Future of the Forum

[Kaosium]

The reason always given is that the JREF wanted it. Whether there were ever any plans to do more with the information I do not know, but I could understand that a NP would want the information to help it spread its message and even fundraising.

I suppose that figures, I just don't recall getting anything from JREF outside forum updates in my e-mail sometimes, thus I guess they never got around to that.

One thing that the requirement has done is to protect this place from some of the waves of "trolls" and other ne'er-do-wells who often cause harm to forums and their communities.

I guess I figured that sort wouldn't be dissuaded from making something up or using that of someone else if that didn't work.

 

[Darat]

Yes, I think this is the best way to go. We'll have to see what's actually possible though. I fear that some history is going to be lost, but that's less important than protecting people who were promised privacy.

Why not be preemptive? Delete the privacy information (real name, country state if in the USA) before any transfer?

It's the cleanest, easiest and most importantly will be the JREF keeping to its privacy statement and then there is no chance of any private information provided to the JREF accidentally being revealed. (We both know from bitter experience how a "simple" transfer/import/update can cause many unforeseen consequences.... )

 

[Spindrift]

Why ?

Because a massive change is being made and it should not be assumed that a user agrees with the change which is what opt-in as the default does.

 

[Darat]

...snip...

I guess I figured that sort wouldn't be dissuaded from making something up or using that of someone else if that didn't work.

You would be surprised at how many fall at the first hurdle....

 

[Jeff Wagg]

Why not be preemptive? Delete the privacy information (real name, country state if in the USA) before any transfer?

It's the cleanest, easiest and most importantly will be the JREF keeping to its privacy statement and then there is no chance of any private information provided to the JREF accidentally being revealed. (We both know from bitter experience how a "simple" transfer/import/update can cause many unforeseen consequences.... )

Yep, that too. Hopefully we can all get into the admin area and start discussing these things in earnest soon. To some of you, this might seem like nit picking, but privacy concerns have been a very real part of the forum for a variety of reasons. If the forum is leaving the JREF, steps have to be taken.

 

[Cuddles]

I know privacy issues have caused concerns and many ruckus in the past but the only information that falls under the privacy expectations are the ones that were required for a registration which are:

Real Name
Country
State in in the USA.

What about email addresses?

 

[Francesca R]

Why not be preemptive? Delete the privacy information (real name, country state if in the USA) before any transfer?

Indeed and this should certainly be what the JREF should insist on happening (now) to protect itself. Thanks to the registration agreement undertaking, members do not need to rely on a hope that the JREF wants to protect them.

 

[icerat]

My goal here would be to accomplish the following things:

1) move the forum off JREF servers
2) stabilize the software
3) Send a mass e-mail to every account on the forum announcing the change
4) Delete all private messages before 5 Aug
5) Completely delete any account that requests it
6) Get on the business of maintaining the community​

It's my hope that the present moderating staff will stay in place. Several have agreed to do so. Also, an old technical advisor has agreed to come out of the woodwork and help us get where we need to be.

In order for the forum to succeed, it will need to generate enough income to pay for the servers. I don't think that would be too difficult.

If you have suggestions for changes to be made, that's great, but until the above goals are met, I don't think we should think about implementing them.

The forum community owes Randi the JREF a debt of gratitude for its very existence. Things haven't always been smooth, but the gratitude is still warranted.

Also, from what I've seen, Sharon Hill has been instrumental in trying to save the forum, as has Icerat.

That's where I'm coming from.

We're pretty much on the same page here (though I think we may have missed 5 Aug!). I'm in the process of sending you an email with my thoughts.

 

[Spindrift]

Why not be preemptive? Delete the privacy information (real name, country state if in the USA) before any transfer?

It's the cleanest, easiest and most importantly will be the JREF keeping to its privacy statement and then there is no chance of any private information provided to the JREF accidentally being revealed. (We both know from bitter experience how a "simple" transfer/import/update can cause many unforeseen consequences.... )

I would bet that JREF legal would advise against that prior to the transfer given the recent subpoena.

"Sorry, we can't give you that information because you have no right to it." is probably acceptable.

"Sorry, we can't give you that information because we just deleted it." is probably asking for a contempt citation.

Again, IANAL.

 

[Locknar]

DJ has accessed the Admin areas. Let's at least keep our side accurate and honest.

I stand corrected; I knew he had access but did not recall him "visiting".

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

lol get a grip

Icerat is more than welcome to have my "personal information" that I used to sign up 13 years ago. None of it is even valid anymore.

 

[Darat]

Icerat is more than welcome to have my "personal information" that I used to sign up 13 years ago. None of it is even valid anymore.

Why's that Sandra?

 

[Jeff Wagg]

The JREF would have the ability to obtain a copy of the forum before the transfer. All they'd need is the database for anything forensic.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Why's that Sandra?

It's Tim now.

 

[tsig]

Finally a plan.

Thanks Jeff. I wish you all the best.

'A poor plan executed promptly is better than the best plan that is never implemented"

U. S. Army

 

[Czarcasm]

'A poor plan executed promptly is better than the best plan that is never implemented"

U. S. Army

That comes from the U.S. Army because a spectacular failure looks better on an officer's record than waiting for something better to come along. In real life...not so much.

 

[Marcus]

RemieV is correct. I did not sign up to icerat or COC whoever that is and whatever that is.
I trusted my personal information to the JREF alone.
The only way to do this is to let the forum die completely.
All info wiped away.
All the others everyone is typing about can start their own skeptic forums elsewhere and if I find one of the forums and decide to give them my personal info then it is as it should be, all on me.

Fine, you can leave.

The forum can live, though. I'm confident most posters will stay.

Icerat deserves the benefit of the doubt, especially considering the generous offer he has made to pay the expenses out of his own pocket if necessary. The combination of Jeff and Icerat sounds like a good plan going forward.

 

[Belz...]

Because a massive change is being made and it should not be assumed that a user agrees with the change which is what opt-in as the default does.

That change might be entirely transparent to occasional users, for all we know.

 

[Spindrift]

That change might be entirely transparent to occasional users, for all we know.

The name and url are going to change. That's not exactly transparent.

 

[madurobob]

Why?
Why would you change screen names? People leave forums all the time. Most just stop posting. Some get banned. Some actually ask to have their accounts disabled. But their screen names stay. What purpose would it serve to change the names?

Itsa a good point - we don;t need to be conflating screen names with the actual people behind them (but for the very few who use their real name). Once you've removed the personal data behind the screen names, the screen names themselves become more or less generic.