I wish you would register

[Schnauzer]

I have seen this topic here before. As recently as this fall, there was a poll asking if you think people should have to be registered before they post here. The prevailing sentiment at the time was ‘who cares – either way it isn’t a problem.’

Well, I’ve been annoyed enough lately to dredge this up again. Most message boards that enjoy this level of traffic require people to register. It seems folks are a lot likelier to be mean spirited when they can hide behind a guest user log in. I see it here all the time. A couple examples:

1) A couple weeks ago, I posted a very legitimate question about Mille Lacs and the treaty situation. After a bunch of thoughtless guest user bozo’s filled it with politically incorrect Indian attacks, the entire thread was removed. I was the loser – my thoughtful question didn't get a chance to be answered.

2) Fast forward a week: I posted an answer to a question about Yo-zuri cranks. Some child found a way to rip a completely reasonable post for no reason. The Admin apparently removed the attack, thankfully the thread was left this time.

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t like I can’t or don’t want to take flak. It just bugs me to get it from nameless, faceless dorks while my name and e-mail are available for anyone to contact me whenever they wish.

3) I’ve seen increasing numbers of references to people getting ticked off by others using their names to post under “guest user.”

4) Take a peek at the “Crystal-Pierz Marine” thread in the boats and motors section. There are 8 negative posts about the dealership. 7 out of 8 are guest users. I have a lot more respect and tend to listen to that one registered user than I do the other 7, who might all be the same person as far as I know.

There are some nice positive posts by guest users on the Crystal-Pierz thread and most other threads for that matter. I’m sure a lot of people don’t register just because they don’t have time or don’t know how. I have no problem with negative opinions or disagreements. I just think things get a little skewed with the ‘guest user’ factor. I think Walleye Central is getting to the point other, larger message boards got to years ago – a point where registering is a prerequisite for posting opinions. I love the site and I’ll frequent it either way, this is just my $.02.

[Walleyeman]

I agree!

[BRS1]

Second the motion.

BRS1

[Hawgeye]

Maybe it would be possible to have a topic column of registered users only such as the swap board? That way, you must be a registered member only for that topic column. The General and Boats and motors would remain "open to the public" and there would be a "member" board. All could still view but only "members" could post. Just a thought.

[JasonMN]

I wholeheartedly third the motion!

How long will it take before some tough guy guest user goes off in this thread?

[Fish_on]

If I can do it anybody can.

[Bad Finger]

.....What ever happend to "Tough Guy"...???

Anyway, yes I generally agree. Your opinion, comment or disagreement comes across a lot better if registered.

However, anyone can register under a fake name. So I don't think requiring registration will change much. For instance, if you clicked on my personal setting, you will see first name "Bad" last name "Finger". If you want to know my name, that would require YOU to register and e-mail me. My reply will ALWAYS contain my real name, City and State. I do like to maintain some form of annonimity here.

One note of caution...and I was worried about this from the start. Once you register and submit you e-mail address to the Registered World, be preparred to get hammered with SPAM, e-mail from porn sites, and a constant barage of loan offers..... So get a seperate e-mail address from your ISP. (and if you have kids, password protect it)

[Jbob]

Why not register? When you put a post on we will not know who you are just your user name.

[Dave in Mpls]

Speaking of Tough Guy, what ever happened to that dude?!?

I agree with the registration, to a point. Obviously I figured it out, so how hard can it be? On the other hand, it appears that most of the more recognized names come on as guest users, and it would be ashame to loose them. Why that is, I'm not sure. Any idea, Steve Fellegy :) I tend to put little stock in posts authored by guest users, unless I "know" them, like REW, Miksup, etc.

Regards

[Bad Finger]

Is that a fact, Jim Peters, Hastings, Mn.....

I don't think you clearly understand the registering function....

