Buy, Sell or Trade access via log-in only?
 

I have just noticed that the Buy, Sell or Trade section seems to only be available when you log-in with user name and password. Just wondering if this was done to keep non-MLU types out of the listings, or to encourage registration with user names? I had some of the local Ottawa Historic Military Vehicle owners, who were denied access to MLU in the past, ask why they could no longer see the Buy, Sell or Trade postings.

Stuart

Stuart, It sounds like it couldn't be set up any better then.

Stuart,

I have been adjusting some of the Forum settings, will check.

Re. "denied access": no genuinely interested HMV owner has ever been denied access to MLU. Yes, we have had big problems with registration, but self-registration has now been reinstated - see MLU Forum open for registration. Please forward the link to your friendly local HMV owners and invite them to sign up (with their real name!). We would be happy to welcome them.

Regards,
Hanno

Lynn,

Would you prefer that (sections of) the forum would only be available to registered users?

I'm asking because I'm always interested to hear what the member's thoughts are about these kind of subjects.

Hanno

Hi Hanno, my line of thought is that at least here, we have some idea of who we are dealing with. There are other mediums by which non forum members can sell things. MLU is a relatively small group with common interests and rightly or wrongly this feels like a safer place to do deals than for example E-bay.
I just assumed that this is the way it is (That only forum members can buy and sell via MLU)

I note that a kiwi has recently become a member with no name, showing no location, (other than NZ) and no other details.
I thought that wasn't supposed to happen?

As there are no credit card information or enough personal data to steal an identity contained in the MLU data bank, I am not worried about the theft of data from MLU. I do worry more about scammers getting on the forum and flogging items they don't have. So to that end, the fact that we generally know each other here has worked out well.

With the influx of new flaces recently, I have used some caution, but up to now it has worked out well. But when it comes to the regulars on the forum, I have to say I have had extreme satisfaction over the years. I personally have no issue with the exchange section being log-in protected. It seems that if I or others have decent CMP related material to sell, it does not last long within the fraternity here as long as it is realistically priced.

By the way, the new influx of fresh faces to the forum has been kind of refreshing. Hopefully they stick around and we don't just get the "what's this worth" one time visitors all the time.

Have no problem limited acess
 

Hi All

I have no problem with For Sale being user/member only. Would just add statement that it is limited.

As to the incomplete information, such as no location, incomplete names etc, afraid that change is just a sign of the times. I have always enjoyed that MLU was only real people to real people, but that time is probably drawing to a close. I have always felt the fact MLU used real names was why the responses are better thought thru than responses to similar questions on other forums.

In my own case I far more likely to take the time to respond to people I know by name, vehicle, and location.

Cheers Phil

Stuart, I am ok with a "non de plume". In most cases, you can work out quite quickly who is genuine. I know there are a few older members on the forum already,in that situation. Basically if there is no name or no info about a person, I treat them with suspicion and just don't respond to them.

Outdated suits me fine, thanks.

Adverts being members only, suits me fine too.

I don't find the format boring at all.

Plenty of other places to find excitement, if it's important to do so.

Real life test
 

Hi All

Just this morning I got a call from somebody who wants to sell 2 CMPs asking if we had a for Sale Section. Explained that currently it was only available to logged in members . Well he is a member and just had not logged in. This got me to think if our goal is too spread information on CMPs (and other MVs used by the Commonwealth)than probably we should make that page available for anyone to see.

We should probably add a statement that like the rest of the forum only registered members can post.

Cheers Phil

My thought is that schools should learn their students not to say or do stupid things on the internet - or anywhere else. That is what we learn to do in real life as well, isn't it? We still have some homework to do as long as members of royal families do not know it is inappropriate to dress up in certain military uniforms :doh:

H.

Settings for all sub-forums are now the same, so all sub-forums can be viewed by visitors.

Question remains if we want to Unregistered / Not Logged In users (=visitors) to view everything:
1) Currently the main differentiation between Registered and Unregistered users is that Unregistered users cannot open the thumbnail pictures to see the full size picture. That is often a reason why people want to join.
2) Other forums do not even show the thumbnails to Unregistered users.
3) Third option is to show nothing to Unregistered users.

Personally, I would prefer option 2) for all sub-forums. Option 3) has the downside that visitors cannot see anything, thus they cannot assess if there is anything of interest to join.

I would like to line up our opinions about this first before we move to other subjects, so can I have your input please?

H.

I agree with "Option 2" setup.

I would say the option with smaller pics and no access to buy/sell/trade for non-members is best now that the registration is fixed.

I agree with Eric.

