VJ is in need of a serious make-over

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This place has always been too easy for people to hide their identity. I'd like to suggest that you require a log in using their Facebook account, which would then provide other members a hyperlink to that poster's FB homepage. For those who don't have a FB, require them to create an account with enough personal info to discourage anyone from infiltrating these discussion boards with malicious intent.

Also, instead of the +1, have instead a more specific measurement like, "Was this post helpful?" Then show the results by numbers and percentages.

Finally, some other indication of a poster's reputation and tendencies. For example, if they veer off topic, start rambling on, or steer the conversation in a different direction, some kind of reputation summary (perhaps right under their avatar) would let other posters know where you're coming from. The reputation and tendencies would be based on how often that poster gets reported as well as how often they report.

Edited June 4, 2012 by Mister Fancypants

[^_^ 5,021]

This place has always been too easy for people to hide their identity. I'd like to suggest that you require a log in using their Facebook account, which would then provide other members a hyperlink to that poster's FB homepage. For those who don't have a FB, require them to create an account with enough personal info to discourage anyone from infiltrating these discussion boards with malicious intent.

Facebook pages can be faked. Easily.

Ask me for my date of birth or town of residence and if I want to lie to you I will... and you won't know I'm lying.

This idea is idealistic, naive and totally unworkable.

[JohnR! 5,495]

This place has always been too easy for people to hide their identity. I'd like to suggest that you require a log in using their Facebook account, which would then provide other members a hyperlink to that poster's FB homepage. For those who don't have a FB, require them to create an account with enough personal info to discourage anyone from infiltrating these discussion boards with malicious intent.

Also, instead of the +1, have instead a more specific measurement like, "Was this post helpful?" Then show the results by numbers and percentages.

Finally, some other indication of a poster's reputation and tendencies. For example, if they veer off topic, start rambling on, or steer the conversation in a different direction, some kind of reputation summary (perhaps right under their avatar) would let other posters know where you're coming from. The reputation and tendencies would be based on how often that poster gets reported as well as how often they report.

Being new here myself, I wonder what benefits you envisage from the practices you propose?

Edited June 4, 2012 by Gegel

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Facebook pages can be faked. Easily.

Ask me for my date of birth or town of residence and if I want to lie to you I will... and you won't know I'm lying.

This idea is idealistic, naive and totally unworkable.

There is no full proof method, I agree. However, FB has become so widely used and accepted, that employers now look at people's FB pages to evaluate potential employees. This would certainly weed-out some of the riff raff that this immigration website has been poisoned with. Just all those NumbersUSA anti-immigration plants would disappear.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

There is no full proof method, I agree. However, FB has become so widely used and accepted, that employers now look at people's FB pages to evaluate potential employees. This would certainly weed-out some of the riff raff that this immigration website has been poisoned with. Just all those NumbersUSA anti-immigration plants would disappear.

It wouldn't weed out anything. It would just be people making Facebook accounts to use here.

I'm not "riff-raff" but I sure wouldn't use my real name and link to my Facebook from here.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Being new here myself, I wonder what benefits you envisage from the practices you propose?

The +1 feature has become more a popularity contest and less about the value of someone's post in adding to the discussion. If instead, the question was worded, "Was this post helpful?" that would be more specific as to what people are voting on, so you could say, 'yes' to post that you may not agree with as far as what they've stated, because they actually added value to the discussion.

[Sveta & Ron 23]

now maybe have members input their case number given from texas lockbox only for reason know not just lurkers and make it privite just for admins if anything

[Penny Lane 8,159]

The +1 feature has become more a popularity contest and less about the value of someone's post in adding to the discussion. If instead, the question was worded, "Was this post helpful?" that would be more specific as to what people are voting on, so you could say, 'yes' to post that you may not agree with as far as what they've stated, because they actually added value to the discussion.

This isn't a bad suggestion. I've seen plenty of bad advice get +1'd before.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It wouldn't weed out anything. It would just be people making Facebook accounts to use here.

I'm not "riff-raff" but I sure wouldn't use my real name and link to my Facebook from here.

I understand that a lot of well intended people here have enjoyed their anonymity, however, the downside is that this place has been a magnet for all kinds of outsiders who are here to either infiltrate this immigration website with their own anti-immigration propaganda, or just people with malicious intent.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I understand that a lot of well intended people here have enjoyed their anonymity, however, the downside is that this place has been a magnet for all kinds of outsiders who are here to either infiltrate this immigration website with their own anti-immigration propaganda, or just people with malicious intent.

And bringing Facebook into this would change none of that, unfortunately. Facebook accounts are free to make, using whatever name you'd like, inputting whatever information you'd like. It would be just like anything else here, completely anonymous to those who want to remain so.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

now maybe have members input their case number given from texas lockbox only for reason know not just lurkers and make it privite just for admins if anything

No less revealing about someone's personality than having a picture of their foreign bride sitting on top of their lap.

[^_^ 5,021]

The +1 feature has become more a popularity contest and less about the value of someone's post in adding to the discussion.

You're objecting to the fact that vj readers are regular people and not a dispassionate panel of academics?

Do you really want to whittle down the member base from thousands to 4?

[JohnR! 5,495]

The +1 feature has become more a popularity contest and less about the value of someone's post in adding to the discussion. If instead, the question was worded, "Was this post helpful?" that would be more specific as to what people are voting on, so you could say, 'yes' to post that you may not agree with as far as what they've stated, because they actually added value to the discussion.

That might be a good idea, so it is not simply giving kudos for the heck of it.

The value of the information being posted here however, has no connection to the level of disclosure of the poster's identity because we can only speak of our own personal experiences, be them as petitioner/beneficiary or another category of contributor. Not one single poster has the entire picture covered and IMHO it is the entire mosaic formed by several answers or comments to one topic that end up containing the knowledge one seeks in these fori.

et pluribus unum

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'd be happy if I could just choose a color other than blue for the layout. Can someone make THAT happen?

[^_^ 5,021]

I understand that a lot of well intended people here have enjoyed their anonymity, however, the downside is that this place has been a magnet for all kinds of outsiders who are here to either infiltrate this immigration website with their own anti-immigration propaganda, or just people with malicious intent.