Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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{Edit by Admin, Chat logs are not permitted}
Don't know just how true this is but from the "source" it came from I would bet its pretty strong...
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digital_signal_X
Members
348
April 2003
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Did you sign a non-disclosure agreement either upon hiring or termination? - just curious. 
(Click picture for Club links and Galleries! )
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MarcusD
Members
10
Nov. 2003
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| Quote (digital_signal_X @ Jan. 08 2004, 7:07 am) | | Did you sign a non-disclosure agreement either upon hiring or termination? - just curious. |
Apparently DSX has never been laid off before.
When I got laid off at Worldcom, I did not give a F@cking rats ass about any stupid agreements. I did what they paid me to do and once they stopped paying me, those agreements are null and void!!! 
If Canuck wants to rip There Inc. a new one, I say 
***
As for these rumors about layoff thoroughout the company, it is obviously a precursor to a sale.
Someone is buying There, and it will be announced with in weeks. I have no info to back this up, but everything points to that being the case.
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SilverFox
Members
707
July 2003
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hmm, very troubling ...
I guess to trust that There would do the right thing in the end was a pretty silly thing to do ...
oh well, I dont regret the time I spent in There - met some really cool people. 
... but I being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly, becuase you tread on my dreams.
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Elvie
Members
19
Nov. 2003
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Everything I've heard sounds like a sale is imminent. I was particularly suspicious of this when I heard that people were allowed to keep work avis. I saw this on another game and within a few months the game was sold and people that were laid off were hired back. I guess we'll see...
Maybe Maxis will buy it and fill the funzones with gnome work stations... 
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honeybunny
Members
280
July 2003
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Yea I def. say a sellout errr merge, but I guess if that is what keeps th community up and running I am all for it! Opinions are like arseholes we have all got em and they are all differnet!
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Woot
Members
360
June 2003
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I agree, however I would suggest that you do not post any info that could get you in trouble. Most employers have you sign the non-disclosure agreement mentioned above, if you did you could be in some hot water. As a matter of fact, I am sure that you did because Steve Garcia was fired based on info he gave out that was covered in that agreement. Best of luck to you. I hope that you find something good soon. www.radiothere.net
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Non-disclosure agreement was not broken here. It was a conversation between two people that do not work for the company any longer. If the said company were to file a breach of contract suit against me I would win this hands down because:
A) The person's name was left anonymous thus not proving said person actually worked for the company.
B) The two people in the conversation no longer work for the company so as stated above the contract is null & void.
If they did try and convict myself or the anonymous individual for breaking the contracts (which is void) non-disclosure agreement they would be admitting the above log is in fact true and would only hang themselves with admitting to major internal problems with lack of direction and financial burdens.
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gaultier
Members
81
Sep. 2003
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So based on this information we are supposed to panic and believe that the company will go under tomorrow? I for one don't believe that. It's well known that they have shown a profit since the early beta test. Not to mention all the coporate sponsors they have made deals with. The more logical explanation is that they hired too many people in anticipation of larger number of subscribers at launch. They realized they had to cut down on staff before there was a crisis. Many companies do this and remain in business.
Sadly, I feel your position as a Greeter became obsolete as the community grew. The mentor program and many more player hosted events the prime culprits? I agree the way that they did it was harsh, but if they had given you advanced notice, wouldn't you just bad mouth them with your staff avatar like you are doing now. The fact that you still have your personal avatar is a conflict of interest seeing how you are griping on the public forums with it.
Everyone has finacial obligations and I'm sure that didn't come to play when they made these dicisions. Like hey "that guy just bought a new truck and spent lots of money at Christmas we can't let him go". Spliff you need to Renea these threads :-)
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Your right, members don't need to know that the company may be in financial trouble which would ultimately result in problems with the money members paid.. Oh isn't that the same money? Maybe, maybe not.
I sent a private message to Spliff asking him to delete all my threads here if he feels that members do not need to know that the company they invested money into may be in financial problems..
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Galilee
Members
27
Sep. 2003
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"It's well known that they have shown a profit since the early beta test."
Really? Where could one find this well known and verified information?
"The mentor program and many more player hosted events the prime culprits?"
