Topic: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse

Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Hi folks,

I have made a request for the IP address's of the poster that is taking over this forum;

Having an IP address would enable offending posters to be tracked down.

Here is Ecobob's response;

"Hi Steve,

Unfortunately at present we don’t store IP addresses of our posters.

I could add IP tracking to the forum which we could then record in the database but this would require a change to our database structure and web site – probably around 3 to 4 hours work to get this done and tested on the live site, which would be a cost to Ecobob of around $300 + GST. If you are happy to cover this cost I’ll get it done right away and we can then monitor any new posts.

Thoughts on that?

Kind regards, Ecobob"

Well folks, I'm sick of this abuse; who wants to to donate >$20 to keep this Forum going???

Timbercrete will make a donation.

If you're in favour; please email me @ steve@timbercrete.co.nz or phone 07-345-7762.

I'll work with Ecobob to ensure this Forum is a safe forum for all users.....the post content at the moment is surely dysfunctional & can't be helping the promotion of Ecobob

Kind Regards,
Steve@timbercrete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

If Ecobob can post the bank details (if not a security risk) then we could deposit as well feel inclined. The real problem though is allowing people to post as anon, I expect changing that may be more than $300.

I am also happy to contribute,

Pete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

$20 is about the same cost as Proxy IP
Might be better to simply require registration like every other half decent forum
It would be a sad day for democracy if forum sponsors were to decide which IP's were traced. Whilst China is a terrific trading partner we still need free speech

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

However there's free speech and there's defamation whilst hiding behind the anonymous user name.

Look at http://www.findlaw.com/12international/countries/nz/articles/852.html
to see what the consequences could be. At the end of the day Ecobob owners could be open to prosecution based on posts on this site.

Food for thought ???
Pete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Fair Trading Act deals with among other things misleading product performance and testing claims

Best that technical information glitches get pointed out and sorted before anyone gets mislead

Also food for thought perhaps

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Many thanks for these comments

Thanks Pete for the link; I had a feeling that Ecobob is currently a sitting duck for someone to sue him whilst the Forum remains in this current state;

Refer one of the Judges comments;
"The following findings of Judge Ross are particularly significant to Internet users:
- The Internet is not a forum where there is immunity from defamation claims. Judge Ross said Alan Brown was "grossly mistaken" if he believed that use of Internet communications gave him greater freedom of expression than other forms of publication.

If this happens, then that would be the end of Ecobob.

I would like to make the following suggestions as a number of the posters are quite precious about the 'anon' facility, so lets respect that by putting into action the following:

1) That a significant warning be included on the posting box (where this is typed) highlighting the potential impact if defamatory remarks are submitted into the public domain

2) That each post MUST go via a moderator before it is submitted into the public domain. Other forums I visit do this. There would need to be a minimum of 3 moderators & Ecobob can select those who he can trust to look after his business

3) That the facility for storing posters IP addresses is implemented. This is more so for Ecobob's protection

Timbercrete (& ASIPS) will be opening a 'Learning Center" on Rotorua's busy Lake Rd by end of January. This center will focus on all aspects of energy efficiency & sustainable design. This facility will be targeting the 2 million Kiwi tourist who drive down that road each year. I was looking at featuring Ecobob as a valuable resource for interested visitors, but I would be far to embarrassed to do this whilst this Forum remains so dysfunctional.
steve@timbercrete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

IP tracking is a waste of time and money.
Make registration with a genuine email address mandatory and offenders can be removed by admin and banned.
Also - posts should be able to be deleted by admin.

I come here to learn not scroll through abuse.

Maybe the genuine people would be better off investing their $300 in another website that can be managed better.

I've only been on this site for a short time, learnt a lot and I'm now considering not visiting any longer.

Max

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

I like posting anonymously. I can give useful information without being flamed for it and having a bunch of people who are not expert in a field trying to tell me I am wrong which can affect my reputation. I shouldn't have to defend myself from a bunch of "know it alls" who search the internet as their main source of information and have little/no practical experience.

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Hi anon,

You'll see that my post 18th Dec retains the anon facility, but it establishes a method of accountability....are you in favour of that?

If there is no fear of being lambasted with defamatory comments, then you should have no issues about posting your name & become valuable member.

The main point of the forum is about learning, I learn a lot here too, & it's great if people do a lot of research....

But this forum has gone beyond the unwritten rules of a functional society

steve@timbercrete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

"I like posting anonymously. I can give useful information without being flamed for it and having a bunch of people who are not expert in a field trying to tell me I am wrong which can affect my reputation."

I don't think its about losing anonymity, its so that constant flamers and libellous posters can be banned from the forum by the moderators/owner.

For all anyone cares, you could call yourself Mickey Mouse as a user name which would protect your privacy , but if you posted something derogatory, then the post could be removed and persistent offenders dealt with.
It swings both ways - it would also give you some protection from being flamed.

I have in the past been a member of a few forums. this is the only one I know that allows posting without logging in as a user.

Pete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Hi Pete,

I agree.....for me, everyone is a suspect, even yourself or Ecobob....this is why I won't recommend Ecobob to my clients as a resource.

steve@timbercrete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Hi Everyone,

Due to complaints about the forums we have now turned off the ability to post anonymously on the forums.

We do rely on our members to help us spot any defamatory remarks made on the forums and we address those immediately once we are aware of them.

If you are concerned about any posts that could be defamatory please email us at info@ecobob.com with a link to the post along with details of why you find the post to be defamatory.

The Ecobob forums is a free resource which is intented to be used to facilitate the sharing of information about eco living/eco building/eco homes. Ideally the resource would be used in a positive way to improve the way New Zealanders live.

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Well done Ecobob,

This should be a great improvement for the forum.

Pete

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

Hallelujah, no more 'to Anon 10:35, please refer to Anon 9:20' posts!

Seriously good move and will weed out the trolls and also the knockers with vested interests in preserving the status quo in the NZ building industry

Re: Let's help EcoBob stop the Fourm abuse 

HI all,

Really pleased that this has happened. (re langers; sounds like Bible references)
steve@timbercrete