason alone to visit, as it should be... even the surreal world of "the GBA Bar" survived unhindered even though it was a complete waste of our time. It let us talk, figure out how various members thought, let friendships form. That was what made it so enjoyable. That's what I'd love to see back. And its something even this thread is doing.
Discussion remains open here, feel free to debate. Already I'm looking forward to reading responses again, something which hasn't happened in a long time.
technically, but someone has to lay down the rules somewheres
