Hey Moderators....got an idea......

[scoutcub]

Gentlemen -

Just brainstorming welcoming new members. Would it be possible to require they list their location? Perhaps sounds a bit biased, but I find myself welcoming more folks if they're in my general area. Might make them feel more welcome as well. I notice more are doing it, but still many that don't.

Just a thought.....

 

[RickB]

Great idea. 90% of the questions or topics of discussion offered by brand new members require location information in order to supply a meaningful response.

 

[jimmyj]

Gentlemen -

Just brainstorming welcoming new members. Would it be possible to require they list their location? Perhaps sounds a bit biased, but I find myself welcoming more folks if they're in my general area. Might make them feel more welcome as well. I notice more are doing it, but still many that don't.

Just a thought.....

I have posted in the new members section to please fill out your profile. It's helpful if people ask about pricing etc. Although, some would balk I am sure, even to list a state name.

 

[MossRoad]

Gentlemen -

Just brainstorming welcoming new members. Would it be possible to require they list their location? Perhaps sounds a bit biased, but I find myself welcoming more folks if they're in my general area. Might make them feel more welcome as well. I notice more are doing it, but still many that don't.

Just a thought.....

The moderators do not have those powers. You have to talk to the owners of TBN.

Also, this topic has been discussed MANY times in the past 10 years.... and location is still not a required field. :laughing:

 

[scoutcub]

The moderators do not have those powers. You have to talk to the owners of TBN.

Also, this topic has been discussed MANY times in the past 10 years.... and location is still not a required field. :laughing:

OK, thank you sir. Didn't know that......are you saying it has been raised with the owners before, and still hasn't happened?

thanks

Frank

 

[MossRoad]

OK, thank you sir. Didn't know that......are you saying it has been raised with the owners before, and still hasn't happened?

thanks

Frank

Yep. That's what I'm saying. More people prefer to have the choice to fill in their location than be forced to fill it in. With over two and a half million posts and over 110,000 registered users on TBN I think the owners will be reluctant to mess with the successful forumula! :laughing:

That being said, my personal preference is to let the users choose. Some folks don't want to give out info. Most folks, if asked where abouts do they live, will volunteer a close enough location for others to make recommendations. To each his own. :thumbsup:

 

[boggen]

would it be possible.

in the automated reply email, upon completion of sign up.
or....
automated PM (private message), upon completion of sign up.

for better responses, to your questions, it can be helpful for folks to know your general location. for pricing information for buying a tractor, shipping info, type of weather conditions, soil type, general idea of overall envrioment and/or crops, such a county / state or city / state. click here (link to control panel -> user profile) to update your location.

 

[grnspot110]

Wouldn't have to be an exact location, just state or area of state! ~~ grnspot (NCMO)

 

[boggen]

Wouldn't have to be an exact location, just state or area of state! ~~ grnspot (NCMO)

much better said, that what i stated for location.

knowing a folk is say in Texas or Arizonian, let folks know like desert environment.

knowing a folk is say in Washington state gives folks idea of different temps and dirt, knowing folks in illinois gives idea of other envrioment, type of soil crop, warm and cold temps.

frost line depth, also comes to mind, swampy / marshy areas to deal with perhaps. abilty to say get drive way rock near there place. towing, and trailer regulations.

 

[LD1]

Yep, this has been debated before.

TOO many times a newbie asks a question that requires a general location for best advise.

I usually just tell them It is hard to answer without an Idea where they live and advise them to give us a general Idea and fill outtheir profile. Most of the time, they do.

But it is kinda a privacy thing. TOO many people get parinoid and rightfully so this day in age. Making it a requirement my make people not want to join.

 

[Localmotion]

Just another idea...

I know we are in the minority by a long way, but there are still a lot of users who live outside North America...

Any chance of including regional forums - eg: Europe, America, Asia etc...?

While most mechanical questions can be answered from anywhere in the world, there are times when regional questions need to be asked without getting lost in the massive number of posts which TBN get every day.

Just a thought :thumbsup:

 

[beppington]

TBN could require it, but those who don't want their location known could just fib ... so there's not much point in requiring it.

However, just to point out that it'd be helpful if everyone provided their location, maybe a line could be displayed to new members during or just after signup saying something like, "Existing TBN members request that you complete the 'location' field to better help answer any questions you may post."

 

[scoutcub]

TBN could require it, but those who don't want their location known could just fib ... so there's not much point in requiring it.

However, just to point out that it'd be helpful if everyone provided their location, maybe a line could be displayed to new members during or just after signup saying something like, "Existing TBN members request that you complete the 'location' field to better help answer any questions you may post."

I was thinking the same thing......at least a recommendation?

 

[toppop52]

I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, that doesn't pinpoint my house but makes what I say relevant to a region.

 

[955Lincoln]

But it is kinda a privacy thing. TOO many people get parinoid and rightfully so this day in age.

I don't get it...what am I missing here? I can't see how mentioning your state or even a region could make any difference concerning privacy.

When I start reading a post my eyes automatically glance at the location location and it bugs be when that information is missing. I spelled location twice...yes I know

 

[LD1]

I don't get it...what am I missing here? I can't see how mentioning your state or even a region could make any difference concerning privacy.

It probabally doesnt make any difference. But it is more than just privacy. Freedom of choice. If someone chooses not to tell where they live, that is their choice, NOT ours to make for them.

All we can do is encourage them by pointing out the benefits of giving us those details, and hope they fill it in.:thumbsup: