Posts by loneraven25

Timothy Williams5 said:So, I see the admin finally decided to spin up a dedicated thread for the Samsung Galaxy that Anthony and eBay just went absolutely overboard hyping up. 🙂

Honestly, I’d suggest scrolling back through the old thread starting from page,
just so you can satisfy your own doubts and realize I'm not just being paranoid here.
The whole discussion there was about how we're totally free to start our own threads for specific models,
and hey, I actually did exactly that myself just to make things a bit easier for everyone else.

Quote: olembe said:All these headaches with Customs have really dragged a bunch of 'shadow players' out into the light—people who ordered the Samsung Galaxy—so I figure we've got plenty of folks now to justify opening a separate thread for this model and its relatives, rather than just cluttering up this space and bothering everyone else here..

loneraven25 said:You're more than welcome to do that, following the previous recommendations
on the (sub)Reddit section reserved for Android devices.

Timothy Williams5 said:What else is there to talk about in a thread about Chinese phones if not the actual handsets and the shops selling them?

There’s really no need for massive catch-all threads on the MIT subforum for Chinese mobile tech,
since individual model threads are regularly opened over on the Android PDF,
where the general consensus still holds true regarding the usefulness of posts about tracking,
promotions, and buying phones through online retailers from overseas.
I'll leave it to the moderators to decide how to handle this situation.

Timothy Williams5 said:Source
Source

Aside from the fact that you’re making these totally baseless accusations by twisting the very links I provided as evidence,
you seem to have completely missed how the moderation tools actually work here.
That specific post was drafted ages ago and held in moderation—essentially hidden from view—
back when the original thread about Chinese smartphones was still active,
strictly following our protocol to coordinate with the rest of the mod team in case any adjustments were needed.
It wasn't until we all sat down and agreed on the opening direction of this new thread
that the post was finally set to visible for the rest of the community.
And just to be crystal clear: there is absolutely zero talk of advertising here, especially since I explicitly mentioned two other retailers.

Timothy Williams5 said:Quote a forum member who is... I mean, can you believe he was just out there openly shilling for eBay like it’s some kind of holy mission? It was honestly pretty blatant. Does anyone else ever find themselves scrolling through Reddit late at night, wondering if there’s actually a way to turn all that digital noise into some actual cash? I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about how people try to squeeze a little extra income out of online communities and forums. It makes you wonder, doesn't it—is it even possible to build a steady side hustle just by being active in these niche corners of the internet, or is it mostly just a fool's errand? I'm curious if anyone here has actually managed to pull it off without losing their mind in the process.

If you happen to stumble upon that controversial quote floating around the internet, just keep in mind it actually dates all the way back to November 18, 2013.
Just so we’re all on the same page here—that post you guys are currently tearing me apart for? I actually went back and edited it on March 10th, 2014, just to add some extra details and flesh things out.
Honestly, those two have absolutely nothing in common besides what’s actually inside them.
You won't find a single advertisement here because the listing actually includes several different retailers at once.

Timothy Williams5 said:So, are we actually talking about running ads for the Telekinesis page now? Seriously?

The SuperModerator in charge of PDF files is going to take a look at the profile.

Timothy Williams5 said:So, I guess that’s it then—this thread is being shut down. Why does it always feel like things get pulled from under you just when they're getting interesting? So, I’ve been spending way too much time lately falling down the rabbit hole of mobile devices coming out of China, and honestly, where do you even begin? It feels like every single week there’s some new player stepping onto the scene, promising the world for a fraction of what you'd pay at a big-box retailer here in the States. You look at these specs on sites like Amazon or eBay and you have to wonder—is this actually a steal, or am I just being lured into a digital trap? I mean, don't get me wrong, the sheer variety is staggering, isn't it? One minute you're looking at a budget device that seems almost too good to be true, and the next, you're staring at something that looks like it could give an iPhone a run for its money. But then you start thinking about the fine print, the software support, and whether or not that "premium" feel is actually going to hold up after three months of heavy use. Is it worth gambling your hard-earned cash on a brand you've never heard of just because the price tag looks delicious? It's a constant tug-of-war between wanting that cutting-edge tech and the nagging feeling that you might just be buying a very expensive paperweight. What do you all think? Are we actually getting high-end performance for pennies, or is the hype just incredibly well-engineered? Honestly, you haven't done a single thing to actually benefit the members here on Reddit, and if anything, I’d argue you’ve probably caused more harm than good for the owner.

Users were free to talk shop about phones all they wanted, but you just had to go and drag this whole topic out into the stratosphere, didn't you?
Even now, they aren't being held back from jumping into a heated debate whenever they open up a thread about the specific models they're obsessed with.

