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FantasySquare Articles FantasySquare... More than just a website...- [ Author : Chocobo] FantasySquare. The question I ask is "Why are you here at
FantasySquare, not at another "off the mill" Final Fantasy
website?" FantasySquare to me is more than just a website that I can get information, read fanfics, view fanart. It is a place where I can interect with members, meet people, and spend my time on the net. The main site is a place where I can get the information, read fanfics, view fanart, but then when you venture into the forums, it's a whole new dimension. The people there are welcoming, friendly and easy to "talk" to. They can have a productive conversation on just about any topic and accept others points of view. When someone comes, they are greated with open arms, when someone has to leave, they are farewelled with closed arms. Many other forums i have been too, when you post in the "New Comers" section, I often get comments like "Oh #### not another new guy" or "Where are all these new buggers coming from". At first i think it's just a few members, but i look through the boards, and they are littered with swearing, racism and flaming. Not the best place i can think of spending my time. FantasySquare rarely has this as the staff and mods keep a hard line on this kind of behaviour. They often get abused for this. Just think for a minute, do i really want to spend my time in a board full of swearing and rasicm? If the answers yes, go elsewhere. I think this is the reason I'm at FantasySquare. People get along 95% of the time and usually accept everyone for what the are regardless of race, age, gender or beliefs. This is the kind of place I want to spend my time. I said usually in the last paragraph. This is because every now and then something does occur, and a disagreement or misinterpretation occurs. This isn't only in the member area, but often staff have disagreements. It's life, people change and it's bound to happen. The thing about FantasySquare and it's people is although the mountain is there, we together climb it, and pass over it, and continue as before. Often this leads to members leaving in disgust or feeling not welcome. These members often return because after thinking it over, they see it wasn't such a big deal, and they miss what FantasySquare really is. Members who continually argue/flame/belittle other members are banned. Not many questions asked. Some of these people return and try to cause more problems, others come back weeks, months, years later as reformed sinners. The have thought it over and returned in good terms. They also think about it, and work out what they are really missing. There have been times when the administrative staff have seriously considered taking the forums down all together. No more, none, not any more. The forums require an enormous amount of up keep. This is dealt with by a great team of staff, from Admins to Tech to Moderators. They are what keep forums running. They often get criticised for the forums being offline for weeks on end during major re-work. But when the forums come back, the changes are worth it. I often think that people don't get enough credit for the work they do. I would personally like to thank a number of people: * Dave (Norco) - The man responsible for the tech end of the forums. I think he does a great job in keeping the forums running and online. Keeping them up-to-date and making them more friendly in skinning etc. I owe him big time for the work that he does, and the times that he helps me in my own website. It seems everytime I talk to him, i have a tech question/problem. He never gives up, and spends so much of his spare time on FS. *Kathryn (Lunaki) & Colin (Ghost X) - Always there to keep the boards moving in a friendly mannor. Quick to deal with problems members, yet still in a nice, cool tone. Take a bit to get them to snap. Alot of patience which is needed being moderators. *Gemma (Foxy Lady) - The person i go to when I just need to talk. Always there and ready to listen. Just a great feeling to know someones there to talk to when i just need to let out. *FantasySquare Members/Visitors - You are what make FS, without a permanent member group, FS wouldn't be worth running, and the time the staff spend doing work and upkeep wouldn't be worth it. Through the times people change, times change. We are living in a different world from 3 years ago. This is life, and we are living it, we just need to take it in our stride. Without you, I know iI wouldn't be here, and FS I doubt would be here. A website is useless unless it has visitors, and that it does. you make FS. You are probably thinking "Andrew, you forgot the man himself". I am writing this on September 29 2003. Tim leaves for National Service on October 2 2003. *Tim (Webmaster) - Without you, FantasySquare wouldn't be. Without your dedication FantasySquare would be just another "off the mill" website or not in existance at all. I think we all owe Tim for the work he puts in. He doesn't appear very often online, but the ammount of work he does in Administration is enormous with the onlinestore and upkeep of the FS Network. I came to FS about 2 years ago. I haven't left since. I remember when it was grey and weren't they the days. I think the FantasySquare community has alot to owe to you. I owe you personally for having trust in me, and giving me the opportunities you have. On behalf of the FantasySquare Community we wish you all the best for the next two years, and hope you can drop in and give us all an update every now and then. FantasySquare as a website is only new and expanding, FantasySquare as a community is established. Although we come to mountains, we climb and reach the peak. FantasySquare will live on, as a community not just a website... Andrew/Chocobo
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