[Dave in Mpls]

That's not why your getting the spam from the porn sites, Bad Finger :)

[Schnauzer]

I hear ya, Bad Finger. However, I do think being registered creates a better "naughty barrier" than you give it credit for. Now, any whimsical thought passing through any idiot's brain can be immediately dropped into a thread under any guest user name. If the person would have to be registered, they'd probably think twice. Yes, they could register a bunch of times to confuse the issue but I think the benefits would be worth it. It is just SO EASY to be a jerk now. Even if I don't know the name of a registered user, I can at least grow to trust or mistrust him/her based on the posts I see from them.

All of the newspaper websites I am familiar with (I'm sure there are exceptions) require their users to register.

[Marble Eyes]

I would humbly suggest that freedom to speak is just that.

If someone is making a fool out of themselves, then the readers will
make that evaluation. I tend to think that what someones e-mail address is, or where they work is irrelevent to anything they have to say. IF however, someone wants to flame someone because of a opinion or reply posted somewhere with a nasty e-mail or track down a IP Address and make nasty phone calls to a employer the personal Info comes in quite handy. (This is a neat little trick the ruthless Posters of Political forums like to pull.)

And FWIW that is my 2 cents.

[RandyG]

I have not been a victim, however, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID!!!

The motto here should be: “ YOUR MOUTH USUALLY REFLECT YOUR CHARACTER,SO, OWN UP TO YOUR POSTINGS”

This way we could get rid of the trash!!!!




Thanks,

Randy

[Marble Eyes]

Oops, guess my prior post didn't count, because I hadn't logged in.
:(

[JasonMN]

FYI - You do not have to post any personal info to register. The only
thing my profile shows is that I am a male. You can't see my email address or any other info. You can however click an email icon to send an email to my private address.

[Bad Finger]

It shows as Jason Martin.

[Bad Finger]

and....when I registered, it required the name field to be filled. It would not accept a blank....

[Schnauzer]

Marble Eyes,

I agree, if someone is making a fool out of themselves, then the readers will make that evaluation. I just think there would be a whole lot less fool-making if everyone was registered! Also, a big point in my original post was guest users can post negatives under "bob" "sally" "susie" "jimmy" etc. If they were registered, there would still be potential for skewing but it would be far less.

[JasonMN]

dam - you are right. I could change that to something else if I really wanted to tho. ;)

Bad Finger, you are fast! Don't you have some work to do or something? hahaha

[DarrenB]

Face it. On a public forum where anyone is able to jump in, it's unrealistic to never expect problems with rude or mean posters, registered or unregistered. It's alwas going to happen in some form or another because it doesn't take much for some wahoo to come in here, type in a phony name and email address and start scouring the boards.

Therein lies the beauty in that this site does a better job of monitoring and getting rid of the junk than any other site I can think of. I see less bickering, arguing and flaming here than I do anywhere else. Thankfully the site has great admins that watch for this type of thing, ready to pull out the hook at any time.

[Bad Finger]

I'm just blowing the last 1/2 hour here in the office.....

I think this thread will go to "View All" status faster than any topic this winter!!!

[BRS1]

lol

[stewart]

If you can write your e-mail out, such as guyathotmaildotcom. It makes it harder for the programs harvesting e-mails to pick it up.But I'm unregistered, so take it for what it's worth ;).

If I HAD to register I would, but would everyone? I'm no big loss, but someone like REW would be. Perhaps an expert 'just passing through' character might not bother giving that tidbit you might be looking for.

[Al]

I at one time was all for registering just like you folks. But I haven't registered here. On other sites I have registered. They've been able to get my email, and I've been flooded with all kinds of junk. Everything from Quixtar multilevel BS, to magic potions to fix anyone and everyone's ills. I can't pinpoint the site, because I registered on two. Both are similar outdoor related sites. If I offend someone, and they want to know who I am, fine, ask me and I'll email it to you so you can send me something. But I refuse to be deluged with the mass mailings that come from these people due to registering. If I swear, threaten etc, then the site administrator can hunt me down and deal with it. Just so you know, I've received junk mail on this site from a certain boat rep from just a few times that I left my email. That was the nail in the coffin. Thanks but no, I don't need to buy your soap, boat, line, or whatever else you care to approach with. Require registering with email access and I'm gone. My posts aren't always positive, but I've not made personal attacks. If I have a distaste for a product, I'll state my reason why and back it up with my observations and experiences. Again, if it's too strong, I'd think the administrator would go after it.

