> Nicky, I disagree with you on this one. I think modding rules are needed,

Why, though? We've already seen where imposing rules gets us.

In all the endless months and months of flaming and banning and general bullshit around the issue, NO-ONE has ever managed to come up with an argument against this:

"If you don't like it, don't use it."

If someone releases a mod of your table and you like it, or like parts of it, that's great. You can use the parts you like in the next "official" update, the modder has saved you some work, you have more time to devote to your next work, the knock-on effect is good for everyone.

If you DON'T like their mod, so what? Ignore it. The people who do like it can play it if they want, so they're happy. And the people who prefer the original version can play that one, so they're happy too. Everyone's happy.

As long as mods are clearly identified as such, in the filename, zipname, script or whatever, as long as nobody's trying to pretend that a mod is an official version when it isn't, what possible harm can a mod do to anyone? None. "Respect" is a total red herring used by some people to cover up their egomania.

Remember, if the "rules" had been in place before all the BS, it would have made NO DIFFERENCE at all, because it all blew up over a simple backdrop which was SEPARATE to a table, not a mod, and which wasn't even released when all the shit hit the fan anyway. Even now, that backdrop doesn't break any of VPF's "rules". For months and months, nobody objected to unauthorised mods in the slightest. Only the hysterical reaction of a few individuals who effectively blackmailed the entire community ("Do what I want or I QUIT!!!!!!!!!!") changed the view. I said at the time such egomania would only lead to the destruction of the community, and look how right I was.

If we're going to try to replace VPForums, I think we ought to be learning from their mistakes...