Robin Hall9 said:Look, loneraven25, I think you really missed the mark by shutting down that thread. It was actually incredibly helpful for anyone looking to pick up a new phone from overseas via sites like Amazon or eBay. Honestly, why kill the momentum? We should probably just start a brand new one so we can keep a close eye on all the latest deals and upcoming sales.

And honestly, this one will probably just end up in a landfill too, because apparently, some of you still don't seem to get the point.
So, just to make things crystal clear for everyone here—you can't just go around dropping links and pitching your products whenever you feel like it, right? If you want to run an ad or promote something on this platform, you absolutely have to get official approval first. It’s not exactly a free-for-all, is it? The administrators..

Just so we’re all on the same page from the jump, there are a few things you absolutely cannot do here on Reddit:

• Look, let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: if you're planning on dropping links to your products or trying to hawk your services here, please don't just go rogue. We aren't running a free billboard for your side hustles, are we? If you actually have something worth showing off and want to talk about advertising, be a grown-up and reach out to the marketing department first. Otherwise, let's keep the clutter to a minimum, shall we?

And no, we aren't going to play games with broken phones here.
After countless failed warnings,
you simply wouldn't stop pushing advertisements and those unrealistic sign-ups.
In the very first post of this thread, you were given guidelines outlining a rule
that isn't explicitly written anywhere else on the site: "no embedding links,"
strictly to prevent Chinese spammers from latching onto our threads.
We have far too many deleted posts like that already, despite all the private messages sent out.

Your complaints about advertising are completely baseless, because besides eBay,
you also listed Pandora and Newegg, and it's really on you for not
taking the opportunity to coordinate with the moderators to include other retailers in the post.
The accuracy of what was written can be verified in the article regarding Chinese phones—generally speaking,:
(...so phones most often arrive without customs duties or sales tax. Shipping takes about 2 weeks with no extra fees.)
This whole mess was triggered by your refusal to stop promoting your referral links
and advertising the Telekinesis website, which I won't permit as long as I am responsible for this PDF.

This thread is now permanently locked, with an explanation provided in the final post,
and we won't be repeating this little experiment in overgeneralization again.

loneraven25 said:The matter is settled after several unsuccessful attempts to fix this,
so please, go ahead and start new threads about the specific phones you want to discuss,
and talk about mobile devices in the "Mobile Technology - Android" subforum.
Do not attempt to advertise, sell, or offer referral coupons,
because there is a dedicated subforum for that: Craigslist and Mobile Marketplace.
Continue any discussions regarding tracking on Package Tracking,
while here you still have Buying Phones from Overseas.

Look, don't go blaming yourselves for this; there really ought to be at least two moderators active on a thread like this at all times,
two impartial experts who are actually being paid to handle things professionally.
Relying on volunteers just doesn't cut it here because it’s nearly impossible for someone stepping in mid-stream to catch all the context.
When it comes to more serious violations of the US Penal Code, you absolutely have to report those abuses to the proper authorities,
but for everything else, you can just handle it yourselves based on your own best judgment.

jadeorca42 said:Well, thanks for pointing that out, friend. Based on those exact points, blue bird might actually find herself facing some legal action (and let’s be honest, this forum serves as a perfect little sanctuary for bigots like her...).
Along with blue bird, we've got guys like Kanzas, Tenedor, MC, Kilgor, you, and the rest of the gang...

I really hope you realize that under the U.S. Penal Code, there's actually a specific statute regarding defamation.

Section 149.
(1) Anyone who, in the presence of others, makes or delivers a false statement of fact
that could damage someone's reputation or honor, while knowing the statement is untrue,
shall be punished by a fine of up to three hundred and sixty daily rates.
(2) Anyone who commits the act described in paragraph 1 of this section through print, radio, television, computer
systems, or online networks, at a public gathering, or by any other means that makes it accessible
to a larger number of people, shall be punished by a fine of up to five hundred daily rates.

jadeorca42 As if I haven't heard this all before...
So, let me get this straight—we’re sitting here watching blatant violations of the sub-forum rules go completely unpunished? It’s not just that there's zero enforcement; it feels like we're actually bordering on grounds for legal action against this entire site. Is anyone else seeing this, or am I just shouting into the void here?

