These forums have changed some.....

[purple_minion]

How about during a sign up a simple look up of the users tax id. From what I gather it's required of every business in the US at least. Make it like a credit card for a merchant, that users info had better match up exact like name, address, etc. I don't know how it would work in other countries, but I'm sure they have something similar, and it should all be public record for a company AFAIK. Probably scare off a lot of people as well. You could also REQUIRE an email that wasn't part of a freebie site like hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc to further weed out the end users. I certainly intend on getting a REAL email once I get my business going, and I would think most techs would want something professional as well. I would be counted out currently though on both counts

 

[ProTech Support]

How about during a sign up a simple look up of the users tax id. From what I gather it's required of every business in the US at least. Make it like a credit card for a merchant, that users info had better match up exact like name, address, etc. I don't know how it would work in other countries, but I'm sure they have something similar, and it should all be public record for a company AFAIK. Probably scare off a lot of people as well. You could also REQUIRE an email that wasn't part of a freebie site like hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc to further weed out the end users. I certainly intend on getting a REAL email once I get my business going, and I would think most techs would want something professional as well. I would be counted out currently though on both counts

I think the problem with that is not all members necessarily own a business. Some are in the process of, studying to be a tech, or work IT for a business. Would assume we would loose a lot of members like that, but if the site called for nothing but business owners, that may work. At least it is something to help weed out.

 

[angry_geek]

Sounds good, however, . . . I, as well as a few others, am not so comfy handing out my tax id on a public website. I don't even like having to give it up for 1099's and such. Not such a great idea, as there is far too much info attached to that number. For those that don't know, it's more than just an ID number for employers. It's a little like a social security number for your business.

 

[cmonova]

Really really need to put some thought into this whole who stays on the forums.

There are forums out there that you are crucified if you ask a quesiton even some that some members here might think are "high-end" questions, and trust me these other techs on the other forums will let you know about it. It's a nasty community feeling when that happens. And these are guys with 10/20 years experience.

For all I care if you want to ask "why does the light turn green when a computer comes on" then ask away....

As far as "make them show a business license"...Well in Virginia you ONLY need a zoning permit till you make 100K...So a $10 zoning permit qualifies people to post intelligently?

Or the Tax ID idea...let's say it's not just the U.S. that does that buy everyone. So now let's say 1000 people have Tax ID's. Does this make them legitimate businesses?

Or..last idea....How's this

Requirements:

5 years in business
Business License dating back 5 years
Tax ID for 5 years
Proof of income for 5 years must exceed 100K each year

Now with those requirements everyone should be "high-caliber" technicians and nobody ever has to see any comments/questions that are not fitting of them.

Of course that is just "humor" I am not serious. To me this is a forum, can come ask/answer questions, read about new things, laugh, etc...But when it's all said and done...it's still just a forum.

Life is too short to get wrapped around the little things....

 

[rusty.nells]

I suggest putting restrictions on posting. Don't allow a member to start a topic until his/her post count is x. Don't allow a member to post a URL or signature until the post count is y. I think a post count of 100 would be adequate.

Also, create private forums for members with a post count of 500. Perhaps allow other members with a post count of 100 to read but not post.

 

[angry_geek]

Seems like there are a lot of unsolicited ideas for administering the forum. I've even made a few. Let's keep in mind that Bryce created the forum and gave it to us at his own expense as an open discussion for tech and business issues. We seem to be making a lot out of a little. In the grand scheme, we really haven't had much of a problem with the round italian doughy product techs. It's up to Bryce to make decisions on how the forum is run.

Maybe Bryce can chime in here with his input and let us know if he wants our ideas and suggestions.

 

[JRDtechnet]

As far as "make them show a business license"...Well in Virginia you ONLY need a zoning permit till you make 100K...So a $10 zoning permit qualifies people to post intelligently?

Well even starting a business with by registering a trade name with your town and getting a zoning permit would be fine. Of course it will never eliminate pizza techs 100% but it would sure go a long way.

