CGL speculation #4 Options

[Ol' Scratch]

At least not one that they're already publicly associated with, as Ketjak is.

Patrick Goodman, who's never used a handle here
(Although I do use "PGoodman13" as a login on some boards, which some people call me even though I use my real name in my sig)
Shadowrun freelancer and general curmudgeon

To be blunt, who gives a flying fuck who you or anyone else is? You people don't get to decide if it's okay to share other people's information against their will. Especially not when you're doing it for such petty and insulting reasons as in this thread. Jesus. Your choice not to use a handle or keep your personal information private is yours to make, just like everyone else's.

[augmentin]

"Bottom line is that if they want their name out there, they wouldn't be using a handle, would they?"

That's actually exactly the sort of policy statement I was looking for. So...Thanks!

It's sometimes confusing for the general poster because, heck, the fact that we're having this conversation at all was the result of non-public information being posted to kick off thread #1. Everything since then has more or less fed off that.

[fistandantilus4....]

Come to GenCon then...Last time you were running around with the boot if I recall correctly.

Damn. Foiled again.

[Demonseed Elite]

To be blunt, who gives a flying fuck who you or anyone else is? You people don't get to decide if it's okay to share other people's information against their will. Especially not when you're doing it for such petty and insulting reasons as in this thread. Jesus. Your choice not to use a handle or keep your personal information private is yours to make, just like everyone else's.

Slow down there, cowboy.

One: I posted (and removed) ketjak's name. I see your original point and that's why I removed it, but chill out on the hostility. He uses the same handle attached to his real name all over the place, like on printed books where he's credited. If you worked in the movie industry and credited yourself as Bob "Dr. Funkenstein" Smith and I posted "hey, Dr. Funkenstein is Bob Smith", I'm not really revealing much of anything that isn't already public knowledge.

Two: What petty and insulting reasons? I don't have anything against ketjak and if I've posted anything petty or insulting about him, feel free to point it out. Because I would certainly apologize.

[ketjak]

In a Google world, figuring out ketjak's identity wasn't difficult. Ketjak is Phil Deluca's commonly used nickname and Phil Deluca is listed as one of InMediaRes' founders.

I think everyone knows who I am, but in case they don't...

Jay "Demonseed Elite" Levine, former Shadowrun freelancer (2000 - 2008)

Sorry, I didn't mean to hide - I didn't realize someone wouldn't Google "ketjak" since I've Googled just about everyone else. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I just post in my forum ID 'cuz that's what I've been doing for a while now.

Yes, I am Phil DeLuca. Yes, I co-founded IMR and Battlecorps. I was the "Operations Director" for the launch phase; I was friends with the Colemans and the Bills and had experience developing software and they granted me percentage for designing the site and running the team responsible for launch as well as some other work.

No, I have not given hard information about the situation to anyone on these boards. There have been accusations that I have been feeding Jennifer and Frank information, but a) Jennifer has more information than I do and b) I haven't met Frank before, though we flamed each other on ENWorld a few years back, IIRC. Frank won't recall, it wasn't big by any standards.

No, I have not gone to any authorities yet, I am an optimist. No, I have no desire to be an IMR managing member or director as I don't have the time to fix this and I am not willing to give up a job in the electronic game industry for a salary dependent on Topps' goodwill toward IMR.

No, I have not lied or exaggerated. Neither am I a lawyer or accountant, just someone who engages in business without deception for fraudulent purposes.

Yes, I am frustrated at this wholly avoidable situation because actions that could have been taken to fix the problem were not. No, I am not "angry." I do come across that way, but I'm not. For the record, I have been angry precisely three times about this:

1. when I saw the list of "draws"
2. when I created a couple of graphs showing the draws over time and the draws on a daily basis
3. when it became clear that the managing members and directors were using a cat's paw to discredit me among the owners, and that paw had a little easily-discovered kitty litter on it I found when looking for his bibliography (in a world of Google...)

That's how I am involved in this.

- Ket

[ketjak]

One more note - Jason Hardy and Stephen McQuillan are doing superb jobs under what I can only imagine to be incredibly difficult circumstances. I imagine their work days are strange, but keeping away from the business decisions is wise in this case. They seem to be toeing the straight and narrow and doing what's right for the product lines and IMR, as well as keeping the community informed when they ask questions. Don't give them grief, please, and understand when one of them cannot or will not answer a question. I've been in their roles (though not like this...) and I have a lot of empathy for both of them.

- Ketjak

[FrankTrollman]

I haven't met Frank before, though we flamed each other on ENWorld a few years back, IIRC. Frank won't recall, it wasn't big by any standards.

You're one of the exhausting wall-of-texters who went on at incredible length about how the 3rd edition D&D Fighter was balanced as-is against the Wizard, Cleric, and Druid. Why would I forget that? You're one of the reasons I despaired of finding intelligent conversation on EnWorld and stopped reading or posting there.

