Ryan, Zippy, Krrios, Mark, Asayre, and the moderators here...
Two years ago I wanted to take a programming class in C++. Introductory only, but I hoped it would help me on my way. I dropped it after realizing I would never succeed. Six months later, I made a scroll that kills the person who tries to use it. The day after that, someone used the scroll and turned it into a flower that killed anyone stepping near. A year and a half later, I sit at my desk in a new country, with a new computer, new ideas and beliefs circulating in my skull. I sit here with seventeen windows open: my server, my client, #Develop, five notepads, Word, Internet Explorer, GumpStudio, Photoshop, and a few other applications. What am I doing? I'm scripting a combined race and class system that is more advanced, more in-depth, more accurate, more usable, more organized, and better for role-playing shards than any similar system I have seen in the submissions, subscriber and non-subscriber.
Two years after I failed an introductory C++ course with no hope of programming anything on a computer ever, I run a popular (to those who know it) role-playing server receiving a compliment a day. It doesnt keep the doctor away, but it does give me a sense of pride that I never hoped to attain.
I have a college essay that was due two weeks ago. The research is sitting on my desk, next to my mouse. I had a week off when I could've easily put the essay together. What was I doing instead? Running my server. No, I am not saying this is a good thing (don't worry, I won't fail classes because of this). I'm not even sure where this is leading. Many users posted their sentiments before me in this thread, and others. Now is my chance.
I dont know if you, Ryan, or the other developers and moderators read my two cents posted in Wyatt/Ivan's return submission yesterday. I know Phantom and others did, and they can provide you with the general idea if you didn't get the opportunity first-hand. To my recollection - which is poor, to say the least - that was the first time I had put forth how I felt on the forum here. I have started to on other threads, on various issues, but always ended up hitting the back button a couple times and returning to my browsing. I believe Wyatt took the border line of the community, ripped it apart, stepped over, and shit on our side.
Time and again I have read posts about the contributions, helpfulness (or lack of), attitude, or forum behavior of individual RunUO users. I have read your replies to personal attacks, Ryan, and to attacks on the community (if you are to ask my opinion, I will tell you that an attack on the community is a personal attack on the developers of RunUO). I know, without a doubt, that my ban list would be infinitely long were I to be the decider of such actions here (this is proven by the fact that the IP ban list on my website is already half a page long, and it's only been around a month).
I know it's not my place to do so, but I want to apologize to you, Ryan, Alkiser, Krrios, Zippy, Mark, Asayre, David, Admin_V, psz, and Outkast (any others I missed, please excuse the ignorance - these are the developers and moderators whose posts I remember). I will not apologize on behalf of the assailants of this community, of our 'home away from home, yet still at home.' My beliefs and defensive action of the community should have been swifter and should have been more common than my three posts now.
Since I have lost my way again, I will end my novel with a few straggling thoughts. I believe it was in the right to disallow any and all who bring shame, disrepute, or harm to the community here or anyone involved. I can and do understand why this thread originated. If I had the ability to remove that reason, then I would do so promptly. With the idea of subscription access only, I will say that I will wholly support RunUO and anyone who does the same (the reason I'm not currently subscribed is that I havent yet done so after the forum downtime, which is no excuse, but the best I can offer). I donated $30 directly to you, Ryan, when called upon a few months ago. That may not seem like much to the average working Joe, but at the time I was out of work, in school, with a new female friend, a forty year old vehicle, and a few other expenses making that donation the best I could manage. I would make the same sacrifices for any moderator or developer here (I would say for those who support the community as well, but I have trust issues).
The decision on the future of this community is, of course, nowhere near mine. My thoughts are laid out above. I ask you, in the end, to consider what you have gifted me with. Consider the sacrifices you have made, and understand that even though I have never met anyone else from the RunUO community, I love all the supporters here as I do my brother. In hindsight, there is no place I would rather be spending my free time two years after that wretched class. Finally (again), you have my gratitude, for it all.
From everywhere in my heart, thank you.
Really am.
Why not hand out candies on a silver platter? 
