Is this reportable?

[Morningstar]

Arogance started this topic on my behalf. Thanks, Andy.

I got a blinding migraine headache after going to this person's shop. I am somewhat susceptible to photosensitive migraines. Though I usually don't get one more than once or twice a year. And I have never had one this bad before now. The flashing of the opposite colors in the background is what triggered it: green then red, violet then yellow. And anyone who knows about photosensitive migraines/epilepsy knows that the particular pattern that this person is using, along with that specific flash rate, will set them off. I wouldn't mind it if I was given a warning about it--like is done on some other websites--but I was caught completely unaware when I went to buy something from his shop. This is the only time that I have ever been bothered by something like this on the internet. I don't even have a problem with the flashing ads that are on the site. Or the weird optical illusion backgrounds that are in some people's shops. So, this one must be pretty bad to have gotten to me.

I don't know if it is intentional or not. The flash rate and the pattern makes me wonder. Though I don't think his account should be frozen, I do think that his background should be cleared. And, I do think that Neo should figure out a way to keep things off of the site that could harm people. Because I know that there are lots and lots of people who get these types of migraines. And people who can go into epileptic seizures from such a pattern sequence. There is no way for me to protect myself other than quitting Neo. And it really isn't fair to for a person to be forced to quit Neo because of flashing, migraine-producing backgrounds. Particularly after I just paid $70 for premium. And am so addicted to the game that I would need a patch, much like Nicoderm, to quit.

[psyco_chick32]

Ok.
I DID email TNT about it.

Because in all 100% seriousness, I AM epileptic, and I DID have a seizure. Just a small one, but a seizure all the same.

*headdesk* Okay, so you read something that says "This is danger for people with epilepsy" and think, 'Oh, I have epilepsy. I should check it out!' *headdesk* I'm not the smartest person in the world, today... by any stretch of the imagination.

[Officer 1BDI]

Oh dear. I hope you both are okay, Morningstar and Psyco.

And last time I checked, the background was still there. Either he hasn't read my neomail yet (entirely possible), or he blatantly ignored it.

[Morningstar]

Ok.
I DID email TNT about it.

Because in all 100% seriousness, I AM epileptic, and I DID have a seizure. Just a small one, but a seizure all the same.

*headdesk* Okay, so you read something that says "This is danger for people with epilepsy" and think, 'Oh, I have epilepsy. I should check it out!' *headdesk* I'm not the smartest person in the world, today... by any stretch of the imagination.

Oh, I am relieved to hear that I am not the only person who was affected by this. Not relieved that you got the seizure, I mean. I am very sorry about that. It's just that some people who don't have this sort of problem have no idea just how debilitating something like this can be.

And it isn't as simple as saying "well, just avoid the internet." Why should I have to? I have just as much right to the internet as the next person. And have the right to view things without suffering a debilitating migraine while viewing them. I just did some research on this. And it is indeed due to the flicker rate of that background. I also found out that there are software programs out there (that Neo could install) to check the flicker rate of ads before putting them on a website. My guess is that Neo probably already does this with their ads. But might not have thought to do it with their users' backgrounds.

I plan on calling Neo about this tomorrow. Because contrary to what some people have stated, it could very well be a legal issue. In fact, there are organizations for the disabled that are trying to get laws passed concerning the flicker rate of internet advertising, so that people with migraines and epilepsy are protected. My guess is that Neo probably wouldn't want certain disability-rights organizations in their face about this, nor would they want any bad publicity. Like the Pokemon incident in Japan from about 10 years ago.

[psyco_chick32]

Oh, I am relieved to hear that I am not the only person who was affected by this. Not relieved that you got the seizure, I mean. I am very sorry about that. It's just that some people who don't have this sort of problem have no idea just how debilitating something like this can be.

I know what you meant Yeah, a lot of people get concerned when I tell them I have epilepsy, but nobody really understands what a seizure does to your body and your sense of wellbeing.

