Showing posts with label lchris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lchris. Show all posts

December 28, 2010

A few corrections to the latest Board Reports

note : I have yet to see a correction to the very first Board Minutes from many months ago where LR wrote that I had withheld passwords which was a LIE that has been permitted to stand on record, so I will post retractions and corrections here. For those that care about the truth.

Just read the latest Board Minutes and have a few corrections.

1. Dyebat will email GritsT to explain why the Vbulletin and Corporation payments are listed as assets. It was not a mistake.

2. The non-profit that some Staff intentionally delayed, that finally got pushed through when they created the July 18 incident, and most deserted the ship with PT telling Staff that I was keeping them out which is another lie....is a legal corporation. The paperwork to request tax-free status was never to be filed by me. I stay out of tax/financial stuff - other than helping set up and explain and train on the online process. Truus knows that as I spent over an hour explaining this and other stuff to her which is conveniently misrepresented.

There was no need to rush on the tax paperwork as there is a very long window in which to file - we had known it would likely be January before filing. 2010 would likely show a loss as the site was purchased for $8,000 with additional expenses of about $1,000 -and there was not going to be that much revenue in the part of 2010 that the site was owned by SBFII.

I advised on how to go about it and how best to approach it in order to pass the IRS requirements. FYI, gaining tax-free status typically takes a few months once you file.

3. "PT stated that the VodPod program lChris recommended is not
working and is, in fact, losing us money."

That is just a completely silly statement. I suggested it from the 3 possible alternatives to magnify - there are not many. Judy never adjusted the template (she said she and Dani would do this though I suggested that she outsource to a volunteer) to add any adsense or amazon or any monetization. So, with no way to earn money on this site - there is obviously no money being earned. Losing money? that's a stretch, even for PT.

4. "Outside investigator cannot find any evidence of wrongdoing, and if anything occurred the perpetrator has erased all traces."

The 'outside' investigator was a friend of PT's and was doing the investigation from her home, LOL. Never questioned anyone involved in the incident, never looked at the data. PT even managed to convince an IT Pro that there was something wrong in the upgrade process and that somehow data would be lost if it was 'fixed'. I never upgraded on the original site. Never touched it. No IT Pro would have upgraded on top of that site. No IT Pro would ever lose any data as they would have made backups and tested - as I did. It took the better part of 1 day to get the 750Megs of data to pass my tests before beginning the actual upgrade on a fresh install.

5. Just a personal observation about the finances. No paperwork was ever given to Dyebat for the $4000 that was paid to the previous owner by the Staff's representative, a member that requested anonymity. In fact, it took many months and many requests to get the Staff to provide the breakdown of their side of the transaction. Interesting, huh? There were delays on providing or sharing any information with Dyebat and/or myself from the beginning.

When I say there was a pattern of intention to deceive, I mean just that.

I think I have given people enough time to tell the truth, retract some lies, and tell the rest of the story, yet they continue to perpetuate the lies.

December 16, 2010

About that Paypal Money...

I removed a comment earlier today. The poster of that comment received an email from Kalua that she would be banned for giving false and libelous information. The poster had asked a question about possible use of the funds, given the timing of the Paypal password change. It was posed as a question, and was a reasonable question given the circumstances. The poster even used her own blog ID which linked to her username in use at the forum. No subterfuge at all.

Kalua also mentioned that she would look like a fool when he posts the receipt to the charity.

So, if I am understanding this situation correctly...

  • The Paypal password was changed (Tuesday evening) and the Board member that is Treasurer was not informed.
  • The 2 members of the Financial Team responsible for financial transparency were not informed.
  • Based on what the OFFICIAL password holder (Board Member) posted in the resignation thread, she was not informed.
  • Dyebat was reconciling the PayPal funds at the time of the lockout.
  • There was a KNOWN legal issue about the designation of donated funds and the process that several Board members and Staff REFUSED to address. 
  • I won't bore you with all the details, but I had made a valiant effort to prevent the Donate Button sagas. All documented. Over a period of several months.

So, rather than letting the monies get properly reconciled to be legally usable...I am locked out, the Treasurer and Financial team are locked out and kept out of the way while monies are pulled out of PayPal and distributed???

The purpose of the withdrawal may be noble, though I doubt a court of law would have too much trouble determining intent to defraud and probably stuff like commingling of funds, etc..


Kalua, I know that most members don't care about such things at all.

The rest of us think you (not the poster of that comment) look like a fool.

December 10, 2010

List of Susan Boyle Fansites version 2.0

There are many resources for Susan Boyle fans online. This list will be updated regularly. Submit sites for inclusion here. We are a fandom - we all share the same goal.

