Ten Subjects AFFers Complain About in Their Blogs
1. Featured stories/threads:
:: "Seriously?! AFF, why???"
It seems that no featured story is deserving to be "featured". If a shop, rp thread or a non-fic thread ends up in the homepage, users demand for a story. If a story is featured, they complain about the plot or lack of it, grammar, spelling, etc. or that it's an EXO fic.
Featured stories are based on upvotes. Users did upvote those threads, let's respect that. Just because their preferences didn't reach your standards or didn't pass your criteria, it doesn't mean that they have no taste or that their opinion on what's good is inferior. Do not condemn them for upvoting a foreword. Breathe. Instead of wasting blog space and time complaining about their choices, upvote the fics that you deem "deserving" or recommened them so that they get more views, and hopefully, upvotes. Lastly, chill. Don't stress over that section in the front page.
2. AFF's layout
:: "I want the old layout back. Fix your s*** AFF. This is the reason why great authors leave!"
Every time the layout changes, people complain. When we switched from black and white to green, some users argued that black and white looks formal and looked down on my favorite color. Recently, the site had another make-over and with came hundreds of blogs from unsatisfied and annoyed users. I did express my sentiments but I did so in a manner that wasn't offensive (I hope). In my defense, navigating the site became harder, what with the drop-down selection menu not staying down in my phone and tablet and I had to tap, tap, tap just to access my stories. But the site has improved since then and quick links were provided.
For those who was on hiatus that time, we nearly went over the bandwith limit and they had to implement these changes to prevent AFF from going offline. We cannot go back to the old layout.
3. Subscriber-only fics
:: Blog title: "My opinion on subscriber-locked fics" aka "My complaints about authors using this feature in their stories and AFF for creating a useless feature that only encourages competition."
This privacy option is created for authors to limit access to their stories. But some users saw this option as a means to heighten the competitiveness among authors. Like how in the world did you connect subscriber-only option with total AFF domination?
I have three blogs on this and I hate to be redundant but let's be clear on this. Everyone has the right to use them for whatever reason. Reader, no one forces you to do anything. If you hate them so much, ignore the subscriber-locked fics. So you want to see the some chapters first? Easy. Subscribe. Oh you don't like it? Unsubscribe. Too much work? How is clicking subscribe, next, next, unsubscribe too much? How lazy are you or how weak is your pointer finger to complain about something that is free? Oh you don't want to unsub because you are nice and you don't want to make the author feel bad. Omo. But then you don't mind ranting about her the moment you turn your back? Really, really nice of you :3
Unless you plan to copy the fanfic or steal ideas/resources, there is nothing to complain about.
4. EXO fics
:: "There's too much EXO! The admin must do something about this! Authors only write EXO to get subscribers, to get featured! My life is ruined!"
I have so many words for you: W O R D S
5. Terms of Use, Rules
:: "I have the right to do anything I want! This is oppression! Give me back my freedom!"
Every site has its own Terms of Use or Rules. You just assumed that AFF is the only site with rules because you don't read the ToU/ToS. We only have a few rules here in AFF and honestly, they are very reasonable: no stealing, no ography, no rated and restricted content in the non-rated section. Read it, understand it and you won't get into trouble and you won't get us in trouble. Following them won't kill you. Freedom is not absolute. Freedom is not having everything you want. Be responsible with the use of our site. You log in free, the least you could do is to use such privilege wisely.
This also applies to those who request from graphic, layout, oneshot and review shops. Their services are free, all they ask is for you to follow their rules. Before, shops only have four or five rules. It only tripled because of users. Now, subscribing has become a rule when it shouldn't be. If you requested, you'd want to be notified if your request is accepted or posted, so I don't see why you could forget something so basic as subscribing. (For shop owners: It's easy now to check whether one subscribed or not. Just go to their profile, click the history button and go to the subscription tab. If they didn't sub, ignore their request. Don't stress over it.)
Personally, the rules should only be:
-don't request from other shops if you requested from us,
-don't edit the poster,
-fill up the request form completely, and
-do not claim it as yours.
Imagine how uncivilized users are portrayed that they had to put rules such as: subscribe, no bashing, comment, don't rush us, etc. when we should know them already.
