Throughout history, maligning the messenger has never proven an effective means of altering the essential truth of a message.

• Re: We need to do some Recruiting View
    by eglington on September 4, 2012 at 09:29:05 PDT
  
  : Recruiting remains a problem but is hardly the root of the issue. Enthusiasm will dwindle and this league will continue to prove a revolving door as long as judgmental attitudes, paranoia and unwarranted suspiciousness, duplicitous gossip, and an entrenched attitude of cliquism continue to be on display. The occasional reminder that Cases' Ladder does not represent the exclusive outlet for word game enthusiasts might also prove helpful.

  : Throughout history, maligning the messenger has never proven an effective means of altering the essential truth of a message.

  
  

  • Quick Rant View
      by eglington on September 4, 2012 at 09:36:34 PDT
    
    Nicely said Doll, but - and it has come up so often and cant be solved, the problem of cheating and suspicion of cheating drives folk away. Of course nobody can accuse anybody of cheating because it cant be proven - but if there is suspicion then they will stay away. There used to be fun and laughter and never any suspicion at one time but now with the use of hand held devices and on-line annagramming programmes it is so easy to cheat. Why anybody would want to - unless winning is the only object of coming to tt - is beyond me - it completely defeats the object of "playing" a game and that is what we are doing. There isn't much kudos and sometimes i wish they would take the top 20 away - then maybe the cheats would go elsewhere. I know there are very few supposed cheats in our league - but if there are any at all, they will drain players away - if players feel they have no chance, just by looking at who is entering games, they will not come in.
    
    • Re: Quick Rant View
        by americaneyedoll on September 4, 2012 at 10:21:46 PDT
      
      Thanks for the response, Eggy. The accusations of cheating are something we'll have to live with, I guess. I have occasionally expressed my skepticism at some curious plays I've seen, but I try not to worry about it because there is nothing of value to gain or lose here, except a few minutes of ones life. In any case, without a detailed knowledge of the educational background and reading habits of players, false or baseless accusations might be the order of the day. However, my concerns involve a little more than cheating, but propriety would suggest they would be best not aired in a public forum. I think I sketched out the main outlines of the problem already anyhow, and now my own suspicions are being confirmed by a pair of accusations that have been hurled my way via email. It would appear that there is still an active interest in judging my present motives based on past action. To some degree that is understandable as our knowledge of other league members is generally quite superficial.

      I have had fun for most of the time I played Lex. The time spent playing games were a big help in me mainting my sanity during a series of troubling life events, so I still maintain a sense of gratitude to everyone for the little contribution they made in keeping me balanced. I trust that, going forward, a meaningful discussion develops that would lead to concrete steps to making the ladder a more welcoming environment for all players, new and old alike. Take Care.

      
      

      • Re: Quick Rant View
          by eglington on September 4, 2012 at 11:03:53 PDT
        
        Im so sorry that somebody thinks they are clever by emailing you - they have no right Doll and I hope you tore them off a strip or two - because I would have. This is supposed to be a fun, friendly and chatty tournament room, what on earth has it become. I am so sorry that it has turned the way it has - but hopefully people will come, but, still the 2000 plus status on 99 percent of our brilliant players will turn lower players away, even without talking to us or asking us anything - and in a way I can understand their thoughts - but I have been here for so long and know that it doesn't really count in most of our games - strategy is more important than knowing obscure words - and we can all play two, three and four letter words quite happily with much higher rated players. Its what you are dealt that counts.
        Again my commiserations re the emails, they ought to be thrown from the league.
        See you in our happy room soon :))
        
        • Re: Quick Rant View
            by americaneyedoll on September 4, 2012 at 11:37:17 PDT
          
          There's a little more to the story, Eggy, and I think the two individuals who contacted me actually meant well. They certainly seemed convinced they had a case against me though. The accusations have bothered me a bit, but I understand where they are coming from.

          Relax and enjoy the games Eggy, with nothing to prove you get the greatest benefit of all - stress-free fun.

          
          

          • Re: Quick Rant View
              by eglington on September 7, 2012 at 04:36:45 PDT
            
            : There's a little more to the story, Eggy, and I think the two individuals who contacted me actually meant well. They certainly seemed convinced they had a case against me though. The accusations have bothered me a bit, but I understand where they are coming from.

            : Relax and enjoy the games Eggy, with nothing to prove you get the greatest benefit of all - stress-free fun.

            
            

            • Re: Quick Rant View
                by eglington on September 7, 2012 at 04:40:15 PDT
              
              Just one more teeny weeny add-on to this, it is only a game - meant for pleasure and diversity - why do you take it to heart - I know you felt a bit miffed but Im sure it could have been sorted without any problems - just by talking. Sure there are rules and regulations and we must all abide by them if we want fair play. But it is only a GAME!! See you in TT soon x