FAIR SHAKE

Had some people on the PSU asking why they can't see threads if they do not join? One or two do not really like the idea of joining anything they can't see first, or just do not like hidden forums.

Is there a reason for this?

This forum is open to the public, and the main threads are viewable by all. We do have options built into this forum for private discussions, if desired.

The meeting was for for people working on the Boycott issues. Not knowing what would be discussed, it did not seem necessary to have the entire thing public while it was happening. After the censorship and feeling of exposure on the eBay boards, since no request was made one way or another, a very mild form of privacy was given to it by requiring people to be members of Fair Shake to attend. Joining this forum is very simple, open to everyone, and no personal information is required outside of an email address--which can be an anonymous one readily available through yahoo or aol, if desired.

Those who attended the meeting can decide whether they want to make part or all of it public--that's completely up to them. This forum is made for the use of those people who are interested in online marketing, no matter HOW they feel about the issues being discussed. Registration adds a very simple method of control in case the meeting had someone attend who was trying to sabotage or disrupt things for whatever reason. If people who are not registered are allowed to post, there would be NO WAY to make them stop loading whatever they wanted into the meeting, which could be potentially very disruptive. If they are signed on as members, one of the moderators would have the ability to block offensive posts.

If they don't want to USE the forum, but only read, most of the information is available for all. Since membership is as anonymous as anyone wants to make it, and open to everyone, no one should object to this simple step.

Future meetings can be public or private as requested by those organizing it. Posting will always be limited to registered members for security reasons.

I hope this explains things for you. There is no secrecy here, so thank you for asking! If this isn't clear, or you have any other questions, please let me know.

I was just thinking about this further---isn't PSU set up the same way, with actually considerably MORE access denied without membership?

I seem to remember trying to get further information about the auction counts, and when I tried to open the links, it asked for registration. I am not a power seller, and although I have sold maybe 5 or 6 items on eBay, I didn't feel at that point it was appropriate for me to join a selling organization, although I am interested in viewing the information you have there.

I have been thinking of signing up just to be able to participate more fully, but honestly have been so involved here, it hasn't been a priority for me personally. I think your question is a fair one, but please relay to whomever was concerned about this that it is pretty standard practice for forums to have a measure of privacy and control. Since this platform is so wide open to everyone, I hope they will feel encouraged to go through the simple registration process and join us here.

FirmGrip wrote:I was just thinking about this further---isn't PSU set up the same way, with actually considerably MORE access denied without membership?

I seem to remember trying to get further information about the auction counts, and when I tried to open the links, it asked for registration. I am not a power seller, and although I have sold maybe 5 or 6 items on eBay, I didn't feel at that point it was appropriate for me to join a selling organization, although I am interested in viewing the information you have there.

I have been thinking of signing up just to be able to participate more fully, but honestly have been so involved here, it hasn't been a priority for me personally. I think your question is a fair one, but please relay to whomever was concerned about this that it is pretty standard practice for forums to have a measure of privacy and control. Since this platform is so wide open to everyone, I hope they will feel encouraged to go through the simple registration process and join us here.

No it was not the posting they were on about more the fact they could not view the content, I understand the reason to block anyone from posting, without first signing in, so do those in question but they could not understand why they could not view without signing in. I think what it is, is that they have seen sites were ths same thing is used for the wrong thing. Their argument being why hide something if you have nothing to hide?

My only arguement with it apart from the fact there is no reason for it, as you say anyone could join and see what is said but also, I'm not 100% sure but to block from viewing you may also block content from search engines. And at this point I don't think that is right for what we are trying to do.

But on the other hand that was my point just join with another name who will know?

I don't see this as a major issue one way or another. The sign up is simple and can be anonymous, so nothing is being hidden from ANYONE who wants to go through that small step.

If the members of this forum (or those working on boycott issues) would like their next meeting publicly visible, that can be done as well. If they are more comfortable posting having some idea of who is able to view their posts, I don't see that as anything secretive. In fact, if anyone wants to have a PRIVATE meeting, open only to members of their choice, I don't have a problem with THAT, either, and don't see why anyone else should. This is a forum which can be used in a multitude of ways for communication. If special interest groups want to have meetings privately, who could possibly care? We all have access to telephones and email and other more private ways--but if an online private meeting room is available and useful, Fair Shake is happy to provide that. If I'm missing something, please let me know, but this forum is intended for use in whatever way members see fit. Perhaps that is the key word---it is for members. If someone wants to have input or control of the forum, they should become a member. Otherwise, they are welcome to read what members choose to make publicly available.

The way the meeting was presented is the same as it would have been if it was in a chat format. You couldn't view the chat room unless you entered it, therefore making your presence known. Who in a chat room doesn't like to note who has entered the room? I think most people are more comfortable throwing ideas out if they have some idea of who is able to see them.

If this is an issue for members, please voice your concerns!

