Checking in with this forum...

[Phil Herring]

Mike and J34

Mike - it appears you have already registered to use the forums. However, you don't see any of the good stuff because you're using the view that has one post per screen. Go to any forum menu, look for a link near the top that says Forum Settings. Change your view to all posts on one screen. You'll then see the links, avatars, etc. (i.e., you're using an older viewing template that, as they say in programming land, has been depricated).J34 - Internet convention supports what rw is saying. Of course, the content of the post has a huge bearing on the author's crediblity. But take a look at Brian's post from this morning about wanting to sell his boat. As a registered forum member, an easily identifiable regular here, his post is simply a diversion. As an unregistered member, it's a troll. I know this can be debated endlessly but you get my point. Registration conveys enough commitment to the forum to (1) take 5 minutes to register, and (2) intend to come back. At this point in time, not registering does not convey the opposite... but one day it probably will.

 

[Alan]

Phil

A good point has been raised. I've been a member of these forums for at least 8 years. If I click on my name it will take me to my profile. If I try to edit my profile the search can't find me. What's up??

 

[Phil Herring]

Directory editing

You last edited your record in '04 -- think of an email address you might have used then. If you can't, contact me and I'll send it to you.ph.

 

[r.w.landau]

Waffle, That is the largest brick structure in the

United States. It is Fort Jefferson That encompasses an Island in the Dry Tortugas. It was also used as a prison.I don't care if you use your name or not, sometimes it is nice to see the background that people have.It is like the post that got started and everyone posted a picture of themselves. Sometimes this internet is so impersonal that it was interesting to put faces on the posts. r.w.landau

 

[Waffle]

r.w.landau , where is you pic

I have never been to Fort Jefferson but I'd like to make it someday. It does look like Rome the greatest republic that has every ruled the world!

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

R.W. I have been an advocate for a while now.

I have been an advocate of registering and filling out the 'Owners Directory' for some time now. Its all about credibility, but not the credibility as an individual, but more on your experience. If I have a 25 footer, and a responder is replying to my post and he has a 54 footer, chances are that the info would not be appropriate for my situation or the other way around.People responding to posts about what to do in a squall will have varying advice depending on their experiences. An experienced sailor can usually sort through this, but a newbe may not be able to.So many times a 'post' or a reply will not even give a clue as to the size boat or the sailing area they are in.If you dont want to give your real name or e-mail addy, thats fine, but at least give the other areas of the "Owners Directory" the correct info. Very often I find myself looking up the 'Responders' bio information.And also. just because someone has been doing something all their life doesnt necessarily make it the right way, but its a step in the right direction for a person asking a legitimate question. In my not so humbe opinion (IMNSHO), LOL......Tony B

 

[r.w.landau]

Tony, Just because I own a 25

doesn't mean my input is flawed.Just because someone can afford a 45' boat doesn't mean they know anything.Most of those guys hire it out.I am a grunt that knows boats. I am not so good with new electronics, but boats, I know. You don't see me posting on electronics to often do you?Boats are boats big and small and they do the same thing. I am sorry if I don't qualify for your standards. I will try not to post your questions if that would make you feel better.We love sailing and yes there is going to be scary new info out there that is posted. The hard part is diggng through the "what if stuff"People post and you need to sort it out...I try to make sure I don't hurt someone, or that someone doesn't get hurt!Tony I enjoy your posts. Keep them coming.respectfullyr.w.landau

 

[Anchor Down]

I'll Be Glad…

…when the membership drive is over and we can quit sniffing each other's sterns and get back to talking sailing.I believe a man has a right to his privacy. If that makes you trust him less, then trust him less. He has already given as much personal info. as he wishes, so why press him, even good-naturedly, for what he does not want to give? We are not children; we can make those decisions ourselves.I enjoy this forum very much, and my hat is off to those who want to build the community, but as to credibility, I believe the good Lord said it best with "A tree shall be known by it's fruit." The fools, the blowhards, the quietly knowledeable will all out themselves sooner, or later.Thank you, sincerely, for not making registration mandatory.Jeff

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

R.W., Sorry you totally missed my point.

