"forum" versus "board"

[tmp000]

Btw, I hope you all noticed how the last two lines made my silly guest account name immediately look like there is a real person behind. It is pure ascii text, no password protection on this, anybody could use it, I claim no patents on it either.

I know it was pretty stupid to bring this up at all, as you won't switch your software or fix the labels anyhow. But everybody else please be so kind and take that lesson - names and user accounts are two different things. And people are more likely to have a real name, if you don't _force_ them to register a nickname.

[Harry Kuhman]

And people are more likely to have a real name, if you don't _force_ them to register a nickname.

Oh? Are users here forced to register a nickname?

[eadz]

I don't think the software can be pointed at as it can be configured to allow guest posts.

However forum spam is a problem and without registration we would be overrun with posts about casinos.

Another major reason, is people here take their time to answer people's questions, and if people are registered they can have an email message when someone replies to their post - meaning they are more likely to read the response. Without the email reminder they would have to bookmark their post and check back every now and again to see if a reply has been posted, and if they forget to do that then it's just a waste of time answering their question.

[j.drake]

tmp000,

1. You're quibbling over minutiae. This site is what it is - not what we call it. You have five posts under your name. When you get to 100, I might actually give a #### what you perceive this site to be. Until then, I'm having a real hard time believing that you know enough about this place to have a valid opinion.

2. Your definition of forum applies to this place. It is threaded. It is a true discussion. It isn't in real time like chat, but it is a topical discussion. It is not a simple posting.

3. I fail to see what names and passwords have to do with what you call this site. Clearly, most of us are comfortable with the site as it is. If you aren't, deal with it.

jd

[jjmac]

I must admit, i find your argument a bit lacking
there tmp000.

In that, i haven't actually found a site, that engages
in public postings, not to be arranged along
thread lines really. I mean, a thread is just
a line of discussion within a topic heading. So, all
discussions become threads, by definition.

I don't do chat, and haven't had much to do with
open wikies, so i can't say much there. But then,
they do have different purposes in themselves, so a
direct comparison there really doesn't mean much.

I have had a fair bit to do with "groups" though.
*.os.* sites as such, they have always been
threaded.

Where do you get the idea of being "forced" to use
a certain name. Quite a lot of people will use
their own name, especially in mailing lists,
all registered. In my case, "jjmac" is actually,
almost, my initials. I would have used "jmac" but
it was already in use when i originally
submitted it. So iv'e just used the same. And as has
been mentioned, some people like to set things up
so as to be informed on responses.

I do find "spam" to be a worry though, when it
comes to submitting email as part of a registration
process. But not with regards to places such as
this, and other Linux sites for that matter. I
do when it comes to commercial sites though, like
"news-papers", "TV stations" and the like.

1996 !!!, worn out web masters !!!

good grief , i can hear the bones creaking now.

I think, as time goes on, the great expanse will
but shrink into the grain of sand, it really is.

This reminds me of funny poster on another
<cough> forum </cough> where the poster was trying
to figure out why people took alarm to people posting
totally in uppercase.

I probably shouldn't mention that one.

My basic motive generally, just out of interest, is
often a curiosity about the poster, rather
than the context. I tend to get curious about why
a person should have a particular idea, rather than
the idea it self. So i guess i'm a bit of a sucker
for trivia like this. Can't think of anything more
to add really.

tmp000, Could you post a couple of links to these
"non-threaded" boards you mention,not wikies
I would be interested to have a squize.


jm

(edited)

[chris-harry]

tmp000 wrote:
And people are more likely to have a real name, if you don't _force_ them to register a nickname.

Oh? Are users here forced to register a nickname?

*cough cough*... are you trying to say me name isnt real??? hmm... hmm...

[chris-harry]

by the way... harry, that wasnt aimed at you...

[Cuddles]

Oh, for pete's sake, this is getting into the rediculous...

