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Future of the Forum

Tell me Brattus, how much do you know about -

  • Lisa Simpson
  • LashL
  • (Deputy) Locknar
  • Darat

They currently run the forum and have access to all of your private information etc. In reality no paid member of JREF actually has had admin access to the forum for some time.

But since you're so concerned about how I might operate the forum, you can read more about me here.

So your first order of business will be to ban RSLanstr? ;)
 
Im split on this. This forum was once a stronghold of critical thinking that I would always recommend to people who wanted info on topics in a balanced positive environment. However, in the last two years or so it has descended into political point scoring and a "highest post count clique" thinking they can control ideas purely because of rank.

It's no surprise to me that jref would be embarrassed to be associated with the tone of this forum now. As evidenced in this very thread. If I was icerat I would just say forget it!

Let's let this, once great, forum die a dignified death before it becomes just another outpost of rhetoric similar to free thought blogs.
 
The forum has been running quite smoothly for me lately actually. I suspect some sort of demonic ritual and sacrifice was made.
 
While I don't know to what if any degree I share his exact complaints or the level to which he is concerned with them, I don't think in general a feeling of unease over information which was given in good faith to one organization being handed over to another organization should simply be dismissed.

There must be something I'm missing here: why can't that all just be deleted? Isn't there a mechanism for erasing data like that which came with the program software where someone could flip a switch, enter the password, and delete all that?
 
Im split on this. This forum was once a stronghold of critical thinking that I would always recommend to people who wanted info on topics in a balanced positive environment. However, in the last two years or so it has descended into political point scoring and a "highest post count clique" thinking they can control ideas purely because of rank.

It's no surprise to me that jref would be embarrassed to be associated with the tone of this forum now. As evidenced in this very thread. If I was icerat I would just say forget it!

Let's let this, once great, forum die a dignified death before it becomes just another outpost of rhetoric similar to free thought blogs.


Boy, if that's you split, I'd hate to argue with you once you make your mind up!

Alternative view:- Let's see if we can do better. Hang in there. We can quit any time, but why just when things are getting interesting?
 
Out of interest, what personal data is held. Names, email, Dob. Anything else?


Those are the highlights.

IMO, all the angst about transfer of personal information is bollocks. There is no information about members that could not be ascertained in any one of a thousand or more other places on the interwebz.
 
There must be something I'm missing here: why can't that all just be deleted? Isn't there a mechanism for erasing data like that which came with the program software where someone could flip a switch, enter the password, and delete all that?

It easily could be and I have little doubt that it will.

I'm not on a "side" here. I don't think there's any real threat of any real information leak.

I just think that if one gives their information in good faith to one entity transferring it to another entity is bothersome.

It doesn't matter if one entity treats the information as well or even better then the previous entity, the point is that the new entity isn't the entity entrusted with the information.
 
Out of interest, what personal data is held. Names, email, Dob. Anything else?
Basically, what ever you provided during registration or since; the minimum is name, a valid email address, DOB.

Some have links to Yahoo, Skype, web pages/Facebook, etc. they have added as signature lines, etc.

Tell me Brattus, how much do you know about -

  • Lisa Simpson
  • LashL
  • (Deputy) Locknar
  • Darat
In the interest of clarity, for what it matters....I am a full Admin; that page was never updated but has been as of this morning.

To address another question, only the Admins and JREF (DJ at least) have access to the db/membership information. To my knowledge, DJ has never accessed the Admin areas of the Forum or membership db.
 
Speaking as a laymen on these issues, is it not possible for Jref to email all members giving them the option to have their personal information deleted and close their accounts if they choose to.

Perhaps give members a time limit to respond before any take over.
 
There must be something I'm missing here: why can't that all just be deleted? Isn't there a mechanism for erasing data like that which came with the program software where someone could flip a switch, enter the password, and delete all that?
There is. The personal data issue is a red herring. One could simply port only username and password only to the new site and users could populate as much or as little other personal data into their new profile as they wished when they log in.
 
It easily could be and I have little doubt that it will.

I'm not on a "side" here. I don't think there's any real threat of any real information leak.

I just think that if one gives their information in good faith to one entity transferring it to another entity is bothersome.

It doesn't matter if one entity treats the information as well or even better then the previous entity, the point is that the new entity isn't the entity entrusted with the information.

