Moved to WordPress

I've been forced to move my Windows Live Spaces (WLS) site over to WordPress. Nothing sinister to that.

If you're interested as to why, check out my first WordPress post. I'm still getting the hang of all its functions and such, so it looks kinda drab at the moment. But in terms of usability and variety of function, it's miles ahead of WLS.

That transitory process bears no impact on this Blogger blog, which will remain open. Oh, and speaking of things staying open, eagle-eyed voters may have noticed an extension in the polls' expiration date. Around New Years' time, I decided to let the polls stay open for a year after I wrote 'em, rather than the end of 2010, as I originally planned. Make your voice heard! Vote today!

It's Back!

TFO aka The Pseudoseer's latest attempts to hijack my online name and "property" have inspired me to do something I've been holding off for a while: restarting my Windows Live Space site!

It was shut down some time ago, but you can now visit it here. I've even put up my first post. Ain't it precious!

This blog, of course, will still be seeing active service, so you'll have to tune in to see what kind of goodies I post on that one.

Movin' to Multiply

Out of necessity...

...I've had to move my MSN Group, Did a Wampyr Walk in Highgate? over to Multiply. So, if you're a current member of my group, you should be getting an e-mail notifying you of the change. The group should still be accessible. Until February, that is.

I was unfortunately unable to use the same ident (that is DidaWampyrWalkinHighgate) as part of my new URL, as it was too long. Nor was I able to use my abbreviated "dawwih" (which I had previously used with my defunct Windows Live Space account) as this had already been taken. Take a guess by who.

Give up?

Yep, our old chum The (Fake) Overseer! And isn't that cute? He even decided to plagiarise my message board's username as well!

He even pinched my username, too. So, from henceforth, you'll recognise me on Multiply as...theoriginaloverseer! Try not to confuse us.

Oh, and by the way, my group can now be accessed here.

Another One Bites the Dust!

Looks like my interview with Rob Brautigam ruffled some feathers.

I signed into my e-mail account today and was greeted by this wonderful message in my inbox:

Dear FreeWebs User,

On [May 12, 2008], Freewebs received written notification that your website contained allegedly defamatory content.

http://www.freewebs.com/dawwih/robbrautigam.htm

After reviewing your site, Freewebs determined that the content was in fact defamatory or otherwise objectionable. Accordingly, pursuant to the Freewebs Terms of Service, Freewebs has suspended your website pending the removal of this content.

If you believe that the website was suspended mistakenly, and wish to have the content restored, please provide us with the following:

1. your name, address, phone number, and written or electronic signature;
2. identification of the material that was removed and its location before removal; and
3. a statement explaining under penalty of perjury that the material was removed mistakenly.

Upon receipt, Freewebs will review your explanation and, in its sole discretion, will determine whether to restore the website.

Best Regards,
FreeWebs¹

It seems that someone wasn't just content with having my Windows Live Spaces blog shut down, but wanted to go for my website too.

And I've got a pretty good idea who it was.

You see, on Wednesday, 14 May 2008 3:06 AM, I received an e-mail subjected, "Shroudeater Lies! - Rob Brautigam's False Allegations" from a mysterious source named "Friends of Bishop Seán Manchester". It was a copy-and-pasted version of my interview, with their "INTERPOLATED COMMENTS IN RED".

Coincidence?

Either way, the anonymous sender has since been added to my Block List.

Anyhoo, I've written back to FreeWebs, in the hope that they'd recognise the concepts of "right of reply" and "free speech":

Good afternoon FreeWebs,

I'm writing in regards to your claim that my website is guilty of defamation.

I strongly contest this claim.

Firstly, the website you cite as being in violation is actually an interview with a public figure - a Dutch vampirologist named Rob Brautigam - who is, in turn, discussing another public figure - a famous English vampirologist named Sean Manchester.

The claims Brautigam makes is in regards to perceived fraud on the part of Manchester...who claims to be a vampire hunter. Yes, an actual vampire hunter. The vampire hunter's website can be accessed here: http://www.holygrail-church.fsnet.co.uk/Vampire%20Research%20Society.htm

Secondly, the interview was conducted as a response to public claims made by Manchester against Brautigam! (You'll note that the interview in question, cites these claims).

I would like to know what grounds you have, in regards for suspending my site, to claim that Brautigam calling an alleged vampire hunter a fake is grounds for "defamation".

What part of Manchester's character did the man assault?

Are you also validating that one position of a public disagreement is allowed to perpetuate allegations against one party...but that the other may not reply with their version of the story?

Here's the proof: http://ephesians6v12.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/Brautigam.htm

It looks like your service has been fooled in a tactical manner, by biased parties who refuse to allow criticism on their part.

In fact, I'd be almost certain that the person who reported my website for perceived "defamation" did not even sign as the person being "defamed", i.e., Sean Manchester!

If you can specifically cite which portions of my interview were "defaming", I will happily address them.²

I eagerly await their response.

¹ FreeWebs Tech Support. "Site suspended due to defamation [dawwih]". Thursday, 15 May 2008 11:42:31 PM.

² Did a Wampyr Walk in Highgate Manager. "RE: Site suspended due to defamation [dawwih]". Friday, 16 May 2008 12:56:01 PM.

Temporary Setbacks, or, the Phoenix Risen

I admittedly created this blog because my Windows Live Space page, Did a Wampyr Walk in Highgate?: The Official MSN Space Site, has been experiencing some technical problems.

Namely, that it not longer seems to exist!

This sorry state is directly related to recent complaints made against it for alleged copyright violations. It seems that Windows Live Space Customer Support staff decided to ignore evidence that revealed me having permission to reproduce certain materials being complained about!

The matter is still currently being discussed with them, so I'll keep you posted on further developments.

However, this blog itself wasn't established in vain. I'll continue to use it to share my thoughts, whether the outcome of the Windows Live Space dispute is ruled in my favour or not.

But I guess I should also take this opportunity to divorce myself from my opening rant and explain just who I am and what this blog is about!

I'm "The Overseer" and I founded an MSN Groups forum in 2006 called Did a Wampyr Walk in Highgate? to discuss the Highgate Vampire Case. It later spun off the aforementioned Windows Live Space blog in 2007.

The Case has attracted a fair level of criticism, mingled with claims and counter-claims by the persons involved. But it's also managed to draft in a large amount of "outsider" views.

Like mine.

Some choose to take sides in the matter; I personally prefer a stance of neutrality, balance and skepticism. Either way, I am in favour of open discourse on the subject. And that, fundamentally, is the motive behind establishing my forum and blogs.

From time to time, I'll comment on, or point out available resources on the topic. Readers are also encouraged to share their own thoughts and opinions...provided they aren't laced with abuse (things can get pretty heated at times).