I've only used the monacher 'Pilot' on one other forum I was on years ago, and while googling for some information on that I have to say I was surprised to find this!
I guess I should say something here, even though this thread has been dead a couple of months; just for posterity and to 'solve the mystery'
I remember back when all this went down in 2001-2002.... the administratorship at that time was both Sydney and Abe Babe. Sydney was the original creator or 'founder' of the forum and Abe Babe (now known as 'Cloverfield,' respectively,) was made co-administrator by Sydney. All this was done well before I ever showed up on the Oddworld scene and also this forum was well established before I showed up.
It was an August 2001 visit to the Oddworld Inhabitants studio I made (detailed in the "November 2001 Fan of the Month" feature on oddworld.com) that kind of made my name known in the Oddworld Forum circle, and in short time I became friends with both of the Administrators of the forum.
About the time Munch's Oddysee came out, I was put in charge as a moderator for a then-new feature of Oddworld Forums called "Spoiler Forum." This was a forum that was put in place so that any of the folks who had inside info about Munch's Oddysee or folks who have played it would be able to discuss 'exclusively' in this Spoiler Forum without 'ruining it' for those who haven't played the game yet.
It was about this time Kristen and I became good friends and also the time when Sydney seemed to be..... I don't know... getting 'weird'.... he was starting to become
spurious in his administrative duties, disappearing for lengths of time and exuding a strong insecurity during the times that he did appear--- he was up and banning members for (honestly I don't remember what) but it was the opinion of the other forum 'leaders' that his actions were completely inappropriate, as his bannings were not discussed at all with the other 'leaders' and he seemed to be becoming a tyrannical dictator. Peter (Alcar) will remember this as he was then relatively new on the scene too (just made moderator if I recall correctly) when all this was happenning.
That was the beginning of the whole thing. what was ultimately decided was that Sydney should be taken out of a position where he could ban members at the drop of a hat that seemed to be doing nothing to deserve it. Kristen, having administrator powers, very reluctantly made the 'demotion' and I agreed to write the 'notification'
If that 'notification' is still in the archive somewhere I don't know but reflecting upon it, it was incredibly mellodramatic, lol! Kind of like 'this is the biggest issue in our lives.'
What I didn't know at the time was that Sydney (a man) was going through quite a few psychological and physical changes at the time, and looking back into the propaganda that was getting thrown back and forth at the time, by myself included--- I admit I used this information 'loosely' in an attempt to discredit him. Well, 'he' is now a 'she' and became so when he branched off with some of his/her friends to start the forum
The Glass Asylum
It was all an experience in 'taking things too far'-- none of that really mattered and being the kid I was (I was 18 or so) it was the thing that most mattered in the world it seemed.
Even today I wish I could go back and say sorry to Sydney- I did some things that were very hurtful and potentially cruel out of inexperience, naivety and insecurity. Today I commend him as it took a lot of courage to take the path he chose and I lend him a LOT of credit. I mean, it took years before I 'came out of the closet' about being gay myself (probably new info here) but it's nothing compared to what he followed through with. Today I can appreciate reflecting on the 'younger days' chalking it up as 'experience,' and certainly even more appreciate everyone's differences and challenges which make us all unique individuals.
I've excluded a lot of unnecessary drama here but this can serve as the 'cliff note' version of what happened.
I remember there was all sorts going around that I was 'controlling' Abe Babe's mind or some such nonsense. At least I recall that being discussed at one point; it's been a long time. It was so serious back then but now it's just funny.