I propose we try a different angle on this topic. It has been made evident that people have several takes on what it may constitute to hack in this game and what type of consequences those who've performed such an act should undergo. However, instead of letting the focus remain on the construction/deconstruction and justification of each other's opinions, I'd like to suggest that we go back a few notches and take a simpler approach.
In a summarised and objective way, come up with a list of Pros and Cons for the following scenarios:
1. Player Hacks and is given a Second Change.
2. Player Hacks and is given a Punishment (i.e:. Hacker Tag, Pay a certain amount of money, etc)
3. Player Hacks and is permanently banned.
Refer to the following when listing the pros and cons:
- Consequences for the individual.
- Consequences for the community.
- What is gained by whichever option.
- What is lost by whichever option.
- Status-quo aggravation in whichever option.
Meanwhile, to clear some other things that have been mentioned up before:
NoBigDeal: Your post has not been deleted. SMF keeps track of all and any moderation activity. Trashed/deleted posts are also archived into a specific board. I have looked around and none of your posts has been --even at the slightest-- touched. If anything, it could so be that case that one of your posts was not approved (for restricted boards). Since the revamp of the forum, I went through the trouble of looking through all of the unapproved replies and approved them all. Your theory is not met with factual proof.
Assist's TOA...is not in any way illegal. The only clause to the legality of our TOA is that we retain permission to view & use the collected data for anti-cheat purposes. If the integral legality of our TOA was to be reviewed by respective Law Entities, we'd be obligated to disclose the ability to use the collected data in any way or form and would be forced to archive it with some sort of high-level encryption for safety reasons. However...before I speak any further on this matter, let us please situate ourselves in today's 'privacy' situation spanning out and about:
- Google collects data from you.
- Facebook collects data from you.
- Apple collects data from you.
- Windows collects data from you.
- Credit/Debit Cards collect data from you.
- Telecommunications Operators collect data from you.
- Your ISP collects data from you.
Need I say more? Some of the above aren't even a case of "I Agree" or "I Disagree" --some of them are simply forced unto you. If we're to bitch about a honest, clear and up-front TOA such as the one Assist has then I'll have to find myself nicely ask that you first shut down your internet, stop using your debit/credit cards, cut access to your phone and only then...will the slightest attempt at bitching gain that tenth more of sense.
/Dan