User Profiles

ah - but satisfaction brought it back!  :D

cheers,

Laura

Naturalfibres, I see that you are in Canada. I to would like to see changes to the profile signup. Like, location of the person signing up to be here. Like Laura said, the cat has 8 more lives to live.

Michael

Michael, could you explain a bit more about what you want?  State/province is one of the pieces of voluntary information in the "about me" section of our user profiles.  However, many people choose not to include it, so searching for people by location is not working effectively. Also, people ouside the US and Canada won't find their information on the state/province list.

Are you saying that you think this information should be mandatory? Or that it should appear in the area with the pictures and user names whenever that person posts?

If we do want to make specifying location a mandatory part of signing up -- and I have no doubt that would turn some people away -- I think we'd have to allow for the possibility of limiting to non-us country, or perhaps US region (northeast, southeast, etc.).   We can make specifying your city an option, but requiring that seems heavy-handed and potentially unsafe. 

The serious fiber lists on Yahoo pretty much require signing posts with a real name - other information like location is not mandatory.

Somehow it is frustrating dealing with Avatars and pseudonyms on something like Weavolution - especially if you are a merchant or teacher it should be possible to go by a real name. Anonymity sometimes hampers meaningful dialog.

I agree with Sara that having to deal with pseudonyms can hamper the feeling of having a real conversation.  Location is not so important to me, but I like to know who I am talking to.  Most of the other weaving lists I am on use real names so this feels like a giant step backward.  If anyone truly thinks they can keep their information off the web by not using their name or location here, I would encourage them to look at how much of their life is easily available to the general public through the net.

Laurie Autio

One's identity isn't really concealed by an avatar or pseudonym when online.  Too many ways the "bad people" could see through that, if desired.  I try to be careful what sites I visit, however--even those recommended as links through Weavolution posts.

I've participated in online discussion groups for weaving since the early 1990s and (knock on wood) haven't had a bad experience through that activity.  I hope Weavolution continues its growth in service to the weaving community around the world.

Tommye

I'm not saying that I want the sign up information to change - I think that it's fine the way it is.

I just made that comment about seeing where people are from because that's something that I find interesting.

Me too, I would like to see more profiles with the information about where they are from.  I find it interesting that I can communicate with people around the world.  So, I need to know where they are from.  Sometimes when I look for the profile of someone, there are barely any information if any.  I don't see why putting where you are from (at least the country) would do something to your private life (I hope you understand what I am trying to say.  Sometimes, I can' find the wright words).

Chantal

Naturalfibers, I realize you were calling for more voluntary disclosure
but it got me thinking about some problems in the profile setup that work against people including their location. For example, at least for people who joined when I did, the drop-down list is limited to US states and Canadian provinces, and doesn't include other countries. We'll have
to work on that.

I think there can be valid reasons for online pseudonyms.  Sara is right that people who's professional identity involves weaving or fiber have an incentive to appear online as themselves.  My professional identity is quite different, and if professional colleagues searching for me pull up a preponderance of weaving information, it could make me seem less serious, or simply be annoying.  Beyond that, those of us who are managers and supervisors may feel that our supervisees already have way too much information about our personal lives as it is.

Stalking and abusive relationships do exist, and you can hardly blame people with such history or a well-founded fear for protecting themselves as best they can.  But as someone else said, I expect most people are just being cautious. You can give your real name later, but you can't take it back.

It would be nice to limit Weavolution content to registered members (as most other online weaving groups do) to help with the issue MaryMartha mentions.  I thought that was the case until I tried it a few minutes ago and was able to google some of my posts to various Weavolution groups.  It does not matter to me personally (my main job is teaching weaving), but I can understand why others might cringe - especially if they post during work time...

I'm not sure you can prevent computer stalking, whether you use your name or even don't use a computer.  I can get quite a bit about my mother-in-law, including address, taxes, pictures of her house with number and types of rooms, any mentions in the newspaper (including as a relative in obituaries) - and she has never touched a computer.

Laurie Autio

I have to admit, I hadn't realized it could bother people not knowing who they are having a conversation with.  I am one of those people who use an avatar name as my user name, but pretty much always will sign my posts with my first name.

In my case, the avatar name I use is a nickname my husband gave me early on in our relationship... way too many years ago now, and I tend to use it as a login name for social systems I use on the internet.

When I first created my weavolution login, seems so long ago now... I had to think about what I wanted to use.  Weaving is not a profession for me, and so in general, if someone was to google my full name, I would want the information that appeared to be professional in nature.  (Software engineering related).  To that end, I do use my full name on LinkedIn - a professional networking site.