Are you trying to say that the mentor program and member hosted events made canuck's job obsolete? Instead of There paying people to do these jobs, they are relying on volunteer members to do this work. Maybe I am the only one that has a problem with this, but it doesn't seem right.
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Galilee,
You are 100% correct! It is NOT right. If there is "verified" information that this company makes a lot of money and does not have financial problems why would they tell us employees they did not meet their financial goals and are forced to lay off dozens of employees AND VPs ? Yes I just confirmed it with another person that works inside THERE that they did in fact terminate most of the inside staff AND managers.
This company is in trouble, BIG trouble and in order to be able to pay what little staff they have on as perm employees (non-contracted) they had to cut the lose ends free (contracted). Now if they have to do that just to pay the inside reps where is the profit? A company with no profit is a company sinking fast and I dont know about you but I would not want MY money invested into that. I'm still wondering what the sponsors are saying about all of this...
{Edit by Admin: Chat logs are not permitted}
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gaultier
Members
81
Sep. 2003
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Really? Where could one find this well known and verified information?
Didn't say it was verified, just that it had been stated. The Vice President said this on his appearance on TechTV's The Screen Savers on October 27th. Also I have read it numerous other places and about thier multi-million dollar contracts with Levis Strause, ATI and Nike. Do some research its not hard to find. The raised 33 million just in startup capital this is not a broke company.
< http://www.techtv.com/screens....00.html >
Are you trying to say that the mentor program and member hosted events made canuck's job obsolete? Instead of There paying people to do these jobs, they are relying on volunteer members to do this work. Maybe I am the only one that has a problem with this, but it doesn't seem right.
Might not be right but it could have been a contributing factor. I recall many recent events that Greeters had listed with no one at them, not even the Greeters.
It's obvious Cannuck is very bitter (and rightfully so). I'm not trying to justify anything There Inc. did to him or any of the others they let go. I'm only trying to provide an alternate explanation.
Not meeting finacial goals and being a sinking company are two different things in my book.
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tempest
Members
154
Mar. 2003
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Greeter_Canuck - I understand you are very angry and with reason.
But I really think you need to take a break and stop sounding off at there.
There are still people working for There – unless you’re keen to see them in the same position as yourself, I’d give them a chance to make something out of what remains.
You need to pick the battles you need to win, not the easy ones to fight, you not going to win any important battles here, only hurt people, including yourself – bitter ex-employees do not make good employees either at the old workplace or a new ones.
Rumours and conjecture do not make facts. Sure they may be in bad trouble, just as likely they have found they needed to bite a bitter financial bullet based on Nov/December/Christmas figures.
I do sympathise deeply with you and the others, it’s a pretty tough thing to happen and to deal with.
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Cheyenne
Members
6
Sep. 2003
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I think some folks are really turning a blind eye to what is going on here. Companies do not fire VPs because the company is fluorishing and because players have taken over roles previously filled by them. I will admit that perhaps the Greeters have become a little unneccessary, since the Buddy Mentor program is backlogged up the wazoo with folks wanting to help but not being needed (yours truly being one of those folks.) However, nothing short of significant financial issues causes the type of hack and dash we are seeing. Further more, if this was all a slow thoughtful decision of There, employees (contracted or not) wouldn't have been lied and fired with no notice at all.
I love There. Ask anyone who knows me in world. I play it regularly and have defended it incessantly in the official Forums. But I know how to call a spade a spade. An official telling the press "we are making money!" doesn't make it true. That's just being a spin doctor. Surely no one thought they'd come out and say "Hey, we are spending money left and right and we have code errors like no tomorrow, but come give us some money so maybe we can survive!"
Ok, enough of a rant. I will keep playing till there is no more There to play. I'm just sorry that there had to be growning pains like this (or are they shrinking pains?)
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Im just glad that there are people here that can read between the lines... 'applaud
Canuck
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Woot
Members
360
June 2003
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Canuk,
I am not sure if you misread what I was trying to imply. In no way was I trying to be rude, I just don't want you to get into trouble for voicing your opinion. Your agreement with them does not end because you lost your job, that is the reason these agreements are made in the first place. Things get bad people talk. Again I really sorry that you were let go, and hope you find somewhere you are happy at real soon. Did you end up moving to Cali?
 www.radiothere.net
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Misty_Di
Members
52
Sep. 2003
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the buzz is that a possible take over by Yahoo 
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animalcrossing52
Members
333
Mar. 2003
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oh, great... just imagine that..
