Online Blocking

Everything you need to know about what happens when you block a member in Writer's Cafe.

Online Blocking     Want to read this in a different language ? Change the TO field to your own country and click the TRANSLATE button after going HERE BLOCKING SOMEONE ONLINE IN WRITER'S CAFE We've all gotten into an argument from one time to another, haven't we ? Maybe it's cause your selfish little brother took the last big chocolate chip cookie in the jar leaving you only the yucchy peanut-butter ones - or your big sister borrowed your rollerskates (again !) without permission. Whatever it is, conflict, arguments, and sometimes even fights are sure to follow. And it's usually up to the parents to intervene to try and figure out just what the heck is going on between you two. So it is also true on the Internet. Yet of a different nature. Sometimes it is of directly opposing views. Perhaps one person sees something as funny whereas you do not, and perhaps they're teasing you and you want them to quit and they won't and they want to see how far they can intimidate you. Well what can you do ? Unfortunately there are no parents, not really, that can take both of you aside and try and find out your differences so you can kiss and make up. No such luck. So today we have an Online feature called, "Blocking." It seems no matter where you go both in real life and on the Internet, there is always going to be someone somewhere who just doesn't rub you the right way, and it might even be someone you know in real life. So - you need to break off communication and close the bridge behind you so there are no further conflicts or discussion. Writer's Cafe has an excellent blocking system. But where can it be found ? Go to that person's main profile page and look in the top-right-hand corner for this icon: Click on it and that person is now blocked. With a bit of research, I have found exactly what occurs when you block someone too: THEY cannot view your profile.  THEY cannot view your posts.  THEY cannot view your blogs.  THEY cannot post a comment or reply to one in your profile, post, or blog.  THEY cannot send you a new private message.  THEY cannot reply to any existing private messages you may have sent them earlier.  THEY cannot comment on reviews of other poems (thanks A.M.S. Red)  THEIR feed will continue to view the last items you have posted as a friend until it scrolls off. If they have not yet done so, they can block YOU in return, prohibiting you from accessing them even if you decided later to unblock them. (This works both ways ya know) On the other end of the stick, when you block that same person, this is what happens to YOU: YOU cannot view their profile.  YOU cannot view their posts.  YOU cannot view their blogs.  YOU cannot post a comment or reply to one in their profile, post, or blog.  YOU cannot send a new private message to them. YOU cannot reply to any existing private messages they may have sent you earlier.  YOUR feed will continue to view the last items they have posted as a friend until it scrolls off. So as you can see quite a bit takes place ! You should also know that when you block someone, there is no list or roster you can view later to see all the people whom you have blocked in case you decide to unblock them later. So it's up to you to keep track of everyone you have blocked on your own ! . . . I hope you found this informative and please - try and play nice out there ! Return back HOME   You are Earth Visitor #

Reviews

[quinfinn]

out of sight is out of mind. thank goodness for all of the above. when i block someone it is for a very good reason, unlike some who block merely at the suggestion or insistence of others who have personal vendettas. i have people blocking me for no reason other than they were asked to by someone who has the gall to label me based on their own unfounded and unsubstantiated hatred....if they choose to do so based on that....so be it..i don't want their attention anyway!

[dw817]

Hi Q. Thanks for visiting. I have to admit I did block someone cause someone suggested it - and now I'm not so sure if it was a good idea or not.

[quinfinn]

in the heat of the moment, or based on trusting others we can make ill founded decisions...i have seen it dozens of times on this site...like i said..if they are that easily swayed or that fickle...i am fortunate to be blocked by them. they are doing me a favor, because when i find myself blocked...i block back ....it is a self preservation issue, nothing more.

[dw817]

Well I think I'm gonna unblock them, and that is the Stapler guy. Just cause someone writes stories that are different from mine, doesn't mean they are immediately gonna lash out and attack me.

We have to try to get along in this great Sapphire World of ours and if I spend more time bombing bridges than building them, that might make travel difficult for others. :)

[quinfinn]

if you are referring to Burning Red Stapler, it is a she....and a good friend of mine, and a nice ally to have, at that! she has stood up for me more times than i can count....an trusted and wonderful friend.

[dw817]

Unblocked. :7

[quinfinn]

very cool! she is not a bad person....and i love her raunchy humor and excellent writing.

[ríða andlit]

LOL, quin, stop lying! I'm a wretched, evil, horrid harpy... a soulless she-devil, bent only on destroying this site (or so I've been told). :D

Thanks, dw, too, I really enjoy your comments and, honestly, had no idea I was blocked. I don't pay much attention, I guess.

