Thanks for nothing Hubpages!

1. 53

   Luke Marrposted 15 years ago

   You may remember me as L. Andrew Marr
   
   Abuse happens in the forums all the time, I myself was abused all the time by Zealots and yobs who wanted to throw their weight around - when I reported this NOTHING happened.
   
   Now as a short diversion, I write alot of poetry and, without meaning to sound my own horn, it is pretty damn good. I have been published in several places outside the internet, however this is my only portfolio online. I also write the occasional hub, but nothing too fancy.
   
   Sorry, I meant to say wrote.
   
   Today, around an hour ago, I was reported for being 17 years old. In three months time I will be 18. Technically this means I am in my 18th year on this Earth.
   
   Yes, this is against the rules of hubpages but I figured that since I was completely honest about my age, on my page I clearly stated it, and I figured that since I had some hubpages staff as fans then this would be no issue.
   
   However, I was sorely mistaken. About an hour ago I got an email saying my account has been suspended.
   
   Now let me explain something to you all, half of that poetry was written just for hubpages but which I would have used in my portfolio for university next year, to help me get in. Now it is gone with a click of their unfair, biased fingers.
   
   So, I want to know, howcome abuse is allowed when it is far worse than a tiny three month difference in age?
   
   How come abuse can rein the forums and yet I am not allowed to peacefully post my poetry?
   
   How is this remotely fair that my portfolio is jepodised and yet some hubbers are just allowed to hurl racism and abuse around without the staff even blinking an eye?
   
   How is this fair?

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   1. 67

      Silver Roseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Do you know if any of your work got indexed? If it got indexed by Google, type in the URL into the search machine, and then click on "cache", and you should see a copy of it.
      
      If it didn't get indexed, the other course you could take is to look at the Waybackmachine for your profile. (But note that the Waybackmachine has delays of about a year sometimes before they post archived material onto their site).
      
      Re "fairness", no it's not fair, we don't live in a fair world. There is always a risk with using sites like this that your material can be deleted. With precious copyright material such as poetry, short-stories, novellas etc, you would be better off publishing on a site wholly owned by yourself. And of course keep copies of everything.
      
      Good luck with tracking down your stuff.

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   2. 61

      nicompposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Abuse does happen. You abused the HubPages rules.
      
      You also meant to say "a lot"
      
      Technically you are 17. We truncate ages. We don't round up. Try buying cigarettes or alcohol with that logic.
      
      You also agreed to abide by the rules of HubPages when you registered.
      
      And this surprises you ... why?
      
      It's not HubPages fault that you didn't back it up.
      
      Would you try the same thing with your driver's license?
      
      reign?
      
      You are responsible for your portfolio, not HubPages. Make copies.
      

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      1. 74

         Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I agree its not fair,such is life my friend. Double standards everywhere. But HP just do their best to follow the law (as it stands) ...bit like the barman who lets in an underage drinker, he wants to let you in ,but if he loses his license ,he loses his income
         
         Step back , breathe ,calm down ,and shake it off like a man
         
         Many of us are looking forward to reading great things from you too!!..one day you will be someone elses mentor..imagine that !

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   3. 63

      Drew Breezzyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Sometimes honesty isn't all it is cracked up to. You didn't save the poems to a word doc or in a notebook? This is surely a shame I was just reading them yesterday.

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         Maddie Ruudposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         When a user is banned, none of the content is lost, it is simply unpublished.  It is still available to that user.

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         1. 60

            Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            There's not an upper age limit is there?  I am aging rapidly.

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         2. 63

            Drew Breezzyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Oh thats good. You take the good with the bad I guess.
            
            Quite a few prolific spammers  have been removed recently.

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2. 61

   easy1posted 15 years ago

   Tough Break.

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3. 0

   dennisemattposted 15 years ago

   people are looking for you....

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   1. 74

      Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry for you ,I figured since you spoke your age freely ,it was ok?
      
      Dont worry a few months wont matter ( just you wait n see)
      
      Actually thought about this a bit more..did you not relise you had to be 18yrs? or did you think you might be the exception?
      
      Just think how many hubs you can be writing offline then BOOM! (to coin a phrase) publish when you are eligible

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4. 77

   Uninvited Writerposted 15 years ago

   I didn't report you and it's possible someone in admin. saw the postings where you said your were 17 and that no one reported you. but the TOS explicitly say you must be over 18. I hope you saved your hubs and will come back.

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5. 64

   Mubin123posted 15 years ago

   so they deleted it all?  I am sure if you go to google and check the cache you should be able to get your work back.

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6. 68

   blondepoetposted 15 years ago

   I hope you come back too Andrew, you are a star in the making. (whisper,,,, you should have said u r 24) I am sorry to hear....you were a very mature 17yr old.....you got heaps to offer....damn....hope you come back.