[CJHughes]

I haven't register yet , I use to put my e-mail address on every post I made but I was receiving undesirable material so I quit. I do understand the comments made about the slander and such ,some people are just unhappy all the time .

[JasonMN]

Al,

You do not need to leave a valid email address to register, I don't think anyway. No matter what your email address is not viewable by the public here. They can send you an email but never see where it is going.

The spam you get probably came from posting your email address from in a thread not from using it to register. There are many "robots" that scour the web, newsgroups, etc. just looking for email addresses. As someone else pointed out, spell out your email address if you are leaving it. jason-at-work-dot-com. The robots look for the @ symbol. It is difficult to stay off of spam lists these days. Once one gets it they sell it to the next annoying loser. I use www.spamkiller.com. It blocks about 99 percent of the 75+ spam I get every day.

[MK]

The reasons Bad Finger refers to in his last paragraph regarding the spam, unwanted e-mail, etc. are exactly the reasons I chose to remain a guest user.

If you could register to this site an be certain that your e-mail address wasn't available to the ENTIRE world and that a stream of electronic junk mail wouldn't follow, I'd rethink my position.

Until then, I'll follow the rules set up by the owner of the site and try to act like a guest and not intentionally try to tick someone off. If the owner decides to change it to a members only site, then there are other sites around. Not as interesting, but they are around.

I personally think that many good points of view and much good advise would be lost. Reading some of the threads over the past few months, some interesting thoughts have come from guests, along with some silliness, but some of that comes from both sides of the fence.

This site is much like the rest of the world. 90% or so of the people using it are responsible and act like adults and then there are the other 10%. You know the ones. The ones that litter, keep more than their limits, ignore the "no wake" signs, etc. They'll always be around. If everyone on the site ignored them and didn't respond to their stupidity, most of them would go away. I know its tough to ignore some of the insane comments, but much like watching the network evening news, I've gotten pretty good at tuning out most of the nonsense.

Just my opinion.
MK (my real initials, btw, I'm not trying to be completely faceless)

[mmillelacs]

i have been a regular visitor for quite a long time now and i am registered, but alas, i for some reason still come up as guest user. I am sure if i knew what the heck i was doing with the darn computer that would not be so. Scott offered to help me out some time ago when the format changed, but my pathetic computer skills are beyond aid. However, I happen to believe also that a registered users feedback carrys a little more weight in my own humble opinion. but i dont think we should exclude the outside world or our own may become a little smaller.

[curt quesnell]

This place is sunday school compared to what it used to be like.
Longtime users should agree?

Most of the problems come from a very few. In most of the real
barnburners it turns out most of the "bad guy" posts from different
names came from the same computer when they are tracked down.

We can solve the problem by ignoring the nitwit posts. I have hopped
in and started swinging on occasion myself and have never felt great
about it afterwards. If you can stay out of the fisticuffs they wont
last near as long.

Since Scott and the excellent crew here at WC dont dust all the the
real stupid stuff right away I'm thinkin that maybe it adds some
spice to the board and gives us the opportunity to hear all sides
to the story. Even the "way out" there stuff.

The peace loving need to share the board with the radicals. It is
only the topic which will define which side we are on. In the
middle somewhere is enlightenment.

Register or not? Some of my friends here dont want to and I dont
care so I will say NOT.


Curt Quesnell

[Big Sky]

I am registered and not for fear of spamming, but for credibility. But watch this, now I will get spammed. I should have kept my mouth shut. :)

I vote for registering, but all the strong points have been made.

-Marty

[David Anderson]

Ha, I was in the same boat! At the top of the forum there is a Login link. Click that, put your user name and password and Viola. Took me 4 monthe o figure it out. Even had Scott send me my user name an password a few times. Dang computers!

[Box]

But you have to be registered to see it :)

-Box

[Box]

I hate sites that require registering, but you can see I am registered here. Requiring registering would send some good users away, and that would be bad.

