How many of the registered users think that the Guest Post facility is abused and should be considered for removal?

Today we have had a lot of guest Posts, and no way of knowing if they are one person or different people.  Questions asked have been of the type that would upset responsibible dog lovers, but may in fract be genuine questions from ill informed potential breeders and owners.

We often get accused of being negative to Guest posters if they are asking about breeding, but todays crop of questions would try the patience of a saint, but at least one was probably genuine.  We don't want to jump down the throats of ill inofmed or misguided people who may actually listen and take advice if given nicely.

I feel that anyone posting shoudl register, it is easy and free, and Guests should be guided to the search facility and they can browse to their hearts content on advice that is repeated over and over on most canine subjects.

I'm with you Barbara at least then it might discourage the trolls & bored kids

As it stands often a post will get a lot of feedback and we never know if the originial poster ever read them or if the info got taken on board, or if they register later that they were the OP

Right after that swear word filter thing, yes, lets get rid of the guest poster facility.

Dawn R.

Here here!!!!!

I think you have a very valid point.

Yep, I'm with you on this one as well. The genuine posters will register.  That 'swear word' post was downright disgusting, and as well as the fact that we should not have to suffer that, there are minors who read this forum, whether registered or not. 

I don't agree, many guest poster are genuine enquiries that we can help, perhaps pointing in the right direction ie breed clubs, responsible breeders, think again about breeding etc, who might not have posted if they had to go to the trouble of registering and may go to other boards who don't have such high ethics as Champdogs.  I feel that obvious WUMs, such as we have had today, should be dealt with by not responding as that is their prime intention, but I don't think we should throw the baby out etc.

I agree with you, Isabel

Daisy

But isabel, how do we tell the WUM from the true people who need help?  If we say "ok ignor those we susspect" well what if they are genuine?  We will be ignoring some people just incase they are a WUM.  I think if people want serious info they won't mind joining.

I think they are very often obvious and if not....well whats the big deal, sticks and stones etc. Maybe I have got used to a bit of flack lately but I promise you it doesn't hurt :D Don't let the WUM win that's what they want!!! just ignore them.

I'm with you on this, Brainless. It'll save the genuine posters from taking the flak from the trolls. Perhaps the search facility should be made more obvious?

But would the person whose pup has just eaten something out of the bin, feel like waiting until their request for membership has come through and they have sorted out their 'cookies' ????

Daisy

just take a look at the visitors post now Daisy, !!!!!! you said it. 

That's the one that I was referring to Nobody has replied yet People seem to reply very quickly to the WUM ones - why aren't they just ignored ?? I usually just read them and then move on to the next one

Daisy

Thats just what I do Daisy......... but heck, look they have achieved a whole thread devoted to them, it's just too easy for them :D

Thats fair enough Daisy, I read them too, have a giggle at them even, but never answer them.  BUT, there are, as we all know, children reading all these posts. There are also the misguided and dare I say it,  uneducated people reading these posts, and believing all that is written. If the posts are not answered then the misguided are then misinformed. And on it goes.  They have to be answered, just for clarification if nothing else. 

That is always my worry the harm they can do if not answered, so I answer them regardless if they turn out to be WUMS, gets frustrating though

I quite agree But what shouldn't happen next is for all and sundry to add their comments - ranging from the 'Tut-tut' sort, to the, 'I second what the first person said, but have to put it my way sort' :D :D One, short and sensible post should be sufficient and then everyone else ignore it. If the original guest wants to learn more, then they can register and ask the questions

Daisy

I've probably gone and put my foot in it now, so I will shut up :D

Good idea :D

So starting this post has at least allowed us to vent and to think of how to deal with them better.

Have to say but I hardly ever read a post by a guest anymore. I`m just not as clued up as some as to who are wums & feel if its important guests will join. Even then tend not to bother, sad I know

Christine, Spain.

Dasiy, if someones pup has just eaten somthing out the bin then I think the vet will be the best persono to contact, after all we will only say "don't worry" or "talk to your vet"  Anyone who is truly that worried WILL phone the vet!

Not always - vet's are very expensive for a call out and some people would just like some reassurance that the vet will not think that it's too trivial. There are many times that I have asked more experienced friends what they think, before booking a vet's appointment

Daisy

Call out yes, but thats not what I meant Daisy (sorry if it read like that)  I meant just phone the vet and ask the question they would on here.  Not get them to check the dog over.  Phoning the vet is no-more then a local call.  If it is serious you would have to call the vet out anyway.

I know what you mean - but a lot of this type of question is in the evenings and at the weekends, when people don't really want to bother the vet - just to ask a question. Experienced people will be able to sum up the situation and decide whether it can wait until normal surgery hours - but people who aren't that experienced find it very difficult to know what's best

Daisy

I think that is a genuine post ice queen and what are we doing..... spending a whole thread talking about WUMs, they are really scoring tonight!

Are we disscussing WUMs, or idea's for the forum, to help prevent our time being wasted, and to help the truly in need.

I was hoping the latter to save wasting our time and inadvertently to stop putting off new posters by being short with them.

So I did get the right idea of what you wanted to talk about originally!

unfortantly, like all things we all have our different veiws. 

Admin, is it possible you could put a poll up where we could vote if we want to keep guest board or not, no reasons would have to be given, just a simple go or stay!?  There would be no arguements about it highest vote wins!

