Here's a proposal - strongly encourage all posters to add a line or more to their signature stating whether they own a particular model, whether they are a dealer or whether they want to become a dealer. I absolutely agree that everyone has equal right to be heard - however, it will be a service to all readers if they know a posters affiliations.
If there's any resistance to this then I'd ask people to question why someone might not want you to know.
(also fix it so that when posting a new topic the signature is added - I have to add mine manually to new topics but when replying to existing threads it works as expected).
John Harding
Blue XM-2000
Ann Arbor, MI
http://www.revevllc.com
I'm going to need more than the 233 character limit on my sig.
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- An Authorized Retailer for X-treme Scooters, BigToys RideOn, ScooterX & Waldeck Jewelers -
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Wow. I like the new banner. Very cool.
Now, what about everyone else - are they going to declare their affiliations or pretend like they don't have any?
John H.
Blue XM-2000
Ann Arbor, MI
http://www.revevllc.com
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
It may be a good idea, but in the interest of those of us with a slower connection, and also to reflect the non commercial nature of this forum, I'd like to keep fancy footers with banners or anything that suggests advertising off most of the discussion except the buy/sell forum.
I'm fine with the idea of keeping fancy banners out (sorry AF) - but I'd say it's a disservice to not let people know the poster's affiliations.
Unfortunately I don't think this forum is non-commercial in nature. Nor do I need it to be. I don't think any ads are detracting from the content.
If we keep away from fancy banners would you support this idea?
John H.
Blue XM-2000
Ann Arbor, MI
http://www.revevllc.com - Authorized X-Treme dealer
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
*pout*
I just did the image because I couldn't get enough characters in the signature to make it do what I wanted.
If someone could increase the permitted characters in the sig, that would make me feel all warm and fuzzy. ;)
www.BaseStationZero.com - An Authorized Retailer for X-treme Scooters, BigToys, ScooterX & Waldeck Jewelers -
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There's a range of opinion about disclosing your "real" identity ... for example some people are (rightfully) afraid to disclose too much personal information because of the threat of identity threat or what might happen if arguments escalate and someone is able to identify where the other lives. Online forums like this have great opportunity for people to connect with each other but that's not always a wholesome experience.
However speaking for myself ... I really like to know who it is that I'm talking with, and I appreciate knowing what peoples names are and a few things about them.
It's not necessary to change the site software ... for example the site already supports a user profile, you can go to "My Account" and enter a bunch of information, and your personal profile is linked to every post and comment you make.
And, of course, there's a signature that goes at the bottom of every post. Except it only goes at the bottom of comments... if you want it to appear at the bottom of the head post to something, that's gonna take a small change which might just be a configuration option.
What would need to change I think is in the habits of the folk using this site.
- David Herron, http://davidherron.com/
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
I'm not talking about exposing personal information.
I'm talking about adding some common information to the signature (I don't want to cause any work for the already overworked and under appreciated web masters!)
If people want to use a pseudonym is fine by me. But I do want to know if they own a particular EV, if they are a dealer for a particular brand or if they are considering becoming a dealer for a brand. Those three bits of information heavily weigh in on my decision making of how much weight to give their input - especially on contentious issues like "how good is product x, y or z". It's also useful info on far more mundane topics - I place more weight on posts from reikiman, PJD, davew and many more - because I know they "walk the walk" not just "talk the talk".
I agree that this is mostly about changing how folks use the site. However, they don't need to change their habits - they just need to add information to their signature file and then job done.
(oh, and one respectful request to the webmaster - please can you change it so that the signature is included on the initial topic creation)
John H.
Blue XM-2000
Ann Arbor, MI
http://www.revevllc.com - Authorized X-Treme dealer
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
And please raise the 233 character signature limit to at least 300. All other boards I know of start at 1k and up. Danke!
www.BaseStationZero.com - An Authorized Retailer for X-treme Scooters, BigToys, ScooterX & Waldeck Jewelers -
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bump.
John H.
Blue XM-2000
Ann Arbor, MI
http://www.revevllc.com - Authorized X-Treme dealer
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
(oh, and one respectful request to the webmaster - please can you change it so that the signature is included on the initial topic creation)
I took a look around this morning for the setting for this, and couldn't find it.
Hmm...
http://drupal.org/node/70906 ... ah, this is even better: http://drupal.org/project/signature
- David Herron, http://davidherron.com/
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
So... I added that module.
It is having the effect that the signature is now doubled.. because the signature text is already in the entry in the database, and then the signature module adds the signature text on display, but it's already being displayed. I'll leave the signature module turned on until tomorrow so that you can see what I mean. Clearly we don't want it to stay this way.
I just found this posting suggesting in drupal6 there is a better thought out solution: http://drupal.org/node/132446
Note that drupal 6 beta 1 was just released, which means in 2-3 months I'll be working on shifting this site to drupal 6.
- David Herron, http://longtailpipe.com/
And I found this workaround for the signature length: http://drupal.org/node/174955
I just altered the database, so if someone wants to try a longer signature please do so. I for one like short signatures. In the old days they only allowed us four lines of signature, and that's what made me a man, figuring out how to squeeze my life into four measly lines of text 80 columns wide. It really makes a man out of you to do that, let me tell you. You young kids have it so easy with your hypertext and blinking graphics and youtube. Hah!
- David Herron, http://longtailpipe.com/
Thanks for all your hard work - I'd thought my sig was missing so I kept adding it by hand - now I see that it appears automagically.
You rock.
