Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Searching by hometown.

This is topic Searching by hometown. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-01-2000, 11:38 PM:

It'd sure be nice if we could search for people registered in the forums by where they said their hometown was.

It shouln't be any kind of a "risk" because everybody's hometowns are already shown. Besides, if anybody was worried about security, they could either lie or not answer.

Just wanted to put in my vote on future improvements.

I'm going to Orlando, Fla. on business and was just wondering who, on the forums, was from the neighborhood.

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-02-2000, 01:01 AM:

I agree with you totally. That feature would be great. You don't really have to worry about privacy since you can already see the names like you said. I ran into a problem a few months ago where a supplier read my post and called an owner saying i was talking bad about the theatre (this was when i lived in WI) and for also posting my pay when i was inquiring what others in the field make. I got in a fair amout of trouble for it so i printed out all the posts I had made and showed them to the managers because nothing I said really bad talked the theatre nor did it go against any agreement that I signed. I was very disappointed at the action this person took, unfortunally not all of us understand the first amendment.

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-02-2000, 01:03 AM:

Btw, Orlando is about 2 hours away from here : P

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-02-2000, 01:34 AM:

Perhaps you should mention that supplier who had nothing better to do with his time than try to get someone in trouble. That's pretty sad.

The search feature is working properly and yes, you CAN search by location (aka: "Erie") and it will turn up any posts who have "Erie" in their profiles or any mention of the word "Erie" within the thread.

As to people giving false information on their registration, they will be immediately deleted and possibly their posts as well. It is the only real rule we have here at Film-Tech (real names) and anyone who wishes to participate should at least be able to respect that.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 08-02-2000, 01:34 AM:

Tom: Ouch
Sometimes I wonder if I should have supplied a false name like some people here did.

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-02-2000, 01:47 AM:

I'll do just that. It was Mark F Collins (mark_collins@mediatechsrc.com) with MTS (http://www.mediatechnologysource.com/)

Also an interesting note. I know of someone who was fired because they called MTS just to see what it costs if one were to start their own theatre. I wonder how they found out about this phone call... hmmmmm

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-02-2000, 02:56 AM:

What kind of tightwad theater would fire somebody for asking a question like that? Looks like Mark gets a kick out of it. Seriously, what business is it of his?

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 08-02-2000, 07:24 AM:

I applaud Brad for requiring real names. It is very easy to hide behind a "handle", and it leads to flame wars and junk posts. With real names, each member is held accountable for what they post.

This forum has a very high percentage of quality posts, and I'm very glad to see that.

Mark Lensenmayer

Posted by Mark Collins (Member # 346) on 08-02-2000, 08:20 AM:

Well I'm the Supplier. Thanks for the flame. The comment I gave The Manager was in passing. The intention was not to get anyone in trouble. If you don't want something out then don't publish it to the WORLD. I'm not the only person in Wildwood that has a computer.

Sorry for the trouble.

Mark F Collins
Media Technology Source

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-02-2000, 08:54 AM:

That didn't take long

Posted by Harry Robinson (Member # 265) on 08-02-2000, 09:06 AM:

Well, THAT was entertaining.

As for using real names, as a hobbyist I've made some pretty good friends on this forum. It just wouldn't be the same if we were using handles.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-02-2000, 09:29 AM:

I am completely in favor of using real names, and not pseudonymns or "handles". But we should always use discretion in passing along "critical" postings to those who might not understand and respect the real benefits of having the free and open interchange of information that user groups need and encourage. We may disagree with others and argue with them, but we should never be vindictive against someone honestly stating their personal opinion.

To encourage "lurkers" to participate, would it be possible to demand registration after someone has been to the site a few dozen times? IMHO, if they are a regular visitor, they should register.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-02-2000, 10:30 AM:

Actually the only thing I do like about the delphi exhibs site is you need to log into the forum even to read and it displays the names of users and when they last logged on
maybe a hack could be developed here to encourage registration

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-02-2000, 12:20 PM:

Sure I could put something in where after a dozen visits a lurker could no longer view the site, but there would be a lot of people out there who wouldn't be able to learn some of the great information available here. Plus, what would the Christie reps do?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-02-2000, 12:44 PM:

If someone visits this site on a regular basis and doesn't participate or want their presence or identity known, why are they here?

It's certainly not to SHARE information. IMHO, it's not even to LEARN information, except for selfish purpose.

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 08-02-2000, 03:02 PM:

I too am in favor of requiring readers to register. There's not cost involved, and if everyone is already registered it may be more inviting for them to post their input. since they would already be registered.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 08-02-2000, 03:20 PM:

Well, I assure you I'M not lying. I really am located somewhere in the Milky Way!

I do tend to agree with Mark L. and John P; if you want to participate, give your real name. It keeps the S/N ratio high. The only reason (I feel) someone gives a fake name is to make inflammatory comments.

But, I also think if someone wants to just lurk, that's OK. If someone is new, they just may feel they don't have anything significant to add.

