An Open Letter to MINI2
(DK's last post on MINI2 dated 08 Mar 2006)
In light of
recent events, I feel I can no longer bite my tongue, and shall air my views on
certain matters.
All personal comments, of course, and I do not expect that all people will agree
with me. However, please show me the respect for having such views, even when
they are different to your own, thank you.
MINI2 lost its chance to be the dominant force for all things New MINI in
cyberspace since its futile attempt to start a club back in 2002. The major
players involved have all but disappeared, and the history of what did happen,
was, not surprisingly, wiped off MINI2. However, there are some of those who are
still about, and have long memories of the event, me included. I make no bones
that I still have some of the bad feelings from those days, as I was one of the
ones being labelled as a trouble maker.
I have saved the events as far back as the date I joined MINI2 in Aug 2001 up to
Jul 2002 when the club folded, the best I can on paper. Please feel free to
e-mail me if you wish to receive a copy, at contact @ appletheminicooper.net.
MINI2 lost its chance to establish a truly global community by its failure to
support non-English speaking users. It has turned into an English speaking site
with the majority of its users from UK.
Non-English speaking groups started to establish from an early date. Club
Nouvelle MINI, Dutch and German forums were the ones that spring to mind.
What is interesting to see, though, is the decamping of Scottish users. They
were probably the second English-speaking group to set up their own community
after the Americans. One has to ask why?
In time, more and more regional groups within UK were established. Why? Probably
because they felt the need to have an identity rather than being swept along
with the others in a big cyber community called MINI2. Regional groups organise
events on a regular basis, they meet up and socialise, and they get to know each
other as real people, not on-line personas.
How often does one see anyone from Scotland posting in here? Or those from
Ireland (except one or two regulars), Wales, Devon and Cornwall, Severns,
Leicester, Essex etc? Regional and/or non-English as first language groups who
still use MINI2 as their main source of communication are those who have not got
their own sites set up. How often do we see those from Hong Kong posting in
here, now they have set up their own site?
A second attempt to start a club was initiated, allegedly with the backing of
MINI2 according to those who were initially involved in the setting up of
MINI2mini.org. Allegedly it was felt that an official club was a good idea,
perhaps even necessary. It resulted in the formation of MINI2mini.org, which
welcomes both old and new Mini/MINIs. However, it soon transpired that MINI2's
backing was withdrawn, and I believe it was chiefly down to one reason - money
was involved, as MINI2 came up with Privileged Membership shortly afterwards. I
would ask those who were involved in the setting up of MINI2mini.org to come
forward and correct me if I am wrong. Unfortunately, some of them hardly post on
here or even on MINI2mini.org; they have moved on to other/better things in
life.
It is good to see that MINI2mini.org is thriving as a community, and I wish them
all successes in the future.
Towards the end of 2002, I, along with a handful of like-minded individuals, set
up another forum called Fruit Farm. It was set up at a time when OT&B on MINI2
was just one forum, without any written rules about what goes and what does not.
Some of the then MINI2 OT&B regulars, aptly nicked-named themselves the Sewer
Rats, felt the pinch of oppression by being moderated heavy-handedly on MINI2
and were invited to join Fruit Farm. The site gave them a breathing space to
have some fun behind closed doors. However, it soon became obvious that I had
nothing in common with some of them in real life.
Two events that I took part in, in 2004, namely Mizen to Malin and the
Motorshow, made me further realise that I do not wish to be associated with
certain individuals, and made the decision to leave Fruit Farm in the middle of
2004.
I was, at one stage, a full moderator for the MINI2 UK Social and Events forum.
However, I refused to toe the line when I disagreed with the actions of some of
the then moderators, whom I believe, had misused their powers. It was obvious to
users, time and time again, that certain moderators would moderate people
heavily without any means of redress. It got worse when it was deemed acceptable
not to notify someone before they were moderated, providing that they were an
experience user. Whatever happened to common courtesy?!
I then asked to be given just a few powers as a moderator, so that I could help
with event organisation. However, I asked not to be allowed into the Mods Area,
so that I would not be involved in the politics of the site. When the site had a
major upgrade last year, I found myself able to see the Mods Area once again.
Again, I had to ask to be denied access to the Mods Area, as by that time, new
moderators had been appointed, which IMHO, were not fit to be moderators. Again,
I refused to get involved with moderation, and was prepared to remove myself
from being included in e-mail notifications for reported posts in certain forums
(after the M2CB2006), for the reason that I do not wish to read some of the
high-and-almighty comments made by certain moderators who reported the posts!