I would vote for a Registered users only forum, but only in addition to the way it is now. You will see right away how the traffic suffers.

Or maybe registered users get an option of "only allow registered users to reply"??... That might be cool idea.

Anyway, please don't require registering, it's a sure way to make a forum a dead place. Guaranteed. :)

-Box

[scareDcat]

>This place is sunday school compared to what it used to be
>like.
>Longtime users should agree?
>
>Most of the problems come from a very few. In most of the
>real
>barnburners it turns out most of the "bad guy" posts from
>different
>names came from the same computer when they are tracked
>down.
>
>We can solve the problem by ignoring the nitwit posts. I
>have hopped
>in and started swinging on occasion myself and have never
>felt great
>about it afterwards. If you can stay out of the fisticuffs
>they wont
>last near as long.
>
>Since Scott and the excellent crew here at WC dont dust all
>the the
>real stupid stuff right away I'm thinkin that maybe it adds
>some
>spice to the board and gives us the opportunity to hear all
>sides
>to the story. Even the "way out" there stuff.
>
>The peace loving need to share the board with the radicals.
>It is
>only the topic which will define which side we are on. In
>the
>middle somewhere is enlightenment.
>
>Register or not? Some of my friends here dont want to and I
>dont
>care so I will say NOT.
>
>
>Curt Quesnell

[scareDcat]

i have no intention of registering. the problem with registering is quite simple. first of all, if you are not interested in being a "yes" man to the regular "gang" on this site, (i.e. s.f., juls, and the other regulars, it is always nice to answer a post with a professional response and simply state your own opinions without having to think about how one is fitting in with the "click".
i am quite sure that my honest reponses to some rather touchy topics over the past years have prompted the W.C. crew to look at my IP address; that is ok. i realize that i will never win a popularity contest and i also realize it is easier to sleep when you can speak your mind and clearly communicate your thoughts.

[T-Mac]

I can't. I use Hotmail and my "handle" doesn't fit the criteria, either, due the Hyphen. I don't want to change e-mail or handle
Sorry.

[reddog]

I am registered, but usually dont log in. I clicked on the log in button, and it took me to the message boards, so maybe Im logged in now

[reddog]

I guess I dont know how to log in. But Im registered. lol

[ezmarc]

A lot of useful info comes from the unregistered crowd. A lot of entertainment also, once in a while an unregistered post can make my blood boil but then in afterthought and in reading the thread again I can usually glean some small bit of knowledge from it. Occasionally there are posts which make absolutely no sense to me at all, then I get get involved and make no sense right back and I enjoy those also to a point. The real trash usually disappears quickly and I sometimes wonder what I missed!

I say leave it like it is. Scott and the moderators are doing a great job!

[stevefellegy]

Geez, I'm flattered to be mentioned here as part of the "gang". Or "click". I sympathize with the "real WC gang" having that stigma laid upon them. lol
Say what? Me? A "yes man"? Please understand, I have worked hard for many years to develop the REAL reputation I now carry. DON'T throw away all my efforts by labeling me a "yes man" now. lol lol
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 'Guest' sounds kinda good. Registered is good too. I registered because a certain 'somebody' hollered at me....I don't like being hollered at. And I still don't know how I did it. So there!lol
All I know is, the fishin' buisness used to be a lot simpler. GPS and now this?!

[scareDcat]

sf, thanks for clearing that up. wow, it took you over two hours to do so. did you take on a part time job? seems like you have been busy somewhere else tonite. LOL thanks for all your good posts. i actually appreciate some of what you have to say. thanks again.

[Tough Guy]

No register cuzz no want leave warm trail for snow ape. Tough Guy always here, just taking step back for up and coming comedy acts for Walleye Central.

[Tonto]

Tonto start to worry about friend Tough Guy. Tonto no see or hear from Tough Guy for many weeks. Tonto listen with ear to ground for Tough guys horse. Tonto's ear freeze to trail. Tonto not wnt to tell how Keemosabee warmed up ground by Tonto's ear with warm liquid, but it work. Tonto's ear not frozen to ground anymore. Tonto not as thankful to Keemosabee as you might think. Now Tonto no see tarzan for long time too. Tonto no listen for tarzan, tonto just look for him.

