We have brought back scrappers and trolls that were supposed to be permanently banned. Bills been banned for 10 years now right? That is way longer than others who were banned for wayyyyyy worse things.

No one's advocating him to be a full member or anything but 10 years seems long enough to give the dude a shot. If he needs to be banned again then ban him at that point.

Posted by WarBird69 I'll eat a bowl of water with a fork before I think he'll be a good addition to the UER community. I wish him no personal ill-will, but I strongly believe he does not belong in this community. The nicest way I can put it is that he is not a good fit here.

Wake up call. This community is dying. If not already dead. Because we keep on bullying decent people like Bill Finan out of it.

It's ridiculous at this point to think he is the "problem".

He's been out exploring most of us over this last summer too.

I have to admit I was going to go on the PodCast (at one stage Greg was asking me to do a second Podcast with him) and bat for Bill. I could relate to some of what he said. The "throwing of scraps" to noobs or less experienced explorers made sense - scraps being locations that have seen their best days and are on their way out.
I'm not saying I'd chase scraps but I can see what he meant.
Before I went back on the PodCast I wanted to chat with Bill, which I did.
He's very rigid. I thought he would have different levels of who he reveals what to, but Bill believes everything should be made public and available to everyone.
I used the example of a rock-bored tunnel that you can walk through for 90 minutes without lighting because there are tens of thousands of glow worms (and bats). I've taken 100s of people there and pretty much everyone is in awe. Generally photos make locations look better than they are in reality, but this wasn't the case with this tunnel. Photos could not replicate the amazing feeling of walking through this tunnel. Eventually you start to feel like you're walking through a dark forest and the glow worms are beams of light sneaking in or stars in the sky above. Usually glow worms in caves are above you but in this tunnel they not only a few feet above you but also beside you & reflecting in the water (it has ankle deep water all the way through it). You start seeing patterns in the glowing dots. - I don't do drugs, but doing this tunnel is mind altering.

I give everyone a ten minute spiel before entering. Smoke, spray paint, even noise, can have a negative effect or even destroy the glow worms & bat colonies. People have always been respectful and see the sense in preserving the location.

I explained this to Bill and asked him if I gave him my spiel and showed him the tunnel would he still make it public and he said he feels he'd have to betray me and it was his duty to let everyone know about the tunnel.

Once we'd finished the conversation Bill had lost another potential supporter.

One thing I'll definitely give Bill, he's honest to a fault.

Even if Bill knew every single location known to man and shared it as hard and fast as he could like rubbing out a quick one. He would do less damage that has been done by this community's obsession with insta fame and getting clout.

Bill is pretty obstinate, thick headed, and sounds like a broken record.

But, come on, the guy is harmless and just wants to explore abandoned buildings like the rest of us.

I disagree with Bill on just about everything. But at the end of the day he's just trying to explore buildings, drains and off limits places like everyone else.

I've explored with Bill (first to sneak him out of his house since covid) and though he still won't climb a fence I'd do it again. He's a nice, fun dude and a fixture in the community. He may be whiny but he's got a good sense of humor too.

I think Bill would only be truly miserable if he actually got the chance to explore. Complaining is his actual hobby, we were just dumb enough to listen. I've tried with him endlessly, nothing will ever change except that with time people naturally realize he's not funny, interesting or salvageable. The suggestion has always been to ignore him and he'll go away. Adding him back here would be a disaster.

Posted by randomesquephoto But, come on, the guy is harmless and just wants to explore abandoned buildings like the rest of us.

He's exploring plenty.
Probably more than most on UER

Bill has explored 106 places this summer.

How many of YOU have explored 106 places this summer ?

Bill's a lot of things, but he's pretty harmless. He's been exploring tons recently, and I think he is generally pretty tolerable and a good presence where I've seen him in recent times. If it's been 10 years already, I think the dude should have another chance.

We should let him back in, I'm starting to allow him back outside so he can continue contributing to the exploring community.

Source: I'm his dad

I'll admit I have seen some recent sets from Bill and he has shut up lately. But for literally half of this year he was an exhausting bring down to the point that whenever he saw photos it was this big negative conversation. You couldn't even talk to the guy about anything without that happening. He's been worst than ever.

Consider this: The covid lockdown made him ten times more unbearable than ever. We're probably on the verge of another one. Should we really let that happen here?

Does nobody even have a heart anymore?

Posted by randomesquephoto Does nobody even have a heart anymore?

No and no. Just no.

Posted by Rinzler No and no. Just no.

That's not what you were saying last night bb

Posted by Kurt That's not what you were saying last night bb

I’d never say no to you, but to Bill, it’s a no all day long.

What about if he used a fake account and pretended to be anyone but Bill?

I have a funny (probably more weird than funny) Deggi5 Shoutbox chat between Bill, JT Colfax and myself from ten or so years ago.
I'll see if I can find it and chuck it up.

Posted by Doug What about if he used a fake account and pretended to be anyone but Bill?

He tried that before, and he would give himself away pretty quickly.

Posted by Doug I have a funny (probably more weird than funny) Deggi5 Shoutbox chat between Bill, JT Colfax and myself from ten or so years ago. I'll see if I can find it and chuck it up.

Oh man.

Posted by Steed He tried that before, and he would give himself away pretty quickly.

Yeah, it was a silly question really