I don't want anyone to be able to post here, there a 100's of computer help forums out there. What made this forums unique and special is that its mostly made up of business owners or employed computer technicians....and I want it to stay that way. I don't want $20 flat rate guy posting here, I don't want the grandson that fixes his families computer to post here, and I don't want someone who can barely turn on the computer to post here. There's plenty of other resources out there for that.

 

[angry_geek]

. . .

I know I am rambling, and it's late, so I will stop here and spare you all. Just my $0.02

Whew! 2 cents? More like a buck fifty!

 

[iptech]

ACG makes some totally valid points and I very much feel the same way.

 

[Methical]

I myself have admitted on the forums a few times that I am not a professional tech, but am a student in training and am sooooo close to gettin' my ticket there.
(In two months I will have 3 diplomas and 4 certs; but no professional experience as of yet.. Have a job interview next week for a IT Tech Junior position (50k+ laptop mobile car) *fingers crossed* )

I have learnt alot from the past few months from the members here on the forums, and some may see me as a 'pizza tech'; but at least my first post wasn't askin' how to fix my own computer =) I have asked help on a few issues/problems as everyone else has, but also contributed alot here as well. Check out my Vista Script (as an example).... 5000+ views can't be wrong..

In saying that I have 'seen/felt' the change in the air on the TechNibble forums over the past few weeks.. But since this thread has arisen, I feel another change in the air (lol) and things becoming normal again..

I'm sure most of us can tell which posts are from a 'legitimate' member, and someone else seekin' help to solve their own issue because they don't know how to use google properly. I admit, that on occassions I have 'flamed' these people .. ( just for the sake of it ) but have come to realise that it is just a waste of time, and that I am 'contributing' to the way the forum has/had become over the past month or two..

I also believe that with a bit of patience, and a few implementations, this forum would be back and even better than before.. Keep it up dudes and dudettes !

 

[Bullfighter]

ditto on ACG's post...

I think paying a nominal fee would keep out the trash, including spammers.

For the longest time TN had quality post over a quantity of posts and I would read every one of them. Now there seems to be a huge quantity of posts that bury the quality ones.

EP

 

[Bryce W]

I have been thinking about it long and hard taking in what everyone has said and I think I have found a simple solution.

First of all, having checks like making sure people have a registered business before accessing this place will hurt the core of this site. Remember this place has a lot of content about STARTING a computer business and soon-to-be technicians do research here (as I am sure most of you did when you first started) before they get registered. Payment systems can possibly divide the forums and massively bring down the quality of the free areas. While this is good because it brings up the quality of the paid areas, it'll lessen the chance of good, knowlegable members that we would love to have in the paid areas because all he can see is the crap parts.

Here is my solution:

Hide all of the help forums to anyone with less than 10 posts and maybe a 2 weeks time. The hidden forums would include:
General Computer Help
Guides, Tips and Tricks
Microsoft Windows
Linux
Apple Mac
Hardware
Software Apps
Security
Networking
Automation & Scripting


This will help get rid of the end users because the only forums showing are the business ones which are useless to the end user. However, the soon to be technician can still access our core content which is the business side of things and slowly build up 10 posts in those areas.

The second part is to bring in a "stikes system" where if someone does something that breaks the rules, they are given a "strike". If you get three strikes, your banned. This will help get rid of users like geeksmobileusa very quickly.

The third part is to actually write these rules and bring in a few more mods to help enforce it.

The forth part is to tweak our reporting system on the mod side so its easier to deal with them when users report people breaking rules.

 

[Blues]

Hide all of the help forums to anyone with less than 10 posts and maybe a 2 weeks time. The hidden forums would include:
General Computer Help
Guides, Tips and Tricks
Microsoft Windows
Linux
Apple Mac
Hardware
Software Apps
Security
Networking
Automation & Scripting

The only flaw I see here is that those just looking might think we help start a business only and go else where. I think perhaps if we could limit thread creation in those areas to those who have met the requirements you state then that might work or might be more of a draw back it is hard to tell. You know how I am I like a very light touch from administrative side but its all what can be done most effeciently and I do like a more automated or less manual control. Thats a bit of conflicting ideals less manual work with less control over what is allowed.

