Terms of Service – A Rant
by FEMAELSTROM, HSM team writer
This is a term we have all become very familiar with in this new techno-version update age we live in. Play a game, you may see a terms of service. Load up an application, and you have to agree to the ‘Terms of Service’, or TOS. This term appears everywhere that we use software. It is basically an outline of your rights, the company’s rights, what is expected of both parties, and the limits of using said software. It also limits liability and actions as well as guarantees you your legal rights should you feel you were not given what you paid for. These, in spirit, are a very good set of points offered by any given company. But they create hostility, as they are always presented to the user in a non-negotiable fashion. Agree and check the box, or don’t and don’t check the box, but remember that refusal means you don’t continue to use the program or goods.
For the most part, most people do not read TOS notices and points. We are so eager to get to the application, or actually need said application or software, that we hurriedly click the little box that says we accept and proceed, never having read the fine print. It is doubtful that many users of Home actually read the TOS they agree to when they join.
So why am I taking the time to remind us of this obvious element that we all face?
Recently this magazine, for which I am writing, came under fire when somebody went to great lengths to say some very bad, and frankly, offensive things about it. This is something I expect from the competition, but from somebody who is keenly aware of the quality of the magazine you are currently reading? This struck a very sensitive nerve with me, and that is why I feel I must speak up and “rant” for a moment.
For the sake of all involved I have obviously left out real names or screen names.
I have used so many of these, it’s amazing!
Allow me a moment to give you some background — summary of my own story. Since the young age of around fourteen, I have loved to write. I have probably written millions of characters in my lifetime, all for the sake of expressing myself. I have written short stories, long stories, and poems, and I was even a student of author Elizabeth George during my years in high school. She was a fan of some of my writings. My desire to write has been intertwined with my love of art. The passion waned after time as my life took turns that I did not expect, and in time, the writing evaporated and I was left without the voice that I had once sought so passionately.
When I met NorseGamer and DarthGranny and they invited me to write for this magazine, I felt a spark fly into the fire of my abilities. I thought that, at very least, I could write again.
I submitted my first article, titled “Why We Keep Coming Back“, and I felt alive when I saw an article that I had written on display for all to see and read. I have been told that this article really touched some people deeply. I say none of this in a boastful manor. More than that, I say it in a deeply grateful manner, and I thank them for welcoming me into the fold here at the magazine. They have endured my countless novice questions, and had to set me straight with kindness and helpfulness. As of this article, I have written some 41 articles for HomeStation Magazine. That’s 41 times that the audience has heard my voice on any topic, and that opportunity was given to me by the folks at this magazine.
Is there a set of TOS here? It’s not listed as such, but there are rules, and I for one will stand behind the terms that have been laid out, because when it comes to playing in someone else’s playground, one has to follow the rules. The rules here are very simple and basic to being a mature writer. Don’t spew hate or venom. Make criticisms relevant and to a point. It serves nobody to simply point and say “they suck”. If something is bad, explain why it is, and how it can be made better. There is a minimum word count per article, but that is nothing to achieve to someone who loves to write. Keep the articles basically in the rated PG range and keep it family and Sony friendly.
Those are the basics. There are no animal or human sacrifices, there are no covert meetings in the dead of night, while wearing cloaks and trading evil hand shakes. This is a collection of intelligent men and women who speak their minds in a civil and informed manner.
So why am I stating all this?
Because this is my endeavor, my passion. This is a place I have grown fond of.
This is in fact me as I write this article!
This is a magazine that is worth fighting for, and frankly when you don’t fight for something, you probably don’t care for it much in the first place. I care when anyone says anything about this magazine that is just mean or untrue. I love my family, I love my special lady friend, and I love those who write with me. I will not stand by and watch anyone say things that are untrue or hurtful about any of these things.
Since I came aboard this magazine, it has been a place that made me act like a better person, because now I am seen by people and sometimes recognized, and I have to act in a way that I feel best reflects this magazine.
