Profiles - What do Members want?

[Idris]

On the site you can open up profiles to show collectors names, city etc but Nick seems to have it closed. You never know who you are addressing as only site names show. It would be helpful to address members by their correct names.

The above quote, originally posted in the Rogues' Gallery (Who's Who) thread raises the interesting question of what Members want from VBD.
When the old Lefora site was subjected to its disastrous downgrade, one of the many criticisms levelled against the new version was that it leaned too much towards being a social platform rather than being simply a no frills discussion board.
My question is therefore, are Members happy with what we currently have, or is there now a desire for a stronger social element?
(In the meantime, I've added a few autobiographical notes to my entry in the Who's Who thread, which might represent a better way forward for more reserved Members.)

[Moyboy]

It's interesting but don't see it as more of a social element. I sometimes feel uncomfortable posting as I do not know whom I am addressing and thought it would be a bit more polite to call someone by their christian name rather than , say, ' iamthecorvette' or whatever. Really a christian name in the profile and maybe a country would sometimes make it a wee bit easier and courteous.

[ClOwY]

I agree with you their Mick,(but only if members wont, not compulsory)
Gary

[Tinman]

It's interesting but don't see it as more of a social element. I sometimes feel uncomfortable posting as I do not know whom I am addressing and thought it would be a bit more polite to call someone by their christian name rather than , say, ' iamthecorvette' or whatever. Really a christian name in the profile and maybe a country would sometimes make it a wee bit easier and courteous.

I too think a few more details are a good idea.

[Idris]

If there is general agreement on what information Members would like to see, I'll see what I can do.

[kay]

I would like to see the real name, as well as city and country of origin.....

Kay

[DrJeep]

I think there can be good reasons for people not to share too many details - high profile jobs, perhaps, or public responsibilities, or even messy divorces or custody cases. Country seems reasonable, but city or town might be going too far. Moderators should have access to full names but as a forum member I'm happy to know as much or as little as people are prepared to share. Cyber security is a genuine problem. My browser always reminds me that VBD is not a secure website (it's http and not https).

[SuperFast]

This is a good point DrJeep.
No data is secure on internet. I think the first name would be ok but this information is still visible for everyone, even for unregistered guests.

[Moyboy]

My browser always reminds me that VBD is not a secure website (it's http and not https).
Sorry but this statement makes me laugh. I use the same site as Nick and where I have it registered (Network Solutions, a very large company in the US), I can make it https for a small fee. I'm not sure what security this actually gives you apart from adding the 's' to the web address. I think this was something Google came up with saying the site is not secure when it shows on screen but not completely sure or is it just a money making scheme

[DrJeep]

My browser always reminds me that VBD is not a secure website (it's http and not https).
Sorry but this statement makes me laugh. I use the same site as Nick and where I have it registered (Network Solutions, a very large company in the US), I can make it https for a small fee. I'm not sure what security this actually gives you apart from adding the 's' to the web address. I think this was something Google came up with saying the site is not secure when it shows on screen but not completely sure or is it just a money making scheme

Always good to raise a laugh at Christmas!

Seriously, there is a difference and it's not just a money-raising thing. I'm definitely no expert but as I understand it, https encrypts all the information passed between the browser and the server, while the older http doesn't. That means that anything sent to an http site that's intercepted can be read.

That might not sound too serious - after all, there's nothing very secret on these sites. But it does include passwords, so if you log into an http site from a hotel or public wifi somewhere, it's possible for someone mischievous to find out your user name and password. VBD and Moyboyz are hardly going to attract a big state-sponsored cyber attack, but a teenage hacker might just have a play around because they can. I'm fairly sure there's some confidential information on each site, probably only accessible to moderators and admins. I know that people send addresses and perhaps bank details in personal messages, and I'd be very surprised if there aren't some people who use the same password on other sites, even though we all know that's a silly thing to do. An attack might delete pages at random, or inject viruses into some areas. I know it feels unlikely, but it's not as impossible as you might think.

Honestly, I'd move to https if possible. I'm sure there are others who can comment with more expertise!