Now - back to our regularly scheduled programming -
Will no one other than me and ArcticFox clearly state our affiliations (not personal info pseudonyms are fine: Mr Jones you'll always be GMan to me!)
Here's my suggestion:
Line 1 - name or pseudonym
Line 2 - EV's owned and ridden
Line 3 - location (just the State is fine or city and state is better)
Line 4 - details of affiliations (a moderator, a dealer, a prospective dealer) - no affiliations? then leave it blank
Also, just one login per individual. Having one login as a moderator and one login as an "ordinary" community member is somewhat false I think.
Why do this?
If one knows you're a regular rider of a particular bike then one can place more or less emphasis on your advice. Ditto for the affiliations. Location is a nice addition to build more community and to start seeing where most bikes are ridden.
Why not put it in the account info rather than the signature file?
Because I think it needs to be visible all the time - it will only add a few lines to the post and most posts are significantly longer than that!
How to enforce this?
I don't suggest we try and enforce it - but I do suggest that those with strong dealership and/or product affiliations be strongly encouraged (by peer pressure) to play along. It can be just plain unfair to offer commentary without the reader knowing your affiliations.
Why not do this?
Please let me know.
----
bumping again - I will keep bumping for one week from original post to give others a fair chance to see and respond - after that I'll try a different approach to gather interest and input on this topic
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
Well it's starting to look like no one gives a hoot about knowing people's affiliations. I'm surprised. But, as promised I'll keep beating this particular dead horse until Wednesday. Then I'll take a different approach.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
Apparently there is some feeling that stating one's commercial affiliations in one's signature constitutes advertising and should only be allowed in the "for sale" forum. Apparently whoever thinks that decided to change some signatures without notifying the affected parties.
Perhaps the phantom signature editor would care to address this course of action in this thread. You know the one where I clearly requested input from everyone on whether this was a good idea or not. No discussions between moderators required - come post your thoughts for all to see. Or are you not allowed to?
Do people think me saying "Authorized X-Treme dealer" constitutes advertising? If so, do you think it detracts from your ability to read a post? Or do you think that knowing I'm an X-Treme dealer helps you place my comments in context? Of course you probably believe both so feel free to chime in with which you feel is more important.
Of course those of you with the keys to the forum software can edit whatever posts whenever you want. But if you do that how will anyone be able to trust you or the board you wish to moderate? I'd urge all board moderators to find the "phantom editor" and beat him (or her) repeatedly with a cold fish (preferably rotten) until he agrees to 'fess up in public, apologize and show a little more forethought before editing other people's stuff.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
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I can hear it already...
LOL!
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Board Moderator - you are not a person. You are a title. However that strange trailing back tick (`) that appears makes me think your GMan (it appears in most of his other posts and no-one else's. Of course I might be thinking too much - not something we can accuse you of, eh, Board Moderator?
So, Mr. BM you think saying "Authorized X-Treme Dealer" is somehow violating some inalienable right? Was there a complaint? Was there a problem? Or did you just not want to state your own affiliations and this was an easier path forward?
Tell me why there's a problem with saying "Authorized X-Treme Dealer" for crying out loud. And please tell me in a way that doesn't hide behind a stupid title.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
I think the tick is like a super secret handshake. Some have the (`), others have a (.) -- too bad there aren't any women on this board, they could have (.Y.)
LOL
www.BaseStationZero.com - An Authorized Retailer for X-treme Scooters, BigToys, ScooterX & Waldeck Jewelers -
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jdh2550_1, I agree with your proposal, and I think your points are valid. Unfortunately theres no practical way to enforce it, and disclosing your identity or any personal information in a public online forum should never be required.
I think it benefits the poster and their credibility most to give more background information about themselves. This thread is valid, but there can't really be any call to action other than those reading this forum should be compelled to do that stated and I certainly don't disagree.
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/587-my-kz750-electric-motorcycle-project]KZ750 Motorcycle Conversion[/url]
[url=/forum-topic/motorcycles-and-large-scooters/588-fixing-my-chinese-scooter]900 watt scooter[/url]
Pic from http://www.electri
I happen to like to know what others are riding and their intentions if any. It makes their points more valid in my book.
I'll take Reikiman's advice any day on Charger Electric Bicycles because I know he owns one too.
I'll take advice from GreatGuru, CheapFun, UsaTracy, Jdh2550, and Raynman regarding XM-2000's because I know they own one too.
There are others like Andrew, PJD, EChuckj5, and Fechter who give good battery advice.
And lastly, without ArcticFox stating his intentions regarding being a dealer (+ the awesome price!), I wouldn't have been able to get my XM-2000 so soon.
So, the signature is a good thing. And the multiple secret logons are crap. Be a man and stand up for yourself if you're one of the secret Board Moderators! Don't be a weenie.
Okay, I'm gonna recreate my signature by hand here since it seems to have disappeared:
kringle777
Red XM-2000
Green Charger Electric Bicycle
Sacramento, CA
kringle777
Red XM-2000
Moss Green "Charger" ebike
Sacramento, CA
andrew,
I fully agree that no one has to give personal identity info (although I like to believe you're called andrew in real life and that kringle is actually related to Father Xmas - but that's just me!).
I also agree that there is no practical way to enforce this. However, I would hope that the moderator team would lead by example and politely encourage others on the benefits of openness.
Or they could go on and "silently" change things in the shadows until someone notices and cries foul...
So far I've not seen anyone agree with "Board Moderator" that signatures represent a problem so I hope common sense will prevail and we will have signatures restored soon.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.