An unresolved situation

[mondobyte]

The Contest is announced
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1346429&enterthread=y&arctab=y

And the Winner is ?.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1370031&enterthread=y&arctab=y

And many, many further promises ? in private, of course ... that cannot be published unless I receive the approval and support of Dringdahl and/or the mods.

I do not give approval for any private messages between Dringdahl and myself to be published unless each and every (ALL) messages are published.

I have yet to receive anything except promises.

I believe I have been very, very patient but patience on my part will not bring this to resolution.

I leave it in my TeAMate's hands ...

Should DRingdahl be taken to task or should I "move on"

 

[rise]

just out of curiosity, option 1, "with interst"- are you looking for points or $$

you're links won't open for me.
"The requested resource could not be found."

 

[mondobyte]

I was kinda looking at a system that would be comparable in today's standards with what that system was when it was to be awarded.

i.e., at that time, an XP2400+ was a pretty high end system. Today it remains respectable but certainly does not have the stature that it had in 2004. Something that would be comparable ... i.e. ... a 939 motherboard and a 939 processor seems to be consistent with the value that the XP2400+ represented in 2004.

mondo

 

[rise]

well, he was giving away "old" rigs after upgrading from what i saw before. so that'd kinda be putting the screws to him if you now wanted one of his updated rigs imo. here it is:

I have a bunch of these getting replaced with Dual Xeons, so what a better use than to give them out to our team members.

he seems to be not around really. i hope everythings alright. i don't know the man.

 

[amdxborg]

Well a deal is a deal.. BUT if it was me, I'd just let it go. Dwight is a great friend and great TeAmMate and I wouldn't let something small like this ruine life here for me or him, cause someone will get mad and leave.

 

[mondobyte]

Originally posted by: rise4310
well, he was giving away "old" rigs after upgrading from what i saw before. so that'd kinda be putting the screws to him if you now wanted one of his updated rigs imo. here it is:

I have a bunch of these getting replaced with Dual Xeons, so what a better use than to give them out to our team members.

he seems to be not around really. i hope everythings alright. i don't know the man.

Well .. then ... propose what would be fair ... what would you be retiring today that you would replace with current Dual Technology ....

I think it would be socket 754 or socket 939 single processor technology or very high end Socket A (Barton 3200+) ... (assuming AMD) ...

Post your opinion ...

 

[mondobyte]

Originally posted by: amdxborg
Well a deal is a deal.. BUT if it was me, I'd just let it go. Dwight is a great friend and great TeAmMate and I wouldn't let something small like this ruine life here for me or him, cause someone will get mad and leave.

And ... mondobyte is NOT a great friend and mondobyte is NOT a Great TeAmMate so mondobyte should leave ... ... I see the logic here ... not pretty.

 

[amdxborg]

edit I typed this before you edited your previous post there mondo. I'm not taking sides here, I just don't like conflict between friends of mine and try to avoid it if I can.

Indeed modo, you're a great TeAmMate and a great friend and if this ain't resolved soon, someone will say something that will upset someone and it will turn ugly. I do understand you're point mondo and I hope this all turns out ok.

 

[petrusbroder]

YGPM, Mondo.

TeAm-mates, please be very considerate what you post. Very often a word can have different connotations depending on how it is read. See above. It would be very sad if either mondo or dringdahl would be or would feel forced to leave.
This is a complex matter. The promise was made in the TA-DC forum (the links work OK for me) and is thus the promise was made openly. It is at the same time a matter between mondo and dringdahl.
I can alse see that it would require a lot of courage from dringdahl to come to this thread and reply. I think that calm and coolness is best for the TeAm, for mondo and dringdahl. What is needed is communication.

I have not voted because choosing one solution precludes the others in a poll. To resolve such a matter needs both straight and lateral thinking, several possible options - parhaps sequentially and some generosity - for all three parts: dringdahl, mondo and the TeAm.
The worst possible outcome would be if mondo and dringdahl left. The second worst outcome would be if either left. The best: if this was resolved and - of course - no-one left. Lets aim for the best.

