Sorry, that should read Remember Bandstand, you will see that brings up the GN link on Google.
As for secret squirrels, I think GN members should be aware any threads/posts may be available on a public Google search,
Some put personal medical details on the Health section they may not want to be viewed worldwide on a Google search.
I think that if the subject thread only were visible to non members as said on my previous post then that would be more inclined to get them to join so they can read the the subjects, an inborn curiosity we all have...
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 12:36:13 PM
you would like to discuss some matters with trusted friensds only. Perhaps a "members only" section might help.
I would suggest under these circumstances you use either the phone or email.
I will say it again, once the information is on the WWW you have to assume its in the public domain, password protected, members only, whatever, if the subject matter is sensitive, or contains information you would not want others to have access to don't post it on the Internet.
-- Edited by Santa on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 01:28:16 PM
Hardly secret society's, I don't think you could put Facebook or Twitter in those categories as anyone can join, and even with having to sign onto them, they have other privacy settings you can use once a member to restrict the information.
Your points are noted though, that's what it's all about, having different opinions on things....
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 04:24:08 PM
Pm's are fine for a one to one, but they are not much good to reach a wider audience on GN for feedback.
A pm will also not attract an reply from someone who doesn't see a hidden message, but may have valuable information to share on the subject.
Just adding to that, there are some on this forum I have sent a (nice) pm to that haven't even had the courtesy of replying, even though they have been active on the forum (ie; not away etc).
Having said that, most do and it is appreciated, you soon learn to ignore those that don't.
-- Edited by Duh on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 10:08:45 PM
I have posted a few pics in the past and I do not mind anybody useing or saving them, if I don't want them used they do not go on any site, simpl as as that.
I am aware that there are a lot of members on here that do not post much, that is their chioce, BUT you watch when the next photo comp comes out, see how many of them come out of the woodwork and claim the prizes and never come back until another comp is open, I would like to see more rules in regards to any future photo comp.
ok now I'm off of my soapbox back to Duh's original question, I like the site as it is but then I'm only a wombat
Howdy bigw. Long time no see mate.
Duh, I think both ways are good so I spose that means I am sitting on the fence, hope it's not barbed wire.
hallo mate, I had some pooter problems, I hope the fence is electric
now my e have turned into a, bugga, or maybe I miss typed the word hello
-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 5th of December 2012 08:03:46 PM
I have noticed when searching Google for a specific subject, that any GN subject titles on the same subject come up, including any posts made on that thread and all are readable to anyone. As an example, try googling Bandstand when not on GN.
Which makes me wonder whether it is such a good idea to make titles more specific
One solution would be to make the GN forum only readable by those who log on, like I have seen on some other forums.
Members of the public can still view the forums main page and the sections and subjects, but they will not open for you unless you sign on as a member.
What do others think, maybe Cindy could look at this.
Morning Duh, tried Googling Bandstand as you suggested, all I got was references to the 60s/70s TV music show and references to historic bandstands.
I really don't have a problem with the material from this forum being available freely on the WWW, there is nothing here we don't want others to see (no secret squirrels)
Perhaps others being able to view the pages without being able to interact will encourage some of them to join.
Yep see what you mean, still don't have a problem with it.
As far as puting medical history or any other personal details on the WWW, very imprudent, you have to asume anything published on the internet, in any form is out there for the world to see.
Back to your original question, perhaps the forum could be set up for password access only with no provision to remain logged in, others seem to do it quite successfully.
Of course this still doesn't block access, those who are determined to have a look around simply have to register.
Those of us who have a problem with being publicly viewed can always withold anything they feel should be private. But then that gives rise to your thought Vic, that you would like to discuss some matters with trusted friensds only. Perhaps a "members only" section might help. There are 184 pages of members of this forum if you go to "list all users", and the last time I looked more than half of them have never posted. This leaves me wondering if some people only join up to have a look at our profiles?
Points taken Gerty and Santa, but sometimes you want the views of a wider (GN) audience to get better feed back, so a bit of a balancing act (will I won't I etc). So boils down to an individual decision. I do suspect that some on GN were not aware that whatever is posted can go to a wider (www) audience though, so hoping this will give some food for thought.
Even Facebook you have to sign on to view the content and I suppose Twitter is the same?
I think its fine the way it is. We don't need a secret society like other forums, also we would have far fewer members if they weren't able to come in and read first. Some I know read this forum for 2 years or more before deciding to join.
~~ whatever is posted can go to a wider (www) audience though, so hoping this will give some food for thought. ~~
Absolutely correct Duh and Santa.
And as HW has alerted some read before or without joining, but they cannot look at profiles. At last look there is 6 members and 12 guests from as far away as USA and Ukraine currently viewing so it is possible for someone to be casing the place, maybe join to get further info.
Some people must not understand the full implications of the www (as Duh calls it) as I've seen pictures with vehicle rego numbers, Surnames and Home Towns in profiles, people regularly called by name in posts and a lot of other personal information revealed. Travelling locations are also posted, even the size of the group inattendance. All good stuff for the dishonest of this world.
Whilst it can be comfortable to know who you chat with it can also cause risks when in a public forum if, like Duh and Santa have stated, people don't take this into account for all that is written.
I've even become aware that members are copying pics when you post a pic on the quiz, I became aware of this because the file name was mentioned, which would only be known if saving the picture. We don't mind people viewing our photos but were not intending them to be saved to others computers for their own use.
From this you can see that we have no control over who sees, saves or uses what is put on the WWW, that is unless stricter controls are put in place in GN, which are employed on some other websites.