[quinfinn]

shhh, you'll awaken the Kraken! you know i love you......i can't help myself....

[dw817]

Well, let's seal the deal with a kiss. :7 [Added To Friends]

[Vria P Crow]

LMAO HAHA Oh good gawd! Let us all have an orgy of unicorns and rainbows! jeesh

[quinfinn]

never liked unicorns/too horny

[Vria P Crow]

I will be honest, I think people on here take things way too seriously when someone is making a harmless joke. Not saying you are, dw817, but it just happens. Red Stapler is just hilarious and honest.

[Vria P Crow]

LMAO HAHA my unicorn friend pokes people with her horn so it is all good!

[quinfinn]

haters gonna hate wherever you go...stapler is a good friend to have when the trolls attack.....

[Vria P Crow]

haha I concur! I am more like a Cowardly Lion compared to her. She is the awesome Wicked Witch of the West who I love from the book, "Wicked." She is actually one of my favorite characters. Highly recommend!

[dw817]

Oh I'm about as serious as they get. I may well be the last one to get the punch line on something that is supposed to be amusing - and days later still not get it, and then I can also write something immensely subtle that is a joke, and it's not understood days later.

I attribute it all to the chemicals in my brain ...

[Vria P Crow]

haha That is okay. I am Dopey and still do stupid things. I just think that you are a sweetie with good intentions.

[quinfinn]

dw has much maturity and some very good reasoning skills....a good ally as well.

[Vria P Crow]

I concur! Dw has logic and maturity. Maturity is not my forte, unfortunately.

[ríða andlit]

dw, with open arms! Thanks for the request! But, you may be heading for the darkside, now, but, honestly, we do have cookies!


Ria, love, you are a shining phantasmic light of awesomeness. Thank you for your very kind comments. Now where in the hell did I put my broom?

Quin, you are me, you know, so it's more than apparent that you would love me, er, yourself, er, myself. Whatevs...

[quinfinn]

can i hug myself now? i'm too sexy for my shirt.....

[dw817]

Better be Chocolate Chip Cookies ! :D Well, I'm mature Online I sposers. But when I'm with my friends, like I'm seeing Rose tomorrow, I act like I'm 14 and she's my Mother - advantage of Anageria - so it's all good. *Grin*

[Vria P Crow]

HAHA: Stapler: I stole your broom since I am the dumbass White Witch full of orgasmic goodness! *laughs sweetly.

dw: You are so sweet that sometimes it boggles the mind.

Quin: You are an Elder Teacher of Epic Wisdom and Knowledge!

[ríða andlit]

Double-chunk-chocolate-chip. :D What else do dark lords love?

[dw817]

Well thank you, Ria, I really appreciate that !

[ríða andlit]

Damn it, I'll have to ride the mop, again.

[dw817]

As for the cookies, that sounds just fine. In truth I really do like Snickerdoodle cookies most tho. As for a ride, won't a mop cause you to gyrate when you fly ? Spin-cycle ya know. :)

[quinfinn]

i am partial to Milanos

[Vria P Crow]

Your welcome DW!

QUIN: You can hug yourself like an erotic Green Boa!

Stapler: You can borrow my walking stick of Staff proportions!

[quinfinn]

a green one? can't i opt for purple or black,,,oh, and Ria,,,,i sent you those poems, well, one is a short story, but smokin'!

[Vria P Crow]

omg I just read it and was like...wow...I need to go be alone for awhile...haha I hate you with love!

[Vria P Crow]

LMAO HAHA You can have a Purple one!

[quinfinn]

what are you referring to?

[Vria P Crow]

strip for me! haha It is a blusher one!

[quinfinn]

one down, two to go...hold tight and mind the undertow

[Vria P Crow]

Beautiful line, indeed. :) Reminds me of when Linkin Park was sorta good.

[quinfinn]

click, click, pow!

[Vria P Crow]

click, click, pull!

[quinfinn]

i stand corrected, we hear what we feel, don''t we?

[Vria P Crow]

Indeed we do!

[Vria P Crow]

Dear dw817,

I wanted to formally apologize to you for my last Review. I was terribly upset that night, and it was immature. The Blocking caused me great anxiety since I was Blocked that night. However, I was unblocked because there was a misconception. It was WritersCafe paranoia.

To be honest, while rereading it, I find it to be quite informative.