Edit: I have learned from life and in my profession that there is always a good reason for any kind of good or bad behavior. The reason may be understandible for only a few (or one for that matter) or for all. But there is always a reason. End edit.

 

[BlackMountainCow]

I voted for "move on" - and if possible I would have voted for "This situation is a personal situation between Mondobyte and Dringdahl" as well.


By that I don't mean mondo to leave the TeAm but to move on to other things and mark this experience as "learnt for life." It was a promise, it wasn't fulfilled, that's how life goes.
Yes, it's bad style of Dringdahl not to keep his promise, but then I have NO idea what's going on in the man's life. Maybe he has some good reasons for his actions. Nobody of us knows.

As I said to mondo in a PM, to lose one XP2400+ doesn't hurt mondo as much as it would a minor cruncher - although that doesn't make the whole thing right. In the end, TA can't do anything about something like that, it's up to Dringdahl and mondo to solve the issue.

 

[mondobyte]

Originally posted by: BlackMountainCow
I voted for "move on" - and if possible I would have voted for "This situation is a personal situation between Mondobyte and Dringdahl" as well.


By that I don't mean mondo to leave the TeAm but to move on to other things and mark this experience as "learnt for life." It was a promise, it wasn't fulfilled, that's how life goes.
Yes, it's bad style of Dringdahl not to keep his promise, but then I have NO idea what's going on in the man's life. Maybe he has some good reasons for his actions. Nobody of us knows.

As I said to mondo in a PM, to lose one XP2400+ doesn't hurt mondo as much as it would a minor cruncher - although that doesn't make the whole thing right. In the end, TA can't do anything about something like that, it's up to Dringdahl and mondo to solve the issue.

I find this kind of thinking ... regressive. Kind of like Income Taxes here in the US ... steal from the rich and give to the poor. The rich can afford more so tax them at a higher rate ... make everyone "equal" ... with this thinking, I should be penalized for bringing more computers to the projects and should be required to "handicap
myself so that those with lesser capabilities are made to be equals.

Frankly, I find that point of view repugnant and not helpful. I also find that point of view arrogant and intolerant. "Who is John Galt?"

mondo

 

[Insidious]

I wasn't involved in FAD, so my opinion is going to be one from the fringes. But at the risk of butting in where I don't belong...

I was raised to believe that a person is only as good as their word....

Since Dringdahl hasn't posted, it is impossible to have both sides of this story. I could say "move on" if Dringdahl would post with some sort of clarification.... or something.

It is difficult for me to say things like "he is a great TeAm member" or "he is a great friend" with this cloud of doubt in existance.

I appreciate the "keep the peace" attitude from some, BUT could that just be another term for complacency? "Great TeAm mates" and "Great friends" stand up for what is right! "Great TeAm mates" and "Great friends" band together to defend eachother.

The assumption that Dringdahl has some tragic reason for his renig is unwaranted because it is imaginary!

If Dringdahl were to post asking for our help or offering some explaination, I could feel much differently, but in the absense of that, how can I feel anything except....

This is wrong behavior and not worthy of the term "TeAm mate"

-Sid

 

[GeoffS]

... speaking of which, did that XP1700 ever show up at your door?

Geoff

 

[GeoffS]

Here's my take.... clearly you are owed what was promised. It would appear that's not going to happen. Don't know why and it's not Dringdahl's responsibility to explain it to any of us except for you.

In the FS/FT forum, this type of behaviour would not be tolerated, the user would be labeled a troll, and would be added to everyone's Do-Not-Trade list. In the event that money had exchanged hands, or goods had been delivered with the promise of other goods being delivered in trade, legal action would probably be pursued. In any event, the person would probably be drummed out of the forum. In the DC forum, there really isn't a precedent for this type of behaviour. As several people have noted, a man is only as good as his word, or, around here, his last trade.

Were I in your shoes, I would feel slighted, let down, used, and disappointed. At this point in time, I wouldn't expect the promise to be fulfilled and would consider it a lesson learned. I'm not sure what you mean by "move on", so I'm reluctant to suggest that as it may not have the same meaning for you as it does for me.