OFFICIAL SITES
Susan Boyle OS
New official site (OS), finally! Much cleaner and simpler. News, messages from Susan Boyle, Videos, Photos, Blog with comments. No more forum.
Susan Boyle Official Facebook
Susan Boyle Official YouTube

PUBLIC FAN SITES

Susan Boyle Fansite

First Susan Boyle fan site online. Built on magnify.net. Largest Susan Boyle video collection, The Subo-Gazette, Blog archive.
The SBFII Channel (YouTube)
Susan Boyle Fansite Forum
The largest and most controversial fan forum. Lots of content and archives. Often gets the latest news before any official sites. History of protecting Susan Boyle and her management teams, at the expense of fans and their safety. Beware of bullying.

Susan Boyle Fans Forum
Knudt and Citroenlady host this Susan Boyle fan forum (SMF platform) as an 'amnesty', created in late 2010...a fresh start for fans from the series of horrific incidents and rampant bullying condoned through much of the Susan Boyle fandom. All fans are welcome here, regardless of faction or history. There is one rule in this forum - respect for all. Discuss, argue, disagree, with respect. Zero tolerance for bullying, stalkers, harassers.
Susan Boyle Fans Forum Facebook

Fans For Susan Boyle Forum
Created by Lorias on ning. One of the oldest Susan Boyle fan sites. Lots of news, videos, blogs with comments, forum, chat. Retired In Kalifornia (RIK) Hosts Chat Nightly 9:00 p.m. To 12 a.m. U.S.A. Eastern Time.

Fans For Susan Boyle, Too! Forum

RIK manages and updates this ning site. Lots of news, videos, blogs with comments, forum, chat. Retired In Kalifornia (RIK) Hosts Chat Nightly 9:00 p.m. To 12 a.m. U.S.A. Eastern Time.

Susan Boyle Real Fans Forum
Ning site created by Bree in October 2009. With a couple of exceptions  (Groups, Member Profiles) Membership is not required to view content, casual visitors are welcome. The site is open to all, nothing is hidden. There is a contact us option if people want to make a comment about the site but don’t wish to join. .

Susan Boyle Fan Club Forum (unofficial)
An older site. Not updated very often.


PRIVATE FORUMS
SusaHumor
DJG created and hosts this forumotion site. Spoofs and humor directed at Susan Boyle, Team<s> Subo, and fans. Some sections and content open to the public.

The Duende
Luz and Tonnie created/manage this justgoo forum. Some areas open to the public.

Fans4Subo
Sassy (and Hubby) created and host this PhpBB forum. Some areas are open to the public

VIDEO SITES
TommyUSA's :
The Amazing Susan Boyle Forum

1125 members. Blog with active member comment areas. Prayer friendly.

YOUTUBE SITES
The new Pub
New hangout for fans that used to chat at the original YouTube audition video.

BLOGS
A Susan Boyle Fan Site

Indiana : Susan Boyle Fans

Susan Boyle Fan Club USA

Susan Boyle Site

MAURO
SITES
Blog : Susan Boyle Voice of The Heart
VodPod Mauro (VodPod videos)
Susan Boyle Fan In The World Channel (YouTube videos)
The Voice of the Heart (Magnify.net videos)
Mauro Channel (Vimeo videos)
Susan Boyle Fan Nel Mundo (Mauro Facebook Group)

CHARITABLE SITES
Kiva : Team Susan Boyle

FANDOM NEWS / COMMENTARY
MISC
Best Susan Boyle Remixes : Wild Horses and Proud

Fred O'Neil : Susan Boyle's Former Voice Coach

December 8, 2010

Thank you dyebat

note: my reply to your post quickly became too long for the comments area.

Your words always move me. I am humbled. Was it worth it? If I took nothing away from this experience but the honor of being your sidekick and your friend, the answer would have to be yes. Hell, yes!

But there is so much more.

We stepped into a long-standing and complicated set of issues that we did not expect. Some of it unpleasant, some much much worse. You never backed down. Your steadfast courage, diligence and integrity inspires me. Thank YOU.

The original goal of a united community is still a work in progress. We have raised awareness. We have deterred a once-prolific serial cyber-stalker, cyber-bully. I know that we (with CL) will follow that case to the end. For Susan Boyle, her family/friends, her management teams/employers, and the entire SB online community. The story will be public at some point to prevent this from happening to any other communities online. Laws and online safety practices must change to reflect this new type of 'troll'.

You stepped up to save the site for members. All members. When Staff approached you for a joint bid, you accepted. In good faith.

You were as eager as I to work with Staff to move forward together.

A few Staff with ulterior motives and an unprecedented dearth of integrity, along with the undue corporate influence and the cyber-bully split this community long ago, hurting a lot of people along the way. They have worked hard to discredit us and make us the enemy.

We are not the first, nor will we be the last to be discredited for attempting to share some truths, and/or unite this community.

The 'spin' on certain events has been believed by good people that are guilty of being too naive and trusting. They were conned.

We will continue to post the 'rest of the story' on our own blogs. For those of you that do care to know more.

The Board has voted to relieve me of all access and duties for SBII. I remain in service to the entire Susan Boyle online community. Including SBFII. If they should need me, they know they can call on me to help. I will also volunteer to any open SB site run by fans for fans. For technical or marketing support. Sites in fandoms don't compete. They share a common goal. Each site contributes something valuable to the community.

