A long story that may or may not inspire everyone to play nice.

I arrived in this country (Ireland) two years ago as a refugee with the equivalent of 22 dollars in my pocket and a bag with some clothes. I decided to start my life over and become a 3D animator. It took me a while, and two full time jobs (90 hours a week), to buy a computer, and then to buy all the programs.

In the last six months I have completed my first commercial video for a band, learnt to use Poser and Vue, and all the associated programs like UVMapper, etc. I have started pre-production on an independent film project to be launched in June.

Now comes the part about playing nice.

The last six months would not have been possible without these forums. I buy all the 3D magazines and work through all the tutorials, but this forum is where I learn the most, get the most help, and meet some really amazing people. These forums may be owned by Renderosity and be based in America, but these forums actually belong to the people who use them, and they are truly one of the most international, useful and friendly places I have ever seen on the net.

These forums are what we make them. And what we make of them. Without the users, there would have no forums. I have seen some amazing and helpful people leave these forums, for various reasons, and this saddens me. We have here a global community of 200 000 people, and not once have I seen political or religious arguments. The arguments on nudity have mostly been humorous (or have been turned humorous by the answers) but we all know that if someone really wants nudity they always have Renderotica to go to, so that shouldnt be an issue.

I need this community, and so do many others, and it would be a shame to see this trend continue of people leaving over disagreements with other users or with the sites TOS. We may not like certain aspects, and we may not agree with the implementation sometimes, but hey, its better than trying to decipher the Poser manual on your own. (My Greek is very poor, so the Poser manual is very limiting to me).

So how do we play nice?

1. By remembering that behind every silly name like Numanoid or Groingrinder (sorry, couldnt resist) is a person, and in a different time and place he/she could be your best friend/boss/employee/life partner

2. By talking to the moderators directly if we have a problem instead of venting in the forums

3. By using humour

4. By apologising if we make kaka (hope you understand that word, lol)

5. By getting all the facts before we give our opinions

6. By using simple words like please and thank you

7. By being patient

8. By understanding that the moderators are one of us that has been given a job to do, and remembering that we are not perfect, and not expecting them to be

9. By obeying the rules, whether we like them or not. (I dont like paying for things I take from the shops, but I have to do that, so I might as well follow the rules here too)

10. By not getting involved in someone elses arguments

So here is a special thank you to:
Dr Geep, Questor, PhilC, Gebe, Xantor, Little Dragon, Sharen, Anton, Stewer and every other person who has taken the time to answer a stupid question, made me laugh, made me think, made a freebie, made a picture and played nice.

And thanks to Renderosity, who havent made a cent from me (yet), but still allow me to come and bug you all whenever I want to, and give me a soapbox on which to stand and proclaim things such as the above post.

PS. I am not English, so I hope I wrote this all correctly.

you wrote it beautifully.

Attached Link: http://brian.curiouslabs.com

thank you for your imput. this is a great relief to me.

I have never been able to take a community college course in 3d. Since the 1977ish Star Wars film, I was hooked on 3d and was able to get my hands on my first 3d app (bryce 3d) in 1998. I used to lurk here back in the orignial "green" days just after the PFO split. I had no idea what to do with Bryce, but I knew it was a great place to start. Well, I have to thank not only Renderosity but the fine folks here who have put up with my questions, sent me to other sites to read, and all the helpful folks who give away their secrets just for fun. I would know zilch about 3d were it not for these forums to guide me.

Great Post, and it sums it up for all, whether you are a newbie or a long time reader of these forums. I agree, too many good people have been forced by various reasons leave this site, and it is only to those people who come after them detriment and loss of valuable advice and information regarding Posers use and tips. I have been a member for several years and seen too many good people leave and it always saddens me. I admit I am one of those 'lurkers' but I have learned heaps from here. I feel sad for all those people that are new to Poser, for all that wonderful information that is now lost to them due to 'changes/TOS or whatever you want to call it' over the years. I am just glad for myself that I joined when I did and learned so much from those who came before, and left before the whole tone of the Renderosity site became what it is now. Hopefully it will become what it was before, a great place to learn and exchange information, collect freebies, buy products without all the current "will this be OK to use this stuff that is going on now". We need some confidence in this site which is not forthcoming at the moment. It has been good in the past, why can't it be now? Answers need to be given. Jan

Thank you for this. It has been getting a little fraught here lately.

Oh GAWD ANOTHER PERSONS ENTIRE LIFE STORY.....

numanoid - I am proud to have read the above post from you, you are a kind, humble and caring person to reveal all that to us and you are COMPLETELY RIGHT....there are so many kind people here that have helped and keep on helping others, with very little reward except to know they have helped. That is all they need to know and they are happy. Playing nice.....definately the right thing to do and is most acceptable. Bravo on your post!!!!....Sharen and Mike

Well spoken! :)

Good thoughts, and well written. Pretty much says it all. Marque

Hear hear!

Sage remarks, that remind me of a scene from the movie, Excalibur, when the king and knights are celebrating on the hill, having united the kingdom. Merlin - ever the killjoy - fires up his staff, and shouts (and I paraphrase because I do not recall the exact wording, but boy is there truth in what he said)

"Be silent, be still! Savor the moment. Revel in it, and remember it well. For it is the doom of men that they forget!"

Which I just proved again, with my poor retelling of the line from the movie. :O)

I try to help whenever I can :)

Beautiful post, numanoid.....thank you. (; genny

Thank you numanoid, for reminding us all about the encompassing nature of a simple kindness. ((hugs))

yes- Tolerance goes a long long way. To remember that all of us, from all over the world, have various moral standards and not to Force your own upon any others. Especially on a medium that is primarily communication. Peace out. When you give respect you will usually recieve it in return :)

well put numaniod & thanks you,. may the light that is your god, shine on you

numanoid.... very good post & excellent points.... IF We could just everyone else to even partially see it that way :o) Thomas Poser Coordinator

numanoid, Thank you for this. It's a lesson in decency that we should all print out, stick it on top of our computer screens and read it many times a day --until we learn it by heart, and come to understand its meaning. Thank you.

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. Now, back to work for me, I have machines to make, Vickie's to break, textures to bake and reality to fake.

My mother used to tell me as a child.........."if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all". Since 'growing up' I realised the reason for her telling me this, was because, if you can't say something to help, encourage, or cheer, another person in your day to day life then you are being a hinderance to humanity rather than a help. Civility costs nothing, and with a little time and patience, everyone could put their minds to attaining those qualities and making this forum and this world a better place for us all to live in. 8) Just my 0.02p Catlin

You said it beautifully numanoid. :)