Sign in here at SBO.com

[r.w.landau]

I really think that a sign in policy would help prevent posts from being way-laid.I am hoping that Phil is putting in place a system that helps keep SBO a friendly place. We all have our bad days and say things we might not have wanted to say, but there is nothing more ...... I can't put words to it.. Than people not signed in and posting with no accountability. I hope that anyone posting here would realize that the posts affect many people. Since we deal with water, it is life and death. I believe that posters should have to sign in and be regulated by the rules of this forum!If I screw-up, I know I owe you guys an apology. I believe in accountability. I hope that is how you post. r.w.landau

 

[Brian D]

On the internet comes...

Anonymity. With anonymity comes lack of responsibility. With lack of responsibility comes apathy. With apathy comes anonymity.I agree 100%, R.W.

 

[You know who RW]

what about freedom? don't be a tyrant.

Who made you dad?

 

[Your amigo]

RW you are a wimpy kinda fella

See you tommorow.

 

[jackhartjr]

Everybody join in singing...

..."I'm so much cooler online..."!That about sums it up!You folks may not know it...however...I'm 6 foot 3, 175 pounds, look like Brad Pitt, my wife looks like Julia Roberts, am a gazzillionaire, own two Lamborgini's, (See I can't even spell it right, LOL) bla bla bla!A lot of the forums I visit require you to sign up and your first few posts are monitored...just in case you decide to go on an off topic rant...or are a spammer.I like the idea of requiring you to register...or at least could allow you to be a guest for say two weeks...then if you like it you would be required to register. (I have visited sites that after a week or so KNEW I was not interested in them!)Jack

 

[Phil Herring]

That can be done

Many have been resistant to the idea before, but I'm not opposed. It makes my life a lot easier.

 

[Jadedcrew]

Resistant Means

I don't want to register. I put more credence in questions, and answers from those that are logged in. I will look at a profile, and if it is not informative I look at as if it is NOT registered.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I like the idea of putting my name

next to anything I post. I sometimes even get e-mails from people who would like further information about something I've posted, but prefer to do it privately. Yet I do not think that requiring users of this site to register is a good idea as it will reduce usage, IMHO. We all have our own ways of separating the wheat from the chaff here and that seems to work. I also think that anyone could write anything in a profile, so some caution is needed in reading them and using them as a credibility yardstick. This site works well because it's free and open....

 

[Capt. Kermie]

Lurkers

There are those who choose to lurk for an interm period to get a feel for the site before registering or signing up. I do not feel that every visitor to this site should be required to register as it may become a bit of a deterrant. As a means of control and accountability perhaps it would be more prudent to require registration/sign-in to enable posting. Lurkers could visit the site and read all they want but as soon as they wish to participate in discussions then they should register and sign in. My two cents worth.

 

[Phil Herring]

Capn Kermie is right

Registration would only be required to post; everything would be available to read without registration.That pretty much describes current web convention. We're probably among ~1% of forums that don't require validation prior to posting. Actually, it's amazing it works as well as it does. We have relatively few problems.

 

[Scott]

Register ... what for?

When you are at a social gathering, do you require people to register before they introduce themselves to you and open their mouths?Maybe we all should wear our fancy pants and yachty caps (as if we were in an exclusive yacht club) while conversing on the forum as well!It seems to me that we have insignificant problems with people who casually show up. I like the nature of this forum that allows anybody to post, free from the intimidation of having to become a "regular" first. There doesn't seem to be any reason to change it.

 

[Maine Sail]

The other..

