102 replies to this topic

[weescot]

I think we have all got used to a certain level of comfort and privacy using the internet from the comfort of our couch. I was initially a bit spooked by the feature that shows who is "checking" out my profile. It also made me think before I click on a profile. But as has been pointed out, we are all members of an online club/community and the ultimate aim is to get to know/hook up with one another through diving. We have the luxury of reading about who we are potentially going to go on holiday with. And all web activity can be monitored and recorded anyway, although it doesn't bother me anymore so much these days - if I get fed up with it, I'll just buy one of those islands Shadragon told us about, and become a hermit. Meantime I can live in hope that one day I'll get rated....!!!

[WreckWench]

I think we have all got used to a certain level of comfort and privacy using the internet from the comfort of our couch. I was initially a bit spooked by the feature that shows who is "checking" out my profile. It also made me think before I click on a profile. But as has been pointed out, we are all members of an online club/community and the ultimate aim is to get to know/hook up with one another through diving. We have the luxury of reading about who we are potentially going to go on holiday with. And all web activity can be monitored and recorded anyway, although it doesn't bother me anymore so much these days - if I get fed up with it, I'll just buy one of those islands Shadragon told us about, and become a hermit. Meantime I can live in hope that one day I'll get rated....!!!

You are a 5 in my book! (Actually a 10 but the rating only goes to 5 stars!)

[ASDmike]

Two of the new features will become problematic to SD's goal of creating a safe place for Single and Buddyless divers to make friends and find dive buddies. They also will tip the site slightly towards a dating site for those willing to pony up the premier membership fee.

The two features are 1) allowing premiers (or higher) to see who has viewed their or other's profiles, and 2) allowing people to see who I consider to be my friends. The first will bring SD.com the undesirable behavior that goes on at dating sites. The later will just make some people upset when they realize they have not collected enough friends or more importantly, enough mutual friends. I like the idea of a friend list for me to use, but why should my list be public to many members?

Getting back to profile views... For the dating sites, the profile hitting dance is a great way to find everything from nearly anonymous hookups, to the false hope of having found "the one". I say the latter as being a hope, since profiles are just another quick way to get to know another person's facade. Profiles often only disclose what people would like you to see or think. Personally, I beleive the best way to make new friends and getting to know a "real" person is by going on group trips. My years playing the dating site games were a waste of time and I hope SD.com stays away from those antics.

So among the premiers, some new activities are about to begin. Not sure how these two features benefit SD.com, but personally I do not understand why the admins want to take on the challenge of weeding out which premiers are engaging in the predatory practices going on at other internet sites. And later this year, you may start seeing increasing complaints from people that expected SD.com to be a safe, predator free site. The best way to prevent that is to disable curiosity features that benefit predators much more than the membership that you desire to have.

[Basslet]

Two of the new features will become problematic to SD's goal of creating a safe place for Single and Buddyless divers to make friends and find dive buddies. They also will tip the site slightly towards a dating site for those willing to pony up the premier membership fee.

The two features are 1) allowing premiers (or higher) to see who has viewed their or other's profiles, and 2) allowing people to see who I consider to be my friends. The first will bring SD.com the undesirable behavior that goes on at dating sites. The later will just make some people upset when they realize they have not collected enough friends or more importantly, enough mutual friends. I like the idea of a friend list for me to use, but why should my list be public to many members?

Getting back to profile views... For the dating sites, the profile hitting dance is a great way to find everything from nearly anonymous hookups, to the false hope of having found "the one". I say the latter as being a hope, since profiles are just another quick way to get to know another person's facade. Profiles often only disclose what people would like you to see or think. Personally, I beleive the best way to make new friends and getting to know a "real" person is by going on group trips. My years playing the dating site games were a waste of time and I hope SD.com stays away from those antics.

So among the premiers, some new activities are about to begin. Not sure how these two features benefit SD.com, but personally I do not understand why the admins want to take on the challenge of weeding out which premiers are engaging in the predatory practices going on at other internet sites. And later this year, you may start seeing increasing complaints from people that expected SD.com to be a safe, predator free site. The best way to prevent that is to disable curiosity features that benefit predators much more than the membership that you desire to have.

Thank you. Someone gets it.

[Basslet]

I really don't want to know who looked at my profile or see records displayed of everyones' online activity, including my own. What is the purpose of these features? I can't think of another message board that is set up like this other than searching for "last posts" "threads started by" and "photos posted."
Edited by Wreckwench Reason for edit: Title changed to reflect the new software's tracking and not SD.com.

Wreck wench, I notice you edited the title of this thread. OK, the software does the tracking and not SD. The initial question still has not been answered. Why would SD chose this type of software in the first place?