I personally have experienced the put-up and shut-up kind of attitude, usually
from the same group of people with whom I do not see eye to eye over the years.
They are those who have to have the last word in any argument, only their views
on a subject matter, and they show very little respect for other people's
opinions and feelings. They throw dirt at other people, yet they cannot stand
having the tables turned!!
I refer you to the thread in OT&B started by me on the day the winning bid was
announced, on the subject that I will not be in the country for the 2012
Olympics. I was ridiculed by certain individuals, at least one was a Global
Moderator, for not joining in the high spirits, and that my fears about London
being targeted by terrorists were unfounded. This is but just one of many
examples. However, it will be imprinted on my memory forever, as my fears turned
into tragic reality shortly afterwards, with two of the London bombs very close
to my home!
I have put up with some of the changes on MINI2 throughout the years, and have
always stuck up for MINI2 and its moderators in public. I believe changes are
necessary in the name of progress. However, I have found it increasing difficult
to do so since I got involved with the organisation of the first MINI2 Charity
Ball.
I was very disillusioned after the Ball last year, as I felt that the time,
energy and resources that I have spent throughout the years in promoting MINI2,
and making events and functions more enjoyable for people, had gone un-noticed.
It did not help that certain individuals failed to deliver their own obligations
as organisers. Since that Ball, I cut down dramatically the amount of time I
spent on event organisation, as I thought, why bother?!
I spent hours printing flyers about the 2006 Ball to take with me to Misano last
October. When I got there, I found that most people I talked to had never even
heard of MINI2. It made me realise that the MINI spirit is indeed alive and well
outside MINI2, and that MINI2 serves just a tiny portion of people who are
interested in MINIs. Why should people come all the way from their countries to
support the Ball, when they can organise a similar event in their own country,
and raise money for their own local charities? The flyers are still in the boot
of my car, un-distributed.
MINI2 may be the largest in terms of registered users, post counts and traffic.
However, how many of the thousands of registered users post regularly? And how
many of those are merely alter-egos for the sake of fun and games, with most of
their posts in OT&B?
The passing of time makes people change. People come and go, just like waves,
and I sincerely wish that there will be sufficient influx of newbies to sustain
MINI2 in terms of funding. Unfortunately, I believe it is too late to try and
plug all the holes that have already been established.
Recent events have upset me hugely, and I am particularly saddened to see two
people who are dear to me spitting at each other.
However, to treat a whole community that is usually expressed in the form of a
4-letter acronym like the plague, and that it is felt necessary to censor all
mention of this community, even in personal posts and signatures, is a callous
act that beggars belief. If this is not oppression, then I do not know what is!
Mind you, oppression is nothing new on MINI2, just ask anyone who has been dealt
a heavy hand; just ask some of the Aussies on here - their entire forum was
suspended for days!
I am not going to defend the actions, whether real or perceived, of certain
individuals, as they are responsible for them and the consequences. However, for
every action there is a reaction, as per the laws of physics. How one reacts in
a given situation, will depend upon how one is treated, perceived or otherwise.
Max would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused to any
individual throughout this sorry affair. However, I personally would like to add
in his defence, that he is human, and that he has feelings too!
MINI2 has brought me a huge amount of joy and fun in the past years. It has also
led to the saddest and the happiest events in my own personal life. Without
MINI2, it is unlikely that I would have met another kindred spirit like Max.
Therefore, I shall be eternally grateful to MINI2. However, I believe I have
paid my dues many times over, for freely and tireless promoting this site ever
since I joined in Aug 2001. I have my own website to host my pictures and
videos, as I do not wish to be one of those users who are forever demanding more
webspace for their pictures/videos for a tiny sum of money in return. In
addition, I have made more than one (small) donation throughout the years.
It is now time for me to move on.
Before I go, I would like to apologise to Bob whole-heartedly and unreservedly
for not attending the Ball.
Bob, you are a dear friend, and have been a tower of strength for me during my
darkest days. I am sorry that I cannot bring myself to come to the Ball that you
have put so much time and effort in organising. I know how much it means to you
personally, and am sorry that I have let you down so badly. However, I do not
wish to be seen rubbing shoulders or having to salute those I truly despise on
the night. I hope you'd understand.
May the MINI spirit burn forever brightly inside each and every one of you.
Good luck, good wishes and good-bye!
DK aka dcfkan on MINI2