And it isn't as simple as saying "well, just avoid the internet." Why should I have to? I have just as much right to the internet as the next person. And have the right to view things without suffering a debilitating migraine while viewing them. I just did some research on this. And it is indeed due to the flicker rate of that background. I also found out that there are software programs out there (that Neo could install) to check the flicker rate of ads before putting them on a website. My guess is that Neo probably already does this with their ads. But might not have thought to do it with their users' backgrounds.

Agreed, wholeheartedly. I may not have been the brightest to see people talking about something that may cause seizures and then gone there, but I shouldn't have to screen hat I watch and where I go. The worst part about this particular background is that I'm NOT generally a photosensitive epileptic. Usually not a problem, it IS the flicker rate that caused it. Which means it could be really dangerous to an undiagnosed epileptic.

I plan on calling Neo about this tomorrow. Because contrary to what some people have stated, it could very well be a legal issue. In fact, there are organizations for the disabled that are trying to get laws passed concerning the flicker rate of internet advertising, so that people with migraines and epilepsy are protected. My guess is that Neo probably wouldn't want certain disability-rights organizations in their face about this, nor would they want any bad publicity. Like the Pokemon incident in Japan from about 10 years ago.

Good deal. If you need backup, let me know. I already sent out the email, but since you're calling, feel free to use me as evidence if need be. My neopets account is the same as the one here.

[Cranberry]

I wish Neo would just ban people from placing backgrounds or music in shops. ONE banner I'm okay with (maybe two), like if they're part of a "mall" and want to advertise the different sections, but I see no need for backgrounds or music, for many reasons:

-as we've seen here, flashing backgrounds can trigger seizures
-they make some computers run slowly or crash
-it's hard to see prices with some of those "busy" backgrounds
-they slow us down when we're on Illusen/Jhudora quests
-we have to scroll down through several screens of adoptables and banners just to buy an item, which is stupid
- the formatting often gets screwed up and it's hard to tell if you're clicking the right item
-shops should be for simply selling items; we now have galleries for "show" and should stick to fancying those up instead
-people can imbed cookie grabbers and whatnot

If anyone is writing to TNT, feel free to mention this list.

[aliboy]

I am also epileptic and i felt myself *going* into a seizure , This i think is a serious issue .

[chinimick]

thats a funny lookup. i wonder how they did it

[chinimick]

this person put a picture of these gay gorillas wanking and doing IT to each others butt on their lookup. it was gross and hopefully they got sent to iceland

EDIT: oh sorry i thought it was making a new topic. now i see. well i reported them and im still waiting to see if they are in iceland lol

Last edited by chinimick on Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Morningstar]

This i think is a serious issue .

I agree. I think it is too.

And, I am not normally a photosensitive migraine sufferer. Like I said before, I have never gotten one from the internet before. And at most, I get one once or twice a year. Yet, this is one of the worst I have ever had. As if the flicker rate was timed perfectly. So, the more I think about it, the more I think that the person is well aware as to what they are doing.

Thanks so much to everyone for their support. I will let Neo know that there are many of us wanting action. And invite them to check out this thread so that they can see for themselves just what an impact this has had on people.

[kyielo]

this person put a picture of these gay gorillas wanking and doing IT to each others butt on their lookup. it was gross and hopefully they got sent to iceland

Umm that was alittle off topic, hope you reported them.

More on topic I don't think this person should be frozen but something should definately be done about the bg. Ask the person and if they don't replay tell TNT about it and hopefully the person will be told not to do that and the bg will be removed.

That is one annoying bg though.

[Arka]

I suspect it has already been removed. I looked at the user lookup and at the shop and nothing unusual was there. I do have a dialup, but I waited a while after the loading was "done" and nothing else appeared. What was it, flashing lights?

[chinimick]

it was a horrible flashing background

[Arka]

I still get nothing, unless it is my ad block or something odd like that I suspect it is gone. If so, _masta_ is to be commended for the quick respsonse.

[Teelie]

I don't see it there either.