High volume sailing forums, the ones over at Sailnet.com, have a number of rules that I think are appropriate and work well.#1 Anyone can read the forums, to their hearts content, without registering and you can lurk for 20 years if your want to, and leach ever last bit of information, without registering. Free, as in, NO STRINGS attached to read!#2 If you want to post you need to register with a valid email address. It can be any email address like: @yahoo.com or @hotmail.com etc. etc. but you must have a valid email. It's important to note that you CAN sign up for both @yahoo.com and @hotmail.com without giving your REAL name and STILL be anonymous if you want to. #3 As a new user you can not post any links, upload pictures or link to any pictures until you have at least 10 posts. This stops "bots" from registering and posting links for "hot cell phone deals" and "Viagra for Cheap". From what I've seen in my MANY years at Sailnet.com it works and anyone serious about the use of the forums get 10 posts in no time! Many people use a thread called "The Song Chain" to bring up their number of posts to ten quite quickly.#4 Sailnet.com has a ONE USER per ID rule or NO multiple "sign-ons" or "multiple personalities" per IP address! Whether you register or NOT these sites STILL see your IP address! So what does this mean? If your IP address is caught with two or more user names, at Sailnet, you will be BANNED! It has happened before at Sailnet and this keeps things on the level and I feel it's great policy!! I also feel it's one Phil should add to the new SBO when it gets here. It brings user credibility UP as you know who everyone is even if they are anonymous and using a screen name as most do over there!! JeffH, SailingDog, Camaraderie, Rockter, Xort, T34C, ChucklesR, TrueBlue, Artbyjody & Guiletta are a just a small hand full of the regulars, who are anonymous, and who carry a large amount of credibility! Some of these guys are even forum moderators and they are still anonymous!I honestly hope Phil will make a log in mandatory! YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE YOUR REAL NAME FOLKS!!!! As we've seen in the last few days, with a few malcontents, they can really bring the credibility of the board down. Who knows if some of the advice given by the "unregistered" posters is even accurate or real when we know a fair amount of the advice given by registered users is inaccurate. There is no way to 100% police the forums but blocking unregistered posters would be a good start..

 

[Timo42]

Don't feed the trolls...

and they will get bored and go somewhere else if they are ignored, use the report violation button if you are offended, it's only the internet. Where can I get a yachty cap, I think it would go nicely with my Carharts ;D I think shunning and/or banning will handle the miscreants.

 

[Ross]

If ever we needed to register to post it is being demonstrated now.

But I don't know how this excretion forged a post under my name. I expect that it is a good way to find yourself banished.

 

[CharlieCobra]

Ouch

Sounds like somebody needs their IP blocked. I ALWAYS register. It keeps fake sock puppets from playing.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

I agree with most

I agree with most people on here. I was always a big advocate of not just registering your name, but a fairly complete profile. When someone asks a question or replies to a post, we would have some form of credibility or lack there of, to make a judgement call as to whether the poster has anything valid to say. Someone about a year ago was supposed to be a major race somewhere on the west coast, but when ask specific questions, he did not think he should give his name or the boat's name. How rediculous is that?I belong to a woodworking forum, and in that forum, your real name gets posted.If I really disagreed with that policy, I wouldnt have joined. I dont think that we have to go that far in this forum, but at least give the size of boat, sailing experience and cruising grounds. I agree with Phil in that "Registration would only be required to post; everything would be available to read without registration." This is a fairly common practice on other forums. There will always be someone 'resistant' to this, to them I say "no one is forcing you to be a member". Dont join and your individual freedoms will not be violated. Joining any group should be a priviledge, not a constitutional right. Tony B

 

[Phil Herring]

Best thing to do is ignore this stuff

Just click the violation link; I'll handle it from here. People do this to get a reaction. If they don't get one they soon go away. Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

[Jim Seamans]

I must agree with MaineSail

I have been on and posting to this site for a long time. Damn Phil how long has it been?I'm torn between issues of this discussion. On one hand we as a group have freedom from restrictions, on the other. We get users who drop in or use a different login to start a fuss. Some of the posts are fishing attempts and of course some of us jump right into the boiling pot.Personally, My name is always on my post, I don't care. I appreciate the knowledge of this group and their unbiased attempt to share what they know. If it helps - keep it coming. I share what experiences or knowledge I have knowing it might not be perfect.We don't get that many who abuse the freedom of this site. IGNORE them!!My hat is off to Phil and his crew, it is a difficult job. Remember everyone - this is how they earn their paychecks.So with that said - No restrictions.Jim

 

[Phil Herring]

Jim, your first post is from 3/5/2000

"We are currently in the market for a H260, up from the H19."Talk about the way-back machine...

 

[Jim]

RE: Best thing to do is ignore this stuff

I agree with you 100%. It like a bee. If you leave it alone it, it will not hurt you.I have one question, what did I miss? I away miss the funny stuff, darn. It seems like a bad penny that turn up in the change.