Here is one question:

Are you here to simply e d u c a t e the cafe? I feel bad because I insulted you with a Review about what I remembered WC to be.

In addition, I am upset to say that Blocking is sometimes a necessary thing on here. I didn't realize that there was racialists on here.

Thank you dear for sharing!

yours truly,
ria

[dw817]

No problem Ria. As for education, I do run a Tutorial on advanced HTML coding every Tuesday (as per the schedule listed on my front page).

And no, I have posted a few poems, short-stories, and am completing one mini-story (one more chapter of 5). Once it is done I will start to post one of my full-length novels called, "The Nancy Principle," which includes original illustrations from fan-art.

A good portion of my writings however are educational and informative. If I find something that I believe can be of use to a community (wherever I am) then I will most certainly lay down a tutorial on it. I have done this in Xanga many times, explaining the security systems and how to take the most advantage of it for your benefit, or tips & tricks on doing things that may not be common knowledge.

If you missed my HTML tutorial, which does pertain directly to WC members, you can find that HERE:
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/dw817/1190100/

[Vria P Crow]

Thank you, dear :) I will take a look eventually if I so desire. I have been on this site since I was 13 so I know how the site works.

Happy writing!

~Ria

[dw817]

Well that's good - as for me I'm still trying to learn the system. *Grin* Take care ...

[Vria P Crow]

haha I just learn it by doing it. From my experience, that is what google is for :P

[Baby Ricochet]

informative for sure.........................................

[dw817]

Glad you liked it Rico. As it is, I am seeing when you block someone there is no, "Flag Of Peace" you can wave after. It was pure luck and happenstance that me and Ria got back together in WC.

Having tried several blogging systems I can definitely form some ideas on things that would help in massive communities. A peace flag would be one, where were someone blocked, each person could wave this flag. And you would have 3-choices from here seeing it waved by the opposing party in your signal box.

'Not now' would mean you want another week to think about it. The opposing party cannot wave their peace flag again until 7-days have elapsed.

'Never' would block that user from waving their flag in addition to being permanently blocked. The user could also change this answer to, 'Not now' anytime they choose.

'Talk' means you are both still blocked but you are now permitted to talk to each other in private message to work out your differences, with an optional TRUCE button below this, or CUT OFF.

I haven't seen this in a blogging system yet but perhaps in the future, it might, especially where good communication, apologies, and friendship is vital to forming thriving communities.

[Wolfwind]

That was a fun way to describe it. Kudos! However, if one's intentions are to keep people from viewing their works or comments, all one has to do is log out and they can still view anyones profile. With the exceptions of their photos. However writers can set their writing to be view only by WC members. So that's an added precaution if they really don't want people to see what they write.
Frankly, what i've learned on this site is that if someone is going to bully another person, there really isn't any solid wall. Thus the best course is prevention and just play nice.

Thanks for sharing your creation!
Aaron

[dw817]

Hi Aaron. Yes and no. If you make a BLOG post, that can only be viewed if you are a friend of that person. So Blog posts are quite definitely safe from prying eyes. As for the regular posts, I always have nothing to hide in that respect and definitely want guests, not logged in or otherwise to have a chance to enjoy and read my works.

I only block in WC cause there is no comment moderation or protected comment option - where only your friends can leave comments. Some of the comments received in Xanga were very biting. I'll be posting an article later today called, "Access Denied."

[Wolfwind]

True blogs are excempt. I don't think many people even know they exist as an option on this site, so few people seem to use them.

[dw817]

Anyhoo I made a new post regarding Internet security. I know locks only keep out an honest person. Sometimes you have to use more clever means to get away from perpetrators. :)

[Angel]

What you also need to know is that the person who blocked you can always unblock you, long enough to post an attack, and then retreat behind his block again. He can hide back there and malign you, and you have no recourse, because he has ducked out of reach.
So, while blocking has it's advantages, it can also be badly misused. Reputations can be ruined and friendships smashed because someone is sulking behind their block. It has happened, and it is wrong.
I say...if you've something to say about someone, come out in the light and say it where they can see you.
Doing it from hiding is a low, cowardly, and mean trick.

[dw817]

I noticed it doesn't follow the same method as Facebook. Now THOSE guys have it right ! You block someone and unblock later (cause they wrote me on a different site apologizing) it came uo with a WARNING, that I must wait a certain number of days before I can block/unblock that same person again.

