AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR A FORUM ?

[Lance]

These days there’s a bit more to be considered with a public forum site.
It’s not hard to find yaself in deep crap if someone takes serious offence at something posted on YOUR forum.
There are ways to protect yaself, but there are costs involved.

Think hard before kickin in 10 bucks for a bit of fame……………

[Collyn]

Lance

Whilst what you say is true the probability of a forum being sued is low simply because the costs of launching a case are enormous, and the damages (even if won) are unlikely to cover the cost (that is literally in the hundreds of thousands of dollars). It also usually requires a court to issue a subpeona to obtain the alleged offenders identity, but that can be done relatively easily with ‘detective’ work.

Hint: look for consistent mispellings or idiosyncratic phrasing (or known membership on another forum) and Google – entering them as terms to search for. Works surprisingly well.

Collyn

[Lance]

Lance

Whilst what you say is true the probability of a forum being sued is low simply because the costs of launching a case are enormous, and the damages (even if won) are unlikely to cover the cost (that is literally in the hundreds of thousands of dollars). It also usually requires a court to issue a subpeona to obtain the alleged offenders identity, but that can be done relatively easily with ‘detective’ work.

Hint: look for consistent mispellings or idiosyncratic phrasing (or known membership on another forum) and Google – entering them as terms to search for. Works surprisingly well.

Collyn

The risk of litigation is high enough for many forum Admin to be concerned these days to the extent of taking action to protect themselves personally.
Personally I’m not interested in the legalities or terminology, I just like my house.

If you’re prepared to take that risk, that’s OK to.

[diesel]

Lance

Whilst what you say is true the probability of a forum being sued is low simply because the costs of launching a case are enormous, and the damages (even if won) are unlikely to cover the cost (that is literally in the hundreds of thousands of dollars). It also usually requires a court to issue a subpeona to obtain the alleged offenders identity, but that can be done relatively easily with ‘detective’ work.

Hint: look for consistent mispellings or idiosyncratic phrasing (or known membership on another forum) and Google – entering them as terms to search for. Works surprisingly well.

Collyn

Do people actually do that and why would they bother?

From your comment, it would appear that you have traced somebody’s identity and I am interested to know why you would do such a thing. Is it simply because you don’t agree with their point of view or something more sinister like owing you money, stole your dog etc?

It doesn’t sit well with me that a member of a forum would attempt to expose the identity of another member, let alone succeed in doing so. We are all entitled to the anonymity that our username provides.

Jeff

[Engel]

Whilst what you say is true the probability of a forum being sued is low simply because the costs of launching a case are enormous, and the damages (even if won) are unlikely to cover the cost (that is literally in the hundreds of thousands of dollars). It also usually requires a court to issue a subpeona to obtain the alleged offenders identity, but that can be done relatively easily with ‘detective’ work.

People start running when a law firm letter arrives.

I have to take my hat off the Tracey who runs a Facebook forum on caravans who has been sued and stood up to them.

[Collyn]

Lance

Whilst what you say is true the probability of a forum being sued is low simply because the costs of launching a case are enormous, and the damages (even if won) are unlikely to cover the cost (that is literally in the hundreds of thousands of dollars). It also usually requires a court to issue a subpeona to obtain the alleged offenders identity, but that can be done relatively easily with ‘detective’ work.

Hint: look for consistent mispellings or idiosyncratic phrasing (or known membership on another forum) and Google – entering them as terms to search for. Works surprisingly well.

Collyn

Do people actually do that and why would they bother?

From your comment, it would appear that you have traced somebody’s identity and I am interested to know why you would do such a thing. Is it simply because you don’t agree with their point of view or something more sinister like owing you money, stole your dog etc?

It doesn’t sit well with me that a member of a forum would attempt to expose the identity of another member, let alone succeed in doing so. We are all entitled to the anonymity that our username provides.

Jeff

My advice is directly from the Associate Professor of Law at one of Australia’s major universities. I will ask him to write a Blog for me re just that.

Re: your second issue – that anonymity ceases with ongoing public denial on many forums of one’s provable working history (over many years and countless requests to cease). In this instance it was for over 10 years and countless forums. It still continues on one – virtually run by this man. Admin (here ) is aware of the issue.

Collyn

[diesel]

Thanks for the reply Collyn. I thought from your previous post that you alluded to actually tracing the identity of somebody yourself or am I correct?

Don’t bother with the blog from the Professor just to satisfy my curiosity, I’m not really all that interested.

!0 years you’ve been going head to head with the same person on countless forums?

Ever thought about changing your username just to confuse the bugger?

Jeff

[Lance]

……or ignore him…………..

Any more thoughts on AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR A FORUM from anyone ??

Or do we just sit tight and weight for more info from management ?

[GerryP]

I think all the options have been covered and certainly gives food for thought should the situation arise. Until then I reckon we just sit tight until we know for sure what the future holds.

[Lance]

Yes, I reckon you’re right Gerry.

Just see what happens then worry about it