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**pitch420** · 08-16-2007, 02:22 PM

Re: Guest Posting

Originally posted by MASoccer

I would like to reverse my original stance that guest postings become no longer allowed.

I agree with you on this.

However, I dont think it will be that simple to fix unfortunately as I believe any change would cut across all forums here on this BB. We're not the only ones here.

Would be great to be able to filter them though but only after someone teaches that Fred guy how to stay logged in

http://www.bbvforums.org/forums/clipart/cool-2.gif

**MASoccer** · 08-16-2007, 02:38 PM

Interesting another advantage to registering:

Originally posted by FAQ

Why can't I vote in polls?
Only registered users can vote in polls so as to prevent spoofing of results. If you have registered and still cannot vote then you probably do not have appropriate access rights.

Didn't realize this when I setup the poll but alas, the advantages of membership!!
http://www.pic4ever.com/images/za2.gif

08-16-2007, 02:59 PM

Re: Guest Posting

Originally posted by MASoccer

When this forum was started the guest postings were minimal and I felt they added a lot to the discussions. As of late this trend has reversed. Guest postings have become much more mean spirited and many times those posting anonymously have directly attacked other individuals.

Because of the guest postings it is impossible to keep track of who said what. The flow of the thread becomes drastically impeded since it is difficult to respond or debate issues. There have been a few times that I would rather IM the poster instead of debating the issue publicly, but unless you are a registered user this is not possible. I would like to reverse my original stance that guest postings become no longer allowed. I feel strongly that this privilege has been seriously abused and really dilutes the credibilty of some of the topics discussed. Just taking a few minutes to register a name is easy to do. Users still remain anonymous, it allows better fluidity to the discussions, and as an added benefit you get to post your own personal avatar!

In the MPS thread there were 413 guest postings (give or take) out of 671 total posts. This is the trend lately where topics are dominated by annonymous responses. It is very tough to follow these threads since you don't know if it's the same person pretending to post as different people or if they truly are different individuals.

Originally posted by FSM

I agree with the highlighted portion. However, as long as the moderators allow unregistered "Guests" to post, they are actually encouraging this kind of stuff. Not to mention they open the forum to the potential of some really offensive stuff being posted.

As you are someone who only recently felt comfortable enough to post, it's a bit surprising that you would be so bothered by this. After all, who is better poised to understand someone's reluctance to identify themselves?

**FSM** · 08-16-2007, 03:02 PM

I'd have to agree with Pitch and MASoccer, but not for the same reasons. One of the coaching forums I visit had recently encountered a steady stream of spam attacks that ranged from annoying advertisements (viagra for example) to some with very offensive content (as in pornographic). They have since chosen to require new users enter a valid email address in order to register and then post once verified. I don't know the ins and outs of how these forums work, but that, to me, sounds like a good reason to make guests register.

08-16-2007, 03:45 PM

Re: Guest Posting

Originally posted by MASoccer

In the MPS thread there were 413 guest postings (give or take) out of 671 total posts. This is the trend lately where topics are dominated by annonymous responses. It is very tough to follow these threads since you don't know if it's the same person pretending to post as different people or if they truly are different individuals.

The MPS thread is the Jarndyce v. Jarndyce of threads. I am certain the great majority of readers do not give a hoot and holler about it. Abandon all hope, ye who enter there!

The forum would be a nicer but duller and less informative place without Guest posts.

**MASoccer** · 08-16-2007, 04:02 PM

Re: Guest Posting

Originally posted by Anonymous

As you are someone who only recently felt comfortable enough to post, it's a bit surprising that you would be so bothered by this. After all, who is better poised to understand someone's reluctance to identify themselves?

It's not the anonymity that bothers me, it's the annoyance of trying to follow discussions and the deliberate deception by a handful of guests that exploit a loophole in the forum. When one person is pretending to be many different people it dilutes the purpose of the discussion. there have been times that Guests have posted and quoted their own posts in a reponse in order to bolster their position.

I am one person with one username, I have been very clear about my position on a number of topics. Again the advantages of a username is to follow a thread and get a true picture of ones position. Guest, to guest, to guest is extremely difficult to follow and the tone of the conversations tend to become more personal and mean spirited, mainly because there is no way to trace who posted it.

**JustForFun** · 08-16-2007, 04:16 PM

MASoccer writes:

It's not the anonymity that bothers me, it's the annoyance of trying to follow discussions and the deliberate deception by a handful of guests that exploit a loophole in the forum.

