whatever happened to filling out profiles?

[mrchip]

not for nothing but it seems that nobody recently likes to fill out profiles..it would be nice to know where people are located and something about them.....maybe if the regulars who respond with info and help would refrain from responding to anyone who doesn't fill out profile would encourage them to do so....what do you say?

[SGT]

Mr Chip,

Over the years, even on the original forum, this issue has resurfaced many times and then fades out without resolution. It is legitimate and I agree full profiles should be completed. Not sure if you will ever get everyone to stop posting though. For most it is just human nature to help someone. I am guilty of that myself. Perhaps, if it is possible, could be made mandatory during your profile setup. It might not be possible though do to some "Right To Privacy" law. Who knows.

They way I would like to see it... Incomplete Profile, No Posting, PERIOD!

[Brent Deines]

The problem is that just because someone fills out a profile, that does not mean they are being honest. I have ways of checking when necessary, but for the most part I don't worry about it unless the posts are suspicious.

[aikorei]

Originally Posted by mrchip

not for nothing but it seems that nobody recently likes to fill out profiles..it would be nice to know where people are located and something about them.....maybe if the regulars who respond with info and help would refrain from responding to anyone who doesn't fill out profile would encourage them to do so....what do you say?

I didn't even realize we had profiles. Maybe it's an (lack of) education thing in some instances. I guess I'll go fill one out.

[splitpit]

I don't see why it even matters and refusing to reply to the posts of those who don't fill them out seems kind of goofy to me.

[Blind Squirrel]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

Many people are becoming more and more cautious about any personal information floating around in cyberspace. And, for good reason.

As for this forum, the issues and questions raised in the postings carry their own merit, that is, to be discussed or ignored relative to the readers interest.

I deleted my profile information sometime last year.

It has come up a number of times, seemingly as a complaint, about forum members not filling out their profiles. Cyberspace creates an "insulation" from identification where you can say anything you want and pretend to be anyone you want. Brent said it well, a profile can be anything you want. Hence, we have forum "terms of service" in place to prevent anything from getting out of control.

So, ignore those who don't fill out their profiles? Hmmmmmm, I hope I can say this without coming across like a jerk, but, I have always regarded this forum as an excellent source of information about many areas of windshield repair. However, it involves a great deal of "weeding". One way I've looked at it is that many postings tell me "how not" to do things.

My point is, it is only one of many sources that I have and will consult when seeking insight and information.

[Blind Squirrel]

And I meant to say, what are we going to do about these "lurkers"?

[splitpit]

Aren't we all "lurkers" when it comes to the internet? Don't we all use it to find information without first giving a formal introduction to the rest of the world?

[screenman]

So if I get this right Spitpit you suggest we all stay informal or lurkers as you call them.
When I meet someone for the first time I introduce myself, is this not what we are asking people to do when they fill in their profile.
Personaly I feel we are asking guys entering the forum to fill out their profiles out of politeness, this may come as something new to many people.
Will I carry on answering questions asked by those that do not fill in? yes of course I will. Mainly because it is quite often of benefit to more than just the original poster.
Again I feel we will have to agree to disagree on this one I am sure one day we will find common ground.

[splitpit]

You missed my point altogether. Who do you announce yourself to when you use the internet for other types of searches and sources? This is the internet, not Mr. Roger's neighborhood. I wasn't talking specifically about this forum, I was talking about the internet in general.