I am formally requesting that the relevant administration grant me unconditional permission to carry out my own business. General Rules i Terms of Use:

So, what exactly is off-limits around here on the forum? What are the rules we actually need to follow if we want to keep this place from turning into a total circus?
- Is there anything more frustrating than watching the blatant disregard for the rule of law happening right before our eyes here in America? It honestly makes you wonder if the legal framework we hold so dear actually means anything at all anymore, or if it’s just a suggestion for those in power. When you see these systemic violations occurring, doesn't it feel like the very foundation of our justice system is being chipped away, one oversight after another?

Look, let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: posting certain types of content on this forum is strictly prohibited. Is it really that hard to follow the rules? We all want to keep this space functional, so please, just keep it civil and stick to the guidelines.:
- Is there anything more frustrating than watching the blatant violation of the laws of the United States? It honestly makes you wonder if anyone in our legal system actually gives a damn about the rules we all agreed to live by, doesn't it? Just a quick heads-up for everyone here: we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate speech or any kind of discrimination. We’re also strictly against anyone trying to justify or glorify criminal acts, copyright infringement, animal cruelty, or anything involving child exploitation. Let's keep things civil and follow the rules.

So, looking at this thread about Ukraine, I can't help but notice we have people posting here actually trying to justify one nation's aggression against another. Really? Is that where we are now?
I can't help but wonder why our legal system sets the sentencing guidelines for this specific offense at up to ten years? It seems like such a heavy weight to drop on someone, doesn't it?

The sheer audacity of an act of aggression—it really makes you stop and think, doesn't it? When one nation decides to simply trample over another, ignoring every semblance of international order and basic human decency, what are we actually looking at here? It isn't just a tactical maneuver or a border dispute; it's a fundamental violation of everything we claim to stand for. Can we even call it "politics" anymore when it's clearly just raw, unadulterated aggression?

Is there any chance anyone actually understands the implications of Article 89? It feels like one of those legal provisions that everyone nods along to in meetings, yet when you really sit down to dissect what it actually means for us, the whole thing starts to look incredibly complicated, doesn't it?
Who exactly is the one standing there, openly and directly calling for the crime of aggression?
We're looking at a potential prison sentence ranging anywhere from one to ten years.

If you really want to wrap your head around what actually constitutes an act of aggression, you really ought to take a close look at Article 4—it lays everything out perfectly.

So, let's break this down: an act of aggression—as defined in the first section of this article—is officially considered to be such regardless of whether a formal declaration of war was ever actually issued beforehand. Doesn't that just change the entire legal landscape of how we view conflict? It essentially means the label sticks based on the action itself, not some bureaucratic paperwork filed by a government.

What exactly defines an invasion? Is it just one nation's military forces storming into another's territory, or does it encompass a full-scale military occupation—even if that occupation is only meant to be temporary? And where do we draw the line when a country uses brute force to swallow up all or even just a slice of its neighbor's land? It’s a complex web of aggression and annexation, isn't it?

What does it actually mean when one nation's military decides to rain fire down on another sovereign territory, or more broadly, when any state chooses to deploy its weaponry within the borders of a neighbor? Is there a point where we stop calling it "defense" and start calling it what it truly is? It’s a heavy question, isn't it? When you look at the raw mechanics of one country launching an armed assault or utilizing its arsenal inside the jurisdiction of another, you have to wonder about the legal and moral lines being crossed. Are we just witnessing a breakdown of international order, or is this simply how power operates in our modern world?

What if we’re talking about one nation deploying its armed forces to block off another country's ports or coastline? I mean, just think about the sheer audacity of that move—it's a massive escalation, isn't it? You aren't just talking about a minor diplomatic spat or some heated rhetoric in Washington; you're talking about a direct, physical confrontation on the water, where one military is essentially putting a stranglehold on another's lifeline. How does a situation like that even begin to resolve itself without spiraling into something much darker?

What exactly constitutes an armed attack by one nation against the territory, waters, airspaces, or the naval and air fleets of another? Is it really that straightforward, or are we just scratching the surface of what modern warfare actually looks like?

So, let’s break down what we’re actually looking at here, because it’s a bit more nuanced than just "soldiers on the ground." We're talking about a scenario where one nation decides to deploy its armed forces within the borders of another country—even if that second country initially gave them the green light. It becomes a massive legal headache when those military operations start veering away from the specific terms laid out in their formal agreement. Or, even more complicated, what happens when that agreement expires, yet those troops just... stay? You know, they stick around past their welcome after the contract has officially ended? That’s where things get incredibly messy under international law.