And another Post Script:

AGAIN: PSU has the same thing. I just went to verify my memory was correct. When I go to this link

http://www.powersellersunite.com/auctionsitewatch.php

I am able to see the auction count. But if I try to click the "view charts", it asks me to register. Is it reasonable for me to think you are hiding something? It never crossed my mind, although I WAS disappointed not to be able to view the charts. I assume it would be simple for me to register, but I wasn't sure it was appropriate since I am not a power seller, or even a seller at ALL really except for just getting my little toe wet at eBay. My point is that I understand a fleeting frustration, but if someone feels uncomfortable going through the simple step of registering at this forum, which is obviously open to everyone, I would be more inclined to think perhaps THEY had something they were trying to hide. I'm not trying to be snide---PLEASE know that. This sort of conversation can be difficult in writing. I just don't really understand what the issue is. If they don't object to the way PSU is set up, this certainly should not bother them.

Let me make a simple analogy. The meeting was open to anyone who wanted to attend. NO ONE would have been turned away, and no one would have been required to post if they didn't feel like it.

Picture a large room with a very large round table. Everyone is welcome. The only requirement is that you come in and have a seat. There are no hidden "bugs" in the room so that people can listen in without anyone who is speaking not knowing they are being eaves-dropped on. Does that make sense? I would personally be more comfortable in a room where everything is visible for ALL. If we are expected to be transparent, why shouldn't we ask the same of anyone wanting to view what we are discussing?

FirmGrip wrote:Let me make a simple analogy. The meeting was open to anyone who wanted to attend. NO ONE would have been turned away, and no one would have been required to post if they didn't feel like it.

Picture a large room with a very large round table. Everyone is welcome. The only requirement is that you come in and have a seat. There are no hidden "bugs" in the room so that people can listen in without anyone who is speaking not knowing they are being eaves-dropped on. Does that make sense? I would personally be more comfortable in a room where everything is visible for ALL. If we are expected to be transparent, why shouldn't we ask the same of anyone wanting to view what we are discussing?

Please don't shoot the messenger I agree with you but I would move the transcripts over to the normal forum so they can be picked up by the search engines. Your spider control may be telling the spiders not to enter the closed areas, and it is the content that will bring people to Fair Shake, more than word of mouth. It's just like ebay will suddenly find they struggle without us, as who searches for ebay products? They search for an iPod or vintage bag.

I have been trying to see if I can get used to this template, but so far I just want to beat up the person that made it, they put dark text on a dark mottled background and the light yellow text is on a light mottled background. Can't you just go in and change the image titles in the css?

I apologize if I was sounding a bit exasperated when I answered you. I did not realize it until later, but I had a migraine headache coming on which hit big time a couple hours later.

Much work is going on right now to fulfill some of the ideas that came out from the meeting. Once a couple more steps have been accomplished, those minutes can be made public.

I am sorry you find the design template here hard to read. Some love it, and some do not. We are addressing the problem in every way we can. Everything that was able to be over-ridden has been, when I tried to do more, it created glitches. I have put in a request for a design edit with a different font using these skins. I don't know what it will be like, but I have been told that the request has been submitted and it should be forthcoming.

In the meantime, there are suggestions, and also the option for a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DESIGN in your profile.

Please read through the suggestions and options on this link:

http://fairshake.freeforums.org/visibil ... -t209.html

I hope this helps!

FirmGrip wrote:I apologize if I was sounding a bit exasperated when I answered you. I did not realize it until later, but I had a migraine headache coming on which hit big time a couple hours later.

Much work is going on right now to fulfill some of the ideas that came out from the meeting. Once a couple more steps have been accomplished, those minutes can be made public.

I am sorry you find the design template here hard to read. Some love it, and some do not. We are addressing the problem in every way we can. Everything that was able to be over-ridden has been, when I tried to do more, it created glitches. I have put in a request for a design edit with a different font using these skins. I don't know what it will be like, but I have been told that the request has been submitted and it should be forthcoming.

In the meantime, there are suggestions, and also the option for a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DESIGN in your profile.

Please read through the suggestions and options on this link:

http://fairshake.freeforums.org/visibil ... -t209.html

I hope this helps!

No worries just wanted to try it out to see if I could get used to it, but that mottled BG image is just too much for me. if I make changes on this computer five minutes later someone will have hit reset.

hotandvintage

Hot........will you please ask a representative from PowerSellersUnite to contact us here so that we can coordinated our efforts for the Boycott? If you wish to be that person ....you will be more then welcome. We would also appreciate you placing your logo in the "Boycotting Groups" section of this forum.

With Kind Regard
ManorBornToU

PS. Also a member of PSU!

Hi all . Just a quick comment. Most forums that I have been a part of [excluding eBay's] require you to register to be a part of and view a chat. Whether that is inherent or not to the sites themselves is not the issue. The issue is ..why should someone not want to register in order to view the content, if they were that interested in seeing what was going on? I , myself, do not see this as unreasonable, and do not find it personally offensive if I want to know what is going on. I have felt that it is still public, unless you are blocked from registering.

I consider it a part of the 'house rules' at any site or forum.