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Post by ALJD on Sept 3, 2007 7:25:15 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
One of our registered members sent me a private message yesterday and indicated that he/she would be more comfortable posting and sharing insights if we can limit this forum to be viewed by registered users only. This restriction is doable.
I can see both pros and cons about the proposal. And as this is our community, I would like to open discussion on this issue and take a vote on it. I'll tally up the results tonight (Monday) at midnight EST and follow the will of the majority. Please let me know of your thoughts (and more importantly, vote) on this matter. Thanks!
Drone
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Post by lamplighter on Sept 3, 2007 7:28:40 GMT -5
For those of us who are paranoid, what would stop some sniveling toady from registering and manage to actually identify someone critical of the current regime (locally, regionally or nationally)? Might as well keep it open
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Post by ALJD on Sept 3, 2007 7:42:48 GMT -5
Good point. One of the dangers of restrict viewing is that people could be lulled into a false sense of security. Registeration on this forum is automatic and only requires a valid e-mail address. I don't do any screening or background check. So restrict viewing or no, please be careful that you don't post any personally identifiable information that could led to you being identified (unless that's what you want).
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Post by learnedhand on Sept 3, 2007 7:56:48 GMT -5
I think it is a good idea. There is a greater risk that a person can be identified by people from a large viewing audience than from a few registered persons. It seems to me that the board was started to increase the flow of reliable information. One way to do that is to require registration and moderate the board, which keeps trolls from posting and draws people who don't have to read through a lot of nonsense to get to anything useful. An additional way is to limit that information to those willing to register and willing to share what they know, which is only possible if they have the posting privileges gained through registration. I realized last night when I was ready to post a comment that I didn't want it read by anyone out there as it was possibly too identifying to someone cruising by. If the board is left open I will probably be commenting less and maybe that is as it should be.
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Post by Pixie on Sept 3, 2007 9:01:13 GMT -5
I can see it both ways. A compromise position would be to keep it open until it is wider known and then think about closing it to anyone not registered. That is the way many boards operate. They are open for the first year or so, and then registration is required to view the posts. So, my vote today would be to keep it open.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2007 9:10:59 GMT -5
Leaving it open for now seems the prudent option. The idea can always be revisited in the future if necessary.
Also, much kudos and thanks to Drone and Pixie and whoever was involved in starting this new board. MUCH BETTER. I'm happy to see it.
Thanks again,
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Post by Pixie on Sept 3, 2007 9:23:10 GMT -5
Work Drone did it, not me; I just got added by default. I had considered setting up another board, but kept thinking Ben would do something about the existing board. When that didn't happen, it was time for a change. Pix.
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Post by southerner on Sept 3, 2007 10:11:30 GMT -5
I don't have strong feelings on viewability. I agree that personal identifiable info should not be included for obvious reasons. My biggest complaint re other board was the sophomoric trolling. If registration keeps that away, it works for me.
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Post by odarite on Sept 3, 2007 10:30:04 GMT -5
I vote for keeping it open for viewing, closed to non-registered for posting. It is certainly possible to post valuable information without doing so in a way that identifies the poster. Especially for such a new board, if newbies can't even look, they are unlikely to join a pig in a poke. I would think you would want to get as many members as possible, for the greater amount of interesting discussion.
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Post by oldtimer on Sept 3, 2007 13:24:48 GMT -5
I vote for keeping it open for viewing, closed to non-registered for posting. It is certainly possible to post valuable information without doing so in a way that identifies the poster. Especially for such a new board, if newbies can't even look, they are unlikely to join a pig in a poke. I would think you would want to get as many members as possible, for the greater amount of interesting discussion. I can't think of a better way to put it. |
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Post by learnedhand on Sept 3, 2007 16:19:27 GMT -5
While everyone is entitled to his own opinion and vote, why would joining a private board with the title alj discussion be considered "a pig in a poke"? It seems pretty clear what the topic is and registration is free.
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Post by workdrone on Sept 3, 2007 18:30:29 GMT -5
why would joining a private board with the title alj discussion be considered "a pig in a poke"? I think it's just a folksy figure of speech. I had a good chuckle when I read it. ;D |
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Post by ALJD on Sept 3, 2007 21:33:23 GMT -5
Well, it looks like we have a clear will of the majority here. The General Board will remain as is, open to all for browsing and only open to registered users for posting. Of couse, we can always revisit this issue somewhere down the road if enough people feel it's warranted (however, let's wait for a few months at least, since I'd like to give the current setup some time to test out). Thanks for everyone's votes and input in this matter!
Regards,
Admin
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