I'm the sort of person that looks for the lesson I'm meant to learn in each of my life experiences... This is an inexpensive lesson... (not like my kid driving the van through the garage door... that was a relatively expensive lesson... on the other hand, he didn't run over anyone, so it wasn't *that* expensive)... hasn't cost you anything, you haven't lost anything, and I submit you were going to throw that effort into the project anyway, so the promise of a new system was not your prime motivator for devoting the effort you did to the project (correct me if I'm wrong, as that would put a different spin on your 'loss'). I would chalk this one up to experience and, not forget about it, but not expect the promise to be fulfilled.

Sorry you got burned.

Geoff

 

[networkman]

Option#1 - my vote. Option#2 at the very least.

In my view, this situation is no different than a problem trade as one might encounter in the FS/T forum: Dringdahl is the "seller" and sets requirements to secure his product; mondobyte ends up as the "buyer" fulfilling said requirements, therefore Dringdahl should make good on "the sale" as it were. *If* this were an actual sale, mondobyte would be justified in calling Dringdahl out as a Troll and posting negative feedback, and possibly going after him in other legal venues.

I realize this wasn't a sale, so it's not the exactly the same. But the issue of Dringdahl's word and honor as a fellow TeAm-mate is at issue. And Mondobyte is completely in the right for calling him out on it!

*edited for spelling and typos

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: Insidious
I wasn't involved in FAD, so my opinion is going to be one from the fringes. But at the risk of butting in where I don't belong...

I was raised to believe that a person is only as good as their word....

Since Dringdahl hasn't posted, it is impossible to have both sides of this story. I could say "move on" if Dringdahl would post with some sort of clarification.... or something.

It is difficult for me to say things like "he is a great TeAm member" or "he is a great friend" with this cloud of doubt in existance.

I appreciate the "keep the peace" attitude from some, BUT could that just be another term for complacency? "Great TeAm mates" and "Great friends" stand up for what is right! "Great TeAm mates" and "Great friends" band together to defend eachother.

The assumption that Dringdahl has some tragic reason for his renig is unwaranted because it is imaginary!

If Dringdahl were to post asking for our help or offering some explaination, I could feel much differently, but in the absense of that, how can I feel anything except....

This is wrong behavior and not worthy of the term "TeAm mate"

-Sid

Agreed and well said.

 

[Freewolf]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1682649&enterthread=y&arctab=y
He did say in this thread from last year that he was looking into buying Mondo a new dell and had send an email to Mondo's website email address.
So he is aware of the problem.
as far as what to do I'm torn between the For sell/ trader part of me which says he has failed to fulfill his end of the trade and therefore is a Troll. And the TeAm mate side which says he is a teammate who has had some rough times in real live and maybe as a TeAm mate I could cut him a little slack. But Mondo has waited for his machine for a year now and has said very little about it so I would say Mondo has indeed cut him some slack already by waiting this long to raise a stink about it.
dringdahl,
In the FS/T forum we say have a couple of saying one is "you are only as good as your last deal " and the other is " All you have is your word "
You need to step forward as a man and keep your word.

 

[rise]

Originally posted by: Insidious
I wasn't involved in FAD, so my opinion is going to be one from the fringes. But at the risk of butting in where I don't belong...

I was raised to believe that a person is only as good as their word....

Since Dringdahl hasn't posted, it is impossible to have both sides of this story. I could say "move on" if Dringdahl would post with some sort of clarification.... or something.

It is difficult for me to say things like "he is a great TeAm member" or "he is a great friend" with this cloud of doubt in existance.

I appreciate the "keep the peace" attitude from some, BUT could that just be another term for complacency? "Great TeAm mates" and "Great friends" stand up for what is right! "Great TeAm mates" and "Great friends" band together to defend eachother.

The assumption that Dringdahl has some tragic reason for his renig is unwaranted because it is imaginary!