Maybe its the way i write, but you totally missed my point. It wasnt meant to be offensive. I used the size of boats for an example, you used the expression ..."if you are not willing to give me background about who you are, I most of the time will not take your opinion into account". I really dont see much of a difference. I wont apologize for what i wrote, but I am sorry you misinterpreted my point.

 

[r.w.landau]

Tony, thanks, No my original post was not well

written. I see a vast deviation, even anger.As I posted before, It is just nice to know that the person is there and going to be there and some basic info about their boat and their understanding.One of my friends post under expertice," cleaning and waxing!" It cracked me up but that is definately his gift! He has done some other things as he is encouraged. He is a good guy and has a pristine boat and knows what needs done but hires it out. Those are the kind of things you learn reading the bio's of the poster.Names don't mean a lot. I use my real name because I feel that this puts my reputation on the line. That is how I treat every post I submit. Sure, my spelling has a lot to be desired but it always has.Nicknames that have been here for a while are great. I have followed the input, but some of the new people post on threads like they know the right way, and argue it, but it is bad info. People like Fred Ficcara have backed their posts with websites about their mods. That helps make them the kind of people you can believe. They have had their hands in it! Fred is good with electronics. He also has done some pretty wild boat fixes. We disagree politically but he is a voice that is safe. He has done so much, his boat is no longer a Hunter, It is "Ficarra"Most of the people that I believe have good info here post their name. I think it is because they are standing behind their input. Yes, I know what Maine sail is saying but I chose to post who I am. If I am wrong, Call me on it.I don't like to be wrong but I have apologized a few times here.Tony you have been here a while and post good info. Thanks.Then again some people just don't want to be responsible for what they post.Sorry I got long winded. This is sooooo, long I bet no one reads it all the way through. Short posts are better!sorryr.w.landau

 

[Rick Arthur]

Allow me to Introduce myself

I vaguely recall a post sometime ago where RW mentioned something along the line of this thread. For the most part, I see no real reason to either post your name or some other moniker, provided your posts are honourable in intent, and without malice. At times, there are posts that get more than a little personal and somewhat vicious in nature. I think if I were to recieve those types of responses, I would want to know who is posting the flamers and they should be man enough to stand behind thier name rather than a mask.We all have the choice on any of these posts to accept or reject any advice given as well as to ignore the ignorant.

 

[Old Salt]

I agree with J34 and others

I judge a persons post based on the quality of its content, not whether it was posted by someone who has created a profile.a Profile doesn't mean anything. Not to mention that If anyone wanted to, they could write they sailed around cape horn backwards standing on their head.Doesn't mean squat.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Why...

give an identity thief more to work with. Boaters aren't the only ones who troll these forums. Judge the content, not the author as per Old Salt. It doesn't take long to separate the wheat from the chaff. MHO.

 

[Ross]

I don't think that identity thieves can garner

much useful information from my profile or my posts. My email address is certainly no secret. I get at least one offer per week for medications to improve all aspects of my life and at least one offer begging my help to move millions of dollars out of some third world country. I have a Social Security Card that states that my social security number is to be used exclusively for social security purposes only. But it was issued about fifty years ago when Eisenhower was president and all southern senators were democrats. Times have changed and there are some people who will steal anything that isn't nailed down or red hot. It is not necessary to detail vital information in your profile and of no value to be creative concerning your knowledge or experience.

 

[Jeff]

Let's organize

All this energy from so many minds spewing in so many directions with little result.Let's get together and design a boat. Then build a boat company that serves the majority of categories at an affordable price.oh.....that's Catalina....nevermind.Back to spewing.......

 

[Waffle]

r.w.landau I really liked the pictures of the fort

I have to make it there one day when I retire.This is one of the best web site on the web. The store is ok (maybe a little lame), but the web site is top notch. The owners should go after more advertising dollars. Money makes the world go round.The first thing you should learn on the Web is keep your identity secret! It is a good general rule to follow.

 

[Ross]

Well Waffle if nothing else you have succeeded

in concealing yourself behind a wall of nothingness.

 

[Waffle]

Thank you Ross

very nice of you to notice!