Forum Security/Privacy....

[RedRobin]

....

In view of what appears to have just happened to JPC re Ed30 seats, is it possible/practical for this forum to have a section which is strictly only viewable by members with more than say 200 posts? Some other car forums have such security for their meets posts.

[Poppa Dom]

Think it is a good idea - at least there is an area that could be used for more private, dare I say, intimate, discussions to take place 

[RedRobin]

....

I don't expect it's necessarily simple and would have to rely on people thinking about whether a new topic would be best as private.

For example, the OP of the 'neighbourhood breaker' thread would have to have realised a need for privacy.

Meets is an obvious candidate. Members Rides too, imo.

What does everyone else think and what does SteveP think is practical?

[edd666999]

i think this comes close to having paid membership for upkeep of the forum..then only paid members benefit from discounts and news of breakers and such.

if its going to be 200 posts i better get posting!! haha

[jonnyc]

Maybes just simply a section where members with 200+ posts as you suggested (or whatever number is decided on) where anything like this can be discussed.. Any subject, just a general area but for established and more to the point trusted members only..

[RedRobin]

^^^^
200 posts was just to illustrate a principle and its not my decision. However, in my opinion it would need to be a fairly fat post count in order for the privacy to be effective.

[VC]

i think this has fail written all over it tbh

i get what youre saying, and ideally would be great  

however, what of regular readers but infrequent posters? would limit their access but they would be no less a member?

would it not also create a core of 'inner members' posting potentially valuable info that people would miss if they dont get access? even if you duplicate it around the forums its a bit ott

i think the answer is simple.

if you are holding a hot potato then make a shout and then take it to private messages to spread the word

eg

if i knew of some recaro seats i could post about it, then tell people further info if they pm me

..i dont know of any btw but thats the simple fix

there is the option of closing areas for non registered members, but to do that widely would go against the site ethos? freedom to browse?

purely my opinion of course, but restrictions would be a knee jerk reaction

[jonnyc]

i think this has fail written all over it tbh

i get what youre saying, and ideally would be great  

however, what of regular readers but infrequent posters? would limit their access but they would be no less a member?

would it not also create a core of 'inner members' posting potentially valuable info that people would miss if they dont get access? even if you duplicate it around the forums its a bit ott

i think the answer is simple.

if you are holding a hot potato then make a shout and then take it to private messages to spread the word

eg

if i knew of some recaro seats i could post about it, then tell people further info if they pm me

..i dont know of any btw but thats the simple fix

there is the option of closing areas for non registered members, but to do that widely would go against the site ethos? freedom to browse?

purely my opinion of course, but restrictions would be a knee jerk reaction

I feel like a sheep now.. But actually I totally agree with VC..

.. Bahhh

[RedRobin]

Maybes just simply a section where members with 200+ posts as you suggested (or whatever number is decided on) where anything like this can be discussed.. Any subject, just a general area but for established and more to the point trusted members only..

....Yes, any subject but in a general but secure private area. It would be incumbent on each of us not to abuse it and only start a topic there if privacy was indeed important either for the sake of the individual or for the sake of all.

[RedRobin]

....

Baaaaaah! Yes, I see VC's point too.

However, I don't see how it would adversely effect the site's 'ethos' as a whole. I can see SteveP posting a one word answer to this suggestion though.

[QD MBE]

I still think that even with 200+ posts you will still get some unscrupulous members on here.  I have had dealings with a couple, both of whom are no longer members, but who had a lot of posts.

I don't think there is an easy way round this.
 

[RedRobin]

would it not also create a core of 'inner members' posting potentially valuable info that people would miss if they dont get access?

....Thinking about this further, what's wrong with some info being more private? Why should a forum have to be totally open to every scumbag in the universe?

But I do think your post plus invitation to PM idea is excellent.

[RedRobin]

I still think that even with 200+ posts you will still get some unscrupulous members on here.  I have had dealings with a couple, both of whom are no longer members, but who had a lot of posts.

I don't think there is an easy way round this.
 

....Good point QD

I'm just throwing in ideas to explore and discuss if something is practical. VC's idea is the best so far methinks.

[VC]

Why should a forum have to be totally open to every scumbag in the universe?

its a public forum dude, on the world wide web?  

if you were to close it to the public, membership would have to be by invitational only, you would have to impose a vetting system, add security protocols and protection.

= cost

also, would shrink the forum to a club not a 'community'

a case of it certainly aint broke so why fix it imho?

these things happen, not often but they do. and most members are aware of it hence why people blank their number plates in photos and dont hand over personal details in thread posts

maybe this is more a case of a bad business deal, a sour taste, and a nice concept to feel more secure

no disrespect meant  

just got my discussion hat on  

[WhiteGTI]

Would it be simpler to have a choice when you start a topic, e.g. a tickbox, to make that particular topic only private to the members??

That solves the requirement instead of a whole section cordoned off as private...which I agree with VC would result in a 'inner core' of members, and a bad atmosphere.

Dunno..