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Post by p1xie on Feb 28, 2008 3:56:34 GMT -8
I've noticed since I joined, that one of the questions often asked in threads is 'whereabouts are you?', especially in questions about bedding, food, housing, but also occasionally it comes up in other subjects too.
Some of us have put our locations in our profiles, and I think it's really helpful.
I just wondered if it might be a good idea to have it as a 'compulsory' field when people join? They wouldn't necessarily need to put the area they're in, just the country, with maybe their county, state, town, or whatever, in addition to that, as an optional thing.
Anyone else have any ideas on this?
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Post by angielouise on Feb 28, 2008 4:00:27 GMT -8
Yeah I've often thought it would be useful actually - I've often wanted to give advice which someone in the UK would benefit from but not necessarily someone elsewhere, so you go through the whole rigmarole of asking where they are, blah, blah, blah....   |
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Post by nikkiy21 on Feb 28, 2008 6:21:15 GMT -8
Definitely would be useful, even if they only give just their country.
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Post by SilverGerbil on Feb 28, 2008 13:04:46 GMT -8
Yup would be so much more simple rather than waiting to give advice till they post where they are so you can point them in the right direction.
xoxox
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Post by AndreaS15 on Feb 28, 2008 13:09:26 GMT -8
I have to agree, I've thought about it a few times, asking if we can make Location mandatory. That would make things a lot easier.
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Post by gerbilmummy on Feb 28, 2008 13:31:18 GMT -8
Isn't there something about the data protection act and right to anonymity here??? All the mods know where we are from as our Ip's are visible to them. But then we reserve the right to keep our true identities and locations confidential from others who view the boards  Its not such a big deal to give advice and say if its suitable for US or europe, i mean the main difference is pine shavings  |
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Post by RitzieAnn on Feb 28, 2008 13:36:38 GMT -8
Filling out the "location" part will never be manditory. Anything that depicts locations/looks/gender/religion/race/etc is optional.
HOWEVER, to all the members saying it would be nice.... we do have that option. I don't understand why listing your country is such a big deal to people, but that's their choice. But it IS an option.
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Post by p1xie on Feb 29, 2008 6:24:25 GMT -8
I don't understand why listing your country is such a big deal to people. Well, no, it isn't... The people who agreed weren't making a 'big deal' about it either, as far as I can see. They just said it would be helpful/useful. But then we reserve the right to keep our true identities and locations confidential Stating our country is not going to tell anyone our identity, though, surely? Anything that depicts locations/looks/gender/religion/race/etc . In the 21st century, surely which country you live in doesn't give any clue to your looks, colour or creed? the main difference is pine shavings And other types of substrate, and food, and accessories, and makes/types of tank, and even tank sizes - and being able to recommend shops/websites where you can get a bargain... I've seen at least three new threads since yesterday where it would have been useful to know where the member was. Actually it was just a completely innocent suggestion, which was intended as something helpful , but I kind of feel as if I've suggested something very controversial and outrageous! |
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Post by angielouise on Feb 29, 2008 6:37:12 GMT -8
Hmmm I agree P1xie - you just suggested something that might assist with answering some of the member queries on the forum and you've had your head bitten off! All that had to be said was that it just can't be done, because of proboards rules or whatever, and that's it. We all know it's an option anyway but P1xie was only asking a question! Responses like this make me unsure of posting anything these days. They seem to be becoming more and more frequent. |
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genie
Member
*hello*
Posts: 1,133
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Post by genie on Feb 29, 2008 7:11:05 GMT -8
maybes a stickied post could be made requesting that if you're after advice to do with tanks/substrate/food/sizes, pretty much everything other than gerbils and their behaviour themselves, you could state a rough location?
It would make it so much more helpful, especially if a really quick reply is needed. Cause someone who could help, might not be back on for a while *after* asking whether you're UK/US/Other.
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Post by gerbilmummy on Feb 29, 2008 7:47:05 GMT -8
If any ones heads have been bitten off here I'd say it was Ritzie's and mine, not P1xie's Hey but I'm getting used to it ;D |
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Post by p1xie on Feb 29, 2008 8:31:22 GMT -8
If any ones heads have been bitten off here I'd say it was Ritzie's and mine, not P1xie's Hey but I'm getting used to it ;D I've just looked again at my post to see which, if any remarks of mine could be construed as biting heads off, and I really can't see it. It certainly wasn't meant offensively, just reasoned, friendly argument. Maybe I should have put some smileys in? I'm sorry if you read it that way, and Kristi too, if it applies. I agree with Ange, though. I'm getting quite tentative about posting, which is a shame, because I enjoy it here, mostly. |
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Post by RitzieAnn on Feb 29, 2008 9:52:20 GMT -8
In the 21st century, surely which country you live in doesn't give any clue to your looks, colour or creed? I think you missed the part that said "depicts location" That has little to nothing to do with gender/race/creed/etc, but it also falls into privacy. Well, I certinly hope I wasn't doing any biting! What I meant about not seeing why it's a big deal, is I don't understand why people think "oh, I don't wanna put what country I'm in" I see no problem with it. Mine says West Coast USA.  I don't see a harm in posting, but I'm not going to make it required. There's no point to that. I think it'll just push members off. As far as proboards- that has nothing to do with it. This is mostly a personal decision to not make it mandatory. It's an option in your profile... so if one ops not to say, well, I'm not going to stop them. And no P1xie, it's not a huge deal or a huge debate. While I agree 100% that people "should" put their general location, and that it would help out in terms of vets, breeders, shelters, foods, bedding, etc, it's not that huge of a deal to try and make everybody do it. Especially since a lot of our members are teenagers. |
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Post by Jill on Feb 29, 2008 12:57:35 GMT -8
Looks like internet miscommunication to me! Whoops! :-) :-) :-) smileys! Haha
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Post by SilverGerbil on Feb 29, 2008 13:07:56 GMT -8
Ah dear i know that feeling worried bout posting something incase i get me head bitten off...-sigh- thats the only issue on a forum. xoxox |
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Its not such a big deal to give advice and say if its suitable for US or europe, i mean the main difference is pine shavings 
I don't see a harm in posting, but I'm not going to make it required. There's no point to that. I think it'll just push members off.