User Profile Info

[Confloozed]

I have noticed recently a lot of new members that have taken EF accounts and that provide almost no information about themselves. Now, while I know there is no way to know if that information provided is truthful or not, it takes away, I feel from the community aspect of this forum, and forum members living in, around, or relations with Switzerland. And I have seen some trolling remarks made by new members that have left maybe one detail about themselves, and have a whole lot of opinions about everyone else.

Is it not possible to require a minimum number of fields to be filled out, the user can choose which fields they want, to help give users some idea of who they are talking to? I mean there is a minimum 4 or 10, not sure, post requirement before sending pm's, this kind of measure would only re-enforce that same time of commitment ideal.

It's just a suggestion, but it feels like more and more only the "oldest" members have their info available, and the newest, not. If one wants to join a community and take for themselves information that is useful about their Swiss experience, future, present, or understanding their past, giving some thing up about themselves should be at least a very minimum one can offer.

I know whenever I go to a party I introduce myself with a few bits of info, why is being online any different?
Just my idea...

[Uncle Max]

I blame Facebook; people want the internet to be about them rather than each other. Commitment? Giving seems to be in short supply, but Me! Me! Me! is the norm.

Things were better in 2007 / bloody kids / when I was a lad etc. etc.

[TiMow]

Often, the same people with minimum profile information, are those who constantly demand help - and knowing their location, language(s) and nationality would undoubtedly make helping easier.

Then we get moaned at for being too hard on noobs ..... ha!

[Phil_MCR]

	Quote:	Confloozed
	I have noticed recently a lot of new members that have taken EF accounts and that provide almost no information about themselves. Now, while I know there is no way to know if that information provided is truthful or not, it takes away, I feel from the community aspect of this forum, and forum members living in, around, or relations with Switzerland. And I have seen some trolling remarks made by new members that have left maybe one detail about themselves, and have a whole lot of opinions about everyone else. Is it not possible to require a minimum number of fields to be filled out, the user can choose which fields they want, to help give users some idea of who they are talking to? I mean there is a minimum 4 or 10, not sure, post requirement before sending pm's, this kind of measure would only re-enforce that same time of commitment ideal. It's just a suggestion, but it feels like more and more only the "oldest" members have their info available, and the newest, not. If one wants to join a community and take for themselves information that is useful about their Swiss experience, future, present, or understanding their past, giving some thing up about themselves should be at least a very minimum one can offer. I know whenever I go to a party I introduce myself with a few bits of info, why is being online any different? Just my idea...

I also feel the same about those who don't state their real first name.

[Tom1234]

	Quote:	Phil_MCR
	I also feel the same about those who don't state their real first name.

Me too!


John

[grynch]

	Quote:	Confloozed
	I Is it not possible to require a minimum number of fields to be filled out, the user can choose which fields they want, to help give users some idea of who they are talking to? I mean there is a minimum 4 or 10, not sure, post requirement before sending pm's, this kind of measure would only re-enforce that same time of commitment ideal. It's just a suggestion, but it feels like more and more only the "oldest" members have their info available, and the newest, not.

As one of the oldest members still kicking around here I have to say I deleted all but my location info shortly after T&A ... paranoid?.. I really don't need my personal data / hobbies , etc visible in order to have a question answered

I think the skill, especially for newbies is in asking the question.
i.e. "I live near Olten and want to know why this town smells of KFC"

all the info required on open forum for a clear answer.

	Quote:	Phil_MCR
	I also feel the same about those who don't state their real first name.

	Quote:	Tom1234
	Me too! John

+1 -----------------------

[TiMow]

	Quote:	grynch
	I think the skill, especially for newbies is in asking the question. i.e. "I live near Olten and want to know why this town smells of KFC"

If, only it was that easy - that's far too logical for many - most questions require the services of Mystic Meg.

Oh ... the answer to the question is:

"Because there are no clothes washing facilities (or is it just the waste water treatment plant, downwind?)"

[grynch]

	Quote:	Phil_MCR
	I also feel the same about those who don't state their real first name.

	Quote:	TiMow
	If, only it was that easy - that's far too logical for many - most questions require the services of Mystic Meg. Oh ... the answer to the question is: "Because there are no clothes washing facilities (or is it just the waste water treatment plant, downwind?)"

ack, if a human-bean can't phrase a simple question properly I think they should be handed over to JRspet for the most fowl (sic) type of abuse.

[BuggedSee]

Whilst I agree, we have to remember that when people have a question that they feel they need an urgent answer to, they forego the formalities.

I know this may not be the case, but not everyone wants to complete X bits of information in order to ask a question.
I quite like the 10 post limit before a PM and I feel that if you have not updated your info after 10 posts, you are here for the wrong reasons and people will pick up on this.