Edited by Fairybasslet, 23 March 2008 - 09:58 AM.

[ScubaStacy]

LOL Damn! Guess my days of secretly stalking the male SD members is over for sure now!

Fairybasslet, you dimed me, girlfriend... and I would have had your back!

Sorry about that girlfriend. I was trying to be specific to creep Don out a little since he couldn't view his profile. Though I'm sure he doesn't mind you're stalking him.

No worries, I'm all for messin' with someone's head a bit - keeps em on their toes!

As for all the other serious issues being debated .. my first thought was that some of the features are similar to what is available on the web dating sites.... ummmm that's what I've heard anyway.

For myself I don't care one way or the other. I have friends in DHS Cyber-Terrorism who have my back and more, I'm armed.

I just want to be POPULAR darn it! Please Click on me! Click on me!


Stacy

[Bubbles]

Creeped out?

Not particularly, although I did edit out my birthdate and address information for obvious reasons when I realized that the system didn't allow me to only partially enter it (with no year).

It's nice to know who checked out my profile (I recently thanked someone for doing so, since my assumption was that they simply wanted to know a bit more about the PPM), but the other stuff is just fluff AFA I am concerned. Don't see how anyone can glean any kind of hold over me by seeing it, since to me it's irrelevant info anyway.

PPM

I agree with you PPM. It's up to each individual to decide what they want or don't want to share on this or any other site. It really is "fluff" kinda stuff on here anyway. It's not like anybody has their home address, phone numbers, social security numbers, etc. posted. There's much less information here than you can obtain thru the all knowing Google!!!

BTW PPM...I just checked out your profile!!!

Edited by Bubbles, 23 March 2008 - 11:31 AM.

[ScubaStacy]

Just made me remember something on a similar subject...

The Sacramento Bee, our local newspaper just added a feature to their web site, where you can type in the name of a California State employee and get back the information on their job position and salary! No Kidding! I tested it and there I was and all my co-workers!

I couldn't believe it. Our HR person told me it's public domain info but just doesn't seem right! Now guess I won't be getting all the gold diggers after me anyway!


Stacy

[ScubaDadMiami]

Just so I don't make anyone paranoid, I am randomly clicking on profiles and such so that I can learn how to use the new features. I promise: I am not spying on you!

[ScubaStacy]

BTW PPM...I just checked out your profile!!!

What??! OMG!!!!!

So in retaliation, I gawked at yours, too.

Interesting; didn't know that about you. Did that in college, but not since.

PPM

Everyone experiments in college.... it's ok!

[fbp]

Interesting discussion?

At first, I thought it was a serious issue..
Then reading a little further with all the LOL's posted figured members were just having fun..
Now it's looking like a conern...
Most BB have last postings listed, who's on line etc.. and access to the profiles....

Out of just general interests, if I see a person that I'm curious about, diving or other interests, photography, mountaineering, Paragliding (although that's a stretch) and in various countries, I'll click on the profile to see if they have a website... most don't but some do, (not talking about 'My Face...' or whatever it is) but just out of curiosity.. also to see if there are any NEW PNW divers... or new to the area...

The thought being that there isn't any "Private" info or it wouldn't be posted.. so not sure what the "hub-bub" is, but each has their own thoughts and can certainly edit the profiles in regards to personal stuff... the rest, last postings, last on line etc.. are all system integrated and pretty common on all Bulletin boards (BB) that I've seen..

Anyway, I do look at the profiles so don't panic... just curious that's all... big world out there and a lot in just plain interesting people.. with varied interests...
So "Press on..." as they say at the laundry...
cheers...

Edited by fbp, 23 March 2008 - 12:28 PM.

[DandyDon]

Just made me remember something on a similar subject...

The Sacramento Bee, our local newspaper just added a feature to their web site, where you can type in the name of a California State employee and get back the information on their job position and salary! No Kidding! I tested it and there I was and all my co-workers!

I couldn't believe it. Our HR person told me it's public domain info but just doesn't seem right! Now guess I won't be getting all the gold diggers after me anyway!


Stacy

I don't have your real name, so can't check. How much do you make, anyway...??

[pmarie]

Anyway, I do look at the profiles so don't panic... just curious that's all... big world out there and a lot in just plain interesting people.. with varied interests...

Me Too! I have bumped into profiles too, curiosity for the most part, typically prompted by what might have been posted, location etc. Initially it did creep me out, I'm a little more comfortable with it now. I had only listed my month and day of birth before, now I don't think it is in there.

I always want to know more about people I could might possibly dive with!!!