If you’re reading this, then you may be a fan, and you can appreciate that this may fall in the realm of a rant. But it is a rant that I felt strongly about. This magazine is a great one, and it is friendly to those that write for it.
I’m not a sycophant, and have never spent my life at somebody’s heels groveling for approval — quite the contrary. Those who know me, know I live by the singular term, “I don’t care”. I have learned to not care about many things like when somebody does not like me or disagrees with me, or if somebody thinks I am stating all this to”‘keep on the magazine’s good side.” I am saying this to simply voice that when this magazine came under fire, I wanted to state that this is worth fighting for. And I am standing up to say this, because the people, all of these fine writers and editors, are good at what they do — so to those who make unjust comments: you are wrong, and you show it in what you have said.
That was FEMAELSTROM mad. Thank you.
May 3rd, 2013 by FEMAELSTROM | 6 comments
FEMAELSTROM came to Home in June 2011 and never wanted to leave, even at weekly maintenance when he usually gets booted. The sand box environment appeals to the explorer in him and often is out and about as he ‘geeks’ out dressed like some sort of sci-fi character, while he people watches in popular public spaces. An artist and writer, FEMAELSTROM loves making friends and meeting people. He loves sci-fi and decorating Home estates and loves to respond “here” when people ask “where are you from?” in public places.
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I just wanna say that the people that take the time (their own time) to create this magazine are some of the nicest, open, helpful and encouraging people I’ve had the pleasure to meet. I’m not just saying this (to those who might scoff at me for saying so) to win brownie points here; that’s genuine, up-front honesty about how I see the staff here. And when you have such good bonds coupled with an extremely fair working ethos in the environment we share, well, HSM is what you get.
Norse has made something to be proud of here, and the people he’s gathered to help him create this have become the unwavering Atlases that endeavor to uphold the foundations he has placed. I already know I dont have to tell you guys you should be proud of HSM, coz it’s there in the article above this very comment, and every other article published here.
Oh, and also, Sticks n’ Stones y’know…
Thanks for the support Strom, is we all support each other when needed this magazine will always weather the storms we face and come out the other side. I love this place and the people that inhabit it, but you know that because you are one of them.
Great read as always.
GEEZ this was a masterpiece! I know there are some outside “competition” that wish to spew hate but I never knew it was recent.
My thing is, I stray away from negative thinking, aspects, overall the general term for those who wish to don the spectrum of the word and focus on the positive. If people wish to say crazy things, that’s on them. The fact is, numbers don’t lie and as well as the feedback.
This was a refreshing read from you, Jake! Seriously, I really felt that passion that you spoke about in your article and I’ve grown to appreciate this magazine and what I do more and more.
You, sir, just inspired me.
I sure don’t know what started this rant but there are interesting points in the article.
I’m happy for the writers who have a place to be published.
I read more stuff in here than magazines on the news stand and just as much if not more than online publications. I’m not sure where I read is a good thing but it’s good enough for me.
I don’t wanna’ be a writer of fiction or articles although at one time I did and even back in high school received some encouragement to do so. And from a famous writer to give it a try. My love was music and I was successful at that in that I enjoyed it and in the words of one song writer, “If it isn`t successful, it`s OK. It`s successful to me.” Remember that, k?
Just because I don’t comment on an article doesn’t mean I like it and conversely just because I comment on an article doesn’t mean I like it. I don’t care for all of them and I read the ones on the external page not on the “inside” pages.
As for the TOS, this article isn’t much about TOS is it? When it comes to TOS writings one would need a lawyer to figure it out and I doubt if the lawyers who write them understand them.
I like this article.
“When I was growing up, my grandfather gave me two insights: behave in a way that, when someone would speak unkindly of you, will cause them shame. And, if you believe in something strongly enough to stand up for it, do it in a stand up way.” Part of how I ended my first article.