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Plan for Matt Webster
Plan for Matt Webster
| Name: | Matt Webster |  |
|---|---|---|
| Date Posted: | Apr 21, 2002 | |
| Rating: |  Not Rated | |
| Public: | YES | |
| Comments: | YES | |
| RSS Feed: |  or Subscribe with  . | |
| Profile Page: | View profile page for Matt Webster |
Blog post
Litigation and computers and bears, oh my!
The Project
As some of you know, I'm at work on a turn-based type of game. I've made the decision to try to build a team around local people.
How am I going to do this? My college campus is made up of a university, and a community college. I'll be posting advertisements for the project, and that we're looking for artists and programmers who are interested in working on this project. I will also make announcements in all of my computer-related classes, incase people don't see the posters around their schools.
This way, we can get the core of the team to be able to meet in person to discuss things a few times a month. The campus library has dozens of "study rooms" that have white boards, large tables, projectors, computers, and televisions. I've already received approval to use them for this project, so we'd basically have offices to meet in!
I think this will be a great experience for all of us, since we will be able to work in an environment that is much more like an actual company than a virtual team. We'd be able to have brainstorming sessions in person, and I think that'd help add a whole new level to the design process that is absent from most virtual projects.
I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on the progress of the project and building the team!
May Newsletter
As you can see from below articles, I've learned a lot this past month. One thing I don't want anyone to go through is the same bullcrap I had to deal with my old team.
I've been doing some research into contract law, and how to protect your project and your contributions. If my earlier project had got me to sign a contract this wouldn't have been a problem. So look forward into an introduction into how to write up a contract that can be used to ensure your project members do their job, and that your project lead does his (or hers)
Also, I am pleased to announce that Desmond Fletcher is going to be writing for the newsletter. This month he will be focussing on the use of some helpful level design tools. Thanks Desmond!
Finally, an upgrade!
Over the next week I'll be assembling my new computer, and giving my old one to my sister and mom. Now I'll finally be able to work with the more graphic intensive features of the engine, and actually play it with better than 10fps!
This whole system cost me about $850, and is the first computer I've had that is actually near the top in terms of performance.
AMD Althon XP 1800+ processor
Epox 8K3A KT333 motherboard
512mb PC2700 DDR memory
80Gig 7200rpm hard drive
Panasonic 36x12x48 CD-RW
Pioneer 16x DVD player, slot loading
Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 sound card
Logitech 3-piece speakers
USR 56k modem
Enermax 350w power supply
Large case
2 80cm case fans
AMD reccomended cpu fan
Special thanks to Melv May for this wonderful Geforce 3 video card!
I haven't put a system together before, so it took me a while making sure I got the stuff I wanted. It'll probably take me a few days to get it together and working right, but it will be worth it!
Follow my new system as it comes to me!
Associate lost
I made a light-hearted crack about the frequency of someone's .plans, and it ended up triggering GarageGames to revoke my Associate status.
Oh well! I don't really mind, since I'll still be writing the newsletter and without Associate status I'll actually be able to express my opinions freely without fearing that GG might not like what I said. Don't get me wrong, I will still do my best to cut back on slamming people.
Anyway, Associate is just a title. A word.
Legal troubles
This was a great learning experience, but really a big pain in the ass.
The project I left a few months back was unwilling to remove my contributions, so I repeatedly told them to remove my contributions. I ended up taking it public in their forums, and they responded with "If you're going to take your contributions and make us start over, then we're going to screw you!". I didn't think much of it, but the next day my school's IT administrator suspended my campus school computer account. Apparantly, I had been harassing this company, Netherweb. The person claimed, "Our business has suffered from Matt's actions". It was implied that if no action was taken they'd be suing me and possibly the school. The school was afraid, so they suspended me without checking into the validity of the claims or even the person sending the email. Thank you!
I work on campus in the administrative office. I do everything from database work, to web design, to poster design, to running copies. Needless to say, I needed the computer to do my job. In order to clear up this situation, the school administration had to have been contacted and arrange a meeting. I work with these people, and it was very embarassing. I worried that this situation would carry like a dark cloud over me, and I wanted it cleared up as soon as possible.
