Site Suggestion(s)

[Chetlaham]

I just want to say this site is one of the best I've used on the net. I love the fact its not a standard off the shelf forum like a V-bulletin, Invision, ect but rather user friendly, customized and created from scratch.

If I could make on suggestion that could make this forum better would be a place to add ones own signature? I've seen it one most other forums and I think it adds value and character to each post.

What do others think?

 

[revvinkevin]

The problem with that is, not everyone wants to add a signature. As I'm sure you noticed there are many here and want to remain completely anonymous.

However, I am not one of them. A signature" is as easy to do as this......

Kevin

 

[supersuds]

No offense, but I dislike signatures. Your screen name appears above every post. There's the option for an avatar, too. Isn't that enough?

It's annoying to have scroll through threads on some forums where half of the real estate is occupied by repetitive signatures that are often longer than the posts they're attached to. This is particularly true if the same person posts frequently in the thread.

 

[mattl]

I'll third that.  Then you go to sites in addition of a signature they list a massive amount of crap that is twice the size of the message.

 

I like things as is...

 

[foraloysius]

I like the way it is too. You can put as much information in your profile if you want. You can even use an avatar with information if you want. The signature will use more bandwidth too every time a message is posted. Besides that it makes messages more difficult to read, without signatures it is easier to scroll through the information. I'm glad we don't have signatures.

 

[combo52]

Hi To Chet, if you want to personalize you post start by adding your name maybe where you are from, this is why I almost never comment or answer questions from people that are anonymous, there is just no point in talking to ?????.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I second what John said.  

 

Didn't really look at the original posters profile until now.  

 

*Location: "United States" - EXTREMELY vague!  

 

*No "real name" listed in the profile.   (I'm surprised the e-mail address is showing) 

 

On signatures attached to each post?   I vote NO!   If Robert did allow it, I can only imaging the crap people would put in their "signature".

 

Plus in that respect, I like that AW doesn't have "signatures", it's much cleaner than so many other forums out there.

 

(Signature)

Kevin

 

 

[kb0nes]

The added feature I'd love to see is the ability to 'tag' a member in a post so that the are made aware of the post in some manner. Those that use Facebook are familiar with this feature. Lacking this it is hit and miss if someone that needs to see a post will ever see it.

I concur with the anonymity issue, I tend to assign very little credibility to a user that won't at least cough up a name/location.

 

[rp2813]

I don't mean to gang up on the OP, but --

I used to despise the so-called signatures on emails when I worked for The Phone Company.  They almost always had a religious slant, or if you were a black go-getter career girl, some kind of pompous philosophical BS.

 

An atheist/pagan co-worker of mine filed a complaint against one person on his team who's religious "signature" he found offensive, and she had to remove it. 

 

I don't even know how to add my signature to anything, be it an e-mail or a thread on a blog, and that's fine, because the "From" line or name at the top of a post is quite enough.

 

[Chetlaham]

"Hi To Chet, if you want to personalize you post start by adding your name maybe where you are from, this is why I almost never comment or answer questions from people that are anonymous, there is just no point in talking to ?????."

Is this why you ignore me at times? Its just a chat forum, not an internet dating site. Some people want to remain anonymous for various reasons often good reasons. Especially when posting controversial or critical opinions of billion dollar corporations or had a history of being bullied simply for enjoying something other people are to judgemental to wrap their heads around (collecting anything with a plug attached to it). A name and location should not make or break a person's credibility as everyone here is smart enough to know my posts are legit and far from trolling. You have my internet name and as far as I am concerned how do you know someone didn't make up their name and location? I post on several dozen websites (cars, tech forums, DIY, ect) and 2/3 the members are anonymous and no one disparages others over that.

To all of you who judge me based on my internet preferences you are just being a bully perpetuating a crime. The fact I didn't put my name and location is not some massive conspiracy or threat to your well being. We left high school a long time ago. We, at least I don't go around 'Yahhh, I am not going to talk to that kid because he is gay/emo/unpopular/ect' This is why evil exists, because of people who base their actions on their own false judgment of others.

