[ASLML] "Mac Sez" and "Perry Sez"

[Tate Rogers]

On Friday, November 28, 2003 7:31 AM, Mountain View Cottage 
[SMTP:mountainview at westelcom.com] wrote:
> I will accept any posting labeled a
> Perry Sez as "certified", and I use
> the Perry Sez Site.

This is in total contradiction of MMP's previously stated policy. Of 
course, we have had some contradictory statements by MMP folks. It was MMP 
that established the requirement that no Q&A/Errata is valid unless it 
appears in an "Official" MMP publication. I believe that they extended this 
to include their online Q&A site (although this "extension" itself has not 
appeared in any MMP publication...hmmm).

A TD is pretty much free to do as he pleases. He can use any source as 
desired. However, the TD must be able to back up any decision. Using some 
nefarious "Perry Sez" from who knows where isn't going to generate a lot of 
confidence in a TD decision. The idea is that the players need to feel that 
the tourney is at least fair.

If half the players in the tourney have access to these "Perry Sez" but the 
other half do not...how can that possibly be fair. That was the whole basis 
(IMO) for the MMP rule on "Official" vs "Unofficial". The belief was that 
being in an "Official" publication would get the widest possible 
distribution and thus be as fair to the players as possible. Now we have 
slowly but surely descended into a morass of "who's on first and I don't 
know's on second" hodge-podge of Q&A. Who has access...who doesn't...what 
is "Official"...what isn't...does it have to be published...or doesn't 
it...what qualifies as published?!?!?! We even have a statement from Perry 
that all Q&A/Errata published before the ASLRBv2 are voided.

The underlying problem is a lack of control/discipline regarding 
Q&A/Errata. Because of this we have a lack of respect within the community 
for the "Perry Sez". This is demonstrated by the reactions in the recent FG 
DRM debate where one side has shown no hesitation what so ever for 
ignoring/despising the "Perry Sez".

Till some modicum of discipline is restored to the Q&A process sending in 
questions to settle debates becomes pointless. I mean really, if one side 
feels that any "Perry Sez" can simply be ignored what does the Q&A solve?! 
As the queen of soul says...it is all about _R_E_S_P_E_C_T_...people do not 
tend to ignore/despise that which they respect.

The solution really wouldn't be all that difficult. First, we need a well 
defined and detailed policy statement from MMP regarding what is/isn't 
"Official" and how they (MMP) want "Unofficial" Q&A handled (i.e., 
published...what qualifies as published...status of "Perry Sez"...etc). 
Second, we need MMP to abide by their own standards. Third, TD's/Players 
also need to abide by the standards.

Later-

Tater (One Mean Spud!)