If Dringdahl were to post asking for our help or offering some explaination, I could feel much differently, but in the absense of that, how can I feel anything except....

This is wrong behavior and not worthy of the term "TeAm mate"

-Sid

:thumbsup:

 

[trevinom]

I"m with Geoffs on this. If I were in Mondo's shoes, I would have never taken an offer of free hardware, especially expensive hardware, as a given. These type of 'awards' for contests have no warranties so, I would treat it as a bonus if I was to ever see said awards. It's obvious that for some reason or other he was unable to send you your bonus, so after a year, I would say it's not gonna come. You can't force the guy to give you something, even less, force him to upgrade the original item to one of equivalent value after waiting for a year.
I would say that the situation is only being made worse by bringing it out in public and getting other teammates up at arms about 'honor' this and 'man's word' that. As far as the whole situation, there were no written guarantees, no money was exchanged, so nothing was written in stone.
Close this thread and next time you see one of these 'contests' participate in it with the expectation of never seeing the award and considering yourself lucky if you do.

just my .02 worth.

**deleted incorrectly used expression

 

[Assimilator1]

As far as the whole situation, there were no written guarantees, no money was exchanged, so nothing was written in stone.

That's not the point ,he said he was going to give away a PC so he should of.
If for some reason he was unable to then he should of communicated this to Mondo (it appears he hasn't ,correct me if I'm wrong).

It's true it could make things more difficult by bringing it into public ,but then on the other hand should we be kept in the dark if someone is making false promises?

I'm actually quite split on this, however he should either deliver the original PC (not an upgrade though ,yes its lost value but it would of been a freebie anyway) or at the very least contact Mondo & explain what's happened via PM ,he doesn't need to post here.

I can understand Peter & amdborg's point about this thread turning ugly (we've had a few too many recently) ,I'm also worried that can happen here ,though at the same time it shouldn't stiffle debate ,I'm sure we can stay calm & polite ,right?

 

[Insidious]

I am hoping that I mis-understood the tone of a post or two here.

Let me just speak my opinion and if someone disagrees with it, I will not get my feelings hurt.

First of all, I do not believe Mondo used ANY kind of poor judgement what so ever in all of this. I believe it was in the spirit I call "TeAm" when he participated in the race for prizes.... KUDOS Mondo :beer:

next, I do not believe Mondo has in ANY way breeched the peace by bringing this out in the open. On the contrary, I believe that Mondo has conducted himself wonderfully and it would be detrimental to the TeAm to keep quiet or sweep this under the rug and not alert all of us of this (apparent) mis-deed..... KUDOS Mondo :beer:

next, I do not believe Mondo is in ANY way being unreasonable to expect this prize to be awarded. I believe his consternation is totally justified by ANY measure. :beer:

next, there is absolutely NO excuse for the silence Mondo has been treated to from this guy. For goodness sake... he just posted in the forums 10 days ago... It's not like some tragic situation has silenced him.

Finally: Mondo, I am proud to be your TeAm mate and that privlidge rises far, far above fear of making ripples in this forum. It rises far, far above worrying if we might loose points from this (apparent) welcher. It rises far, far above wishing there were no issues here.

With nothing to go on, but the information I have and the knowledge that this guy could easily type an explaination if he so chose, (either privately to you or in public) I am telling you I SUPPORT YOU.

-Sid

 

[trevinom]

Originally posted by: Insidious
I am hoping that I mis-understood the tone of a post or two here.

Let me just speak my opinion and if someone disagrees with it, I will not get my feelings hurt.

First of all, I do not believe Mondo used ANY kind of poor judgement what so ever in all of this. I believe it was in the spirit I call "TeAm" when he participated in the race for prizes.... KUDOS Mondo :beer:

next, I do not believe Mondo has in ANY way breeched the peace by bringing this out in the open. On the contrary, I believe that Mondo has conducted himself wonderfully and it would be detrimental to the TeAm to keep quiet or sweep this under the rug and not alert all of us of this (apparent) mis-deed..... KUDOS Mondo :beer:

next, I do not believe Mondo is in ANY way being unreasonable to expect this prize to be awarded. I believe his consternation is totally justified by ANY measure. :beer:

next, there is absolutely NO excuse for the silence Mondo has been treated to from this guy. For goodness sake... he just posted in the forums 10 days ago... It's not like some tragic situation has silenced him.