-Frank

[Ol' Scratch]

Something I'm sure the posters on EnWorld are eternally grateful for.

[Clutch9800]

Sorry, I didn't mean to hide - I didn't realize someone wouldn't Google "ketjak" since I've Googled just about everyone else. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I just post in my forum ID 'cuz that's what I've been doing for a while now.

Yes, I am Phil DeLuca. Yes, I co-founded IMR and Battlecorps. I was the "Operations Director" for the launch phase; I was friends with the Colemans and the Bills and had experience developing software and they granted me percentage for designing the site and running the team responsible for launch as well as some other work.

No, I have not given hard information about the situation to anyone on these boards. There have been accusations that I have been feeding Jennifer and Frank information, but a) Jennifer has more information than I do and b) I haven't met Frank before, though we flamed each other on ENWorld a few years back, IIRC. Frank won't recall, it wasn't big by any standards.

No, I have not gone to any authorities yet, I am an optimist. No, I have no desire to be an IMR managing member or director as I don't have the time to fix this and I am not willing to give up a job in the electronic game industry for a salary dependent on Topps' goodwill toward IMR.

No, I have not lied or exaggerated. Neither am I a lawyer or accountant, just someone who engages in business without deception for fraudulent purposes.

Yes, I am frustrated at this wholly avoidable situation because actions that could have been taken to fix the problem were not. No, I am not "angry." I do come across that way, but I'm not. For the record, I have been angry precisely three times about this:

1. when I saw the list of "draws"
2. when I created a couple of graphs showing the draws over time and the draws on a daily basis
3. when it became clear that the managing members and directors were using a cat's paw to discredit me among the owners, and that paw had a little easily-discovered kitty litter on it I found when looking for his bibliography (in a world of Google...)

That's how I am involved in this.

- Ket

DeLuca....Deluca...

You used to publish a magazine with Herb Barents way back in the day, didn't you? I think I still have a copy or two of that 'zine around.

By the by, what's a "draw"?

Clutch

[Delarn]

I'm going to throw this out there for people on both sides of this little argument:

Put up or shut up.

If you're claiming to have insider knowledge, whether as a freelancer, employee, shareholder, or just the night watchman, post your credentials. Same goes for everyone who is posting their "insider knowledge". Post your name. Post your affiliation, past, present or future. Have your "Source" come forward.

Put up, or shut up. Anything else is mindless hot air from folks either trying to defend CGL or folks trying to defame it (Some with an obvious grudge).

If you're too cowardly to step forward, you don;t have the right to be heard. If you're too worried about "professionalism" and potential "future work in the industry", you shouldn't be running your mouth in the first place.

I have a lot of respect for Jennifer to do what she's done and to say what she's said. Same goes for Bobby. I also have a lot of respect for folks in the middle of this that have decided to be professionals and wait for things to blow over, like Adam and Bishop.

I have none for folks that are coming in and waving their dicks around behind masks of internet anonymity. No respect, and in my eyes, you have no credibility.

Steven "Bull" Ratkovich, Freelancer, Playtester, Missions Coordinator

Bull that should have been in Orange !!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

@Tiger Eyes : We will miss you ! and I would love to see that belly ring (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[MindandPen]

If you put it in the internet in any way shape or form, you really have no more expectation of privacy, Legally, you might, but realistically, if it is on the internet, it is findable.

As an introduction, I've spent 20 years in the information security / information warfare arena. I've worked in and out of Government, as well as other industries. I have no relationship to Shadowrun other than having been a fan, player, and GM since 1989 when I bought the first Shadowrun book at a local gaming store. I own just about every book published since then.

One of the companies I worked for specialized in searching the "dark" internet. Believe me when I tell you, the linkages that can be made, and the information to be found, are there. Believe me when I also say, I have no doubt that TOPPS is aware of what happens here.

As for this whole situation. Personally, I hope that CGL can make it forward. A change to another company would be more painful than fixing CGL, and my hope is that the new procedures that are in place and have been mentioned by Jason will eventually fix this situation.

The question is, besides the short term operational changes, how is the long term behavior or structure of the current senior management going to change? I would guess that it is the answer to this question that will determine if TOPPS renews the license, and that will tell us everything we need to know. If the license is renewed, then CGL managed to convince TOPPS to give them a chance and showed them a path forward that fixes this.

-M&P

[MindandPen]

By the by, what's a "draw"?

Money spent or expenditure.

[FrankTrollman]

By the by, what's a "draw"?

Account withdrawals. Loren Coleman has been taking a lot of trips to the ATM.

-Frank

[SecGuard]

Well said Frank.

[Bull]

Bull that should have been in Orange !!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Nope. For two reasons, one simple, one slightly less so...

1) Simple: I'm not a mod. So no more orange text for me.

2) Not so simple: Even if I was a mod, no one on Dumpshock is under any obligation, by the ToS or anything else, to reveal their real name. So I have no authority to tell someone they have to do something like that.