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7. STAFF

   pauldeedsposted 15 years ago

   There are legal reasons that we require HubPages users to be 18.  You agreed to abide by our terms of service when you signed up.  When you turn 18, we are more than happy to reactivate your account.  It's not personal, we simply have to protect ourselves legally.
   
   All of your hubs have been unpublished, but you are still free to login and view them.  You can copy them to another site, copy them to your computer, or do whatever you like with them ...

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      tantrumposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sure you have a lot of hubbers under age that are not telling. So you are penalazing sincerity! I don't think this is fair. I think it's A SHAME !

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         Maddie Ruudposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         We aren't "punishing" anyone.  This is not a moral issue, it's not a judgement.  It's simply an enforcement of our rules.

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         1. 62

            tantrumposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Rules are meant 2 b broken , sometimes. He can come back with another name. So ? That kind of rules don't mean a  thing. Nothing personal with you, anyway I was born a rebel and I'm still are. I hate this kind of 'things' . Sorry!

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8. 83

   jiberishposted 15 years ago

   We'll see you in a couple months.

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9. 61

   Cygnus76posted 15 years ago

   really sad that it happened. but truely hope you'll be back in a few months.

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10. 60

    Davinagirl3posted 15 years ago

    Surely, you will come back.  Don't take it too personally.  It could happen to anyone.  It is just the rules.  We will miss you for three months, but I will be here when you get back, and you will be welcomed with open arms.  I am sure a lot of us will still be here.  I have been here for 3 months already, and it seems like no time.  Sorry you had to be made an example out of, but it wasn't abuse.  See you in a short while!

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11. 0

    Lady_Eposted 15 years ago

    Its been suspended - not deleted.
    
    We look forward to seeing you in a few months. Meanwhile, you could keep on writing and saving your work, so you can publish them all immediately you return
    Good Luck.

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12. 53

    kmackey32posted 15 years ago

    oh man that sticks Andrew. I didn't believe you where underage.

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13. 60

    blue dogposted 15 years ago

    rules are rules.  if i'm doing 62 in a 55, i'm busted.  with the length of my hair and my " W - mind numbing incompetence" sticker on my back windshield, there will be no mercy.
    
    don't get discouraged - it's only a drop in the bucket.  meanwhile, keep writing and show us the new stuff in a couple of months.

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14. 0

    Crazdwriterposted 15 years ago

    That is definitely not fair for you! Especially if you have clearly stated your age AND you have admin as fans. I'm really sorry you were treated so badly. I hope they don't do it to you again!

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15. 60

    LVMposted 15 years ago

    I think you ARE really still too young to be in HubPages:
    the fact that you said you were 17 is a stupid (pardon me for the word but President Obama used it too) thing to do and by itself implies you are still young and innocent.  Who would know if you didn't tell?  And it doesn't really matter if you didn't tell anything at all!!!

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16. 0

    Ghost32posted 15 years ago

    Luke, there's something you're missing here:  If anything nasty should happen on the legal front, the Courts will not give HubPages the same rights now as they will when you're 18--because you're considered a minor.  So HubPages, besides enforcing its own "rules of engagement", is (by suspending your account) only doing what it MUST do to protect itself in the big, bad ol' world out there.
    
    HP did not invent the world of contract law, but to survive, it must pay attention to the traps and pitfalls.  It's not easy for you to see it from Administration's viewpoint when it's your ox that's getting gored, but the fact is that if HubPages were to ignore your violation of the 18-years-old rule, they would be asking for a world of legal hurt.
    
    Hopefully you'll come back once you've passed that birthday.  Not that I would have in your situation.  I was so narrow minded at your age that I resented a wrestling coach who gave me a "B"...for more than forty years. 
    
    But the odds are pretty good you're a much better man than I was in 1962....

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17. 85

    Marisa Wrightposted 15 years ago

    ...and in case anyone missed it, his account is NOT deleted,it's just unpublished.  So as soon as he turns 18, he can publish it all again.  And in the meantime, he has full access to his account.

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18. 62

    Dale Mazurekposted 15 years ago

    You are a great writer and it's only a few month.  Do you really think these few months are going to put an end to what you want to accomplish.
    
    You account is still accesible by yourself so continue to work on it and have lots of work ready to go.  I know this is not a personal attack and the higher ups at HubPages will love to have you back in 3 months.
    
    Don't let something so small get you down.

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19. 60

    tksenseiposted 15 years ago

    Some people throw words like "abuse," "hate," and "unfair" around far too lightly.

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20. 0

    fierycjposted 15 years ago

    Hey L, I actually saw where you mentioned being 17. But I aint no snitch. Unlike what I would say for a lot of people in here. You're an okay, guy, Luke. I still got your email add, I think. I'll keep in touch.