I arranged the meeting, and now I have to build up my case to help deal with the situation. Xavier Amado (aka Exodus) helped me track down the two people who were behind this, and get their home address and phone number. Thanks! Anyway, the meeting when well. The proof they provided was a screenshot of some forum posts that was considered harassing. They had such offensive lines as "Please stop using my contributions, contact me now so we can solve this problem" and well... that was it. They also included the IP trace back to one of the school's computers, but failed to show how that post was linked to it. I admitted to posting on school computers, but I wasn't sure if I posted that at school. Things were looking up and when I told them that these two people were both minors, it was done. I never doubted for a second that I'd get out of this without a scratch.
Now onto the fun part. Since both of these children were, well... children I had to contact their parents. The first person I contacted was the so-called project leader. I spoke with his father, and when he became aware of the situation I could notice a feeling of panic overcome his words. He knew his kid screwed up bigtime, and that he'd be liable if things weren't fixed. The kid called me back, and we tried to work something out.
He agreed to remove all of my contributions, contact my school to make sure that they understood the fraudulent claims, and make a public announcement on their site that basically says "Matt Webster left the team on his own free will, and all of his contributions have been removed. This means we have no code.". As of today, he hasn't done any of this. Thank you R*** A*******!
Onto the second person, he was the main person behind the fraudulent complaint to my school. I called him, and the conversation with his father was much like that with RA's dad. The problem was with the kid, C*** P**** who really wasn't quite as open to discussion was RA. "I might call you tomarrow if i want to." or "There's no reason I have to do this". RA tried to convince me that I was hurting CP's feelings and making him depressed or other outlandish claims. Eventually, CP said he'd call me. He made sweeping statements that he is "very mature for his age" and that "I hope we can still be friends", but I did my best not to laugh. CP ended up agreeing to same terms as RA, but actually lived up to his end of the bargain.
Thanks CP. RA, this isn't time to screw around.
I spoke with CP's so-called employer, and it turns out he doesn't really work for him. The person I spoke with really didn't seem like he was on the ball, and possibly a minor himself. He didn't really care that CP threatened litigation from their company, and said he wouldn't be doing anything to reprimand CP. CP says he still works for them, so I think it's basically just a cover-up!
I'm wondering what I should do. I effectively have the smoking gun, and their project is (according to RA) currently trying to work with Fireline Interactive (Founded by some ex-employees of Dynamix, GG might know em!) to bring their game into reality with help of project organization and shared resources.
RA begged me not to, but I really want to. Especially now that he isn't living up to his end of the bargian...
My conscious is so clogged with disdain for these people, so maybe the GG community can help me make this decision. It won't affect me, but it sure will do a lot to the people in my old project.
As some of you know, I'm at work on a turn-based type of game. I've made the decision to try to build a team around local people.
How am I going to do this? My college campus is made up of a university, and a community college. I'll be posting advertisements for the project, and that we're looking for artists and programmers who are interested in working on this project. I will also make announcements in all of my computer-related classes, incase people don't see the posters around their schools.
This way, we can get the core of the team to be able to meet in person to discuss things a few times a month. The campus library has dozens of "study rooms" that have white boards, large tables, projectors, computers, and televisions. I've already received approval to use them for this project, so we'd basically have offices to meet in!
I think this will be a great experience for all of us, since we will be able to work in an environment that is much more like an actual company than a virtual team. We'd be able to have brainstorming sessions in person, and I think that'd help add a whole new level to the design process that is absent from most virtual projects.
I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on the progress of the project and building the team!
May Newsletter
As you can see from below articles, I've learned a lot this past month. One thing I don't want anyone to go through is the same bullcrap I had to deal with my old team.
I've been doing some research into contract law, and how to protect your project and your contributions. If my earlier project had got me to sign a contract this wouldn't have been a problem. So look forward into an introduction into how to write up a contract that can be used to ensure your project members do their job, and that your project lead does his (or hers)
Also, I am pleased to announce that Desmond Fletcher is going to be writing for the newsletter. This month he will be focussing on the use of some helpful level design tools. Thanks Desmond!
Finally, an upgrade!
Over the next week I'll be assembling my new computer, and giving my old one to my sister and mom. Now I'll finally be able to work with the more graphic intensive features of the engine, and actually play it with better than 10fps!
This whole system cost me about $850, and is the first computer I've had that is actually near the top in terms of performance.