Cheers

Stuart

Great points. But in the end, the band width isn't free, and opening up everything to everyone will be costly. As well, there are those fraudsters who love trolling and harvesting the interent, and count on the distance and different jurisdictions to keep them safe from retribution. It is kind of nice that we have a forum with no diet pill or viagra scammers popping up (although with the advanced age of most of us, the latter might be welcome eventually, and I know I could use the diet pills).

I believe option 2 is best, as a happy medium to both sides. Current google searches bring up the photos from the forum, which will draw those with interest to the site. Since sign-up is now working again, those that want in can get in with reasonable effort.

Option 1 works for me.

Rob has about summed up my views.

I agree with Eric and Bob C.


Cheers,

Same goes for me, too!

I don't really mind non members seeing what is written, or the thumbnails. I took a good long look at WHAT was in the content before I joined. I do not want this site to be access all areas with regards to ability to post, regardless of membership or not. We will, I fear, be easy prey for the one hit wonders to post something stupid or fraudulent then disappear back into anonymity. This is the issue with many of the no-membership places on the internet. Those of us who took the time to register and remain, would very quickly get discouraged from staying in touch with each other.

Too many things have been amended in the name of progress, only to discover at later date that it was a really dumb idea. Very difficult to reverse something, more often than not! Is it really such a big ask for someone to take the few minutes to join, before they expect to be able to contribute themselves? Not a problem now that membership is now easy to do, is it? Do we expect to receive access to any associations, clubs, professional bodies, etc, without joining that group officially? Try getting the discounts from a store without joining their 'loyalty' system. Try getting a road breakdown service provider to come fix your car for free without becoming a member.

Leave things be, I say. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. In my opinion, it ain't broke!

Me too
 

Gets my vote too.

Gordon

Thanks for your input, will get back on this later as I have just spent most of the evening banning spammers - they sign up in far greater numbers than real enthusiasts! :bang:

Hanno

Make a subforum for them, and they can sell each other viagra, and get rich helping Jamican bureaucrats get their millions out of Jamica, or sending each other fake invoices.

Another option is to allow new members only upon reference of an existing member. Applicant would list who his reference is. Mod would have to PM the existing member to confirm and upon favorable response would then grant the applicant membership, at which time the applicant would head on over to the "introductions" section to tell a bit about himself and his interests. Actually, all that sounds kind of complicated. Must be all those years of military training that has made me acceptable of BS.

I think the exact scenario Hanno just wrote about, is the reason why this forum should NOT be made any easier to gain unapproved access. The spammers and scammers are a pain in the sphincter, and must be constant frustration to Hanno.

If only people used the internet for good,.....instead of evil :devil:

Remember in the good ole days, when the only ones who could cause you grief were just down the road, and you could walk there and offer em a good clip around the ear? Ah, the carefree days of youth....detention! :D

During my recent endeavour to sell some trucks/parts around 50% of people had never heard of Mlu. I always told them to head on over and join up, they would find a wealth of info and friendly help.
To a non member the way the forum is set now is as a resource centre. Allowing near total access without any effort. You just aren't allowed in the staff room( the pics up close and who's selling what) If option two was brought in a non member would still see a resource centre but the table would have just black and white pamphlets with no pics.
That's not a problem as all we are saying is sign up, became a member of the COMMUNITY, and you'll get the benefits.
Ryan

Option 2 and keep up with real names for joining.

Not sure you can ever solve the 'Not aware MLU exists...' issue. That's just an extension of the 'I can't find the milk!' Statement parents always hear when somebody is standing in front of the open fridge with a full 4 litre jug of the white stuff front and centre!

Hope you are not staying up late worrying about it all, Hanno.

David

Hanno,

Option 1 or 2 would work for me. And as others have mentioned....definately real names...preferably first and last.

When it comes to self-registration or registration and than manual activation by a moderator...I would say, go with what takes the least amount of time of the group of moderators.

p.s. I don't think MLU is outdated or limited....I still think it's one of the best forums around and I still think a forum is the best way to share MV or history related info with others ....................and still being able to find it later on!

Alex

The sub forum BUY, TRADE or SELL is now reset as follows: visible for non-members so they can see the thread listing but not the threads themselves.

Compare it to being able to read the headlines of a newspaper, but not the content of each article.

I may re-set other sub forums along the same settings.

Hanno

Would we be able to securely list our emails in plain text on the Buy/trade/sell forum ad text, or do the google and spambots still access those listings?

Good question! I am not sure, so I would advise to use the PM or email function through member profiles - easy and secure.

Thanks,
Hanno