overthehill Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Andy's survey, and a few recent posts from people who hide behind the anonymity of their signature, have made me think. Would the forums not work better if our real names were displayed on the member Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highland lassie Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 however what do you think??? I agree - there's plenty on here keen to have a go, but not so keen to put their own head above the parapet...but I'm guessing that these same folk would be the ones that would opt not to put their names to anything anyway, so unless it was compulsory it would probably be of little benefit. There seems to be more and more unnecessary personal insults getting thrown about on here in recent weeks, the majority of which are made with little background knowledge and even less intelligence, so one way or another I think something needs to be done to limit it before it gets out of hand. The worst thing about it all is that the guys that are getting the grief are the guys that work hardest to keep this sport going. Surely that can only be a bad thing - they're not going to continue giving up their evenings and weekends and social lives if all they get is this kind of crap, and if that happens, there's only one way that our sport is going... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I can see the logic in this, but it's almost impossible to enforce. Taking an extreme example, someone could register dougie_lampkin@hotmail.com, register as user name Dougie Lampkin, post whatever they wanted and I'd have no way to prove that person wasn't Dougie Lampkin (unless they offer to buy a round - then I'd know there was NO WAY it was Dougie ) Do I ban them on the supposition they aren't who they say they are? Do I presume honesty at all times? It's a no-win situation. Apart from that, forcing the 2700+ already registered forum users to change their names would drive me to insanity I totally agree with r2w's point about location. There's a little box in your profile where you can enter where you are. It makes a lot of difference when people are trying to help you when you ask a question - particularly if they're pointing you in the direction of a dealer, importer, supplier etc if they actually know what country you are in! The next version of the forum software is out and in what we in the software industry call a dot zero release i.e. it's a major release just out of beta and not fully tested "in the wild". I won't upgrade to it until at least the first maintenance pack is out with bug fixes - I'm happy to let others do the donkey work and find the bugs! That version will be more flexible on what fields are mandatory on sign-up. I'll make location one of them. It won't sort the issue with existing users, but will force all new users (of which there are now around 5 genuine ones a day) to specify some kind of location. I would suggest if anyone sees a post from a user who hasn't submitted a location that you either reply saying something along the lines of "I could possibly point you in the right direction if I knew where you were located. You've not put a location in your forum profile, could I suggest you do so?" or PM them to that effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthehill Posted October 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Taking an extreme example, someone could register as user name Dougie Lampkin, post whatever they wanted and I'd have no way to prove that person wasn't Dougie Lampkin and thereby is the reason that on-line forums will never take over from live debate or edited papers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 and thereby is the reason that on-line forums will never take over from live debate or edited papers. Which is why I'm on the phone at the moment at least twice a day (usually more) with John Hulme of UK YOU HAVE USED WORDS OR A PHRASE WHICH ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE DELETE YOUR POST/TOPIC. DO NOT TRY TO CIRCUMVENT THE FILTERS IN PLACE ON THIS WEBSITE. I believe there is a place for both Internet-based publication like Trials Central AND printed press. I also believe by working together we can achieve far more for the sport than we could by working individually. I'm no Eric Kitchen and would never pretend to be, but if you've not already seen it YOU HAVE USED WORDS OR A PHRASE WHICH ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE DELETE YOUR POST/TOPIC. DO NOT TRY TO CIRCUMVENT THE FILTERS IN PLACE ON THIS WEBSITE Spain ran a seven page article (plus front cover, plus double spread pic) earlier this year on the SSDT using my photos along with a five page spread, again using my photos, on the Pre-65. I wasn't paid for that and never requested payment. What I did request was a bit of publicity in their magazine for Trials Central and trialsphotos.com. I got what I wanted, they got what they wanted and two great events got a shedload of press coverage they wouldn't have got otherwise. Internet and printed press working together - proof it can and does work. If you've not seen it, PM me your address and I'll post it up - but I want it back as I only have one copy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruixina Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Hi! I agree with you in general overthehill, but I think that the most important thing in foruns are the opinions, not the people. As long as there is respect for other people opinions and there isn"t personal insults. I just changed my profile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axulsuv Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Then there are the blokes like me that have truly psychotic ex wives out in the wild (just got released from jail so I will only state what country I'm in for the safety of my children !.!.!... And those I communicate w/ regularly here , I'm sure realize where I'm at ! Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpa3 Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 I must say that I was reading through one of the ACU forums last night, I have a genuine interest in what was being discussed and John Collins always writes a very comprehensive and well thought through reply to questions (even if it does make my eyes bleed reading so much) What was making me feel uncomfortable was the tone of some of the replies, 'known people' were getting some stick. This is all part of the game I suppose but those giving the stick were 'unknown user id's.' We have to be careful that genuine discussions and meaningful debates are not ruined by annonymous users merely out for a bit of 'trouble' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slapshot 3 Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Let's do it. If people don't have the courage to stand up for their comments, they shouldn't make them Donald Young Slapshot 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinnied Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 (unless they offer to buy a round - then I'd know there was NO WAY it was Dougie ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthehill Posted October 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 I believe there is a place for both Internet-based publication like Trials Central AND printed press quite right Andy - i was in no way knocking TC - in fact it must be one of the best motorcycling sites around (and IS the best trials site) -I was just making the point that there will always be a place for open debate and newspapers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan bechard Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 (edited) Seems like what I do now. Figure if you like me or not, you at least know who I am..... Edited October 31, 2006 by Alan Bechard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybaines Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 The amount of abuse I get I find it much easier just too take it full on! plus i`m sure BarryBaines is becoming a household name amongst those that like crashes and pain! I must say though it really is a hard one too dispute/discuss as I agree on most comments like it adds a bit of character. BUT there are the odd few who seem too use there forum names as a mask/shield too hide behind. I think that these are very few and far between which is a massive credit too the forum/site/members etc. etc. So do we all need first name basis? I`d lean towards not, as i`m sure the odd few that do our heads in from time too time are either doing it un-intentially or will sure enough get fed up with being ignored when they request any help with anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02-apr Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 I don't know about being unmasked but it's kinda hard to hide one's identity when you have a clear photo alongside the message, as you have always had the courage to display. I would guess more know who you are than do not. Personally I find it amusing/interesting trying to work out who the contributors are when I feel I "should" know who they are. I've worked out a couple so far and admit that is due in part to knowing roughly where they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taff Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 I don't know about being unmasked but it's kinda hard to hide one's identity when you have a clear photo alongside the message, as you have always had the courage to display. I would guess more know who you are than do not. Personally I find it amusing/interesting trying to work out who the contributors are when I feel I "should" know who they are. I've worked out a couple so far and admit that is due in part to knowing roughly where they are. Where are you??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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