"Members Only" Daycare.com Forum??

[Michael]

This was my response to a thread in our Private Members Only section and I decided to make it public here.

I've often considered making the forum “members only” but still feel that most of the unregistered comments are helpful and conversational. I was surprised to find out today that The Huffington Post is going to allow comments from only registered members, that use their real identity, in order to change the toxic climate of their article’s public conversation. I am both Liberal and Conservative and I read/watch most news sources (so don't label me! )

I've seen many blogs also going to "member’s only". While I understand the reasoning, it makes me believe the country is heading in a more conservative direction. The internet allows for just about anything and it is my belief it should be self regulated by its owners; us.

This forum is run by its members. I pay the expenses of its bandwidth, servers, databases and management. Here is what BlackCat, the moderators and I have decided:

This forum is to stay both a members and unregistered forum. IF an unregistered poster is not in keeping with this forum's constructive demeanor, their IP will be banned; rendering them no access to the forum or other Daycare.com related areas. Registered members will be judged by our members and should contact me if there is a problem and I will deal with it.

I banned a "member" today that was constantly posting as unregistered and causing unnecessary drama. If he/she had used their account and used this forum in a positive manner, there would have been no reason ban them.

As always, I or any of the moderators are here to help you. They don't get paid or are given any perks. I appreciate their taking the time to help make this forum a positive daily experience for me and the rest of us. Let's keep it that way.

[CedarCreek]

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!! lovethis

[AfterSchoolMom]

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!! lovethis

Ditto! happyface

[mom2many]

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!! lovethis

Yes, THANK YOU! happyface

[Cat Herder]

Thank you Michael and Mods!! lovethis

Being able to post unregistered sometimes allows members to ask really kid/situation specific things that need to be asked without being publicly outed to their clients.

I have also posted unregistered because I have days where I can't remember my log in info (programed in to toolbar) once my computer "updates" and deletes my preferences or I am using a borrowed computer because I am too cheap to buy a new one.

[MyAngels]

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!! lovethis

Ditto!

As far as making it "members only" - I never thought that would help much. After all, what does it take to register? Use a junk e-mail account and fill in a couple of blanks, and you're registered and free to cause the same drama you might as unregistered.

[Cradle2crayons]

I posted unregistered once for privacy and posted some very personal issues and questions and I was slammed and called out on my post. Lol. So never again will I ever post as unregistered. If its that private and secret I won't post it here.

But regardless of that. I do appreciate Michael and the mods for keeping this forum as peaceful as possible.

[Maria2013]

[I]I banned a "member" today that was constantly posting as unregistered and causing unnecessary drama.

I have a Forum of my own, I can't believe there are still people that think if they don't log in, they are anonymous ::

[MamaBearCanada]

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!! lovethis

Yes!

[AmyKidsCo]

I have a Forum of my own, I can't believe there are still people that think if they don't log in, they are anonymous ::

Ditto!

Thanks Michael and the mods for all your hard work! lovethis

[Michael]

I have a Forum of my own, I can't believe there are still people that think if they don't log in, they are anonymous ::

Don't go scaring the members. That's not necessarily true.

For the most part everyone's IP here is a Dynamic IP. IP's change unless you pay for a Static IP address which 99.9% of users don't have.

FYI: A Static IP (what Daycare.com has - 66.161.7.83) address is a number that is assigned, to a computer or Domain Name, by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet.

A Dynamic IP (what every member here has) address lasts for the duration of that Internet session. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user.

[Cradle2crayons]

Don't go scaring the members. That's not necessarily true.

For the most part everyone's IP here is a Dynamic IP. IP's change unless you pay for a Static IP address which 99.9% of users don't have.

FYI: A Static IP (what Daycare.com has - 66.161.7.83) address is a number that is assigned, to a computer or Domain Name, by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet.

A Dynamic IP (what every member here has) address lasts for the duration of that Internet session. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user.

Interesting because I've seen before it said on several unregistered posts that the op was known because of the IP address giving some type of information that identified them.. Is that location based maybe?? I'm just curious not trying to scare people.

[Lyss]

Interesting because I've seen before it said on several unregistered posts that the op was known because of the IP address giving some type of information that identified them.. Is that location based maybe?? I'm just curious not trying to scare people.

Its a general location, like city and state in most cases. You can get latitude and longitude location for a specific IP but it isn't necessarily correct. I know mine generally shows up as a city 45 minutes from where I actually am

[Unregistered]

who am I? I am a member, I have never posted as unregistered but I am active and post almost daily


I will even type a little bit more since I have also seen people that are NOT mods say they can also tell who people are by the things they say, punctuation etc...

Anyone up for the challenge? I hope this isn't against the rules! I am really just curious if a mod can tell who I am...

[Meeko]

Thanks to Michael and the Mods!

(Sounds like a new band.....:::