Anyway, I can agree with the people on signatures then. I was thinking more along the lines of "Never let an opportunity slip by" -XXXX type deal but I can understand should things become cluttered.

 

[Chetlaham]

Not to mention

If someone owns say an appliance repair business they would rather not have customers or their employer reading their spoken thoughts... again, many reasons.

 

[kb0nes]

Sorry Chet, if you don't want anyone reading your "spoken thoughts" the correct thing to do is to not put them out in public.

This is largely the bane of the Internet today, how people feel they have to live their online existences in an anonymous manner. This then empowers them to freely say things that they should never say. Social discourse is crumbling because of this.

As a friend of mine said "The Internet is just the CB on TV, a public forum for people to say anything they want".

Last I checked there is nothing wrong with being proud of what you choose to share with the world. And like wise being selective with who you choose to spend your time helping. High School has nothing to do with this.

 

[petek]

D'ont care for them either

Pete
"Think of the children"

 

[Chetlaham]

"Sorry Chet, if you don't want anyone reading your "spoken thoughts" the correct thing to do is to not put them out in public."

There is nothing on this site's forum rules that mandates disclosure, nothing.

"This is largely the bane of the Internet today, how people feel they have to live their online existences in an anonymous manner. This then empowers them to freely say things that they should never say. Social discourse is crumbling because of this."

Should never say or are afraid to say? Think carefully. There is a major difference between the two.

"As a friend of mine said "The Internet is just the CB on TV, a public forum for people to say anything they want"."

And meet people like them, make friends and share knowledge no book or university will teach you.

"Last I checked there is nothing wrong with being proud of what you choose to share with the world."

I agree, and that should stretch to my name and location.

"And like wise being selective with who you choose to spend your time helping. High School has nothing to do with this."

The attitude is very much high school when someone chooses to ignore someone over something so trivial. In the end I am the one who is alienated and knowledge/help is withheld from. The others not so much.

 

[vacerator]

Adding a signature

is not a good idea because of all the fraud which occurs also. Too many crooked hackers.
Anyone can view any site mostly.

 

[travis]

Chetlaham,

I think you were ganged up on because you stated that a signature would add value to a post, but you haven't provided a city and state yourself. I understand some reasons to protect your identity in general. I am failing to see how many of your concerns apply to a website dealing with collecting vintage appliances. I think that anonymity leads creates lack of accountability which I feel is bad

I have been on here for years with my name. I have provided the name of the metro area that I live in.

I haven't followed any of your previous posts. What I find irritating is when members offer to sell, ask for help, etc and don't have a location. Sometimes I find the location useful in determining why a member thinks they do in a more controversial posting. A couple years ago, I had some strong feelings on Ferguson. Guess what, it's close by!

I have never seen a signature line add necessary information. In my experience, they're political, religious or a little crude.

 

[Chetlaham]

"Chetlaham,

I think you were ganged up on because you stated that a signature would add value to a post, but you haven't provided a city and state yourself. I understand some reasons to protect your identity in general."

By signature I was referring more to what I see on other sites such as sayings or movie quotes. My apologies if I was not clear.

"I am failing to see how many of your concerns apply to a website dealing with collecting vintage appliances. I think that anonymity leads creates lack of accountability which I feel is bad"

Does not mean I will become a person who will say what ever in hopes of being bailed out by anonymity.

I have been on here for years with my name. I have provided the name of the metro area that I live in.

"I haven't followed any of your previous posts. What I find irritating is when members offer to sell, ask for help, etc and don't have a location. Sometimes I find the location useful in determining why a member thinks they do in a more controversial posting. A couple years ago, I had some strong feelings on Ferguson. Guess what, it's close by!

I have never seen a signature line add necessary information. In my experience, they're political, religious or a little crude."

I don't think one needs to know location if asking for say how to remove the drive block on a DD Whirlpool. Yes maybe for selling, but one can always ask or Email. I think this whole location/name thing is being being taken way to seriously.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Thank you for the suggestion Chetlaham. I think for now we will pass on this one as the majority seem against this. I don't see any need to continue this conversation as I believe everyone who wished has made their points.