If you didnt have a nickname, or username registered, someone else may use it - by having someone register, they "lock down" the usage of what nickname they are going to be using - thus, it accomplishes two things - both of which are necessary for honesty, consistancy, and "knowing" who the heck you are talking to...

1 ) it ensures that the person who is posting, is, in fact, the same person... If you wanted to, you could view ALL of my posts, and find out what I am running, how I am running it, what I use, and why, and what hardware I have... This can be VERY handy, if say, I havent made a "connection" of something I have, and something that hasnt, or isnt, working... Say, I am having problems with my VIDEO, and the problem may be with my USB Flash getting in the way -=- something I wouldnt think would cause a VIDEO problem, but, someone who locates, in previous posts, that I have installed and running a SanDisk USB Flash Drive, and maybe the driver, or the hardware itself, could have an issue with "whatever" video card I have... Having, or requiring someone to register a nickname, allows a HISTORY to be maintained about the poster...

2 ) it locks out someone else using that nickname, unless you want to count for someone "borrowing" that persons computer, and posting, which has happened... Having, or requiring someone to register there nickname, locks out someone else from using it... Hence, trying to remember that the person you are trying to help is Guest000 and not Guest101, and then again, that nickname may actually be the same poster. I actually LIKE having to register my nichname, it allows people to KNOW that this is ME, and has always been ME. If you want an ANONYMOUS account, one in which, you can hide yourself behind, or "lurk" within, hmmmm, sounds familiar, this kind of process does not allow for "community", it doesnt promote "sincere" posting, and ANONYMOUS postings only lead down a path of someone who just wants to FLAME others, or give out "unaccountable" information. i.e. If I post something, my NAME is attached to it, so, when I post, I MEAN WHAT I SAY, kind of thing. As a wise man once said: If you cant say something, knowing that YOUR WORD is attached to it, then, it might not be worth saying...

And heres one thing that YOU ( tmp00000000000000 ) havent figured out yet... If you have a FORUM, or MESSAGE BOARD, or CHAT ROOM, or whatever, that does not have registered users, or posters, you do not have a way of "control", or allowing people to realize that there IS some form of control, of the system. If I wasnt a "registered" account, I would not be "recognized" as being a moderator, hence, the MODERATOR that is assigned to my posts and avitar, same true with Eadz, being the Site Administrator, or Harry Kuhman, as another moderator... ( it should be noted that, I CHOOSE to have the word MODERATOR left on my account and avitar, Eadz, and I am sure other moderators, ones that dont have the "word", still have the power to do as a moderator. Eadz can have that "moderator" not be displayed, if I chose it to be that way. There are some moderators that have choosen not to have that be displayed, but are still moderators )

This "control" is not being used to "censor" or "stifle free speech", but, rather, to help "keep the peace". tmp0000000, you need to see this for what it is, a place to help, and get help... It is the way it is because, either thats the way it is, or, thats the way it needs to be. Guests being able to post, even if they COULD "freely" use any name they wish, without having to "register" it, would cause havoc, chaos. If someone liked your nickname, they could use it whenever you werent, no one would know WHO they were talking to, or possibly, trying to help. And, as you said, if it was a "freely" open system without having to register your nickname, some would choose to use something "uniquely" identifying themselves, but, I think a whole lot of others, would simply use a "generic" one, that EVERYBODY would use.

Its kind of like downloading from an anonymous ftp site, you can login as "guest", but, it is "expected" that your password be something like your email address - that way the systems administrators, the ones letting people do this for free, can justify the reasoning why they are giving away a service for free. Or, when you start some internet service account, they usually want you to provide an email address, so they can "verify" that the person who is creating this "access" is the same person who should have that access. You can go off on a "paranoid" issue of this, they want my email address so that they can sell it to marketers, and give me floods of junk mail, but, I think you have to base where you are setting up this "account" against its benefits... Setting up an account with a "porn" site is probably going to give you more email junk mail, then setting up an account here...

