Let’s start from here. Let’s assume for argument’s sake that this referred to users who truly only curse at Viki, don’t suggest anything, mainly just want to vent out and think they own the site if they payed for the VikiPass. That’s fine. Now, when Viki mentions its partners in the same sentence, I have to admit I feel like they’re talking to us volunteers who mentioned we are getting restricted day after day since 2 years back when Viki’s R cooperation started.
By restrictions, here’s what I mean:
1st restriction: (and currently most important) Closing discussion threads that do not say good things about Viki.
I want the original LEGENDARY thread, formed years ago called “Done with Viki” to be reopened. I forgot who had done it, but that small thing started it all for me. It was done underhandedly and it was in a way a violation of freedom of speech. There is absolutely no reason to close any thread unless the original, first post in the thread insults a person (not Viki, a person, user).
The genious of the thread Done with Viki was that it was a truly open plenum where Viki users could both critisise and “defend” Viki. And then criticise Viki about another thing and defend it again. Ultimately we would agree or agree to disagree, but we would feel heard and our frustrations would be ameliorated.
Next time someone closes a thread like that, I would please ask that forum moderator to take a look at the names of all users who contributed to that thread and imagine tapping each and every one of them on the head and saying “shut up”. Because that’s how it feels. When you still have something to say, but someone decides you shouldn’t and doesn’t tell you why.
2nd restriction: Regional availability of videos is private.
To this day I still don’t know why this happened. So, I’m asking now. Viki, why is regional availability a secret? Explain it to us in detail so we can finally move on.
If I’m going to be honest, kids these days are much more clever than one might think and can easily find regional unlockers and get to the content they want. On the other hand, it makes the life of a CM and some moderators much more demanding.
Intro into restriction No 3.
Back to the original quote from Viki and “conspiracy theories” - First of all, this phrase has a major negative connotation. It assumes the person writing it is a wacko. Some might also consider using this phrase to be bashing someone. If Viki actually meant stipulations, guesses and assumptions (no matter how unfounded they are), well, then Viki should be informed that those are formed naturally and unavoidably when Viki doesn’t notify the community properly not only of the changes, but also why the changes even occur. The more silence we get from Viki, the more wrong and right guesses are going to happen. If it’s in Viki’s best interest for the community not to guess, well, then, Viki administration, you know what to do.
3rd restriction: “Bugs and Issues” category in forum is being removed. All issues should be sent via a private message to Viki itself.
Should I abstain from what might be considered a “conspiracy theory” when I say it’s suspicious that everything not functioning at Viki should be a secret from the public?
Why did we even ask for this category in the first place? Well, because we often don’t get a response through the “official channels” for WEEKS and MONTHS. I’m not saying all the issues should be dealt with within a day. But if someone can’t seg or sub, on this site that’s considered a crisis. And in that case you ask for help in any way possible, even “screaming” in the Bugs and Issues category. Or… should we perhaps just tweet?
I’ve only started this list. I ask others who still have the strength to continue. Because, despite everything I’ve said in this post, I still believe in the Viki community, if perhaps not so much in Viki itself anymore. There is a common ground somewhere. We just need to talk it out.