Today’s Woman Writing Community was founded 4 years ago. Sense then Shawn and I have founded three more websites. You would not believe the stuff as adminstrators that we have had to deal with. If we had a dime for every nasty email, rude forum post or blog post that we’ve read where someone attacked us then we would be wealthy. After a while you just learn to ignore it.
Every website, will have unpleased ex-members. It is their right to speak out about the service they received, but it’s not their right to make it personal and attack the website owners.
Defamatory accusations can ruin not only a business or website, but the website owner’s reputation as well.
Defamation can be immensely costly to a business, because the cases are civil, it costs the website owner in the end should they decide to take the individuals to court to sue for damages.
Most website owners decide that it is not worth the headache and close their doors or simply put their websites up for sale.
Such was the case with Linda Wright owner of Writer’s in Touch who considered closing her website after being faced with a banned member who returned to the site and continued to taunt her.
Linda Wright noted, “I’m absolutely tired of dealing with these problems - I’m a computer programmer, not an attendant in a kiddies playground.”
Thought Cafe, closed their doors for the same reason.
Defamation can occur in all sections of the internet. Some individuals will do anything they can think of to ruin a business and website owner’s reputation, from harassment to defamation of character.
Unhappy ex- members will blog about a website. These blogs can often be seen first when a business or website owners name is searched for in search engines. Unhappy members may also target the websites staff, the adminstrator’s family or any one who speaks positive about the website.
Website owners should not have to deal with such harassment, but sadly we do.
One cannot let a few bad apples spoil the bunch. Tomorrow is another day and I found where my delete key is.
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8 responses so far ↓
Steve Reichard
// Feb 18, 2007 at 1:54 am
Yeah I know what you mean my friend. In the past 4 years I have had some nasty crap said about me too. ((HUGS))
Dariana
// Feb 18, 2007 at 8:03 am
Oh yes I would believe it. I used to do Network Administration for several large online commercial sites. The money was darn good but not worth the headaches at all!
Have a great day!
Ian
// Feb 18, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I’ve always tried to be more subtle when defaming people.
I make them characters in my books or webcomic, then kill them in nasty ways., or make them appear extremely idiotic.
Ian
Sometimes Saintly Nick
// Feb 18, 2007 at 11:18 pm
You are so right! Website owners should not have to deal with such harassment and insanity.
Rose DesRochers
// Feb 18, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Ian, I hope that I never tick you off. lol
Dariana, thanks for commenting. The thing is I deal with the headaches for free. lol
Steve, I know you have and you know many appreciate and admire you.
Rose DesRochers
// Feb 18, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Thanks Nick!
Peg
// Feb 19, 2007 at 3:05 pm
It’s true…it’s a difficult job…until one administers an ‘online community’ it is difficult to realize the drama and BS that you can have to deal with.
On that topic, you should pop in and read this: andyrutledge.com/comments.php which I found it to be rather interesting.
Best,
Peg
Rose DesRochers
// Feb 19, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Peg, thank you for commenting and I’ll be sure to take a look. So true, drama becomes a part of your life.
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