I wonder.
Are they, the "editors", as aware of the persistent and growing undercurrent of irritation and dissatisfaction that is rumbling within the community - as they believe they are of any of the real or imagined infractions they seek to find from their little desktops of surveillance?
The problem I see with their version of "editing" (and I use that word lightly) is their habitual inconsistencies and the way they throw their cheap blindsided punches... does it ever occur to them that that kind of editing is way more disrespectful and rude than anything they could possibly find objectionable on here?
Now, I am not stupid, I fully understand the need for TOS rules and regs, regardless that they slipped them under my nose somewhere when I wasn't looking - Heck, I even embrace some of them (once I found them) - and yes, there are some things that should not be okay to post on journals - I am all for general good manners and the need for social graces when we present ourselves here, or in any public forum...
But unfortunately, the ever changing, (and unnotified community) rules of engagement are vague and one sided, just like their decisions seem to be. How convenient for them.
Well, since they still have not asked, let me give them my opinion on this one anyway:
Dear Editors:
I just wish that in the future, if by your editorial judgement, you feel you have a gripe - then by all means, notify and warn the offender - I could be wrong, but I feel pretty certain, that most of us would willingly comply to your standards du jour. In fact, that small courtesy would actually show us that we are indeed, valued as a customer. In fact, it would even make us happy. And in the end, you would get your squeaky-clean journals that you so eagerly long for.
Is your memory so short that you forgot how much you needed and sought out our help with beta testing when you wanted to trial, promote, or upgrade your features? - it seems only logical that you should do some intermittent "surveying" , just to see how we think things are going...
And it also seems only logical that you should also be concerned about what issues and concerns we have - to do that would be prudent, and make you look smart at doing your job. Imagine - then you could collect and perhaps consider our input - and thereby improve our customer satisfaction...and so the community at large. Funny how this marketing thing works, eh?... But I suppose first, that too, would have to be a goal...
Perhaps, you haven't heard the old saying that one happy customer tells two or three, yet just one unhappy customer tells a hundred...
well jeepers, just think, one unhappy posting can in some cases, tell even more than that....
jah. - ya might want to think on that one a little, my friends.
10 comments:
Hi Hon
Excellent and well said. Like school yard bullies who hit you then run and hide, they of course are too frightened to even stand up to the possible consequences of their own actions. I am now clearly posting on my sidebar the appropiate rating for both my journals, if I have to do their job for them because they are too frightened to do it themselves then ok. See if they had to pin down actual specific rules they may have to first think them up and then actually do their job. I want to know if someone can complain to the TOS and then it is pulled or does it take a group of members, so many questions, but alas the AOL Granny can't be bothered with answering them because see doesn't have the answers herself.
Always, Carly :)
It would be nice to know if an editor looked at a person’s journal. In addition, I am willing to put Rated R in my journal and be done with it. Perhaps if they did listen and provided a box to place a rating then a person can decide to check if they would like to venture into an R rated journal or not.
Nice rant, but unfortunately I do not believe anyone is reading, or if they are, not caring, just make sure you pay your bill on time,---------or else!
It all seems so arbitrarily inconsistent, doesn't it? xoxo
Did you send this to them?
yes karen, it was sent to the tosgeneral, journals editor, and aolhometown - i asked for a written reply - we shall see...we shall see...
but truthfully, i'm not holding my breath waiting....
Perfectly said my Queen!
-Connie
I totally agree with the "one happy customer..." quote that you used. AOL-J brought me back to AOL as a paying customer last year (after trying to quit for 10 months and continuously getting two free months at a time for nearly a year). But today when I wanted to write an entry, I found myself thinking "oh, wait, I can't say that!" But my journal should be "my words." And if AOL-J won't allow for my words, then I'll find someone else who will. I stay with AOL-J only because of the people who are here...not the service. Ya know? Thanks for putting into words the things we've all been thinking.
My suspicion is that, with the blogging phenomenom getting so popular, and so many other sites giving free reign to people at least in terms of curse words, etc. AOL is attempting to capture the "Disney"-side of this market-- they don't want to let open the floodgates if they relax their standards. So they figure it's worth it to alienate some customers if they can get a whole bunch of nice people blogging about their family picnics and posting pictures of their pets. I'm afraid to say it, my fellow Queen, but I don't think we're their target demographic. --Albert
"I'm afraid to say it, my fellow Queen, but I don't think we're their target demographic. --Albert"
*gasp* - that might very well be the most enlightening piece of succulent wisdom ever albert...
i must ponder on this....
......brilliant letter my queen......was a little disappointed at the form letter they sent back to you though.....
~jerseygirl
http://journals.aol.com/cneinhorn/WonderGirl
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