The SBFII forum has the most comprehensive collection of news and videos and historical SB info. They get 'leaks' and Susan Boyle visits. Yet, they need not be the only place in the community to congregate. Our community is diverse. SBFII is too responsive to corporate wishes. Some conversations and members are 'silenced'. Member safety is not the priority. This will not likely change. It started with the previous owner. Know this, accept this, and proceed accordingly.

Please acknowledge that SBFII has also made many positive changes long requested by members. Here are just a few...Discontinuing paid Red Room membership, eliminating many obnoxious adverts, increasing PM mailbox capacity, alternatives to outright banning of members, and the eventual return of most previously banned members. The member appeals process is delayed but still a goal shared by SBFII Staff/Board. I will restate what I have said since May. The former/present Staff/Board are the most dedicated volunteers I have ever worked with. I mean that. Given my extensive history of working with volunteers, that is the highest compliment I can give.

Take the good with the bad.

Dyebat, Knudt, Citroenlady and I will continue to analyze and post information.
We want the truth. We want retractions of some of the known lies. We want the community to move forward, wiser from what we have learned and experienced. We have no interest in hurting anyone. We could have just posted tons of data (files, chats, emails, etc..) and exacerbated the situation. We could have filed criminal charges against some of you. We are interested in solutions. Positive solutions.

Dyebat, our story isn't finished. SBFII's story isn't finished. The SB online community's story isn't finished.

I have spoken, corresponded, worked, argued, laughed, trained and shared with many members in the SB community over the past 6 months. Though technically a member from day one myself, I was never really involved in the community aspect. Dropped my news/twitter contributions and left.

I am a 'real' member now. Not because I spent a lot of time helping dyebat with the auction, or the Staff with the transition. Along the way, I got to know a lot of 'avatars' and you all became real people that I care about.

A popular professional singer once said "You never give up on anyone, you never give up on yourself". She's right.

Dyebat, I know you. You won't give up.

December 6, 2010

FYI : Message From The Board

date Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 9:09 PM
subject Message from The Board.

To Chris,aka.LChris.
Dear Chris.
On behalf of The Board,I want to thank you,along with Dyebat, for all that you have done during and after the auction to help this forum to become owned by the members.We greatly appreciate the work that you did.
In recent posts you have indicated that once the forum upgrade was completed,that you would like to return to your normal life,which is understandable.
In the most recent Board meeting,we unanimously decided that your Super Admin privileges should be removed and all of your previous responsibilities will revert to the Tech Staff.
Once again,I wish to thank you,on behalf of The Board,for your invaluable skills,time and dedication,which has helped to make our website the biggest and best Susan Boyle fansite in The World.
Your's Sincerely.
John V.
Vice Chair,SBFII.

note: Guess this means that they still refuse to retract the lies in the Board Report of the July Incident.

I also wonder if John V. has a reasonable explanation for downloading 2 Gigs of data from the server in July 2010?

November 17, 2010

Begin at the beginning....

This may come as a surprise, but I would like you all to know that the fansite is now up on auction.

Paul Wood (owner) posted this notice on the forum at 1:58PM EST on May 16th 2010. Members were surprised and concerned. What would happen to the site and community they had participated in and contributed to since April 11, 2009?

A discussion of options began and one member named Dyebat proposed an idea. Perhaps the members could put together a bid and run the site as a non-profit venture?

How wonderful, I thought. And so did many others.

But did they know what they are getting into? I knew that they would need some serious technical support. The sites were very labor-intensive.

The members were eager. They deserved it.

They had contributed thousands of videos, and over 250,000 posts in a year! Any mention of Susan Boyle in print or online or on air was reported in the forum. In almost real time. Members from over 120 different countries made sure that all fans were kept informed and up to date on any Susan Boyle news. Members created videos and posters and kept track of global record sales, awards and achievements, video statistics, detailed weekly summaries, and much more. 

I knew it would take a month to get everything transferred, configured, and documented so that Staff could maintain the sites themselves. I had over 20 years of similar experience in doing this. I knew it would be hard. Did I want to volunteer my time for this project?

After all, it's just a pile of code. They could rebuild somewhere else with much less effort. In 2 -3 days. And start fresh.

But, they really cared about this forum. They didn't want another place. They had built a community. With a truly unique, global demographic. There was nothing like it anywhere online.

May 16, 2010 at  7:34PM EST, I posted a message

dyebat, please call me.

That was 6 months ago.

I am still here. We are all, more or less, still here. We have been through a lot together. Some of it joyous and some of it very very painful.

So much has happened.

The emotion I have felt most in the past 6 months is frustration.

What should have been, and could have been, is not.

So many conflicts and so much confusion. We need to communicate more. Talk with each other more.

I have been lied to and lied about for 6 months. So have many others.

This is my story.

It feels quite similar to the story of Alice in Wonderland.  I fell down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world filled with peculiarities.

As Alice said "It would be so nice if something made sense for a change."

Maybe writing it out will help.