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

[Lynn Eades]

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?

[rob love]

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.

[Phil Waterman]

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

[Lynn Eades]

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.

[Private_collector]

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.

[Phil Waterman]

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

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Stuart Fedak

Currently in Canada, most academic institutions are warning students in university and college to not use their real name in groups, forums, Twitter and face book. The first thing that many employers do when reviewing applications is search the Internet. More than one student, politician, and even in personal relationships, have been turned down because of a stupid post on the Internet in the past. In Canada, with the current election, several candidates have resigned due to stupid posts in the past.

Your thoughts?

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

H.