Notice: About the owl site
Hello Basilers,
I think a pretty significant hint didn't come across, so I'm posting a notice. I think an explanation is in order too.
It's about the site known as the "owl site". You probably noticed it's in the filter (so there's your hint), but I don't think everybody knows for which reason and what the filtering implies.
While this site's purpose is benign, the methods it uses to get its information aren't legitimate. Even one of the site's coders admitted to that. For that reason we can't allow this site to be discussed, advertised or promoted in the forums. Using alternative names for it or attempting to bypass the URL filter will earn you a binary suspension for rules #3 and #4. I can't discuss their methods here either, because I'd have to suspend myself for the same rules afterwards (and probably be demoted).
I know it sounds over the top given the purpose of the site, but we've discussed this with members of the team and also with a couple of outsiders, and we've considered every argument one may bring up Our decision's not going change. We can't squeeze an eye shut to the methods the owners employ. If they find a legitimate way they'll be fine as far as Basil's concerned, but until then their project's taboo.
Kind regards and have a nice weekend,
Pav
EDIT: Sorry about the weird title, but I seem to have lost the ability to edit thread titles. /.faceplant
22 Comments • Newest first
[quote=sparkshooter]Out of curiosity, what would exactly happen if Nexon discovered that Basilmarket was not suspending users for discussing hax, owl sites, and selling currency? Would it be shut down or something?[/quote]
Depends on how their legal department feels about it and how blatant the support for that type of behavior is.
But consider this- did you like the prizes Nexon supplied for the Basilversary contests..? Or the Basilmarket exclusive NX balloon cape for free..?
Do you seriously think they'd continue giving that kind of support to a site that openly allows discussion and support of hacking sites..? Or breaking their rules..?
Basilmarket and the other supported Offical Maplestory Fan Sites follow a set of rules in order to be recognized by Nexon.
You'll notice the site in question isn't on that list of official sites.
Out of curiosity, what would exactly happen if Nexon discovered that Basilmarket was not suspending users for discussing hax, owl sites, and selling currency? Would it be shut down or something?
[quote=Zoneflare4]Now can you talk about it in a PM?[/quote]
As per the rules, no. We're not able to look into people's inboxes, so I don't doubt it happens anyway. I'm not going to get worked up about that. PMs are outside my jurisdiction anyway and there are more important matters to attend to than people secretly discussing basically benign sites with methods that are a little eh.
[quote=Pavchka]Here's why I postponed and considered not posting this thread (not your fault, don't worry ); I don't want people to accidentally find out about it through my "don't talk about it" thread. T_T I don't think there was any way around it, though.[/quote]
Now can you talk about it in a PM?
Yeah, Bobr got that right. A suspension for a comment that violates two rules. I didn't really know how else to put it.
[quote=UglierBetty]What's a 'binary suspension'?[/quote]
I'm guessing she means a "twofer"... like attacking somebody by bypassing the filter.
What's a 'binary suspension'?
[quote=Burning]...but really, the title was so ambiguous I was worried something happened to the Purdue OWL (online writing lab) site.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
It's a great writing reference.[/quote]
Yep, I use it as well. It's got nice guides on how to cite in MLA format. That reminds me I'll need to use APA for the thesis I'm currently writing... how did that work again?
[quote=Thiefy996]Nice Streisand effect.
But don't worry, not like people who are looking for it were unable to find it, eh? *wink wink nudge nudge*
Y'know, like a certain kind of pirates, if ya catch my drift. Downloading cars and all that jazz.[/quote]
The Streisand effect (and also the Forbidden Fruit effect) is actually what kept me from posting this thing for about a month. If you look at the rules page and the policies guides and stuff you'll see the effect is literally all over the site. There's no way around it.
[quote=mitarumetaro]I feel like if I were to make a thread, and refer to that site only as "the owl site", I would get suspended, just as I would get suspended for disguising the names of hacking forums[/quote]
Correct, they're covered by the same rules. I wanted to make that clear to everyone so less people will be suspended. The suspensions would be especially sour since most people don't recognise the site as violating Nexon's policies and have no clue that it's not legitimate. After all it isn't a site with hm... evil intentions, so to say.
I feel like if I were to make a thread, and refer to that site only as "the owl site", I would get suspended, just as I would get suspended for disguising the names of hacking forums
...but really, the title was so ambiguous I was worried something happened to the Purdue OWL (online writing lab) site.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
It's a great writing reference.
[quote=mmorpg]Was that the site that asked for your login info? I'm glad that's filtered.[/quote]
Nope, that one was filtered some time earlier and has been taken down as far as I know.
Was that the site that asked for your login info? I'm glad that's filtered.
[quote=AugustRain]i'll post this in the general section to garner more views and get a suspension, for your honour. just kidding.
that's very sweet of you to explain, i always wondered why it was censored.[/quote]
Ah, that reminds me there's a second reason. This isn't the first site to use this address. Previously it was the URL of a phishing site that was advertised all over Basil. That's how I found out about the new site, because a few Basilers contacted me asking if it was the same thing.
*runs after you like the standard Anime girl, with arms flailing in all directions* AugustRaaaain! AugustRaaaaaiiiin! Don't sacrifice yourself for meeeeeeeeee! You don't haaaave tooooooooo! Everything's okaaaaaaaay!
i'll post this in the general section to garner more views and get a suspension, for your honour. just kidding.
that's very sweet of you to explain, i always wondered why it was censored.
[quote=LokiTheStrange]There a couple sites that basically just ask as an Owl of Minerva(lets you search the FM for a specific item). I find 'em kinda useless 'cause they made it a couple updates ago that you could purchase Owl's of Minerva for 10k mesos now... but then again I seldom play this game anymore[/quote]
Wait what? really? 10k mesos? I just picked the game back up for the first time in almost 7 months (well semi, only a day and I already feel like there's nothing to do lol). I've heard about these sites before, but the owl thing is welcome news.
[quote=MrAbyss]What in the world is the owl site o.o[/quote]
There a couple sites that basically just ask as an Owl of Minerva(lets you search the FM for a specific item). I find 'em kinda useless 'cause they made it a couple updates ago that you could purchase Owl's of Minerva for 10k mesos now... but then again I seldom play this game anymore
[quote=MrAbyss]Oh well, do what you've got to do.
It's just the first time that I'm hearing about it, I'll leave it alone [/quote]
Mod: "Don't to that!"
User: "What do you mean with "that"?"
Mod: "I can't say! But don't do it!"
really feels weird, doesn't it? XD
[quote=Pavchka]Here's why I postponed and considered not posting this thread (not your fault, don't worry ); I don't want people to accidentally find out about it through my "don't talk about it" thread. T_T I don't think there was any way around it, though.[/quote]
Oh well, do what you've got to do.
It's just the first time that I'm hearing about it, I'll leave it alone
[quote=MrAbyss]What in the world is the owl site o.o[/quote]
Here's why I postponed and considered not posting this thread (not your fault, don't worry ); I don't want people to accidentally find out about it through my "don't talk about it" thread. T_T I don't think there was any way around it, though.
What in the world is the owl site o.o
@LazyLazyLazy However, we have a site rule against misplaced threads. What is one to do?
OT: Thanks for putting this notice out. People just have an urge to discuss things here that aren't to be discussed here. Hopefully the notice will curb some. But, the blatant disregard for the site's rules is really confusing to me. If you don't like our rules, why post / discuss topics here? Why not confine yourself to another website with more apparent posting freedom?
i think your target audience would see this better in general ms