I agree with MASoccer. There are a lot of threads that I stop reading because I am unable to follow the discussion. But vetting the Guest posts without some reasonable Moderator vetting, is pointless. Moderators, who act the same as Guests with deliberate deception, and randomly shut down threads, are just as detrimental to the Forum. Anonymity is fine, but on the Touchline there was a consistent Moderator as well as a lack of Guests. Both issues are why I have significant less interest in participating these days.

08-16-2007, 04:39 PM

I also have changed my position on this. I used to think more and/or better information could be gained with Guest posting allowed because of the increased level of anonymity. What has resulted is the opposite. So many of the Guest posts tend to be juvenile, non-informational and hostile.

For example for about 35 pages now I have felt that someone, or some people, using the Guest feature on the MPS thread were keeping that thread alive by design, by reacting 'defensively' to every post as if someone was 'bashing' MPS, even though few of the posts did that. All publicity is good publicity I guess is the theory.

MASoccers research indicating 413 out of 671 posts using the Guest feature in that thread would support that theory.

The 'Guests' are ruining the Forum. Some of the better posters have mentioned less enjoyment. I think it has turned into kindergarten in some threads.

The level of participation in this Forum will be reduced by the 'trolls' if they arent controlled..

"Would be great to be able to filter them though but only after someone teaches that Fred guy how to stay logged in"

If someone could teach me how to stay logged in after I hit submit and I am logged out by the system, that would be good too.

**Fred Marks** · 08-16-2007, 04:41 PM

Fred M. ^

**FXWLD 24/7** · 08-16-2007, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by JustForFun

MASoccer writes:

It's not the anonymity that bothers me, it's the annoyance of trying to follow discussions and the deliberate deception by a handful of guests that exploit a loophole in the forum.

I agree with MASoccer. There are a lot of threads that I stop reading because I am unable to follow the discussion. But vetting the Guest posts without some reasonable Moderator vetting, is pointless. Moderators, who act the same as Guests with deliberate deception, and randomly shut down threads, are just as detrimental to the Forum. Anonymity is fine, but on the Touchline there was a consistent Moderator as well as a lack of Guests. Both issues are why I have significant less interest in participating these days.

As a newbie, my first thread being shutdown has impacted my interest in the forum. Between that random shutdown and some of the guest posting it feels like a forum that is being manipulated for someone's gain, which IMO is disgusting :vom: (Sorry thought this needed a visual). I am a good example of someone who read touchline off and on for a couple of years and took the new forum as an opportunity to participate. I vote for registering.

**FSM** · 08-16-2007, 05:53 PM

There is still Keeper's site if anyone is willing to move there: http://touchline.informe.com/ and I'd bet keeper would do a good job moderating too.

**Cujo** · 08-16-2007, 08:20 PM

Re: Guest Posting

Originally posted by MASoccer

Originally posted by Anonymous

As you are someone who only recently felt comfortable enough to post, it's a bit surprising that you would be so bothered by this. After all, who is better poised to understand someone's reluctance to identify themselves?

It's not the anonymity that bothers me, it's the annoyance of trying to follow discussions and the deliberate deception by a handful of guests that exploit a loophole in the forum. When one person is pretending to be many different people it dilutes the purpose of the discussion. there have been times that Guests have posted and quoted their own posts in a reponse in order to bolster their position.

I am one person with one username, I have been very clear about my position on a number of topics. Again the advantages of a username is to follow a thread and get a true picture of ones position. Guest, to guest, to guest is extremely difficult to follow and the tone of the conversations tend to become more personal and mean spirited, mainly because there is no way to trace who posted it.

I agree - it makes your head spin trying to figure out who is saying what.

**Cujo** · 08-16-2007, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by JustForFun

MASoccer writes:

It's not the anonymity that bothers me, it's the annoyance of trying to follow discussions and the deliberate deception by a handful of guests that exploit a loophole in the forum.

I agree with MASoccer. There are a lot of threads that I stop reading because I am unable to follow the discussion. But vetting the Guest posts without some reasonable Moderator vetting, is pointless. Moderators, who act the same as Guests with deliberate deception, and randomly shut down threads, are just as detrimental to the Forum. Anonymity is fine, but on the Touchline there was a consistent Moderator as well as a lack of Guests. Both issues are why I have significant less interest in participating these days.

Consistent Moderator is fine as long as it is not someone who plays favorites and/or rules with such and iron fist that there is no passion in the forum. It gets heated but it is okay to disagree with someone. How boring would the forum be if we all just sat here taking warm showers together and singing cumbaya.

08-17-2007, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by FSM

There is still Keeper's site if anyone is willing to move there: http://touchline.informe.com/ and I'd bet keeper would do a good job moderating too.

The fact that an actual forum poster runs and moderates the site compromises the opinions of those that wish to remain anonymous, even those behind hidden registered names and fictitous locations.