I also, dont think Eadz is asking people to set up accounts for the purpose of "selling" your email address to a marketer, I dont think that the reason for having accounts - if it was, I should have been over run with junk mail by now, and I havent. I think the only sole reason for having account on this site, is, for accountability, community, making it friendly, and knowing that "who your talking to" is "who you are talking to". Considering this site is maintained by volunteers, and on there free time, no cost, no access fees, and pretty much, no advertising, I think its a SMALL PRICE to pay for having to register yourself to make posts... As for the original topic that has been set on this thread, you call it WHATEVER you want to call it, if you want to call it a "registered user message board", then fine, if you want to call it a "forum", fine, you want to post, the rules are, and have been set up, to only registered users. You want to use a nickname that isnt your real name, fine, you want to use your full LEGAL name, fine, you want to use something like I have done, which I might add, has been my nickname since I started out in computing ( almost 25 plus years ), fine.

As for the "post count" issue that was raised, being over one thousand, myself, I dont belittle anyone with a lesser count than mine. I have helped people with only ONE post, the one they are posting with an issue with. I dont demean, belittle, or give any negative attituide to the fact they have less posts than me, it doesnt change the fact they are having a problem, and if I can, if I know an answer, or resolve, I will assist, period. I treat people with the SAME respect that I expect in return. I account for any frustrations they may be having, and simply want to help... So, tmp000, you have posted five times, at the time of my posting, I dont care, good or bad, its not the quantity, but the quality, its not the topic, but the attituide... As an old saying goes: you'll get more flies with sugar than vinegar.

Considering the two "initial" posts that you started out with, were, pointing out symantic descriptions of the choice of words used, people responded in kind, definitions, of which, I might add, pointed out the flaw in your "incorrect usage of words", and now, we are on the subject of "improper use of software"... I think that has been proven, invalid as well... its the way the software is... and even if it was being "improperly" used as it should, doesnt change the fact that the person who runs the software is using it the way THEY want to use it. Old saying: Golden Rule: those who have the gold, make the rules....

E'nuf said, I'm gone...
Ms. Cuddles

[j.drake]

As for the "post count" issue that was raised, being over one thousand, myself, I dont belittle anyone with a lesser count than mine. I have helped people with only ONE post, the one they are posting with an issue with. I dont demean, belittle, or give any negative attituide to the fact they have less posts than me, it doesnt change the fact they are having a problem, and if I can, if I know an answer, or resolve, I will assist, period. I treat people with the SAME respect that I expect in return. I account for any frustrations they may be having, and simply want to help... So, tmp000, you have posted five times, at the time of my posting, I dont care, good or bad, its not the quantity, but the quality, its not the topic, but the attituide... As an old saying goes: you'll get more flies with sugar than vinegar.

Insofar as I am the "guilty party" on that comment, allow me to clarify. I seriously doubt that you or anyone else will find a post of mine where I set out to "demean" or "belittle" anyone based on post count. To the contrary, oftentimes people with a low post count are idiots like me who don't catch on to the concept the first time, and have to keep reposting to learn how to do something that other people don't have problems with (e.g., how many posts did I make trying to figure out how to boot from NTFS??). Correlatively, Klaus Knopper, has five posts on a site dedicated to his invention, and I don't think that anyone here would suggest that he is in any way incompetent w/r/t his own invention.