So, let me get this straight—what happens when one country hands over territory to another, only for that second nation to turn around and use it as a staging ground for an unprovoked attack on a third party? Is that considered a direct violation of sovereignty, or does it fall under some other kind of legal loophole? It’s a massive question, isn't it? I mean, if a state grants access to its land and then watches as that land becomes a launchpad for aggression, where does the accountability actually lie? Does the responsibility rest solely with the aggressor, or does the host nation share the blame for providing the tools for such an assault? It really makes you wonder about the fine line between cooperation and complicity in international law.

7. The deployment of armed gangs, militias, or mercenaries acting on behalf of, or at the behest of, a state to carry out armed actions against another nation—actions that are just as severe as if the state itself had directly launched them.

If you look closely at this point, it becomes blindingly obvious that Russia is the aggressor within the sovereign territory of Ukraine.
And honestly, there’s a very simple reason why posts justifying this aggression aren't permitted here:
- there are simply too many of them, and even more of those delusional types who think they're above reality. 🤦
I realize moderation is a massive headache, but when the feed is cluttered with this kind of garbage, it completely poisons the well for any actual, decent conversation.

We’ll just have to wait and see how much the FBI actually manages to keep things under control over the next few days,
because, let’s be honest, they seem to find a way to mess things up every single year,
so why on earth would this year be any different? 🤷

Small town in the Midwest - Stiv
A journalist's feature on the Z1 news segment covering the destruction of the monument honoring the 12 American law enforcement officers.

In the user settings... What exactly are we looking at here when it comes to our options? Is there really much to choose from, or are we just spinning our wheels staring at the same handful of paths? I can't help but wonder if we've actually considered every angle, or if we're just settling for the first thing that looks halfway decent on paper. Honestly, shouldn't we be digging a little deeper before we make a move? Regarding the "messaging & Notification" section...
So, if you're looking to get things sorted, just go ahead and set your default Thread Subscription mode to:Does anyone else feel like they’re constantly tethered to their inbox, waiting for that little ping to tell them something actually important has happened? I was just sitting here thinking about how much we rely on instant email notifications to keep our lives from spiraling into chaos. It’s funny, isn't it? We crave that immediate hit of information, yet the second it happens, we find ourselves wondering if we really needed to be interrupted in the first place. Is there any way to actually manage this without losing my mind, or are we all just destined to live at the mercy of our notification settings?".

swiftstag66 said:How much does example 1 actually contribute to the discussion compared to examples 2 and 3?

None of them, really—this isn't Facebook.
What is even the point of providing links if you're just going to strip them away?

(link = )

The reasoning provided:
On this forum, it is prohibited to:

• posting unnecessary or unwanted information, posting content that is unrelated to the topic, posting in a manner inappropriate for the forum, or posting in a way that reduces the readability of the forum (which includes improper titles and signatures)

Example:
Please write in accordance with the following General Rules:

Moderators monitor compliance with the user code of conduct on the forum,
and they are authorized to remove any content that does not align with the forum's rules.

What else were you actually suggesting, besides the idea that a moderator overseeing the PDF section of the world
shouldn't be using their own account to post within a thread that's part of that very same PDF?
Was that supposed to be some sort of groundbreaking new way to designate which moderator is allowed to touch which section,
or are you just trying to bar moderators from participating in discussions altogether?

Zachary Torres81 said:Look, I already mentioned that while I think Rocky should absolutely share his opinions on the subject, he shouldn't be the one moderating it. It’s just a matter of keeping the wolves away from the sheep, isn't it?

That’s total nonsense. Even though I disagree with Rocky on just about everything,
I certainly don't agree with his approach to impartial moderation either.
Are we really at a point where a handful of cloned profiles over on the Ukrainian thread are actually demanding
that a moderator jump into the fray to argue with a bunch of bots?!?
I can't speak for him, but personally, I'm not budging on this for any reason whatsoever;
no matter how much they grumble or throw a tantrum, a moderator isn't going to play along with trolls just because they want them to.

I find it honestly hilarious when someone goes out of their way to publicly complain, whether they have a legitimate grievance or just want to stir the pot,
while openly admitting that on this very same topic they’re actually participating with two different accounts:
- kreso82
- kreso821
all while completely ignoring the explicit rules stating that any formal complaint against an original profile should be directed straight to the FBI.

darkhawk said:It seems like this forum often fails to actually look out for its own users—the mods frequently make arbitrary calls that clash with what the community wants, which ultimately hurts the site’s long-term health.

The reality is that not everyone here knows how to file a formal grievance with calm, logical arguments—so when they try to appeal a decision, they end up getting screwed because they can't reference the posts that were deleted, nor can they see the behind-the-scenes actions that are visible only to the mods and admins. This creates these invisible processes happening in the background—processes that, frankly, don't always smell like fair play, even if they technically are.

