Irked by snotty "Guest" posts

[Rob Babcock]

This has been on my mind for awhile now: there are several threads with some trollish & inflamatory comments interjected by anonymous posters (ie "guests"). I really don't like this, and I'd like to see things changed so that only registered users can post. This would create some accountability and help foster community. I don't really care if someone is rude or boorish, as long as they sign their name to their posts.

It's not a crisis, but I'm annoyed by people who only stop by to "crap in our yard" and then leave.

There. I feel better now!

 

[Rÿche 1]

I really don't like this, and I'd like to see things changed so that only registered users can post. This would create some accountability and help foster community.

Good point, I agree.

 

[surveyor]

I agree with Rob! If the annonimous posters can't take the heat get out of the fryin pan.

Cheers

 

[joelincoln]

I'm a relatively new member here but am an experienced forum user and admin on another site (non-audio related).

When I was just a visitor here, I would not have had any problems with being required to sign-up before posting. Since you allow lurking by anyone now, most visitors may not even mind the change.

The only way to prevent this problem is by locking out unregistered users. Actually, I'm quite surprised that you don't have more of a problem than you do. Most folks here are kind, helpful, and courteous.

Another option might be to limit unregistered posters to one area but this usually doesn't work in the long run.

Good luck.

 

[frkuhn]

I agree with Rob. I see no problem in unregistered users reading the messages, but letting them post freely may let things go way out of hand.

 

[gene]

We pondered the issue about registration/non registration posting requirement for awhile and leaned towards the latter simply because we were hoping it would attract more people to participate in the forum. Since this is a relatively new forum, we didn't want to hinder the flow of posting and so far the trolling has been kept to a minimum. We would like to have more moderators on board so if anyone with greater than 100 posts is interested, please email me. In the future if we find things getting out of hand, we will make registration a requirement. However, as a quick example, we require registration for writing product reviews in our new forum section and so far nobdy has even posted there. The alternative is to incentify people with prizes to post reviews but then I feel like we are holding a carrot over everyones head to participate. I prefer to grow the forums naturally with people that really want to contribute, not simply post to win a prize. It seems too cheesy to me.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I was going to congratulate you on adding the user reviews section. I only noticed it a couple days ago; I'm sure given time there'll be many posts there. It takes a lot of time and energy to craft a coherent review of a product, so I wouldn't expect a flood of posts right away.

One other comment- some sites allow registration without an emailed activation link. If you were concerned about the process scaring people off, you could try that.

I'd just hate to see threads ruined by anonymous trolls, but the problem isn't really an epidemic or anything.

 

[Unregistered]

Rob,

You make a good point and I am sorry that the "unregistered" status has been abused. I am guilty of being unregistered as well (obviously) but I have almost always signed my name (Really, my only postings are just one thread on the Neophytes forum titled "Any Wise Advice" and a response to the "Mordaunt Short thread" recently started in the "Loudspeakers" forum b/c I knew a website that the OP might want to take a look at). Had I been required to register, I probably would not have submitted my questions b/c I(1) am lazy and (2) am intimidated by forum posting in general and especially by forums about audio, which I know very little about. However, the responses to my posts have all been very kind and helpful, more so than I expected due to my "unregistered" status and I will try to get around to registering soon so as to officially join the community. Please accept my apologies but please also realize that if not for this feature, I would not have felt free to ask my question, and would not have been so impressed with the considerate and helpful responses.

Thanks for your help,

Chris

 

[Unregistered]

Oh yes, and thank you for your helpful response regarding Near Fields! (I forgot to mention that that was also one of the questions I asked).

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[Rob Babcock]

Glad to help! BTW, I sure don't mean to imply that all "guests" abuse the system; I'm only referring to the guys who hide behind the anonymity to say things they wouldn't if they had to identify themselves.

Even so, it's really not difficult at all to sign up as a member, and doesn't take very long. One advantage of this is the sense of community if fosters. Even if you never meet another member face to face, you begin to feel like you know them. You can always use a screen name if you like (I'm one of the rare guys that uses my real name- yes, I realize this has some drawbacks, but I've done so for so long that there's little reason to change now).

Again, I have no problem with the good guys who simply haven't had the chance to register, and I hope you'll continue to find this forum useful.

 

[Mudcat]

I'm only referring to the guys who hide behind the anonymity to say things they wouldn't if they had to identify themselves.

Thankfully there have been very few of these. But the most virulent that I have seen on all the forums I visit occured here in threads on Yamaha products (must bring out the best in all of us). But only one flaming A$$ was a guest.

 

[markw]

Are you guys really sure you don't want to reconsider it?

 

[Unregistered]

total skunk

Actually,
I posted an anonymous repy to the shame on Bose column cos I was googling for some room-mates (used to have some ages ago and they were actually pretty sweet) and the first hit I came to was the "Shame on Bose" thread, where I proceeded to vent my spleen on you merry guys for what I perceived as deranged snobbery.
Anyway, firstly, apologies as I was forwarded a fantastic link explaining how cheap, shoddy and image oriented Bose product is. Secondly, come on you guys, I googled for Bose, ready to buy some of their frankly insulting product, and you were the first people to appear. The net result is that I will be buying a Henry Kloss Model 2 for my little commuting flat in London, and not some piece of overpriced crap.
Would I have been bothered enough to register just to flame you guys? prolly not. Would I have been educated in Bose' evil marketing and inferior product. Definately not. Would I have the benefit in a months time of owning a product which makes me feel warm down to my socks on lonely nights?.... nah.
So, on balance, this should stay on open forum for the common good, and hey, if someone weighs in and tells you you're nuts for spending 3000 grand to try and bleed sound from a CD which doesn't have the range to support such spending, maybe you are a little crazy. I know I am (Star wars devotee at 35 - yike)
Again, thanks all, this is a great forum, and keep it open.

 

[Unregistered]

booooo!

Aww but that means us un reggies can't be dicks anymore! Think of the children! Think of them!

 

[Rob Babcock]

Total Skunk, I don't really even have a problem with anonymous posters joining in the orgy of B(l)ose bashing- this is more about people coming in and making personal attacks on other posters and hiding behind anonymity.

Be advise, too, that regular posters who go anon to flame will still have their IP address visible!

 

[Yamahaluver]

Thankfully there have been very few of these. But the most virulent that I have seen on all the forums I visit occured here in threads on Yamaha products (must bring out the best in all of us). But only one flaming A$$ was a guest.

Nicely put Mudcat, the vehemence is rabid especially when Yamahaluver and Yamaha is concerned. Dunno, if it is my moniker or Yamaha that people of this kind are turned off by.

 

[Mudcat]

Could be a bit of p_ _ _ _ envy. You got the moniker. AV-Pile can't go and change to Rotelluver now can he. And the guest you encited last week over some amp question seemed like he was itching for a fight (probably a dissed member without the guts to log on).

 

[Yamahaluver]

Could be our friend Bruce from the past, dont know if you were around when that took place but it was downright nasty and ugly and even Gene and others had to bear the brunt of his wraith on my account sadly.

 

[Unregistered]

Could be our friend Bruce from the past, dont know if you were around when that took place but it was downright nasty and ugly and even Gene and others had to bear the brunt of his wraith on my account sadly.

So he was 'haunting' you? A wraith is a ghost or apparition.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Or it could be "wrath" with certain types of Southern accent.

(BTW, my actual name is Bruce. Wasn't me, honest!)