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Hello Ms. Netiquette,
This question will probably be one of the more odd ones you’ve received but me and my wife had a debate about online-gaming etiquette we wanted answered. Is it a violation of the Club-Pogo terms of usage to use Witchcraft to help you win the game? It seems to me to be merely another skill used in the game and in no way interferes with the program.
Thank you very much for humoring us on this,
Witchy player
| Dear Witchy Player,2
Well, this is certainly a first. For the sake of humoring everyone on this, we’re going to assume that you are a “good witch” and not an “evil witch.” You really have two questions. The first is whether or not using witchcraft is a breach of etiquette, and the second is whether or not it’s against the Pogo/EA Terms of Service. Let’s start with number one. I’m afraid that everything I know about witchcraft I have learned from the television show Bewitched.So, I’m going to use my knowledge from that show to attempt to answer your question. Then I’ll see if I can back up my answer with a couple of web searches. For the three or four people who may not be familiar with the comedy show Bewitched here’s the premise: a mortal named Darrin has married a witch named Samantha. Most episodes hilariously deal with her use of witchcraft in a mortal world. Your question is not only one of etiquette, but of ethics, so let us use the character of Darrin as our moral compass to guide us to enlightenment. In nearly every episode, except in rare moments of weakness, he discourages the use of Samantha’s otherworldly abilities for any type of gain. He outright forbids her use of witchcraft to solve problems, even though the use of it would usually benefit him. Thus, I think we can conclude that it is an egregious act of impropriety to utilize witchcraft in an attempt to win a game. To back this up, I did spend far too much time browsing the web looking at witchcraft etiquette. I wasn’t able to find a whole lot, but a few of the sites that seemed to take witchcraft more seriously and were not merely promising to provide me with winning Lotto numbers, did back this up. To summarize: “Never use witchcraft for personal gain.” and “It is important to remember that your power is to be used only for good and not for your sole benefit at the expense of others.” Both of those statements seem to back up Darrin’s approach to the etiquette of witchcraft. Now, the second question is a little more difficult. While there is nothing in the Pogo/EA Terms of Service that specifically addresses the use of witchcraft in a game, there is a clause that forbids “the use or distribution of “auto” software programs, “macro” software programs or other “cheat utility” software programs or applications.” If we are to assume that your witchcraft actually works, then you would be in violation of the Terms of Service in that you would not be playing a fair game by your use of witchcraft applications. So there you have it. Don’t use witchcraft or any other type of application to help you win the games. Play fair and square. |
Dear Ms. Netiquette,
I enjoy earning badges, and always look forward to the weekly challenges… however; there is one thing I do NOT look forward to. No matter what game the challenge is on, there are always people who complain about the said challenge…for instance the Poppit badge challenge this week: First day of the challenge, and people are already complaining and I quote, “this takes the fun out of pogo” I know I am not the only one who feels this way.
What I am wondering is if it is even proper to say anything in rebuttal? I mean, something to the fact that it is THE FIRST DAY OF THE CHALLENGE, or maybe to say something like: Webster’s dictionary defines the work challenge as 1. a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc 2. difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
When will people get it… I mean I wonder if people even understand that the challenges are supposed to be CHALLENGING? I understand people being obsessed with getting badges, (er, um like me) but what I don’t understand is why people complain nonstop during challenges? Are people so uneducated that they don’t know that if something is called a challenge, they will have to put forth some effort?
I guess what I am asking is, do I say anything for myself and the others like me out there who agree with me? Or do I just let it go, mute them, and go about my own business never accomplishing anything in regards to informing the public?
Sincerely,
Frustrated, Perturbed, and Annoyed Academic
| Dear FPAAA,
It is rather frustrating to see people go on and on about the difficulty of a challenge, especially on the first day of the challenge when they still have an entire week to complete it. They would be more understood if they were to save all that pent up frustration for Tuesday night when they still have 12 more dice to drop. One thing to keep in mind is that for many of these folks the complaints are not so much true expressions of outrageous frustration, but merely idle chatter. It’s a way to communicate and feel a connection with other players. This particular challenge is very difficult, and it does help when you have a social network to urge you on. Sadly, it’s a lot easier to start up a conversation with a complaint than to say something positive.Should you say anything? You certainly could say something like “Well, I guess this is why they call it a challenge! Good luck to you all, and let’s get it done!” which might remind people that these things are called “Challenges” for a reason. Also, with your positive comment, you’ve opened the door for other people who agree with you to speak up. And if no one does, you haven’t made any enemies with a comment like that. And as if you couldn’t see this next piece of advice coming from a mile away, if the people continue to moan about the difficulty of the challenge, then your best bet is to simply mute them. |
Dear Nettie,
I’m having trouble with a certain Club Pogo player that I met while playing Showbiz Slots 2 during a Club Pogo free trial I currently have. He constantly sends me messages asking me for my email address. So I’ll write back saying “No, I don’t think I should give you personal information like that.” But he just keeps sending me messages that say, “Please, give me your email address. Nobody needs to know.”
Every time I write back to say no, he just writes back begging me for my email address. What should I do with this player? I like to chat with him and all but I want to protect my privacy and my computer from any virus threats. What should I do? I don’t want to block him. I like to chat with him. I don’t know what I should do.
Signed,
My Friend Wants My Email Address
| Dear MFWAED,
Just imagine if you had given him your e-mail address already! If this friend is this pushy through the Club Pogo messaging system, then just imagine what he might be like through e-mail! You, my darling, did the right thing by sticking to your guns and not giving into the pressure. You say you do enjoy his company in game. This is fine, but I urge you to keep your warning signals well tuned. They’ve kept you out of trouble thus far. If he should pressure you to give him your e-mail address again, then tell him firmly “I enjoy our game time together, but I am not interested in giving you my e-mail address. And I am tired of having this conversation. If you ask me again, then I am afraid I will have no other choice but to no longer speak to you.” If he is truly interested in friendship, then he will respect your desires and drop the matter. If he pressures you again, then follow through with your threat and do not engage in conversation with him again. |