For those of you who are teachers and have posted in this thread, I'm noticing that many of you DO use your full names.  Honestly it had never occurred to me, but I do think it is a good thing for you to do.  Those of us who are amateur weavers do wish to get to know you through your profession and your advice.  When we ask a question, it is nice to know that the person giving the advice is actually recognized in the field.  Other people may be capable of giving that advice as well, but since they are first known by their avatar names, it will take longer for them to establish their reputations.

And think about it... for those of you who do use your full names, if someone is googling a topic that you have responded to in weavolution, that topic may come up in the search results and your name will appear!  You can't get better advertising than that!

In any case, I am appreciative that you are here, but understanding that not everyone may feel comfortable using a full name for a user name.

Kay

Greetings, I'm new to Weavolution but I have been involved in Forums since the days of Bulletin Boards and Sysops. I find it interesting that there are so many variations in Forums since many are built on existing platforms.  I would have liked a little more flexibility in the type of information one can enter in the personal info part. I don't think that one's real name should be mandatory but it should be offered as an opption.  I usually use a pseudonym when I log onto a website because I tend to be a private person and I think that there is altogether too much personal information floating around on the web but I am not so afraid that I don't put my information on my profile. I figure that if I use a pseudonym the search engines that pick up my posts won'r be able to tie them to me.  I also sign my posts with my real name.  If someone is interested you can find out who I am.  I would have liked a little more extensive personal interest information because I find it interesting what it is that people do and I like people to see what I do because it makes it easier to build rapport. For instance Micahel is a retired engineer as am I: that establishes communication on a more intimate plane since we have somewhat similar backgrounds.  I tried to include more information even though it was probably put in inappropriately.  Most people have never heard of Fort Bragg or Mendocino on the North Coast of Caliifornia so I usually state I live on the Mendocino Coast, it kind of makes you go looking if you are really interested and then you discover a new and different kind of place.  This has all the makings of a great and fun forum.  My experience so far has been to interact with some very knowledgable people and I have not seen much angst on this site: some forums are riddled with angst but it seems most are quite open ans forhcoming here.  I like a comfortable community and this one certainly appears to be. 

Best regards,

Charles 

Just FYI - for all those worrying about having their posts traced to their real name, I have been out there with my real name since Ron Parker started Fibernet around 1990 and have NEVER had any negative incident regarding anyone snooping or stalking.

I personally find that any information posted publicly should have your full name. Hiding behind a pseudonym makes it convenient for those not wishing to carefully research and compose their postings. I find that this ease of not bearing responsibility for statements facilitates a lot of garbage and false or partially false information being floated around the Internet.

I personally find that any information posted publicly should have your full name. Hiding behind a pseudonym makes it convenient for those not wishing to carefully research and compose their postings. I find that this ease of not bearing responsibility for statements facilitates a lot of garbage and false or partially false information being floated around the Internet.

That certainly felt like a huge boulder flung my way.  Perhaps I was wrong about this site.

Regards,

Charles

Not meant personally - more universally. I continually see posts hastily written on many fiber lists where spelling, grammar, capitalization and factual content are pretty bad - the poster just put something out to put it out.

I often see (not necessarily on Weavolution) postings starting off "I don't know much about this, but..."

For heaven's sake, if you don't know a good answer, let someone else who does give it. Just because Internet lists are more informal than publishing a book doesn't mean that just flinging things off the top of one's head is good practice. 

My point was and is, if you sign with your real name, chances are you'll take a few minutes to be certain that your reply has merit, contains correct information and is more than just a hasty "me too".

I use my real name, Janet Finch, where I like to, but I like to have my business name out there, too.  My business is Aunt Janet's Fiber Mill, therefore the Aunt Janet.  I've never had any problem having any of my real identity out there.

I use my real name whenever I can, unless the name is already taken on that forum. My other nickname or handle is "rabbitgeek" which reflects my website where I keep information about raising domestic rabbits.

I've been active on bulletin boards systems (BBS) and networks (Fidonet) since 1988  and many systems in those days required handles. I met my lovely wife on a BBS and we communicated for months by email before meeting. We married in 1990. We even hosted a BBS for a couple of years.

As for privacy issues, I've been on the net for so long I can be tracked easily. The few annoying people I've met I've been able block their email addys and they don't trouble me.

I agree with Janet. When using the real name, people tend to be accurate in their facts, unless their facts are wrong. But at least people try to get it right.

But I would not make real names mandatory.

I'd like to tell people of three rules I learned long ago on the FIDOnet message system.

1. Have Fun.
2. Don't be annoying.
3. Don't be easily annoyed.

Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sysop, Electric Village BBS 1996-1998
Fidonet 203/23

Franco brought up a new element, which is non-unique names. 