Finally: Mondo, I am proud to be your TeAm mate and that privlidge rises far, far above fear of making ripples in this forum. It rises far, far above worrying if we might loose points from this (apparent) welcher. It rises far, far above wishing there were no issues here.

With nothing to go on, but the information I have and the knowledge that this guy could easily type an explaination if he so chose, (either privately to you or in public) I am telling you I SUPPORT YOU.

-Sid

I can see your point, Sid. I also agree with you in that Mondo did not do anything wrong in bringing this out in the open. I will definitely help others out if this situation ever arises again. I also agree with you on this being a 'MIS-DEED' that was orchestrated by Dringdahl.
I don't think Dringdahl meant anybody any harm, or was hurtful in his coming up with a contest to give away his computer(s). I think his intention was to help the team out. Obviously, between him announcing the contest and someone winning it, the set of circumstances changed. He technically is under no obligation to give away his items. At most he can be chided for not following through with his promise. He shouldn't be dragged through the coals and treated like he did something evil. We can just pick on him from now on anytime he comes up with this type of activity, or if any others do it, we can make reference to Dringdahl and this thread.
That's all I'm saying.

Martin

 

[petrusbroder]

I feel so sad ...
because mondo did not get the computer he was promised,
because DRingdahl has lost his reputation - and we do not know if it was right,
because there is an undertone "he is dishonest" - do we know that?
because some think that DRingdahl wanted to cheat and wanted to break his word,
because I think that there is much more to this story than what is visible,
because it is so easy to loose one's "honor" and so hard to get it back - even if one is right.
because the TeAm has become an instrument of vengeance and retribution.
because the voices of caution always drown in the noise of fighting,
because there is so much "an eye for an eye" and
because there is so little compassion in this conflict. :brokenheart:

I am sad because in this matter there are only those who loose:
mondo - because he has no computer;
DRingdahl - because he has lost his face and reputation,
the TeAm - because this matter has made some to choose sides in a matter where there is too little known facts and thus turned the team into something less ...
the TeAm because it will probably loose one - if not two - members,

I am sad, because I have lost the fun of being here.

 

[winr]

Guy says he will give something to the winner of a contest on a public forum.

One of the guys competing wins.

Guy that won would like his prize but hasnt received it yet.

Guy who sponsored the contest should explain why he hasnt done what he said he would do.

I see nothing wrong for Mondo wanting to know whats up.

That is only my opinion, I respect others rights to have opinions of there own.

Maybe someone who knows the contest sponsor could ask him whats the deal and could he explain.

Regards and I hope this works out.:sun:
I will donate something personally to Mondo to help him get his prize.

Richard

 

[Insidious]

Originally posted by: winr
...

Regards and I hope this works out.:sun:
I will donate something personally to Mondo to help him get his prize.

Richard

What a wonderful idea! YEA WINR! :beer: :beer: :thumbsup: :beer: :beer:

I want in on this!

Mondo,

(I'm assuming you are in the USA or could help me know how to do the logistics if not....)

Unfortunately, I ragaved my 'stuff pile' pretty much down to the carpet to make my old systems sellable, BUT

YOU CHOOSE:

Logitech MX310 (corded, all boxed and purdy)
An El-cheapo Dynex (Best Buy) (corded) keyboard
or a SoundBlaster 16 PCI 4.1 sound card (ancient, but boxed and ~purdy)

The one you want is yours for the asking. It's only a gesture and I wish I could do more, but I hope the heart in it shows.

-Sid

edit:

(durnit.... I just can't let it go..... It is not an assumption, not a guess or a supposition... they guy is posting elsewhere on AT, but NOT talking to Mondo!
OK, now I'm done )