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21. 74

    Eaglekiwiposted 15 years ago

    Time waits for no man Luke...today is your turn to be happy
    

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22. 73

    KevCCposted 15 years ago

    How come no one answered his question about the abuse?

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       Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I dont have an answer

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23. 0

    ralwusposted 15 years ago

    Well Andrew when you return never write you material directly into the text capsule. Copy and paste it from your PC file like maybe Word. One never knows when a glitch can just wipe it out like a fart in the wind. Looking forward to your return.

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24. 74

    Eaglekiwiposted 15 years ago

    Fine idea and when ya get to the top or have your own site ,you can change the rules

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    1. 61

       nicompposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Well said. You are still the winner.

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          Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Thankyou maybe I should run for President

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25. 81

    Don Wposted 15 years ago

    Luke,
    
    I can understand why you're upset mate, but I think hubpages have acted fairly on this one to be honest.
    
    So two things to mention that might help:
    
    1 - always save your work offline before posting, so you've always got a backup, just in case. You got lucky in the case of hubpages, but don't make the same mistake twice.
    
    2 - read all the messages here. These people have no reason to lie to you. When they say they want you to return, it means they want you to return. Take heart in that and see you in 3 months.

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    1. 68

       Anti-Valentineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       This is likely the most rational and tactful post on this thread.
       
       No need to upset the kid any further, anyway.

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          Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

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             Anti-Valentineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Ha, funny. I'm not seventeen.

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                Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                Well I would love to be seventeen again, geeze an heres me feeling sorry for him ,lol

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26. 88

    gamergirlposted 15 years ago

    I'm going to pull a relache here:
    
    You agreed to this:
    
    
    
    This is why it is important to read the ToS on a site you register to.

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27. 67

    relacheposted 15 years ago

    Another website I'm involved with does have a section for users under the age of 18, and the legal guidelines are copious and extremely rigid for the protection of kids and adults alike.
    
    Don't blame HubPages for doing what they have to do to protect themselves legally, and frankly, GamerGirl summed the whole thing up rather perfectly.

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    1. 88

       gamergirlposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you, thank you.. no applause, just money.
       
       *cheeky grin*

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28. 68

    Anti-Valentineposted 15 years ago

    @Eaglekiwi
    
    It's just that I thought you were suggesting when you quoted me earlier that he was me- you know, that we're the same person. We're not.
    
    I'd like to stay in my twenties. I wouldn't like to be back in high school for the rest of my life. Imagine every day as the same day.

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29. 74

    Eaglekiwiposted 15 years ago

    No,no I was just being very general in my comments, besides at the end of the day ,I feel for him a little ,but hes probably annoyed with himself more than anything...because thats one thing maturity teaches you is ....never give away ALL of your secrets or
    
    'Never let the left hand know what the right hands doing'

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30. 68

    Anti-Valentineposted 15 years ago

    Yeah, I agree. If I were that young, I wouldn't tell anyone on here.
    
    I've read about people who are underage on HP before, and I've even told them that they should read the TOS. The person actually started a forum thread asking if there were any other underage hubbers on here. Very smart move. I don't know if he/she is still around.

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    1. 74

       Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Youth thing , I remember mouthing off in a bar once showing off how I got in...I lasted 10 mins , reality was I didnt even drink...but I thought I was 10ft tall an bullet proof

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          Anti-Valentineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          What were you like after you drank!?

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             Eaglekiwiposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Creative Imaginitive oh and a Singer

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31. 0

    ryankettposted 15 years ago

    I have to sit firmly in the hubpages camp on this one.
    
    Life is full of rules, just like university will be full of rules. You can choose to break them, but you will often see consequences to breaking them.
    
    Since you have not lost your work, there is nothing for you to be upset about, you should be thankful to hubpages for allowing you to retain your work on the site for future publication.
    
    I have a university degree, unfortunately not in a subject as exciting as writing, but I managed to achieved First Class Honours nonetheless. Im not sure what you will be expecting at university, but abiding by rules and procedure is paramount to your success there. If I had a deadline for 1st September, I couldnt submit on 3rd September and when I fail the assignment say "its unfair, its only a couple of days late!"
    
    I understand that you probably became frustrated because you thought that you had lost your work, and I could see why in those circumstances you would be a little angry with hubpages, but remember that there are only 7 people in the hubpages team - and they are a good bunch.
    
    Probably the most important lesson to be learnt:- Always back up your work! (and the uni will not make any allowances for lost work either!)
    
    See you in three months.

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32. 82

    k@riposted 15 years ago

    Luke, I hope you keep your work here and re-post it all in 3 months.  Write some more while you wait.  I can't wait to read it when you get back! 

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       Marisa Wrightposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       K@ri, if you'd read the rest of the thread, you'll see he doesn't have to "keep his work" - HubPages is keeping it safe for him until he reaches 18, then it can all be republished immediately.

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