Privacy

[Slynke]

vBulletin now has a Profile Privacy tab, as follows:

 

 

I like it. Any chances of something like this on IPB? Ideally, I would prefer if I could restrict who could view my individual posts, such as to restrict non-members from seeing any replies. I've also seen some boards where you can view the initial post of a topic, but to view any/all replies you had to be registered, I like this as well.

[nerner]

I'd like that for profile information as it enables me to share stuff with people who I like and nobody else, however wouldn't it turn into a bit of a mess if individual posts were masked? And if your post is quoted then people would still be able to see your post anyway. Unless the privacy settings mask posts which quote you as well, which would be one hell of a piece of coding, assuming that it is even possible.

 

As for restricting non-members to viewing only the first post of a topic, that would work for me, plus it might turn a few of those so called "lurkers" into contributors, as who knows how many members who could have been cool and contributed have been turned away from here or just drifted off. Plus it would stop people from saying, "I may have joined in 2010, but I lurked since 03."

[Andrew]

This isn't facebook if you don't want anything to be visible to anyone. Don't put it on your profiles, simple as.

 

As for masking posts, that isn't a good idea. What we will end up with then is a ton of dormant accounts that are used just to view the thread, leaving it as it is allows people to read threads and find answers that they need. I find forums that require you to register to view a thread really pisses me off when I'm searching for a solution to a problem. If they want to join, they'll join.

[Slynke]

Yes, however, the viewers of this site who are NOT registered are not agreeing to your ToS. They can, therefore, do with all as they please. You really don't care about protecting the privacy of your members, at least under your OWN ToS?

 

EDIT: Would you at least recognize the legal risks posed to your "Modders," which is largely what this sites foundation is, by not protecting them via your ToS?

Edited September 18, 2010 by Slynke

[fred]

The only personal information we ask for is your email address, which is never displayed to guests or other members. Any other information you choose to put on your profile or in your posts is up to you. If you're that concerned about people seeing your posts, I can only recommend you stop posting on a public forum.

[Andrew]

What legal risks? This is a public forum and there are rules in place to prevent any 'legal' risks occurring.

[Waddy]

People find this site by searching for specific problems. They could be modding solutions, cheats or help on another GTA related problem. When they find the post with the answer which is what happens on a forum they might decide to sign up to the forum, they may decide to just move on now they have the solution. Hiding posts from guests would be pretty retarded.

Just dont post here.

[Slynke]

What if the GTA-specific forums were public to non-registered users and search engines, while the Community sections were only available to registered users? That not only satisfies both parties, but also improves the overall board image.

[Waddy]

What if the GTA-specific forums were public to non-registered users and search engines, while the Community sections were only available to registered users? That not only satisfies both parties, but also improves the overall board image.

What does it satisfy?

 

As fred said

 

The only personal information we ask for is your email address, which is never displayed to guests or other members. Any other information you choose to put on your profile or in your posts is up to you. If you're that concerned about people seeing your posts, I can only recommend you stop posting on a public forum.

[Girish]

Most people like to check out the forum first before they register. Hiding certain parts of the forum from guests is not going to help in making them register. As GK has said before, not being able to view certain things is only going to piss them off. Let them have a complete tour of the forum. If they like what they see, they'll definitely register.

[trip]

I'm with girishb on this one.

 

Slynke, I lurked through all of your posts for 5 years before I actually created an account. j/k but almost not really.

 

I must have lurked all the years between SA and IV. I did visit here and there during the VC days, but that was rare. Honestly, if the PC release of IV wasn't in question during '07 I probably would still just be lurking.