[stevefellegy]

Job you say? Okay....that's it. I draw the line when you go that far!
First "yes man" and now job? May your leech water turn a reddish brown and spill all over you.....

job? what's this world coming to?
I gotta sleep this one off!

[Tarzan]

Tarzan not lost, Tarzan out looking for food. Tarzan say it hard work living in jungle. Jane clean tree house, Tarzan wrestle jungle beasts for food. Tarzan home now. What Tough Guy and tonto want?

[FROGMAN]

And to think that all these years we thought of "fishing" as goofing off! LOL
Tight lines

Keith Segar
NPAA #260

[Schnauzer]

It is interesting to note that after roughly 4 months, the numbers have changed from about 35-65 to 50-50 in favor of registration. Maybe after another 4 months of faceless attacks, sneaky use of registered user names, and useless entries (like the Tarzan/Tonto dialog that appears above this post) - opinions will shift even further.

I am surprised at the level of resistance to make registration a requirement. I have seen no increase in spam e-mail since I registered. I have seen no decrease in activity on other boards where registering is a requirement. I found most of the reasons to keep things the way they are now to be predictable, and in some cases very valid. I was surprised at the one person who wanted to use guest user log ins so they wouldn't become a "yes man." I guess if you can't disagree or hold your own opinion unless you are anonymous, I'd look into gettin' me some self confidence.

[WAeyes]

Someone always has to carry this sillyness a little too far. Ease off Cheeta, it is a public forum.

[Marble Eyes]

Nice...

You don't like others opinions so you attack them.
I suspect that Is EXACTLY why you want to be able
to view their bios.

[perchjerker]

I agree with the orignal post, but not completely. Its pretty much all been hashed out already. I was at work and missed all the fun!:-(

The way I look at it, it doesnt mean squat it someone registers or not, its easy enough to fake the info. I think if only registered people could post, there would be a LOT fewer posts. I belong to a few other boards, one requires you to register, its a nice board, but then you get the same few folk posting over and over (like me here!)LOL and it isnt nearly as interesting or fast moving. I registered simply because I wanted to. There is another Perchjerker out there who spells his name differently, other than some people confusing us once in a while, I dont really care. He seems like a nice fellow anyway.

As far as jerks posting, thats the nature of a public forum. I try to just take them with a grain of salt. I think if you ignore someone flaming you, it tick them off more. So there you flamers!! LOL

Antorher thing for you people who are registered, if you dont log out when you leave, when you come back you dont have to log back in. A lot of people arent aware of that. At least it woks that way with IE 6.0

[JasonMN]

Morning Marble Eyes,

Where is the attack part? I do not see it.

[Marble Eyes]

From Schnauzer's last post, last paragraph...

"I guess if you can't disagree or hold your own opinion unless you are anonymous, I'd look into gettin' me some self confidence."

[JasonMN]

I do not really see that as an attack or Schnauzer saying he doesn't like others opinions..just a statement me thinks. That is my understanding of the last paragraph ...for whatever that is worth to you.

65 days till the MN opener!

[Schnauzer]

I don't "need" to view anyone's bio's. I rarely, if ever do. I don't care if my only knowledge of someone is of their handle. I just don't like the prospect of having someone post 20 times under 20 different guest user names to skew threads. When I see a post by "Marble Eyes", I at least can begin to build an opinion of how trust worthy you are. I don't need to know your name, unless we arrange to go fishing sometime! When I see a post from guest user "bob", I have no idea if it is the "bob" I happened to think was a jerk the day before, or the "bob" who had some great advice on the question I posted last week.

So, if you are trying to paint me as some sort of stalker trying to research the true identity of those who cross me, you couldn't be farther from the truth. If you review any of my posts in this thread,my opinion on this is pretty clear and my motivation is pretty harmless.

I realize people can register as often as they want, under any name they want. Nobody is saying this is the perfect solution. However, it GREATLY reduces the riff raff, in my opinion. Can people still unfairly attack, say racist comments, or swear? Sure. But it would happen far less if they couldn't hide behind 'guest user'.

