Residence location on posts

[Calaber]

I would like to suggest that the suburb and state of each member appears automatically with each post.

How many times do we read a post asking "where do you live, mate?" when trying to contact forum members for get-togethers, buy/sells/swaps, matters relating to legislation differences between states etc?

Even if the location is as general as "Western Suburbs, Sydney", it at least automatically gives an idea of where a member is located.

[azkwazere]

privacy mate... members are given the right to not acknowledge there direct location if they choose not too.

wont happen

aZk.

[ClairBear]

Agree with azk. There are some people who for various reasons prefer not to say where in the world they are. To do what the OP suggests would force you till fill in certain fields during registration, such as suburb or postcode, and that is an infringement on a persons privacy

[Calaber]

Bloody "privacy" - everybody seems to treasure it for some reason. I didn't suggest the full address. My example of Western Suburbs, Sydney" is pretty broad - what's wrong with something as broad as that?

I don't mind having my suburb and location on my posts, because I have nothing to hide and it helps others have some idea where I might be in case of personal dealings. I could change it to Central Coast, NSW - that's an area nearly 60km from north to south - how does that impinge "privacy"?

[minux]

Bloody "privacy" - everybody seems to treasure it for some reason. I didn't suggest the full address. My example of Western Suburbs, Sydney" is pretty broad - what's wrong with something as broad as that?

I don't mind having my suburb and location on my posts, because I have nothing to hide and it helps others have some idea where I might be in case of personal dealings. I could change it to Central Coast, NSW - that's an area nearly 60km from north to south - how does that impinge "privacy"?

lol, I have to agree with you here.

I will open a thread on it in the mod forum, see what is said. As far as I am concerned, privacy is hardly an issue, you must be in some pretty serious trouble with people if you do not wish to disclose the region you live in.

[pow3rslave]

Bloody "privacy" - everybody seems to treasure it for some reason. I didn't suggest the full address. My example of Western Suburbs, Sydney" is pretty broad - what's wrong with something as broad as that?

I don't mind having my suburb and location on my posts, because I have nothing to hide and it helps others have some idea where I might be in case of personal dealings. I could change it to Central Coast, NSW - that's an area nearly 60km from north to south - how does that impinge "privacy"?

just because people don't want their details out there doesn't mean they have 'something to hide' the number of nice cars or parts that go missing from locked garages give people added incentive to be a bit paranoid on forums, it's been suggested more than a few times that members/browsers could be involved in some of those thefts, i know xlr8 was thinking it when his ecotec vn got nicked, and the same thing was suggested about other forum's itswar and vk6/71.

'western suburbs sydney' or 'central coast' might be fairly broad, but for people with more unique rides or in smaller communities it narrows it down a fair bit.
if somethings for sale and it's pickup then that's different, but there isn't really any reason it should be mandatory for all.

[Julie]

I agree, a broad area would be fine, a suburb is too specific, many people wouldn't like to divulge this info for security reasons, especially those with a nice car, it just screams pinch me.

[TVR-190]

like the word Sydney isnt too bad, if they dont like having to disclose the area when they join they can

a) LIE

b) not register

c) just say the city

[Garth]

at the moment, in the top right hand side of anyones reply there is a part called location that is a requirement to be filled out.


those people who are worried about their privacy usualy put different places in their box there.

and if buying and selling goodies you have to follow the set layout in the for sale section which includes location details.


so this function is already there, just not being used right.

[Calaber]

I can accept the argument that members residing in smaller communities or country towns are at a disadvantage and would not want their location pin-pointed. Perhaps just the State then? As I said, many posts contain the question "where do you live" or something similar, and it isn't so that someone can come knocking to help themselves to your property - it's because they are looking to hook up for a legitimate purpose such as selling/trading or even seeking technical assistance.

It seems that this issue has a mixed reception, with support for both arguments. I like Mimux's suggestion regarding a mod thread - please remember, my suggestion is only intended to be of assistance to members on the forum.

[vy_storm]

Personal preference really.

In a city the size of adelaide and people who display/brag about their cars on a forum, there is nothing to stop someone being followed home from a cruise or event to have their residence cased out for the purpose of lifting/vandalising someones pride and joy.

Sometimes it's just not worth the risk, but if someone wants to know where you live, there are always ways of finding out.

[ClairBear]

lol, I have to agree with you here.

As far as I am concerned, privacy is hardly an issue, you must be in some pretty serious trouble with people if you do not wish to disclose the region you live in.

You need to consider also people who have been in domestic violence situations also. I know of women that have moved state and are very secretive about their location because of a violent ex partner.

Just because privacy is not an issue for some on here, there is a plethora of reasons why some people wish to hide their location, and it doesn't mean they are in serious trouble.

[Calaber]

Shit Sash, I think you have a thing about women and domestic violence. I don't want to know where people llve, just a rough idea of the region or state to assist with some simple "why/how/where?" matters.

Can we leave the bloody domestic violence crap out of this forum?

[vlv8vic]

Not here to fight over domestic violence. no more on it please.


People can put in a fake location provided they don't expect specific answers to locational questions. simple.

[danja]

She does have a point though, that for various reasons people like to keep their whereabouts private. From time to time you also see certain members getting personal, sad but true. I know if I was ever at the receiving end I'd feel better knowing my location was fairly discreet.

In the majority of cases it's enough to know which state people are in, and for most members they've already got it posted on their profile. There are some gooses who put things like "Eastern suburbs" and you think "Yeah, east of bloody where?" but for the most part you can figure it out. Worst case you have to ask them

Perhaps an in-between option would be to make the location field mandatory, but have an option for "Withheld" (or similar), so it's not just one of those fields people skip over and leave blank. That way people who don't mind saying where they are will, and those who don't want to will be able to keep it private. You're forced to do one or the other though.

[Calaber]

I appreciate most of the points made, regardless of whether they are for or against the suggestion.

I'm happy to leave it with Minux and the other mods to consider and will run with their decision.

[gopher]

i don't really see why a location has to be posted at all unless you are selling something.
i've got absolutely nothing to hide but still don't see the need to disclose my location

i'm from Qld and that's about all you'll be getting out of me