I posted a controversial opinion awhile ago and got lots of e-mail saying "That's not good!", but every e-mail was polite, and offered good ideas. So, I don't feel anyone should be worried about making controversial statements here. In fact, out of the hundreds of regular people here, I can only think of two people with "difficulties," and both of them did gave their real names. So even though I don't always agree with them, I still respect them.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-02-2000, 03:49 PM:

I'm glad that Mark Collins posted and defended himself. I may or may not agree with what happened, but at least he's not hiding.

As for requiring people to register, I'm not sure how that can be done, realistically. Netscape users can easilly turn "cookies" off. Also, if you are on AOL, your IP number changes constantly.

I think the reason that many company reps don't register is due to five things:
1) They are afraid that they'll misrepresent their company somehow.
2) The company itself does not allow employees to post because they are afraid they will leak information or misrepresent.
3) They know that the products they make are not well respected in the industry, and are afraid to get flamed when other people see them online. Bottom line here is that they don't have confidence in their product.
4) They don't know how to type.
5) They don't yet know the site exists.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-02-2000, 04:47 PM:

Joe,

There IS a little access secret that can prevent people from viewing a page regardless of IP number, Java or cookies. It's kinda like the CAP code, except this works all the time without fail. I have no plans on implementing it at present though.

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 08-02-2000, 07:31 PM:

Hey Randy, When will you be in Orlando? I'll be at the Orlando airport on aug. 14th!!! Seriously, I'm in St. Augustine, maybe me, you and Tom can get together and bash whatever the last product was reviewed

! I am flying out of Orlando on the 14th though, so let me know.

Hey Tom, we should get together sometime. You should come down to St. Augustine and see the Megasystems facilities.

Rick

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-02-2000, 08:33 PM:

I'd like to do that sometime. I've been through that area twice since i've been here although i was just passing through on highway 1. Send an email my way if you'd like to set something up. tomkroen@jacksonville.net.

Posted by Daryl Lund (Member # 356) on 08-03-2000, 11:47 PM:

WE have an imposter!!!!! Ken layton has made manny post. But He is not just Ken Layton. He is "The reverend kenny layton".

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 08-04-2000, 02:13 AM:

I'm glad you don't HAVE to log on to get into this site. Over at the new 35mm forum, you have to...

I say, lurk away, but if you do have something to say...get on in here and don't be shy.

Hello lurkers...

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-04-2000, 03:36 AM:

Joe, why not just require a login/pass to enter the forum? That will keep all users without one, out!

And to Mark Collins, I understand what you are saying, and im sure whoever got the messege also misinterperted it. I was looking at the situation from my point of view because of all the flank i got from it. Hope there isnt any hard feelings. The reason it had upset me even to today is i recall certain implied threats.... I would have taken to the whole situation better if someone would have sit me down and said "hey, i was surfin the web the other day and saw a few of your posts. I would just like to make sure you don't trash talk this company because its bad publicity. I realise the forums is a great place to learn and im glad you are using it, just be careful because you never know who's out there." or something along those lines. That and the fact that i was just bitching about stuff not working... which happens everywhere (hence your job : P). Well enough about that.

Brad, how many users are there on the forum, if there isn't too many i could whip up a temp javascript search... the problem is that javascript can't open any outside resources so the .html file would have to contain everyone's name in the javascript code itself.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-04-2000, 05:35 AM:

The other problem with Javascript is that not all browsers support it (I'm currently reading this with Lynx, which is a super-fast text-based browser that doesn't "do" Javascript) and that many people also disable Javascript when the get annoyed with pop-up ads.

It's also enough of a potential security issue that some companies disable all Java and/or Javascript at the firewall level....

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 08-04-2000, 09:37 AM:

Yes, Java/Javascript has big security problems. Also, almost any code written by Microsoft!

Brad, please don't do anything that requires Java. Many sites are requiring the user have it, supposedly to improve features, but I'm sure it's to rape the users hard drive for marketing information.

Not to change the subject, but has anyone noticed that the new versions of Windows 2000 are "locked" to the motherboard BIOS PROM serial number? It will only run on *that* paticular motherboard. You have to contact Bill if you want to change your M.B.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 08-04-2000, 11:05 AM:

I'll be in Orlando starting next Monday evening until the following Sun. It's for business, so I don't know when I'll have time. If I do, I'll check in w/ some ppl.

Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 08-04-2000, 05:58 PM:

Well hell, how bout we just have brad post all the users names/locations and we can use our browsers find feature then : P i don't know cgi! yet

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-04-2000, 06:31 PM:

As I stated earlier, for now just use the search feature here on the forum. It will turn up any threads where someone has posted from that city.

I have found a hack that will allow a memberlist database, but it is beta and I'm not sure how this will affect the forum's program since it has not been tested thoroughly. If I can take the time to set it up, I will try it (backing everything up before, of course).

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 08-04-2000, 06:34 PM:

I'd say that the member list database would be a great idea. If necessary, it could be updated by hand. It could contain usernames, locations and email addresses (and access could be restricted to registered users to (hopefully) avoid spam problems. This would be great for those of us who like to check out interesting theatres when travelling. Maybe there could also be a way to optionally fill in the name(s) of the theatre(s) where people work (for those who work in theatres; private collectors could just say "collector" or something).