This was just a bit of a rant on my part. One or two folks have been indirectly coy about their identity and their affiliations with CGL. And Frank keeps shotgunning accusations without backing it up with a source. He's gotten some details correct, he's gotten some wrong, and he's made a lot of assumptions that he states as fact. But until something is corroborated by a trusted source (aka, someone who would actually know what they're talking about), they're just rumors and speculation.

Bull

[Bob Lord of Evil]

And on that note, Cain has actually been restrained, for Caine's posting style. He's actually got some points for being remarkably level headed as one of the oldbies hanging around here.

I was impressed by one of the last postings Cain made in this previous thread, where he said it what he had put out there was his opinion. For me, there is fact and truth, to quote Professor Jones "Archaeology is the search for fact... not truth. If it's truth you're looking for, Dr. Tyree's philosophy class is right down the hall."

Too many people do not understand the difference between fact and truth.

Nigel D. Findley already wrote that book. GURPS Illuminati.

Rest in peace.


As for the CGL situation...

Imagine a group of people assembling, each being handed a red button, that if pressed would detonate an explosive that would destroy a vault filled with the potential to repay them that which they are owed. Do they give into the emotions, anger and the hurt of being betrayed or do they see if there is a chance to rectify the situation?

The existence of this thread answers that question.

[Delarn]

Nope. For two reasons, one simple, one slightly less so...

1) Simple: I'm not a mod. So no more orange text for me.

2) Not so simple: Even if I was a mod, no one on Dumpshock is under any obligation, by the ToS or anything else, to reveal their real name. So I have no authority to tell someone they have to do something like that.

This was just a bit of a rant on my part. One or two folks have been indirectly coy about their identity and their affiliations with CGL. And Frank keeps shotgunning accusations without backing it up with a source. He's gotten some details correct, he's gotten some wrong, and he's made a lot of assumptions that he states as fact. But until something is corroborated by a trusted source (aka, someone who would actually know what they're talking about), they're just rumors and speculation.

Bull

Ok then sorry my bad (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Rotbart van Dain...]

He's gotten some details correct, he's gotten some wrong, and he's made a lot of assumptions that he states as fact.

ShadowTalk, then.

[Redjack]

Come to GenCon then...Last time you were running around with the boot if I recall correctly.

What the? How the? Hey! I was there.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Rob Boyle]

Posthuman Studios and WildFire LLC have both publicly confirmed non-payment of royalties, and broken off financial ties with Catalyst with damages.

Actually, I don't think anyone from Posthuman has said anything about non-payment of royalties. While there are still some royalty issues that still need to be resolved, our reasons for leaving are primarily based in other factors.

[Derek]

As an introduction, I've spent 20 years in the information security / information warfare arena. I've worked in and out of Government, as well as other industries. I have no relationship to Shadowrun other than having been a fan, player, and GM since 1989 when I bought the first Shadowrun book at a local gaming store. I own just about every book published since then.

Interestingly enough, you just described my career,except for the out of gov't part; mine has been entirely within the gov't.

[Bull]

What the? How the? Hey! I was there.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

He's confusing Fisty with Eidolon there too, since Edio was the one running around with the Fear the Boot crowd.

We have yet to get Fisty out to GC. But we have hopes that one of these years... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bull

[Pepsi Jedi]

Ok, let's see here, if I've got this right, the guy in question, "commingled" company money with his personal accounts.

Then, had a $650,000 house built.

The "company coffers" are now short cash to the tune of $700,000 to $800,000?

....

....

....

Am I the only one here that is thinking there has to be a direct parrelle between the fact that the missing money is just over what the dude paid for his mansion?

We now have an individual that has come forward with his own name, not hiding be hind a handle, that says he's put together charts showing frequent draws from the accounts attributed to the accused?


The end result being that the company doesn't even have enough to totally pay it's own writers and is having to sit and work out payment scheuldes, to try and get already printed books back on shelves, and hopefully net enough profit to publish the next few books?

.... And the accused is sitting in a $650,000 house, using COMPANY funds to pay for his lawyer, to defend himself for taking money FROM the company???


Wow.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Am I the only one here that is thinking there has to be a direct parrelle between the fact that the missing money is just over what the dude paid for his mansion?

You really should check the very first post.

[fistandantilus4....]

He's confusing Fisty with Eidolon there too, since Edio was the one running around with the Fear the Boot crowd.

We have yet to get Fisty out to GC. But we have hopes that one of these years... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bull

Well he's not entirely wrong. I was running around in boots. It was just at boot camp.

So yeah , dinner would have been nice.

Incidentally, I thought about coming up to say 'hey', but leave days were few and precious at the time.

Really, I don't see how the confusion is even possible. I'm much better looking than eido. Just look at his icon! What the hell is that a weird close up of his eye!? Seriously!
Now bring your attention to your left. See those large, majestic ears? Cute little button eyes? Soft , warm coat, and sharp, shiny teeth? Who wouldn't love a smile like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)