Helping to Protect Your Privacy on this Forum

[John Dunkle]

Recently, the news has been less than inspiring news regarding folks’ personal information in relation to the Internet. I could go on and on – but, anyone who participates in Forums like this one – knows exactly what I mean.

Therefore – rather than take an attitude of “frankly, my dear – I could really give a damn..” – I’ve made some instrumental coding changes to the PGCA Forum. They include:

1) You may now have POST/DISPLAY name – anything of your choice (see mine - it's now "John D." as an example;) ) (BUT. please, keep it professional..). You can enter it in your personal profile here:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/profile.php?do=editprofile

And scroll down that page – and you will see a text box: My Display Name - Other Members will see this as the name you post with on the forum.. Simply enter your display name there – and click “Save Change” button. Instantly – your display name will change on all of your posts in this forum…

2) If you are NOT logged into the Forum – YOU WILL SEE NO REAL NAMES on the Forum pages and home page for all forum listings (you can log out to see what I mean).

3) If you are NOT logged into the Forums – you will NOT see any member profiles (including folks real names nor location, if they have entered their location).

4) Until you have TWO posts – you will not see any LOCATION information – period…

5) If you ARE logged into the Forum – all the REAL NAMES magically re-appear on the Forum home/forum display pages – however all thread views will have your DISPLAY name (if you have set one up).

Since no SEARCH engines use a logged in account to search this site – all your personal INFORMATION is available to registered Members of this site ONLY (but, ONLY if you select a “Display name”).

The REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS of this forum remain unchanged (the use of names).

Have a great day – and if you are in the USA – a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

John D.

(PS – I’ll leave this thread open for Q&A or comments)…

[Dean Romig]

John, your final version is very well thought out. It should work very nicely for those who choose to avail themselves of this new feature. Thank you for what you do for us.

[Dave Suponski]

John, As usual you have done a fantastic job for the betterment of the PGCA and all that post here. Thank -You for all you do......:bowdown:

[Tom Carter]

Many thank you's John. Tom

[John Dunkle]

Update #2

If folks who are NOT registered/logged in click on your "Post Name" - it will NOT show your Member name...

Thanks Dean for that coding catch!!

John

[Dean Romig]

Just another friendly service... :smiley7:

[John Dunkle]

Yea - well - your paycheck is in the same envelope as mine..!! :) :D

Best to you, Dean - and again - many thanks!!!

JD

[John Dunkle]

Update #3

If you are NOT registered and logged in - no names on the MembersList (http://parkerguns.org/forums/memberlist.php)will show... As well, if you are logged in - you can now SEARCH the Members List for any "Display Name"...

Have a wonderful evening....

John

[Ken Descovich]

Thanks John!

[John Dunkle]

Hi Ken,

You are most welcome...

As well - I have taken a bit of CRAP and S%^$T for doing this change from some who have NO IDEA WTF they are talking about - which has taken many, many hours of coding - and frankly - this change is some of my best coding work. And I've been programming websites since 1994 - so I can say that...

Anyway - try this...

Go to GOOGLE.COM

Type in "John Dunkle Gun".. You see what posts up??? Cool.. Now finish the complete search on my websites... Got it??? Next type in my location, and get a street view of WHERE I LIVE...

When I told some of the folks about this issue (technology EVOLVES - and it's up to "us" to keep pace"?) their reply was "Frankly - I could give a damn" along with why it doesn't matter....

It does MATTER. So to those "who couldn't give a damn" - I'll be better by not burying my head in the sand and claiming ignorance.

Just my $0.0002....

And oh - BTW - try the search with your OWN NAME IF YOU HAVE POSTED ON THIS FORUM.. Tell me how that works out, OK???

The good news is that, with the programming changes today - those hits on Google and all the other search bots will disappear shortly....

:cheers:

John

[John Dunkle]

Update #4

Unless you are registered and logged on - you will NOT be able to see who is reading the same thread you are reading... If you are registered and logged in - at the bottom of the thread, you will see who is reading it at the same time you are (by real name - as you are a REGISTERED USER/MEMBER!)...

Best to all..!

John

[Steve Huffman]

Ok I like it

[John Dunkle]

Hi Steve and all!

Thank you...
:cheers:

As well - Update #5...

If you have posted an Album on the PGCA Website - All Albums (http://parkerguns.org/forums/all_albums.php) - they are protected as well and those too now require a Member/Login to view and access...

My thanks to all,

John

[Dave Suponski]

I'm feelin safer by the minute John.....:)

[John Dunkle]

Well - Dave....?? ;)

To make you feel even better.....

The Archive Forum is now blocked from the search engines as well - as all those User/Member Names were being searched and categorized...

That being said - you know I expect some sort of payment for all I do..?? What'cha got for nice Parkers I can "borrow"?? Sort been looking for a really nice SBT..?? :D

Seriously - best to ya' Dave!