Personally I don't have any concerns in this instance but I respect those who do have fears and in a general sense I'm in agreement. I don't understand what JREF wanted with that information but if they're casting us adrift there's no reason for anyone else to have it. If it can just be deleted wholesale without any effect on the accounts otherwise it shouldn't be a problem.
 
Tell me Brattus, how much do you know about -

  • Lisa Simpson
  • LashL
  • (Deputy) Locknar
  • Darat

They currently run the forum and have access to all of your private information etc. In reality no paid member of JREF actually has had admin access to the forum for some time.

But since you're so concerned about how I might operate the forum, you can read more about me here.

Edited by Locknar: 
Moderated content removed.

That is not true, DJ has always had admin access, and throughout the years nearly every employee of the JREF has had admin access. Plus there had always been at least one "master" access account for the JREF to use.

ETA:

The current accounts with admin privileges

AutoModAction
Darat
DJGrothe
JREF Master Account
LashL
Lisa Simpson
Locknar
 
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There is. The personal data issue is a red herring. One could simply port only username and password only to the new site and users could populate as much or as little other personal data into their new profile as they wished when they log in.

Personally I don't have any concerns in this instance but I respect those who do have fears and in a general sense I'm in agreement. I don't understand what JREF wanted with that information but if they're casting us adrift there's no reason for anyone else to have it. If it can just be deleted wholesale without any effect on the accounts otherwise it shouldn't be a problem.

If there is a reasonably easy and cheap way to do this, this seems like the best solution.
 
Speaking as a laymen on these issues, is it not possible for Jref to email all members giving them the option to have their personal information deleted and close their accounts if they choose to.

Perhaps give members a time limit to respond before any take over.

Many people access their accounts only irregularly. I think it's best just to delete everything but username and ID and they can re-add it if they wish.
 
As for the privacy issue, if I'm correct Icerats new servers is most likely located in Sweeden and thus the forum would be under the swedish privacy act. I've managed to find a translation of those here and while there seems to be a newer version, the part we are interested in, section 17 of The Personal Data Act of 1998 appears not to be one of the part updated (Icerat, feel free to correct me as you are actually IN Sweden). As most people can see, personal information cannot be shared to 3rd party without consent and theres a ******** of other stuff in there which pretty much tells us that if Icerat (or whomever ends up in charge) does something bad with the info, there are several avenues that can be pursued. In other words: I wouldn't worry to much about this aspect of things.


ETA: And deleting everythign but login and password from the personal profiles would probably be best. I dont know the new software, but is it possible to add some sort of checkbox for "I'm staying a member" with out to much hassle? That way, after say a grace period of a month or so, the inactive accounts could be purged completely.
 
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Basically, what ever you provided during registration or since; the minimum is name, a valid email address, DOB.

Some have links to Yahoo, Skype, web pages/Facebook, etc. they have added as signature lines, etc.

In the interest of clarity, for what it matters....I am a full Admin; that page was never updated but has been as of this morning.

To address another question, only the Admins and JREF (DJ at least) have access to the db/membership information. To my knowledge, DJ has never accessed the Admin areas of the Forum or membership db.

DJ has accessed the Admin areas. Let's at least keep our side accurate and honest.
 
As for the privacy issue, if I'm correct Icerats new servers is most likely located in Sweeden and thus the forum would be under the swedish privacy act. I've managed to find a translation of those here and while there seems to be a newer version, the part we are interested in, section 17 of The Personal Data Act of 1998 appears not to be one of the part updated (Icerat, feel free to correct me as you are actually IN Sweden. As most people can see, personal information cannot be shared to 3rd party without consent and theres a ******** of other stuff in there which pretty much tells us that if Icerat (or whomever ends up in charge) there are several avenues that can be pursued. In other words: I wouldn't worry to much about this aspect of things.

I'm in Sweden, our main servers are actually in the UK but at this stage it's planned to setup a new server in the US, which is where most of the traffic comes from.

It has been suggested it may be more sensible to set the forum up somewhere where it's better protected from the regular legal threats it receives.
 
I'm in Sweden, our main servers are actually in the UK but at this stage it's planned to setup a new server in the US, which is where most of the traffic comes from.

It has been suggested it may be more sensible to set the forum up somewhere where it's better protected from the regular legal threats it receives.


Ok. Thanks. And the setup of the servers in a more protected place makes sense.
 

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