AMD Althon XP 1800+ processor
Epox 8K3A KT333 motherboard
512mb PC2700 DDR memory
80Gig 7200rpm hard drive
Panasonic 36x12x48 CD-RW
Pioneer 16x DVD player, slot loading
Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 sound card
Logitech 3-piece speakers
USR 56k modem
Enermax 350w power supply
Large case
2 80cm case fans
AMD reccomended cpu fan
Special thanks to Melv May for this wonderful Geforce 3 video card!
I haven't put a system together before, so it took me a while making sure I got the stuff I wanted. It'll probably take me a few days to get it together and working right, but it will be worth it!
Follow my new system as it comes to me!
Associate lost
I made a light-hearted crack about the frequency of someone's .plans, and it ended up triggering GarageGames to revoke my Associate status.
Oh well! I don't really mind, since I'll still be writing the newsletter and without Associate status I'll actually be able to express my opinions freely without fearing that GG might not like what I said. Don't get me wrong, I will still do my best to cut back on slamming people.
Anyway, Associate is just a title. A word.
Legal troubles
This was a great learning experience, but really a big pain in the ass.
The project I left a few months back was unwilling to remove my contributions, so I repeatedly told them to remove my contributions. I ended up taking it public in their forums, and they responded with "If you're going to take your contributions and make us start over, then we're going to screw you!". I didn't think much of it, but the next day my school's IT administrator suspended my campus school computer account. Apparantly, I had been harassing this company, Netherweb. The person claimed, "Our business has suffered from Matt's actions". It was implied that if no action was taken they'd be suing me and possibly the school. The school was afraid, so they suspended me without checking into the validity of the claims or even the person sending the email. Thank you!
I work on campus in the administrative office. I do everything from database work, to web design, to poster design, to running copies. Needless to say, I needed the computer to do my job. In order to clear up this situation, the school administration had to have been contacted and arrange a meeting. I work with these people, and it was very embarassing. I worried that this situation would carry like a dark cloud over me, and I wanted it cleared up as soon as possible.
I arranged the meeting, and now I have to build up my case to help deal with the situation. Xavier Amado (aka Exodus) helped me track down the two people who were behind this, and get their home address and phone number. Thanks! Anyway, the meeting when well. The proof they provided was a screenshot of some forum posts that was considered harassing. They had such offensive lines as "Please stop using my contributions, contact me now so we can solve this problem" and well... that was it. They also included the IP trace back to one of the school's computers, but failed to show how that post was linked to it. I admitted to posting on school computers, but I wasn't sure if I posted that at school. Things were looking up and when I told them that these two people were both minors, it was done. I never doubted for a second that I'd get out of this without a scratch.
Now onto the fun part. Since both of these children were, well... children I had to contact their parents. The first person I contacted was the so-called project leader. I spoke with his father, and when he became aware of the situation I could notice a feeling of panic overcome his words. He knew his kid screwed up bigtime, and that he'd be liable if things weren't fixed. The kid called me back, and we tried to work something out.
He agreed to remove all of my contributions, contact my school to make sure that they understood the fraudulent claims, and make a public announcement on their site that basically says "Matt Webster left the team on his own free will, and all of his contributions have been removed. This means we have no code.". As of today, he hasn't done any of this. Thank you R*** A*******!
Onto the second person, he was the main person behind the fraudulent complaint to my school. I called him, and the conversation with his father was much like that with RA's dad. The problem was with the kid, C*** P**** who really wasn't quite as open to discussion was RA. "I might call you tomarrow if i want to." or "There's no reason I have to do this". RA tried to convince me that I was hurting CP's feelings and making him depressed or other outlandish claims. Eventually, CP said he'd call me. He made sweeping statements that he is "very mature for his age" and that "I hope we can still be friends", but I did my best not to laugh. CP ended up agreeing to same terms as RA, but actually lived up to his end of the bargain.
Thanks CP. RA, this isn't time to screw around.
I spoke with CP's so-called employer, and it turns out he doesn't really work for him. The person I spoke with really didn't seem like he was on the ball, and possibly a minor himself. He didn't really care that CP threatened litigation from their company, and said he wouldn't be doing anything to reprimand CP. CP says he still works for them, so I think it's basically just a cover-up!
I'm wondering what I should do. I effectively have the smoking gun, and their project is (according to RA) currently trying to work with Fireline Interactive (Founded by some ex-employees of Dynamix, GG might know em!) to bring their game into reality with help of project organization and shared resources.