*Log on to there, and instead of "Teleporting...", big "Yahoo!" logo*...
eek. (btw, nothing against yahoo, but google pwns  > You are an Intrepid-class Scout, Starfleet's frontline sentry. You're a bit of an enigma. Your grace and intelligence may go unnoticed, but people rely on you for your insight and ability.
Avatar name in There: Henry_Wu
C program run. C program crash. C programmer quit.
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Bodo_da_Man
Members
7
July 2003
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 |
Jan. 08 2004, 9:43 pm |
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Taking over by Yahoo....lol well maybe thats a better signal then the curent one when we log in....yohoooo here we come...lol
The greeter program was gr8 and it was needed. But with the influx of noobs it probably was obsolite and you should have know that with the mentor program the greeter job was in trouble. On the other hand the Mentor program isn't working for the most part because there are so many noobs out there who are totally lost and left by the way side. I should know because I pick up at least 2 everyday who have been IM'ed by their mentor given a buggy to ride and a drink. I undestand that they have to sort of fill out a report about the noob and send it of to get there TB's. Heck There should do it the otherway round and have the noobs fill out a form telling There about the noobs experience with the world in there and the mentor in particular. Canuck I consider you and July my There friends. But you should have seen this coming. I don't care who runs this place I just want it to stay.
Bodo
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Woot,
No I didn't end up moving thank god! I turned down a job working with the City's networking department to take employment with THERE because of the 3+ hour each way commute. That was 7 months ago when I was hired on by the original manager before Levi_Jones was hired. Hell I applied for his job LOL
But yeah Woot I see what you are saying and appreciate the concern 
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ReMzy
Members
116
Sep. 2003
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oh god... first Interplay fired all the staff at Black isle and now there does the same with its ppl ..wtf
looks like all the companies i liked, suck now ;\ 
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Issues
Members
169
Sep. 2003
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I'll leave speculation alone.
Losing a job is bad, but legal fees are worse. More so when you just lost a job. Some NDA agreements do have clauses that do extend beyond departure from the company. I have an NDA agreement with an employer currently, that post departure (however it may be. Resignation, layoffs, or termination...) the gag extends three years. Just make sure your NDA does not have a gag clause for post departure from the company.
It's one thing to give a hollar to let people know and be an outspoken concerned person. It's another to put your head on the chopping block where you will end up with a much bigger problem.
 Thanks for the heads up though. Issues are everywhere, and everyone has issues.
There is no escape!
People like you are the reason people like me need medication.
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Mikey_B
Members
50
July 2003
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Ok now correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I am hearing the greeters was 'contracted' employees at There Inc. Well as a contracted employee even if you DID sign a NDA you can tell everything like it is, people get fired for telling things if they signed it, and with you being in Canada, I really really doubt There would do anything to prusue this. Also on a side note if the company is having major money issues like you said they are (and I wouldent doubt it) do you really think they are gonna put their legal dept. on this to take a few people to court and fight for someone breaking an NDA?? I really really doubt it, I mean c'mon I know if I was running a big company like There Inc. and also going broke on top of it, I sure as hell wouldent worry about petty stuff like my ex-employees breaking the NDA they signed, ecspecially the contracted employee's. Again as mentioned earlier I got laid off from a company and I signed an NDA and guess what? When they said they was laying people off...anyone who wanted to know about 'inside' stuff knew about it, I could have gave a rat's @$$ about a contract, well turns out I'm getting my old job back on Monday the 12th regardless though, what There Inc. did to you all is really pathatic I mean its sick as hell wtf was they thinking?? If I were you Canuck I would sue for every penny I could get my hands on, that is if they didnt give you a serverence package, but if they didn't I would take them to court so fast.........Ok well thats my 2 cents on this whole thing, So I'm gonna end in saying I wish everyone who got layed off the best of luck in finding a new job, and also I don't think whoever mentioned Maxis buying There I was looking at the 'Meet the team' page on there.com and I may be wrong but I think the person that worked for there that was also a 'high roller' at EA got the can too, again I may be wrong about that, but best of luck to you all, you will be deeply missed!