Sorry if it got taken the wrong way, but the only reason I brought up post count was to point out that someone with six posts likely doesn't have a particularly "insightful" understanding of this forum. I can already tell from tmp000's comments in the Klik thread that he knows a lot about computing and *nix (a damn sight more than me, I'll wager!!). But, I'm sorry, Cuddles, low post count DOES correlate with the level of participation here, and without intending this to sound judgmental of anyone as a person, my thought is that someone so lacking in evidence of participation in our forum as to only have six posts has no business whatsoever coming in and criticizing the site and individuals in it, as if he has a throrough understanding of what this place is about. If someone wants to help, fine. But if they just want to criticize and make nasty comments, then they need to pay their dues and support the community before they start criticising the community and the individuals in it. Maybe he knows more than anyone else here about what other sites do, but the post count is pretty convincing evidence that he hasn't participated here long enough to have a valid opinion about what this community is like. Post count is relevant to participation, and participation was relevant to my point. When I've raised the issue of post count before, it was in the context of participation, ONLY, and only when relevant to a particular point. If anyone can find a comment of mine that contradicts this statement, feel free to let me know, and I'll eat my words publicly. As for my willingness to help people with low post counts, I think you'll find that most of the people I try to help ARE newbies with lower post counts (partly because I'm not terribly competent to help more advanced users ). I don't think that I owe anyone an apology for my willingness to help new users - in fact, I think that more often than not, I'm the person sticking up for the noobs, while others dish out "RTFM" attitude.

Anyway, forgive my post, but I felt the need to clarify. I apologize if my prior post was misunderstood.

jd

[Cuddles]

Sorry J.D, it appears that I have to "publicly appologize", for my comment was not to "point at you", but to "aide in your defense"...

I wanted my statement to show that even with my post count as high as it is, has not "hardened" me from helping others, and this comment was not brought up to show that you have not either. I am seriously sorry if that is what it came off as

RTFM is used by people who think they are "better" than someone else, even my "root password" posts, explain a little more than the FAQ, they could have simply been posts that read - "see this article in the FAQ", in which, they dont, they quote it... I could have also "locked" the topic, thus, not giving the chance for someone who knows an easier way, or another way, of doing it, a chance for posting what they know... Now, before I get flamed with the RTFM quote, I have "almost" used the acronym, but, contained my composure, and someone else "stepped in" to assist... I had a four screen post help for someone, and just when we got it working, the system "reverted" back to its original state after a reboot, it had been installed with the "knoppix style", and "I almost lost it..."

As J.D pointed out, I think I am the same... I am a newb with a high post count... If I was going to total up all my posts, I would think 75% of them are "help", and the other 25%, "helping"... But, I'm not going to suggest something that I dont think is going to help, and on many topics, I am clueless, thus, I wont even get involved in the topic... If I have an idea, I will say that, "I think this might work, but not sure..." kind of thing, and on some subjects, I "know" what a problem is, and will tackle the topic, fully. Linux, Knoppix, and Kanotix, are all "new" to me... So new, that, for the longest time, I was logging in as my ROOT account to do root stuff, and logging in as my "user" account when I didnt need root... UNTIL, a very nice person pointed out that you can stay logged in as your user, and get root, when you needed it... ( how dense is that? ) -=- I am quite sure that I have "tested" the "willingness" and "helpfulness" of many of the users of these forums, as to how dense I really am... and, yes, I AM A BLONDE... I come from a very long history of M$ and Windows, supremecy, and still, kind of, think in Microsoft's way of thinking - which, I might add, is not the same in the Linux World. I think my wanting to help people, coupled with the fact that "most" newb's are coming from where I am coming from, adds a better "understanding" of where "they are coming from"... I also was on the "front line" of M$'s roll-out of one of there OS's, and having to fix, solve, and work with, people through the phone to solve there problems, has given me a lot more understanding of assisting, and helping people, from the simplest, to the CEO's and "Network Guru's" who called in...

Again, sorry J.Drake if my post sounded like I was "poking" at you, it was not intended that way... In fact, I can recall, at least twice that you had assisted me in an issue I was having, and I think I might have done the same for you a few times ( not sure, but I think so ). This should be proof enough that its a give and take environment... Not everyone knows everything... And, as a wise person once said: Its not that you know everything, but, where you can find information when you need it. -=- These forums have been that for me, I may not know everything, but, I have a resource to getting that information...

Ms. Cuddles