RA begged me not to, but I really want to. Especially now that he isn't living up to his end of the bargian...
My conscious is so clogged with disdain for these people, so maybe the GG community can help me make this decision. It won't affect me, but it sure will do a lot to the people in my old project.
Recent Blog Posts
| List: | 04/21/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 03/26/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 03/13/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 03/09/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 03/01/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 02/19/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 02/04/02 - Plan for Matt Webster 01/29/02 - Plan for Matt Webster |
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Submit your own resources!| DavidRM (Apr 21, 2002 at 22:54 GMT) |
It's best to take care of situations like this in private, not in public forums (especially public forums with archives).
-David
Samu Games
| Matt Webster (Apr 21, 2002 at 23:09 GMT) |
When there's a problem, you have to learn to stop worrying about stepping on toes. That kind of thinking is what drags problems out for too long.
| Yacine Salmi (Apr 21, 2002 at 23:31 GMT) |
My suggestion is to contact RA again in a few days if he hasn't lived up to the end of the bargain. Make sure he understands what happens if he doesn't do what he has to do. Give him a couple more days. If he still doesn't fill his end, then maybe you should go forward with your threat.
The one thing is you don't want to create more bad blood. just like David said. The community is quite small. You never know when you might need someone in the industry, and they will screw you over because they are/were friends with RA or CP.
| Lorn Davis (Apr 21, 2002 at 23:37 GMT) |
What's this about minors having a say in the industry? Lol I am a minor and I don't think I should be smuckin around in the industry where it's all done, I just keep quiet and do my thing, and personnaly I would take the full extent possible to punish these two 'mature' minors.
I'm outspoken but I'm quiet, interesting eh?
Lorn
| lksdg (Apr 22, 2002 at 01:51 GMT) |
| Vashner (Apr 22, 2002 at 03:18 GMT) |
Randy...
| Mychal McCabe (Apr 22, 2002 at 04:37 GMT) |
Any paperwork (NDA, IP Waiver, Non-Compete, Offer Letter, etc.) that would be of use to a fledgling company would surely involve a pro forma Intellectual Property clause which, if your former Project Lead had his paperwork in order, surely would have prohibited you from demanding that the work that you performed in good faith for his "company" be yanked from the project. Your advocating such paperwork, while at the same time demanding your coding efforts back, pretty much stomps vigrously up and down on the border between wherever we are and hypocrisy.
If on the other hand you are advocating some sort of Potential Employee as Primary Party Agreement, between hiree and hiring agent, it's time to haul out tired old aphorisms about being careful what you ask for while ordering another, make it a double, before posting any Job Openings.
Agreeing to work for a project that is disorganized in the extreme doesn't entitle you to ask for your code back. You learned what you learned implementing, you move on.
This would be like me asking for all of my code from good ol' buzzsaw.com back becasue they were inept enough to squander 127 million in VC, thus putting me out of a job.
It sounds like you have a sound approach to building your own team, my nickel's worth of free advice is to get into it and put this fiasco behind you.
| Jim McLuckie (Apr 22, 2002 at 04:43 GMT) |
| Matt Webster (Apr 22, 2002 at 05:55 GMT) |
Unless otherwise stated, the creator is the owner of all created intellectual property. In this case, nothing was stated. Not even an informal contract or agreement.
If you're not bound by contract, and feel abused by the people behind the project I am advocating that you leave and take what you've created. If you leave on good terms, then wave goodbye and wish them luck. If you're bound by contract, then you can't do anything; good or bad.
Not sure what was vague or hypocratic, but I guess acknowledging that wouldn't have made your derogatory claim hold itself up. I'm advocating that the creator use the power and freedom he has, and for project managers to do their best to prevent problems like this. Preferably with competience and if needed, contracts.
Yes Jim, that is what I feel. I guess I don't want to wait for this to come around naturally, but impatience for revenge is a side-effect of anger.
| Jasen Torres (Apr 22, 2002 at 06:35 GMT) |
So it has already followed you at the very least once. Luckily I am absolutely no one of interest, influence, or power, but you could fair worse (or rather at all) in the future.
Anyways, my advice would be to resolve everything to get what you want but still avoid conflict. There are no bonus points for going after high school students, even when they've made a mistake. Even if you can't stand these people, it is still a wise move to make friends.