So don't complain about the rules. They exist because of people who break them. They exist so that AFF can exist.
6. The text editor
:: "Don't fix something that isn't broken!"
The old editor is a disaster waiting to happen so the developer updated it. It posed a risk to site security. I have always been typing in my phone using html codes so I made a guide to help you. Yes, it is easier to type without adding the html codes but all I'm saying is that there is a way to make your life a bit bearable. Accept it and stop making excuses or reasons why you can't add < p > at the start of every paragraph.
:: Before: "I accidentally clicked the back button and the whole chapter is gone! AFF, this is your fault for not saving my work for me!"
See, the chapter won't save unless who click the save button. I am positive boss received so many idiotic complaints like this that's why AFF now autosaves our work for us.
7. Plagiarism
:: "This this thing...how dare it copy my fic!"
:: "Plagiarism is stealing. Report it to the mods via the report content before raging about it in your story/blog."
:: "Plagiarism is a form of flattery. It's not a bad thing. Spread the love!"
:: "Because of that thief, author put down her story. Are you happy now? Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us."
:: "My favorite author's story was plagiarized. How dare she hide her fanfic from me?! I should have copied and saved a copy for myself but I didn't because I respect her."
Pretty much sums it all. I belong to this category, group two :3
8. Authors
:: Subscribe/Upvote/Comment-or-I-won't-update author, I-tag-everyone author, angst-fluff author, subscribers-only author, I-barely-update author, impulsive author (has many on-going stories or stories are unplanned), author in hiatus-forever, I-desperately-want-to-become-featured-gimme-your-karma author, I-don't-edit author, what-is-plot author
These are the types of authors readers complain about. Unless you are not one of them, you have no right to complain.
Tip: if an author annoys the hell out of you, don't bother with their stories or lives. Just stay away from them.
9. Readers
:: I-didn't-read readers (they ask questions that are easily answered if they read), update-soon readers, silent readers, I-need-karma readers (they comment how great your story is and to update soon when they didn't even subscribe), I-have-a-say-in-your-story readers (Ah, write your own story then).
These are the types of readers authors complain about. Unless you are not one of them, you have no right to complain.
Tip: Downvote these comments and they'll stop (not applicable to silent readers).
10. Users
:: "Mga pasaway! Umayos kayo!" translation: Keeper's blogs about AFFers
Types of users other users complain about:
-users who rant about every single thing, every single day (Maybe... you need to change your attitude on things instead of expecting them to change)
-users who treat AFF like tumblr (I remember reading this post from this guy here in AFF asking the girls in his friends list to stop blogging every single thing about their life or to stop answering every freaking quiz, lol. I told him to just turn off the 'new friends post' notification and just subsribe to his friends whose blogs he doesn't mind receiving notifs for.
-rude users (usually those in AFFHelper's wall)
-users who blame everything on the site
-users who are overly dramatic
-users who stage their sickness or death (be careful what you write, it might just come true)
-users who cheat the system
-users who disregard the ToU
-users who are user-friendly
-users who add you but doesn't talk to you before and after you accepted the request
-users who are self-important and feel so entitled they can do anything
-*new: I am now complaining about those users who can't think/decide for themselves. Don't just go with the flow. Don't be quick to jump in the bandwagon. You have a brain, use it. You are smart, be smarter than them.
-users who complain about items one to nine
(I know I missed on a lot but this would suffice)
My advice to everyone, including myself: never every drop names or put anyone on blast and don't be too harsh. After pointing out how irrational, immature, selfish, they are, put a band-aid. If it's not necessary, don't blog.
Think first before you act. Don't let your emotions rule you, control you. After writing your overflowing feels down, read it again and ask yourself these:
"Am I making sense or am I making a fool out of myself by writing this?"
"Am I being selfish, immature, irrational?"
"Am I hurting other people's feelings?"
"Will I regret this later?"
"Will I be creating more problems by posting this?"
Most importantly, "What kind of person am I showing others through this blog?"
I am also guilty of a lot of things but with these realizations, comes understanding and wisdom on how we view things, treat others and how to become better versions of ourselves. I am not stopping you from ranting or whatever, but I hope when you do it, you would no longer write blindly - you'd be more coherent, you'd back up your claims with proof and it would be easier for people to understand you.
- Keeper
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