[Ted Craven]

I'm glad for this Topic, as it gives (another) opportunity to clarify (if there is possibly anyone left who doesn't understand this yet), that no one gets censored or suspended or banned from Pace and Cap for expressing dissenting opinion, or even for discussing horse racing concepts unrelated to the Sartin Methodology or The Match Up (though these last 2 topics are indeed the focus of this website - just check the mast-head graphic).

Courteous, informative, thought-provoking, friendly, even inspiring discussion is the goal here (not always achieved, but still sought after). So if a post is discourteous or uncivil (e.g. 'you're an asshole/idiot/thief') it will be editted or deleted. If someone actually is an asshole, or a know-it-all, or a bully, or a rabble-rouser in their private life, or community or social circle - that is not the issue or responsability of anyone here to change that, only to prevent that behaviour from disrupting THIS community. If that is a member's inclination in their posting, those posts will be editted or deleted sooner or later. Don't bait other posters, don't raise old rivalries or perceived or actual insults needlessly. You don't HAVE TO join every fight - you don't HAVE TO have the last word in every discussion: some people just can't resist this tendency and, in my opinion, it tends to speak poorly of oneself for rising to such bait.

But if you say Sartin is a bum, or if he was mainly interested in money, or if you don't like that some software or educational or historical materials are offered here for money, well I see no reason for censorship there. It doesn't mean it's true. Even if you forget to add "in my opinion" to your post, though some people have a communication style that just states things baldly as if their opinion were the gospel truth and imply that disbelievers are ill-informed or ignorant (though this writing style can be REALLY GRATING) - even so, why not try to just pretend that such styles of posting are actually THAT PERSON'S OWN OPINION, possibly worthy of consideration, but not necessarily fact. Some topics are subjective - there is no absolute truth, only points of view.

This forum does not permit 'anything goes' - I believe words to that effect are stated in the Registration Terms of Use. Those who fight and die for freedom of speech, in all civilized countries, also endorse community standards and enforce norms of civil behaviour. Many people have put too much time, money and spirit into building this community to let it be diminished by immature or overbearing tone of voice. It scares newcomers or lurkers from posting (and learning), fearing flames; it drives existing members away. People come here from some OTHER horseracing websites because they dislike the tolerance of bad behaviour there.

I believe I myself have editted (and not deleted) precisely 1 post so far, where someone called someone an 'a**hole' and I said in advance that I would do that. As for Pace and Cap becoming commercially focused, well I guess that refers to me, Ted Craven and to RDSS, since that's the only thing I know of promoted here where money is currently accepted for anything (oh, besides the Library, for which a self-determined donation is suggested, not even required, which Library represents thousands of dollars of many people's previously purchased materials and huge time investment to collate into a publicly available online resource, plus management of the related web infrastructure). If you don't like RDSS, or me, or the Google ads at the bottom of the page (does anyone even notice these?), just avert your eyes, just ignore it!! Also just ignore that Doc Sartin says RDSS is a rightful continuation of his work, so what else did you think would be happening on a website focused on The Sartin Methodology.

For the record, I too am focused on making money. I made way better money developing commercial software for years. I'd like my horse-racing software project to turn into a viable business and I thank Bill V for making space available here for me to pursue that goal. I think approximately 99% of people have no problem with that, but I may be wrong. If I wanted to make even more money, I would not be sharing RDSS with anyone (hint: betting, but take that up with my wife and my mother), so optimizing my time for making money by selling RDSS is not my primary focus. If anyone is tired of seeing too many people posting their RDSS stuff or mentioning it in their work, take it up with those members themselves. None of the Pace and Cap moderators control what software people choose to post examples of, or discuss. As for my videos on RDSS usage, or Richie's videos teaching the Match Up, or Bill V's videos showing how he wins races, or my upgrade/resurrection of Doc's Validator software (Val4) or anyone else's screenshots or sharing of any spreadsheets or tools or descriptions of their successful and hard-earned methods - last I looked they were all offered freely, and in the spirit of friends helping friends.

This post is actually not addressed to Jeff or to Partsnut per se, as I'm not seeking (or able) to change their opinion about anything. I am seeking to correct misinformation about the policies of Pace and Cap (such as I understand them) regarding 'freedom of speech' and 'censorship' - for others who may be confused by what was said in the opening posts.

Jeff and Partsnut: if you want to post then post; if you don't then don't. I'm pretty sure you already knew what the rules of discourse were - you were just trying to see if anyone was paying attention, right? In any event, I wish you great fortune with whatever horse racing software or method you use, and I do wish you a positive experience with life.

Ted