It seems to me that some confusion has arisen from MA using the words public and private in 2 different contexts.
Context 1.
Any chat without the # prefix is created by MA and is defined by MA as a 'Public channel'
All chats prefixed with a #, including #space_travel and #space_flight are player created channels and as such are deemed 'private channels' by MA as regards their rules about chat. Therefore this bickering over who has a private channel is pointless as you both do in this context.
Context2.
Channel Access
Each player created chat channel can set the type of access it chooses
'Public Access' = other players may join without an invite
'Private Access' = an invite from a moderator is needed in order to join.
An common example of a channel normally set to 'Private' would be Society chat channels where they want to keep them specific to their soc membership.
All player created chats can and usually do have a moderator (usually the owner and may have others designated to assist)
This is not unreasonable and may be used to reduce/prevent much of the personal abuse, vulgarity or inappropriate conversations seen in places such as Rookie. Given that they are deemed private channels they Simply put, even the lightest moderator has the right to ask people to keep the channel for the designated purpose and take their trolling elsewhere.
JBK had #space_travel set to public to allow anyone to join until it was repeatedly abused for reasons other than communication between potential passengers and service providers. I believe the individuals were warned more than once, but continued and left John with no choice but act as moderator to get it back on track.
That's probably because I'm a Daughter of ANARCHY, but I really don't think that there should be a "council" moderating a "public channel".
This is a misunderstanding of the situation. There is no council moderating a public channel.
There is a separate 'Private channel' called #space_council also set up by JBK which is permanently set to ‘Private Access’ ie invite only.
This channel is for owners of warp capable ships, somewhere they can chat about space related stuff with similarly interested and experienced players.
It’s sole relevance here is that when certain individuals seemed to have a need to bitch about another service provider, they were asked to take it to a private room as several other users of the channel were complaining of the trolling. It was suggested that as it was an argument about another spaceship service provider that they may wish to discuss it in the #space_council channel, thereby keeping the #space_travel chat for it’s designated purpose.
As for freedom of speech, there is a world of difference in my opinion at least between having the right to speak on any topic, and being allowed to abuse others or interrupt the conversations of others and deliberately sidetrack them. This is not freedom of speech it is rudeness.
I am the owner of the mothership Varyag. I do not own or have any controlling interest or investments in any other warpship(s) nor any controlling interest investment or ownership of any space travel service.
Varying does not do any VIPs or scheduled warps or any other for profit space travel service of any kind.
In terms of space travel business/services VIPs scheduled warps I am therefore completely neutral. To put in the vernacular: “I have no horse in this race”
That you own a ‘warship’ means you can, have, and have intention of having an interest in space, space travel etc You are not therefore ‘neutral’ any more than any other owner.
The obvious proof of both my and Varyag neutrality in this matter is the fact that crew of Varyag come from all across the universe. Including but not limited to the following:
Entropy Fleet Alliance (EFA)
Kronan Interplanetary Spaceship Services (K.I.S.S.)
Titans of Space (ToS)
The Royal Fleet
As well as many diverse players not associated with any organization/warpship/travel service.
Would like to take this opportunity to formally announce the neutral public channel created for all players of Entropia Universe - [#space_flight]
This channel is designed for both providers of space travel services and people who make use of these services.
HAPPY TRAVELS EVERYONE
To Yoshii
That various ships share repair crew is in no way an endorsement of your neutrality or fairness or otherwise. Since by definition, it must apply equally to the owners of those other ships also.
The way you have displayed those service names here would appear to be an attempt, to make people think we endorse your new channel.
I will therefore make it clear, that after discussion this with the other KISS spaceship owners; we do not as a service group endorse your channel.
I am sure some players may find yet another space chat channel of some use, but I wonder how a proliferation of channels will actually achieve more than confusion for the potential customers, and thereby reduce the effectiveness of communications further.
This would unfortunately have a greater impact on the newer and smaller services, as the established ones are well known and many have other routes such as webchats where the customers can contact them.