Cheers
__________________
There are 3 types of people in this world, Ones who make it happen, the second who watches what happens and the third who wonders what happened
In this day and age most of us know that the web has opened up some cans of worms worldwide - look at "wikileaks"!!!
I personally would not like the forum to become an "exclusive" area - but maybe a "members only" section could be implemented - if the Webmaster thought it was worthwhile. Of course there are a lot of members who never post, but a lot of them just read the forum, and at some stage they may post - I wouldn't like to see this forum become a place of argument, it is fine to disagree with someones opinion or statement, but there is no need to argue the point, surely.
I like going on this site, seeing a new name, checking them out and welcoming them to the site - I would not like to see stringent controls put on the forum at all,
This is my take on it - for what it is worth! Cheers!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I think Duh has a valid point. At last count I counted over 2500 people who have become members but have never posted and there were a further 300 -400 who have only ever posted once! I am concerened at how many people put their date of birth and other personal details on their profile. This is all readily available to the almost 3000 members who don't post. Even if you don't give your DOB, once people congratulate you on your birthday and mention your age, it can be figured. Not having a photo of yourself as an avatar is a good idea. There are lots of ways we can keep using this friendly forum without letting too much away. I hadn't been specific about where I lived but it was mentioned in some posts. Hopefully people's memories are short and I won't be 'found' unless I want to be!! Hehe. The only drawback I see with not being specific in the post heading is not being able to find the topic in the Search at a later point.
I have posted a few pics in the past and I do not mind anybody useing or saving them, if I don't want them used they do not go on any site, simpl as as that.
I am aware that there are a lot of members on here that do not post much, that is their chioce, BUT you watch when the next photo comp comes out, see how many of them come out of the woodwork and claim the prizes and never come back until another comp is open, I would like to see more rules in regards to any future photo comp.
ok now I'm off of my soapbox back to Duh's original question, I like the site as it is but then I'm only a wombat
If something is private then thats what PMs are for. I only post pictures im happy to share. I did workout some time ago that threads are found on Google. As i noticed stuf i posted in techys on Waeco fridges was being picked up, & questions asked by people who werent here before. And havent been back since there problem was sorted. This doesnt worry me as i like helping people if i can.
Yeah Debe, you are right. And I agree with happywanderer and santa too... we can use pm's for anything we dont want the www to know about, the forum is fine asit is! Its some of the users (me included) who have to learn to be a bit more circumspect.
I have posted a few pics in the past and I do not mind anybody useing or saving them, if I don't want them used they do not go on any site, simpl as as that.
I am aware that there are a lot of members on here that do not post much, that is their chioce, BUT you watch when the next photo comp comes out, see how many of them come out of the woodwork and claim the prizes and never come back until another comp is open, I would like to see more rules in regards to any future photo comp.
ok now I'm off of my soapbox back to Duh's original question, I like the site as it is but then I'm only a wombat
Howdy bigw. Long time no see mate.
Duh, I think both ways are good so I spose that means I am sitting on the fence, hope it's not barbed wire.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Wombat has been having withdrawal problems without you to pull him into line.
I am in two minds on the subject myself, I like explicit titles which make it easier to search for a GN subject and have stated that in the past but was a little surprised when I saw GN threads popping up on Google searches. It made me sit up and take notice so to speak.
Yes barb wire and electric fences can be a problem, but do help keep those Wombats under control!
Maybe they should build a wombat proof fence just like the rabbit proof fence.
I don't mind electric fence it could turn me into a bright spark after the shocking experience.
they must have a wombat proof fence at the WA border, cos there are no wombats in WA, (except for me)
Now to get back on topic, I find it does not matter what section you are in if you want a topic to be noticed and EVERYBODY clicks on it you have to use in the title the word sex.
I agree with those who like the forum as it is. If there is something we don't want the world to know, then don't write it. As they are warning the schoolies - once it's on the net, it's thre for everyone. Interesting though - if it comes up on Google so easily, maybe we will find more threads that way when searching for a topic than on our own forum search button. I think others have said it will only bring 5 threads up on searched topics.
If there is something we don't want the world to know, then don't write it. As they are warning the schoolies - once it's on the net, it's thre for everyone. Interesting though - if it comes up on Google so easily, maybe we will find more threads that way when searching for a topic than on our own forum search button. I think others have said it will only bring 5 threads up on searched topics.
I think the highlighted text says it all and puts it in a nutshell.
If this thread has done nothing else but prompt members to think about the what they put in their posts then it has achieved it's aim.
Regards google, I think someone else on GN said previously on GN they used google to find old GN threads, although the wording needs to be spot on. Sometimes when googling a subject, threads from other forums come up too I've noticed.
About a year ago I mentioned on the Forum that Hylda & I started a little tutoring business here in Grafton. Now, if anyone types into Google search 'Tutoring Grafton', the name 'A Helping Hand Tutoring' shows up a few lines down the page which i don't mind at all as it's just more promotion for our little tutoring business.
Cheers
Jon
-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Monday 10th of December 2012 09:19:33 AM
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Home is where we hang our hats - Home now in Yamba NSW
Whilst I don't agree with Vic's premise I do commend him for reminding us that this is a public forum and we should keep that in mind when posting comments. I don't think however that that has been a real problem in recent times.
As I read it I think Vic is mainly posing a question rather than pushing a point.
I'm with those who believe that, generally speaking, subject titles should allude to the topic of the thread, especially where advice or help is sought as the replies in these threads usually benefit many who read the thread, not just the original poster.