I honestly think the solution for everyone would be to introduce "Forum Advocates"—respected community members who could act as representatives for users during the appeals process. These advocates should be granted access to mod logs and deleted content so they can actually represent their "clients" on equal footing. Their primary mission would be protecting the core values of the site, but with a heavy emphasis on the fact that the users *are* the value—without them, there is no forum. Their appeals to the administration would be better substantiated and more precisely drafted, allowing the admins to focus on actual issues within specific sub-forums instead of being bogged down by messy disputes.

Furthermore, these advocates could help filter out frivolous complaints—they could basically tell a user, "Look, you actually messed up here," preventing unnecessary drama from ever reaching the admin level. Users would likely take this feedback much better than a direct order from the admin (which always feels like a heavy-handed exercise of power)—they’d respect a recommendation from someone they know is just trying to keep the community healthy. In a way, these advocates would serve as a corrective force, helping to shape and guide discussions back onto the right track.

In my view, this step would create a vital middle ground between the users and the administration—an objective body (since advocates should be chosen for their neutrality) that brings a much-needed dose of fairness to the mods and admins. Plus, for those users who are habitually difficult, it provides a different perspective—someone to explain *why* their behavior is problematic and how they might actually cooperate with the moderation team.
Such a move would prevent users from being targeted by individual mods they’ve clashed with—and an advocate could potentially gather enough evidence against biased mods or those undermining the community to initiate a recall process.

Now, obviously, the administration wouldn't be forced to accept every recall attempt or every single appeal filed by an advocate. But surely, if the advocate is high-quality, the admins would give those proposals serious thought and gain much better insight into how mods are actually handling specific sub-forums.
I truly believe this idea could permanently enrich the platform, and if executed well, it could fix many of our current shortcomings. So, go ahead—hit me with the criticisms. Let’s see if this actually makes any sense or if I'm just shouting into the void.

I’ve tried my best to take this seriously so far,
but if you want me to keep reading, you're going to need a much better argument
before I suggest tossing your proposal straight into the electric chair.

:I can't even bring myself to leave a smiley face:

A total donkey, if you ask me—who on earth decided to bring those weapons back?
It’s certainly... timely, 😬

So, now’s the perfect time to dive into the topic at hand:
A few tips and pointers on how to set up your avatar
or you can just head over to Reddit and check out the guide on Avatars (that little icon next to your name).

Let me go over this one more time: the user was handed a penalty after they just kept ignoring the moderators' requests
with the reasoning being that they were quoting previous posts completely bespotrebno,
which obviously just makes the whole forum a nightmare to read.

brighttinker48, you didn't exactly make an accusation, but you certainly dropped those links that paint him as the bad guy in the clearest way possible.
It’s just his luck, I suppose, that he happened to jump on that stubborn post right at that moment
and ended up being faster and more on top of things than the rest of the moderation team.

rustydrifter10 doesn't just have the right to do it; she actually has a duty to hand out penalties when we mess around
and do things that hurt the community or go against our forum policies,
though if we're talking about hierarchy, that kind of thing should really be left to the site's head supermoderators,
or even someone like Pringles.

As for what you're calling a ban on quoting the previous post,
it feels totally bespotrebno to even include that in the rulebook,
since it's pretty much common sense on almost any other forum out there.

Moving forward, things will proceed exactly as agreed upon,
and honestly, I don't have anything else to contribute regarding this specific topic.

To was a straightforward question, so you got a straightforward answer,
and honestly, you can choose to take it as a matter of principle or just accept the explanation provided.
The user in question had already racked up a mountain of warnings before any formal action was taken,
since we don't typically jump straight to using moderator tools for those kinds of antics,
but once it became clear he wasn't listening despite countless reminders, rustydrifter10 had to step in and remove the posts.
Furthermore, I have absolute confidence in brighttinker48 as a fellow sub-moderator,
as he has even expressed doubt about his own actions more than once and reached out to the rest of us for advice,
and as far as those disputed warnings go—if you ask me, he was absolutely right to issue them.
As for the image citations, they are directly related to the specific post you mentioned,
it’s nothing personal, really, but I’ve explained it clearly enough so that nobody can claim, "Oh, we didn't know."

My post is actually a follow-up to your quote regarding the accusations of overmoderation made by rustydrifter10
after I brought up the question about how many requests a forum member submits,
but since we’re already on the topic of flower pictures, just so we're clear, the IMG code won't be permitted in any quotes,
instead, posts will be edited to strip out that specific IMG code, and the user will be sent a PM
just in case they somehow, by pure accident, missed the reason why their post was edited.