Tell me if it is a useless idea!

I'm beginning to agree Brainless. It's a shame though because it does have a useful function in so many cases. There are so many cases where we have been able to supply useful information, even if only, "Thats serious, get to the vet straight away!" and it would be such a shame for that to end because of mindless morons.

Regards, John

Is there no way of ensuring that Guests only get the one post in as they are supposed to.  Does the software not enable the forum to recognise repeats????

Trouble is it can be difficult to tell the genuine from the WUMS on a day like today.  Also when WUMS are given shortshrift it can seem as if posters are being harsh wehn new posters see the posts not realising that they are Trolls.

Trouble is Brainless, we get annoyed about the troll posts, then we see another post by an out and out beginner and think that they are a troll and taking the Mickey so we then answer them short. There is no doubt trolls do the board, and genuine guests a great disservice. I doubt admin could sort out repeats because of the changing IP's

Regards, John 

I'm sure Admin are able to spot multiple guest posts from the same computer.

I think the guest facility is a good one and shouldn't be changed because of bogus posters. As others have said it's not always possible to tell the genuine posters from the Trolls.

I know I have given a VERY sarky reply to one thread that has disappeared - I know I shouldn't have risen to the bait......

Maybe, the guest posts forum could have a qualifer - that posts will be held over for 24 hours which would enable Admin to check the veracity of the poster - I realise that it would be a lot more hard work for Admin (and they do a really sterling job IMO ) - but it might deter some of the WUMs.

If an explanation was automatically generated by Admin (along the lines for Automated "vacation" responses to emails) that messages would be held for 24 hours, therefore urgent queries should be referred to a vet - which is what a poster asking for veterinary advice is advised by board members - we might lose a few WUMs.

We have had a couple of really good threads that have arisen from guest postings - it would be a shame to lose it completely - but I think it does need some "tweaking".

Margot

The guest post facility is a very important part of the forum and generates a lot of posts. Removing the facility will not remove the WUM or the Trolls. Some of those responsible are also members of the forum. We do monitor the forum and we do appreciate members notifying us of anything suspect. We have requested many times that you do not respond to suspect post. If in doubt: do not reply. If you suspect a troll post, PM or email us. Troll posts at times, have raised important questions and issues. Not all troll posts are bad. At times troll posts have stimulated interesting discusssion on issues that may normally be brushed under the rug.

Is there perhaps a way that Guest could only post on The 'Visitors Questions' and the 'Searching' board only??? 

This would I think make it easier to monitor them and delete them more quickly if needed.  Those answering these could bear in mind that Trolls and WUMS are more of a possibility.  Also as we can choose which board to read those who don't want to bother with them need not even see them.

Must admit I usually click on topics by reading the title not based on who posted.

Guests can only post on the visitors forum.

All I can say is that it was the visitors forum that got me going and reg. when advised by another member.Please don't take this away as I'm sure I wouldn't have reg. othetrwise
Best Wishes Sonja

A lot of people came via the same route Sonja and it would be such a shame for it to get closed because of the fools. Let's face it, we are only trying to help others and all dog people have so much to offer.

Regards, John

Duh, shows how unobservant I am :D  Now you know why I use my screen name :D

I vote for keeping the guest forum for all the reasons raised here. If somebody is out to stir and cause discord, if they couldn't do it as a guest they would register as it's easy. People need somewhere to go for advice, if we got rid of it, the WUM's would be winning

I have seen a couple of "members" disappear from here and reading back on their posts, some of them have been very contraversial to say the least. Wether they were trolls or just very self opinionated I have no idea. Hope you can see the point I'm trying to make, I think I undertand it :D

Registered Trolls don't usually last long. Admin do a very good job on here in keeping them off of our backs.

The biggest damage the trolls do is to unsettle us. Sometimes we see posts from unknowing or unthinking people and immediately think TROLL! We jump down the throat of the poster and chase someone off who really needed our help. I know I've been guilty of this and I'm sorry.

Regards, John

There is an iffy one right now, but I'm on my best behaviour, honest.

Dawn R.

I'm getting a feeling of trip trap trip trap tonight, have you got me paranoid or what :D

Admin are watching over things thise evening I think !

Margot

Oooh it's like a whole new game ( can you tell TV is poor tonight? :D) spot the Troll post! :D

Shame isn't it.  Having started this thread I suppose in the end I ahve to agree to leave the Guest posts, but I wish there was some way of distinguishing them from each other, anf for us to tell what is Troll and what is an uninformed guest.

At one stage, when we seemed to suffer a surfeit of trolls and WUMs, we did start sending each other PMs - when one thought a troll was on the board - thus not making it obvious to one & all (thereby feeding the troll :D ) - sometimes I could be waaaay out - other times spot on - as were others!!  Maybe we should think more about that ....

Margot

Admin can trace the IP address of each poster. Its a case fo them being arsed. Any Repeated "guest trolls" could be tracked down and a complaint being sent to their server comapny.
Again, If admin could be bothered.

BUt thedark, I'm sure admin, like us, have lives of their own!  They do do a good job (though on some things I disagree with them on) but still over all they do, do a good job!

im sorry as per usual its all over my head but whats troll and WUM exactly?