 

[JRDtechnet]

Yeah that's a good idea Bryce, although I would make it 25 post min. / 2 weeks and both conditions must be meant....so if they signed up 3 weeks ago but only posted 15 times then they will still be on limited access. Not sure about hiding the forums, what about making it so the forum is read only until they meet the above conditions.

Also you should make a senior level, say 3 months / 150 posts. And senior members will be able to participate in a secret forum where we can discuss rules or changes to the rules. Discuss a member if his conduct is brought into question. Then the senior members comments and suggestions would be taken into account by Bryce and whomever is selected as moderators who will make the final call on any rules/rule changes or disciplanary actions.

 

[ProTech Support]

Here is my solution:

Hide all of the help forums to anyone with less than 10 posts and maybe a 2 weeks time. The hidden forums would include:
General Computer Help
Guides, Tips and Tricks
Microsoft Windows
Linux
Apple Mac
Hardware
Software Apps
Security
Networking
Automation & Scripting


This will help get rid of the end users because the only forums showing are the business ones which are useless to the end user. However, the soon to be technician can still access our core content which is the business side of things and slowly build up 10 posts in those areas.

The second part is to bring in a "stikes system" where if someone does something that breaks the rules, they are given a "strike". If you get three strikes, your banned. This will help get rid of users like geeksmobileusa very quickly.

The third part is to actually write these rules and bring in a few more mods to help enforce it.

The forth part is to tweak our reporting system on the mod side so its easier to deal with them when users report people breaking rules.

I really like the direction you are going in with that, I am not sure if the hiding of the forums would work, but maybe just make them read-only.

 

[JRDtechnet]

Has any decision been made on regarding this discussion? I saw a post by ACG mentioning something about not wanting to get a warning that's been implemented on this board...but I haven't seen any announcements regarding this.

 

[ProTech Support]

Has any decision been made on regarding this discussion? I saw a post by ACG mentioning something about not wanting to get a warning that's been implemented on this board...but I haven't seen any announcements regarding this.

I think he was just referring to the "Report Post" button on the top right of all posts. It has been there since day one, and as far as I know no new system has been implemented.

 

[TimeCode]

I think he was just referring to the "Report Post" button on the top right of all posts. It has been there since day one, and as far as I know no new system has been implemented.

So what would it take to really be reported? 4-letter words? 4-letter words said in anger? 4-letter words directed at another member? Sarcasm? Rudeness? Pizza-techesque knowledge?

 

[Blues]

When he refers to warning system it is a means to issue points which accumulation of can result in an automatic ban. I don't know if Bryce has this implemented here but he does have the code. It can be effective for those members who you only want to reprimand not remove entirely. I personally still prefer a more manual process of that. To get reported all you need is for someone to not like you or what you said. The moderators and administrators do not have to do anything if when they get this report they decide there was no wrong doing in fact they are welcome to, imo, slap justice on the reporter for abuse of that system.

 

[tasaholic]

I have a novel suggestion which is tendered in hope of placating all and offending none. What don't we allow the owner and operator of this site do with it as he wishes in the spirit he intends and to reach the outcome he so patently aspires to. In short,Bryce started a forum , for ALL computer enthusiasts with a predominantly technical slant,so that Techs had a common ground and others could use the site as a source of information. I know that I have used such sites over many years until I was put onto this one by my son and friend,a high-end Tech. One thing I would hate is to see the site hi-jacked by any one group..be they Techs or not. We must all remember that the members of this site come from almost every country in the World,therefore should be a friendly ,informative...and WELCOMING place for like minded people to visit. As with all of our opinions,they are not Law and nor they should be,just as opinions are the realm of those that hold them,not those that don't,and as thus are open to change without notice to or from anyone else. Just MHO guys,shouldn't drink if ya get nasty!!