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General discussion

Member profiles WHY.

Aug 4, 2004 7:40AM PDT

I was reading this thread in speakeasy

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6130-0.html?forumID=50&threadID=31829&messageID=364388

(I do not post there because those folks get a little testy)

and the best answer I could find is it allows other members to better answer questions based upon your profile.

Sounds good but now into the real world.

If I ask a question and do not provide my OS and/or hardware and someone like Robert P. elects to answer what I will get is a reponse that gives me HELL.

Do you think that he or anyone else will rely on profiles?? ya right...

There is another reason for profiles,,marketing maybe??

Discussion is locked

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Re: Member profiles WHY.
Aug 4, 2004 8:30AM PDT

The point of member profiles is (1) to make this a better community. You can read about a person, see what they like (fav quote) or read how they got into computers (bio) etc. (2) Some people look at your computer config, and some don't. It still saves you a lot of time if you put it in your profile that way if somebody needs to know it, he can look without having to reply and having you to reply back. Another reason (3) is that it asks you for your computer proficiency- which I use. If somebody is advanced I'll explain things in fewer steps assuming that he knows what I'm talking about. If it's set to newbie I will explain it in detail and give links to read more about it. And last but not least (4) in the profiles you can send a direct email to this person if you want to ask something private or want specifically that person to answer your question.

Regards,
Ryan Sechrest

[email this member]
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"Any technology significantly advanced enough
is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clark
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(NT) (NT) Thank you Ryan, well said!
Aug 4, 2004 7:14PM PDT
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(NT) (NT) Read and understood
Aug 4, 2004 11:21PM PDT
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Real World answer
Aug 4, 2004 7:29PM PDT

Bob,

A profile of member brings a new flavor into the community and I truly believe it provides a foundation for our members to get to know one another. The goal here is bring this community closer together.

Marketing as you ask? Absolutely NOT! My intentions are only for the good of the Community forums and its members. I have fought long and hard to bring resources to this community-- to improve it, enhance it, and get more exposure to it. We have been in shadows for a long time and now we are actually gaining some traction. I also would hope that the profile would bring a little more color and interest for people to get to know each other and bring on a positive note to our forums rather than it exists as just another forum full of anonymous names and posts.

It is up to you to fill out your profile, if I wanted everyone?s profile to be updated, I would?ve easily made it a mandatory piece in the registration process in order for anyone to join the forums, but I didn't.

The people who really care about this community will fill out there profiles at their own will.

You can perceive the profile however you like, however I would hope that it makes a difference for the good of our entire community.

-Lee

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(NT) (NT) Read and understood.
Aug 4, 2004 11:24PM PDT
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Re: Member profiles WHY.
Aug 5, 2004 2:06AM PDT

I'm just a novice at this, but without the OS in question, the answer can indeed be damaging to the person's OS. Or just plain wrong.

I wish the best for people out there given what support they get from the usual sources. Too many end up at service shops that just wipe the drive and install the OS (incompletely) and tell the customer that a virus wiped it out.

About the profile, I really should update mine again.

Bob

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Dear Bob...
Aug 5, 2004 9:55AM PDT

According to my last reading of posts regarding your profile, you have had a computer for over two months now Wink

Goodness only knows what I, and many others like me who rely on your replies, would have done without your answers.

Your words of caution will be well understood by anyone who "got it wrong the first time".

A big thanks from me, R Proffitt, and I'm sure from many others also.

Regards
Mo