Someone much more dignified than myself said "Keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer."
| Matt Webster (Apr 22, 2002 at 12:10 GMT) |
I think knowing what I know and not using it is better for me then using it to bury them. I don't need to do that, but one thing I know for certain is that I don't need to worry about them "biting me in the ass" down the line. I don't need to explain, since explaining would only end up insulting them.
I have no regrets, except not cancelling Anarchy Online sooner so I don't have to hear little kids whine about how I suck for complaining about an incompetient company months back.
| Mychal McCabe (Apr 22, 2002 at 15:29 GMT) |
I stated my opinion that: if you are going to help the community with contract issues -- which given your one well documented assertion on what is and is not "actual law" has me a bit concerned -- you'll likely point people to things like NDAs, Non-Competes, and so on all of which would've prevented you from being able to tak eyour code back. This would be, no matter how you slice it, hypocritical.
Another opinion: If you aren't going to point people toward resources like NDAs, Non-Competes, and so on, I don't see the point of your intention. Helping Competent People write contracts to protect themselves and their work from the vagaries of an Incompetent Team is nowhere near as useful as encouraging these Competent People to sign on with teams that won't require phone calls to mommy and daddy to resolve conflicts.
One more opinion: Use your excellent newsletter to help the overwhelming majority of people here trying to do the right thing, by pointing out the many quality legal resources on the web and so on, rather than using it as an opportunity to dis these schlubs again.
Getting accused of dislike, and carrying baggage around, because I had the temerity to inject my opinions into your discussion makes it seem haltingly like you are taking my opinions personally, and accusing me of things which I never said (damn jimmy) - and we all know how you feel about those things in particular.
PS: it's "incompetent" not "incompetient", and "hypocritical" not "hippocratic" - the latter being associated mostly with an oath that doctors take. Also while my comment about hypocrisy could be taken as somehow derogatory, I'm pretty sure that's now what you meant when you described my claim as derogatory. These are the sorts of things you'll want to hash out before handing out a contract boiler plate.
| Matt Webster (Apr 22, 2002 at 18:45 GMT) |
I sincerely doubt someone who didn't dislike me would have gone as far to make assumptions about things I've yet to do, or of my intent. I never said I knew enough to help write anything, I said I know enough to help both sides get things in place to help prevent from problem employees and problem employers.
If you happen to have a problem with me, please talk with me. I am not sure on how I wronged you in the past to make you so want to act so rude or condescending, but I'd rather figure out a way to make it stop than to drag it around. I don't really know you, so I don't know if closing this would be something you'd want to do. What I do know, is that I don't like having to defend myself from people who I hardly know and feel it's their duty to make assumptions then make critical statements related to me.
| Melv May (Apr 22, 2002 at 20:21 GMT) |
Matt, I'm watching that Fed-Ex shipment with anticipation .... you're gonna love that Gladiac920 ... it rocks.
10fps! <grin> you're gonna have trouble keeping the frame-rate below 100fps with the new sucker.
Enjoy.
- Melv.
| Matt Webster (Apr 22, 2002 at 20:50 GMT) |
I don't like arguing when I don't have any defense other than "you're wrong". Even if that's the case and I'm right, it still makes me look bad.
Sorry Mychal if I misinterpreted your statements. I don't want to argue with you, and I know that you're probably not one to give up if I kept dragging this out :P I don't agree with you, but there is no reason we can't get along.
I admit, I'm not good at taking criticism. I can admit fault, but I do not hold up too well when someone says something that isn't too nice. Truth I don't mind, but when it mixes up with opinion I take it too personally.
Yeah, that's a white flag.
| Mychal McCabe (Apr 22, 2002 at 23:32 GMT) |
I won't even carry on on long enough to defend myself against your barely veiled insinuations that what I was saying wasn't true - which you conveniently snuck in before your white flag and also before my rebuttal. ;]
| Matt Webster (Apr 23, 2002 at 00:13 GMT) |
I really don't want to annoy people, but I guess it's a side effect of always wanting to be right (or at least not idiotically wrong)
I won't deny that I can be manipulative during arguements, but I don't argue to crush anyone's ideas or even force my opinion on others. Arguing can be fun, as long as neither side takes it to a personal level or carrys it into future interactions.
I don't want to announce my Achilles
Edited on Apr 23, 2002 00:14 GMT
| Jim McLuckie (Apr 23, 2002 at 01:55 GMT) |
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