THE BREE CHAT DISASTER [11.28.2006]

[jsmith]

there was another issue behind the scenes as well that was not related to my firing.

Though I was working for free (was going to start getting paid in january), I was under a contract with the creators as well as a non-disclosure agreement (the contract itself is not covered by the NDA so I am not violating the NDA).

My contract stated this among other things:

"Such Programming Services shall include, but not be
limited to, writing computer programs, designing the website,
implementing the website, testing the website, running the website,
managing the servers, moderating and administering the website, and
any and all tasks related to the construction, operation, and
maintenance of the website."

The contact also states that my position is to be officially recognized as lead programmer. While I realize that in a normal situation, all the jobs listed above would not be combined into one most likely, this is not a normal situation - so I agreed.

However, the creators would not let me fulfill my contract correctly. They made all the decisions and then let me know about them after the fact most of the time. When I did make a decision it would have to be approved by them. Of course some decisions should be approved by them. Some things, however, shouldn't need to be. According to my contract, they are trusting me to make decisions that are smart regarding the server and the website.

Anyways, I just figured i'd let you all know that while I was "lead programmer", I functioned more like an intern.

[VanillaFlava]

Woa, that's a pretty unrealistic job description and you agreed to fulfill all these roles (including the associated responsibility) without payment? That's nuts! Lovely language too, I guess we know who drafted that.

It even includes moderation and administration, lol. I hope they didn't make you sign an SLA as well, for your sake.

[jsmith]

haha - i signed a contract and an NDA - nothing more. It was my fault for agreeing to it at all, much less for free.

However, i do believe that I performed the jobs I agreed to with reasonable quality.

[Terryfic]

Yeah it is pretty insane that they made you sign contracts for a job you were doing for free. It seems a little ungrateful to me, and definitely is not in the vein of trying to encourage their audience to join in and help expand the Breeniverse.

[slainte]

I know that there are some hard feelings among the Covies and the Phorons but doesn't it seem a little creepy pumping an ex-employee for dirt on the other side.

I wouldn't want my ex lover talking about me with her new boyfriend - or worse the first guy that took her in. I know that I - as well as any other ethical and civilized person - didn't pump my kid for stories about his new step dad.

I don't always succeed nor do I even try sometimes - to take the high road, but the more you do it with the easy things the stronger you get and the better you are at choosing the right roads later on. and the opposite is jsut as true.

I'm just sayin...


GEEZE I just have an opinion on everything don't I?

Well, that's what you get for having anIrish Catholic join the party. Just so you know. If you disagree with me now, just wait a couple hours and I'll probably be arguing the other sidde with soemone else.

[milowent]

i don't see this as much as dirt as just interesting production info. its related to how to make a successful IMS, how do you do it? what problems may you run into? what tech issues? its a story i've been following outside the lg15 story since we first met miles, mesh, & greg. sure we know jsmith had a falling out with the creators, but we aren't asking him to bad mouth them.