Community for me is about sharing, not just taking, this is my point of view.

B (my first name is too unique in CH)

[grynch]

	Quote:	BuggedSee
	Whilst I agree, we have to remember that when people have a question that they feel they need an urgent answer to, they forego the formalities. I know this may not be the case, but not everyone wants to complete X bits of information in order to ask a question. I quite like the 10 post limit before a PM and I feel that if you have not updated your info after 10 posts, you are here for the wrong reasons and people will pick up on this. Community for me is about sharing, not just taking, this is my point of view. B (my first name is too unique in CH)

About grynch

BiographyEdit Value
N/A
LocationEdit Value
Geneva/Vaud
InterestsEdit Value
N/A
OccupationEdit Value
N/A
NationalityEdit Value
N/A
Native Language(s)Edit Value
N/A
Foreign LanguagesEdit Value
N/A


ok, "interests.".. why would anyone need to know that my interests are collecting vintage pornography and size 7 women's left shoes before I ask if anyone knows where I can buy over ripe mango's in Graubunden

[BuggedSee]

	Quote:	grynch
	About grynch ok, "interests.".. why would anyone need to know that my interests are collecting vintage pornography and size 7 women's left shoes before I ask if anyone knows where I can buy over ripe mango's in Graubunden

I meant that for me people do not have to update their profiles, by answering questions, sharing experiences, etc., they are still sharing.

(P.S. the market for vintage porn is growing, keep them sealed in plastic bags and resist temptation!)

[Peg A]

	Quote:	grynch
	ok, "interests.".. why would anyone need to know that my interests are collecting vintage pornography and size 7 women's left shoes before I ask if anyone knows where I can buy over ripe mango's in Graubunden

	Quote:	BuggedSee
	(P.S. the market for vintage porn is growing, keep them sealed in plastic bags and resist temptation!)

How "vintage" is "vintage"? I think I can get indirect access to some stuff from 70s and 80s...


Regarding the (real) topic of this thread though - I wonder if the profiles could be changed to show slightly different fields, or to require specific ones shown. For example, nationality AND "current" location could be mandatory shown, but the rest of it hidden as desired.

[lost_inbroad]

	Quote:	Confloozed
	I know whenever I go to a party I introduce myself with a few bits of info, why is being online any different? Just my idea...

...sort of like: "Hello, I'm confloozed, 43 years old, virgo, enjoy long walks on the beach and crime-fiction novels. I work as an accountant for a local company. Would you like to meet up some time, so that I can show you my G.I. Joe figurine collection?"

[Sbrinz]

Do you remember the pregnant Asian woman living in Lausanne with roots in Germany, and wanted a private hospital room while only paying basic health insurance?

It took ages to drag all that out of her: how can you advise people if they are so secretive?

[Neil600]

	Quote:	Phil_MCR
	I also feel the same about those who don't state their real first name.

I can agree although in my case, the explanation for my choice of user name is: total lack of imagination...... Guess what the 600 means?

[MusicChick]

I think there is no way to make people share more than they are willing to. How do you check for truth, anyways. It also seems to me that it's not the little bits of info one would share in the profile that affects the community cohesion, but all the little bits and pieces we put together about people these few years in their posts, meet ups, events, jokes, banter..You can't force one state it in the profile.

Another things is anonymity, for security reasons. Some people have real names, some silly ones have real photos, ehm ehm, but it depends how safe one feels. Generally speaking, I would stay on the side of caution when sharing anything anywhere online. One cannot make it obligatory, nor sharing over the limit of one's comfort. Usually the ice melts, though, after a few weeks, and people become less prudent. But i completely see, why one wouldn't feel up to sharing a lot of personal details, we all have professional lives to keep separate from social life, etc.

If people do not say enough about themselves and need advice, it's not the profile info that is missing, but a poorly written OP.

[Karen1983]

I can not like a post, do think I have posted enough times.

So here goes....thank you to the OP. I am a newbie and created my profile over a year ago, but now I am settled in Switzerland, I find myself on here daily and commenting where I can. My user profile has been update

[TiMow]

	Quote:	Karen1983
	I can not like a post, do think I have posted enough times. So here goes....thank you to the OP. I am a newbie and created my profile over a year ago, but now I am settled in Switzerland, I find myself on here daily and commenting where I can. My user profile has been update

You have now .... the magic number's 10.

Go on try it out - don't be shy.

P.S. Many don't like my posts either - 'cept for dogs.

[MusicChick]

	Quote:	TiMow
	P.S. Many don't like my posts either - 'cept for dogs.

I like that one.

[ElggDK]

	Quote:	Neil600
	I can agree although in my case, the explanation for my choice of user name is: total lack of imagination...... Guess what the 600 means?

Something very cool like 007 but you messed up the order?