- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 846
Watching the recent (and sad) events play out with valued members resigning made me realize that an approach used by other forums may be useful.
I don't know if it's the right answer, but thought I'd mention it.
The problem is not that a member was anonymous, it was that they were allowed to claim, increasingly, special knowledge, experience, and insight. With no validation.
The way many service related forums handle this is that if you want to be anonymous, do so. But don't claim or even allude to experience that would make you an authority over others. Other hobby and professional forums are now doing similar. But if you are an authority or have specific experience, allow that to be validated so members can know it's trustworthy.
If it's of interest I can share how other forums are dealing with this issue while avoiding censorship and loss of privacy.
Again, I don't know if it's the right thing for this forum. But I think we skate this issue on a routine basis, and now have been burned.
I don't know if it's the right answer, but thought I'd mention it.
The problem is not that a member was anonymous, it was that they were allowed to claim, increasingly, special knowledge, experience, and insight. With no validation.
The way many service related forums handle this is that if you want to be anonymous, do so. But don't claim or even allude to experience that would make you an authority over others. Other hobby and professional forums are now doing similar. But if you are an authority or have specific experience, allow that to be validated so members can know it's trustworthy.
If it's of interest I can share how other forums are dealing with this issue while avoiding censorship and loss of privacy.
Again, I don't know if it's the right thing for this forum. But I think we skate this issue on a routine basis, and now have been burned.