[reddog]

Ive looked all over, and still dont know how to log back in as a registered user. When I click on the log in tab, it takes me to the message board menu, but nowhere does it ever ask me to log in, so I just keep replying as a guest. Any ideas?

[AquaMan]

I cannot believe what I am seeing????

You want restrictions on this site, but mention gun control or fishing restriction and LOOK OUT! Why the hipocracy? When is it protection and when is it prision, folks?

Get a grip! Freedom has it's costs and the sooner you realize that this is one of those costs, you will ignore the irritation and repost the question. DROP THE REGISTRATION ISSUE. Not gonna happen now or ever. If you don't like the site as it is, then leave. I am tired of you and others taking up space with this topic. THAT'S MY OPINION. What do you think about that? I am registerd and that was my option. You can find out where I live, work, fish, etc. But what if I did the ghost registration? What would that do for you? Would that change my opinion? Nope.

Sorry, but you said it your self. You put little faith in the posts that have no registration. Why can't that be enough?

Your argument for registration does not hold water. NEXT!

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just turning cash into water!

[bumps2]

Exactly my problem. I registered in late Feb but when trying to get in as member takes me to the forum screen. All posts show me as a guest user.

[Pherris]

I also would like too see an area for registerd users only.

[bob oh]

I couldn't agree more AquaMan. If we make this site sterile enough maybe most of us will get bored and quit coming here and then this can become yet another boring, but politically correct site. The Internet is full of them already. This site works -- read it if you want to, comment if you want -- skip it if you don't. Works great!!!

[perchjerker]

I had a similar problem when trying to use a web based email, such as yahoo, to register. I used the one supplied by my ISP, it worked fine. I then went into my profile and changed it to my yahoo addy. Been working fine since.

[P. Envy]

Read the posts that interest you
Ignore the ones that don't

What's so hard about that.

One mans trash is another mans treasure. What you find annoying I may find interesting.

[Jesse-WI]

Since no one makes a PERFECT product or can assure that a PRODUCT is bought by the correct customer type, every message board will have negative things posted by someone. Companies usually do not attend message boards because there is no up side unless you are willing to always give in. Airing laundry in public is never a good ideal.

American's are much better complainers than praisers. It is a simple fact. We need to prove why our choice is right and yours is wrong. We do not like hearing bad things about items after we have already purchased them. We tend to BELIEVE most things we read, but treat voice conversations as just rumors. The internet makes it easy to get even with someone who you believe has wronged you. At the same time company x is not paying me to advertise their product so why should I go out there and talk it up (unless I need to feel better about my decision to spend $$$$$$$$ on my new widget).

As consumers we must take note of patterns of complaints. There are two sides to every story, but a large pattern of complaints is self explanatory. It serves no purpose to argue with someone that feels they were wronged.

So read and learn and try not to get defensive. If you ask for opinions expect to see NEGATIVE things. Your rights are only as good as the amount of money the other party is willing to spend on an attorney, anyway.

[Fishnwiz]

After being on this site for going on 3 years, and a year of being a pro user (lol) I have become a guest user because of my shear inability to change over my name from my hot mail acct to my wifes MSN acct! O.K. So I am an idiot and have wasted the time of the site admin trying to figure out what I have to do? I was told to contact MSN about another IP address and was told by them that I would be charged additional money for that service. Seemed like kind of a waste to me so after a several month layoff, I just recently have found my way back to this forum after being removed as one of the gang!! Gee.......I sure miss you guys!!! (and gals) FYI.. Not all of us are experts at these darn computer things!! Fishnwiz

[EyeJacker]

I had to drag myself out of the sick bed with a flu induced delirium(I know, I know) to pledge my support, Aquaman. Be it known that the EyeJacker will back you up on this until your chest caves in, then, and only then, will he ride off for reinforcements. :)

[James Nell]

I agree ......>>>>

[eyeswon]

I agree James Nell is my name and I'm a registered user. The first post was my name on FTR.