Just for the record, I made no claims whatever for the efficacy of using screen names in protecting one's identity or location.  Nor do I think that limiting the site to registered users would offer any real protection either (leaving aside what it would do to advertising revenue that funds weavolution).  I am only saying that some of us have circumstances or life experiences that urge us to limit online exposure.  And those people are welcome here too. 

Cyber-stalking is not the issue.  Different people will have different self-perceived needs for privacy and a community this diverse should be prepared to accomodate them all.  Thus, anonymous (unregistered) users can read but not post or comment, or upload a project.  It strikes me as a balanced approach.

For the record, I never read or post from work. I do have an unusual schedule.

Wow Franco, that's real cool. I still remember my first personal internet connection wen I got my first PC.  It was an 8088 Packard Bell from what was then known as the Price Club, it was 1986 and making that connection really opened up the world.  It is amazing to have seen the growth of the WWW since then.  It's funny but I still go to what is now called the "Command Prompt" when I want to do something under the hood.  Things seemed so easy with DOS.  Windows GUI did make a giant leap into the future: I love what is going on.

My avatar is my business logo and I mostly don't care who knows who I am or not.  I used to worry about SPAM and identity theft but I've got pretty good security and SPAM is just a fact of life now, even the biggest ISPs can't seem to get rid of it.

Best regards,

Charles 

There is a difference between a private group, such as many in Yahoo, where the posts are seen only by the members (I run a couple of such private groups, and we are very careful to guard the groups' privacy), and a public forum which can be seen by anyone, as Weavolution is. 

There was a time when it was important that my location not be tracable, for personal reasons, and a couple of times I had to move when my anonymity was compromised, for safety. 

Besides the safety issue for some people,  one of the ways that identity scammers build their personas is to gather all the bits of little personal info that makes them seem "real". And some people simply do not feel comfortable having personal info published in a public place.  That should be respected.  Our commonality is weaving.  It is nice to get to know each other, but knowing personal details shouldn't get in the way of sharing our love of weaving. 

I do like the feel of getting to know people on a forum such as this, and as I came to feel more comfortable, I have revealed more about myself.  I do not know if any personal info posted on our profile is available to "guests", but I hope not.  I do not mind listing my real name for the purposes of registering, but would not like it to be publicly posted.  I just for the first time signed my actual name to a post, which was a huge step for me. 

The irony is that now I am easy to find, but I have found that I still prefer to make the decision myself what name I am known by in a publicly viewable forum.  It doesn't change who I am, or what I weave, or the ability of others to get to know me. 

Several of my best friends are people I first met online, and over a period of time got to know well enough to visit each other in our homes and to introduce to family.  The key, for me, was "getting to know over a period of time".  I expect that same thing will happen for me here.  Over time.

I'd like to see Weavolution considering limiting content to registered members if having everything public hinders community.

Laurie Autio

Neshobe, I did some testing and was slightly startled to realize that all content in user profiles, in addition to the other content (posts, comments, drafts, etc.), which I already knew about, are available to unregistered users and open to web crawlers like Google. 

Weavolution is supported by advertising and I suspect much of its attractiveness as an ad venue is due to its openness and the ease with which new people can be drawn in.  I question whether strictly limiting content to registered users would solve all our problems.  Certainly, requiring registration in order to post has not eliminated SPAM.  Personally, I think shutting out the lurkers could weaken the whole enterprise. 

Perhaps either extreme hinders community.  Still, on the issue of exposing everything in user profiles to anonymous users, maybe there's room for discussion.

Interesting viewpoints. Like the original poster, I like reading details about fellow weavers, especially if their projects or comments intrigue me. If someone hasn't posted the details you are seeking in their profile, you can always send them a PM through Weavolution.

I have belonged to another Yahoo weaving forum for more than 6 years, and because of my travel, have actually met some of the folks who post there. Same with Weavolution and meet-ups. It's fantastic to meet face-to-face with someone whose posts or projects you have followed over time. So I perceive some real benefits to releasing *some* personal information here in my profile. 

Convergence and Complex Weavers were especially fun for me this summer. My roommate for CW found me via my profile here at Weavolution. She thought we'd have a lot in common (and she was right! ;-) The whole week was just wonderful, I never knew who I'd meet in a class or the vendor hall. And after meeting members, it is even more meaningful to follow their posts and continue in communication after the conferences were over.

I use my real name here at Weavolution, but a colorful avatar instead of a face shot. I attach the avatar image to my nametag at weaving conferences or festivals. I know I don't have a memorable mug, and know many folks don't remember names. But when they see the image, they say, "Hey! I think I know you!" 

Sally...who would love to eventually meet *everyone* here at Weavolution in person!