Take Care, 
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Daemona
Members
994
Feb. 2003
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We were talking corporate sale of this game months ago. Why is everyone acting all shocked and surprised now? Personally I think Sony could do a great job with this. But then I got spoiled playing star wars galaxies which gave us *gasp* DAILY bug fix reports! And OMG responses to our trouble reports in a matter of hours, not weeks! Ummm yeah There NEEDS to be handed over to a company that can handle customer service, There was never able to address that quite well enough compared to other games I have played. Sin like you mean it!
"I love the life but I never sold my soul" {Kid Rock}
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/mafioso/pics.html
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Karey
Members
35
Jan. 2003
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Oh God, you have got to be joking. SWG is the buggiest piece of junk I've ever played and Sony is actively player hostile.
Raph on the other hand has played There and is very impressed by There's emotes.
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ravioli
Members
5
Dec. 2003
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its prob not a good idea to break NDA if you were gonna sue for serverence pay or sumthin tho, lol they could whip dat out and yea makes ya look bad. 
p.s. SWG icky 
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lexus
Members
3
Jan. 2004
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Hell, it could be worse. They could be sponsored by McDonalds and we'd have 6 foot red and yellow avatars walking round with insane grins on their face.
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Woot
Members
360
June 2003
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| Quote (ravioli @ Jan. 09 2004, 9:37 am) | its prob not a good idea to break NDA if you were gonna sue for serverence pay or sumthin tho, lol they could whip dat out and yea makes ya look bad.
p.s. SWG icky |
It is amazing what you can find if you just dig.....
As used herein, the term "confidential information" includes all information and materials belonging to, used by, or in the possession of the Company relating to its products, processes, services, technology, inventions, patents, ideas, contracts, financial information, developments, business strategies, pricing, current and prospective customers, marketing plans, and trade secrets of every kind and character, but shall not include (a) information that was already within the public domain at the time the information is acquired by There Inc., or (b) information that subsequently becomes public through no act or omission of There Inc., contractor agrees that all of the confidential information is and shall continue to be the exclusive property of the Company, whether or not prepared in whole or in part by the Contractor and whether or not disclosed to or entrusted to There Inc. custody. www.radiothere.net
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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But you forgot one....
Section 10 – Termination of Agreement
This agreement may be terminated by either the company or the Consultant at any time prior to the termination date by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination. Such notice may be given at any time for any reason without cause.
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Woot
Members
360
June 2003
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I don't see that in this agreement, unless you have one different than the one that I found. This says..."absent an agreement establishing a fixed duration, an employment relationship is presumed to be a hiring at-will, terminable at any time by either party"
Again, I don't know what you signed but this is the agreement I found. www.radiothere.net
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Greeter_Canuck
Members
22
June 2003
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Ahhh you have the out dated one.. It was updated summer of last year I believe..
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TopCat
Members
48
Jan. 2004
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| Quote (gaultier @ Jan. 08 2004, 5:20 pm) | Really? Where could one find this well known and verified information?
Didn't say it was verified, just that it had been stated. The Vice President said this on his appearance on TechTV's The Screen Savers on October 27th. Also I have read it numerous other places and about thier multi-million dollar contracts with Levis Strause, ATI and Nike. Do some research its not hard to find. The raised 33 million just in startup capital this is not a broke company.
< http://www.techtv.com/screens....00.html >
Are you trying to say that the mentor program and member hosted events made canuck's job obsolete? Instead of There paying people to do these jobs, they are relying on volunteer members to do this work. Maybe I am the only one that has a problem with this, but it doesn't seem right.
Might not be right but it could have been a contributing factor. I recall many recent events that Greeters had listed with no one at them, not even the Greeters.
It's obvious Cannuck is very bitter (and rightfully so). I'm not trying to justify anything There Inc. did to him or any of the others they let go. I'm only trying to provide an alternate explanation.
Not meeting finacial goals and being a sinking company are two different things in my book. |
Off topic, but on topic with this quote. Leo has not been on there in forever, and has lost his chance to sign up as a lifetime member. I'm thinking the only way to get him back would be a phonecall to TSS, and say that I bought his book. That usually makes him pay attention to what you say.  TopCat - Really Really Mean, because he was abused as a child..
Employee Stalking winners and info can be found here
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Virtual_Vikki
Members
113
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