As far as maligning, just delete the post, block them, report them if you like, and be done, they can't do anymore after that. :)

[Angel]

oh, they deleted their own post...thus, when I cry foul, there is no evidence that the deed was done.

[redflutterby]

That's why its best to block them as well Angel. Then no sneak attacks. ;-)

[Angel]

Probably, Red...but I have nothing to hide

[dw817]

You can always use a Screen Capture, Angel to file away the evidence for staff to examine. I've done that in the post to ban persistent bullies before.

[redflutterby]

No you don't angel...but the purpose of blocking is to prevent conflict and remove the disruptive behaviour from your life here. I use it as statement that I'm not interested in further contact for a specific reason. ;-)

[dw817]

«☑Like» for AMSargent, you definitely got the idea !

[MandaBear]

I thought this was very informative! Blocking has its advantages I suppose! Wonderful write =)

[dw817]

Thanks ! And yes, I have blocked a few people. One being caught at plagiarism, one for being a cyberbully, and one for having a potty mouth in my public feed. I may have blocked a few others who I knew would be potential trouble. Better safe than sore, that's what Inspector Gadget says ! :)

[MandaBear]

Yep! I had to block a few people for being creepy and inappropriate and I didn't like that. When will people ever learn!

[dw817]

I don't know, I'm a little funny about profanity. I think it's cause I said it onetime out loud when I was younger and Dad spanked me good (and I don't mean good) for it) and to this day I never have uttered a verbal syllable since, except to put it in writing from bad guys in my stories and even then it's super-rare.

So - when I see it today Online and it's not my home (site), I nod and keep silent. However, if it's at my front door or inside, then I politely let them know it bothers me. If after 3-tries they continue or try to tease me about it, I show them the exit.

[Zahra]

I must say this write really shows your capability as a writer :) Enjoyed this write. Won't comment on the issue for now. But you have a talent of publishing in magazines as a column writer. Great job.

[dw817]

M - my ! Thank you so much ! I used to tutor computers both at TCJC NW campus and at people's homes back in my 20s. Tutoring is in my blood I guess. I always want people to know stuff especially if it's useful.

[Frieda P]

Clever and excellent advice, but you do know if they have intent to slam you, they can always get to you on your own reviews if you've not opted to have yours blocked....there's always a loophole for these knuckleheads....

[dw817]

I'm confused ? Can you tell me more about this please and the steps involved ?

[redflutterby]

Frieda is confuzzled again!! Lol... There's two options available. One is you block the person and then they can't comment on your reviews on others work Luke I . said earlier. Another option has to do with the poems you publish. You may choose to select an option so that no one can comment on reviews of your poem but yourself. This is more for those who are tired if writers using their poems for conflict and attack. Its kind of like the parent thing you referred to. OE being the playground minister. Haha....

[redflutterby]

Sorry my phone is wack... Should say * like I said earlier...

[Frieda P]

Laughing here, Frieda can't multitask and make sense at the same time, what she said!!

[redflutterby]

Hell thanks to my phone I barely made sense. ;-p

[Frieda P]

At least it's your phone, my problem is I always think people know what I'm talking about ;-P

[dw817]

OK, so Frieda, what you mentioned in the initial reply is that then this option ?
http://www.writerscafe.org/uploads/rte/549a43175e72f11d5b5e1855bb4e856d.png

[Frieda P]

Yes, sorry that's what I meant....

[dw817]

There is also something else I didn't mention, and perhaps I could above. If you write a BLOG entry, then only your friends can see and reply to it. That could also be another form of security to keep out prying eyes.

[redflutterby]

Very good write! I also wanted to add that WC made a change which now prevents the blocked person from commenting on reviews of others poems. This was not the case before thus if you were being harassed the person could simply pop up where you reviews another writers work and verbally attack. You know I've noticed some on here implying that blocking is wrong or juvenile...its not! No one has to communicate with someone who bothers them

[dw817]

Fully and completely agree with you. I noticed bullies say it is childish to block them simply cause they were mad cause they couldn't hurt you anymore. Blocking someone, especially if you know they are going to be a problem later, is the difference between one ounce of prevention now or a pound of cure later. :)

As for you saying that blocking prohibits that person from commenting on reviews of other poems, I'll add that to the top, thanks !

[redflutterby]

Exactly dw...those with malicious intent simply can't stand when you cut off their last route of access to you. Always practice self preservation... Thank you for sharing this. ;-)

[dw817]

UBetcha, hang in there, it's gonna be a long day yet !