John

[Dave Suponski]

Anytime John...But I gotta ask ya... Do you have two safe's? One for gun's you actually own and another for all the borrowed gun's?.....:rotf:

[Christopher Lien]

As well - I have taken a bit of CRAP and S%^$T for doing this change from some who have NO IDEA WTF they are talking about - which has taken many, many hours of coding - and frankly - this change is some of my best coding work.

Anyway - try this... Go to GOOGLE.COM

Type in "John Dunkle Gun".. You see what posts up??? Cool.. Now finish the complete search on my websites... Got it??? Next type in my location, and get a street view of WHERE I LIVE...

When I told some of the PGCA PUNDITS about this issue (technology EVOLVES - and it's up to "us" to keep pace"?) their reply was "Frankly - I could give a damn" along with why it doesn't matter....

It does MATTER. So to those "who couldn't give a damn" - I'll be better by not burying my head in the sand and claiming ignorance.

Just my $0.0002....

And oh - BTW - try the search with your OWN NAME IF YOU HAVE POSTED ON THIS FORUM.. Tell me how that works out, OK???

The good news is that, with the programming changes today - those hits on Google and all the other search bots will disappear shortly....

:cheers:

John
______________________________________________

FINALLY!!!!! --- A man with common sense who can see farther than he can spit...

John, some of the same good points you've mentioned here today were raised a couple years ago by several people smart enough to know what the long term effects would be regarding this situation, but unfortunately one or two short sighted "PGCA PUNDITS" with their limited knowledge and personal agendas of wanting everyone's name posted on the world wide web superseded any security issues that would eventually exist from such careless thinking..... As a result, many good folks with the exact same concerns you have mentioned actually stopped participating on the PGCA site altogether, and many others who had been regulars became occasional posters and distant observers... When someone with no understanding of long term consequences and "NO IDEA WTF they are talking about" makes a decision that adversely effects everyone, and then later follows it with a reply of "Frankly - I could give a damn" along with why it doesn't matter to them, THEN IT'S DEFINITELY TIME FOR A CHANGE.

HOLD FAST JOHN, STAY THE COURSE, and continue to choose the smart... I agree with you, poor choices, blind ignorance, and keeping your fingers crossed is not the wise mans path, and if you have the opportunity to make it better, then fix it, period... Thanks again for your continued (common-sense) efforts here, and for once again allowing us a modicum of control over our privacy on the PGCA site...

Signing this with the DISPLAY name I was told I could no longer use a few years ago... Best, CSL

___________________________________

[Dean Romig]

This new security feature introduced by John is very well thought out and is, without question, overdue. Whether real or imagined (and believe me, these threats to our security and the security of our homes and their valuable contents are very real) it is about time that something be done to protect all of us - those who are believers as well as the non-believers.

This is the evolution of the PGCA. We are witness to it all the time but this one is monumental. It is a good thing!

That being said, it serves no purpose to take shots at those who have worked very hard to lead this organization from the turmoil of it's past into what we have today. Everybody has done what he thought was right for whatever reason he believed. Let's continue to work together to make the PGCA the collector's group/social group/shooting group better and better all the time... "evolution" ...we all have a hand in this. Sure, there is disagreement from time to time, behind the scenes, as to the direction to take but it seems to me that we are on the right path.

[John Dunkle]

Hey Guys..!

First - Happy T'Day to you both!!! :)

Remember - I wasn't around in the old days - so I have no idea who said what to who, nor why, nor whatever....?!! I plead "ignorance"..!! Anyway - I can tell you that the PGCA BOD and all the Members and friends I've met in this wonderful group have been both supportive and patient with me (and trust me - I'm not all that easy to get along with!! :shock: )

Anyway - I look at PGCA as an evolution, not a revolution - and we are all trying to better the organization and the community.. I can also tell you - to what Dean said - I echo his thoughts. The guys who were, are - and will be on the PGCA BOD have done an incredible job - and I have every confidence that they'll continue to do so way after my Parkers pass hands.. And that's long a long time (err - I hope!! :) )

Best to all - and my thanks again!!!

John

[Dean Romig]

Hey Dave, shouldn't it be "Autumn Daze"? :rotf:

[Pete Lester]

It's working perfectly :rolleyes:

[Dave Suponski]

Perfect Pete! I think John should borrow that too!......:biglaugh:

Dean...How's this?

[Christopher Lien]

Everybody has done what he thought was right for whatever reason he believed.
___________________________________

The above statement in itself is very telling. When so consumed with your own agenda that you refuse to recognize a valid error brought to your attention that may in fact be compromising others privacy and security, then there is/was indeed a problem... The risk was very real back then just as it is now, and I salute John D for recognizing and correcting the situation with a viable solution, just as he did with the Parker items/Guns for sale board... I see the PGCA website (evolution) now proceeding in a very positive direction thanks to the continued common sense approach of Mr Dunkle... Nuff said...

Happy Thanksgiving to All, CSL
___________________________________________

[scott kittredge]

:rotf:Hey Dave, shouldn't it be "Autumn Daze"? :rotf:

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Thanks John!

[Rich Anderson]

When we used our "real" names I think it set us apart from other sites. Now there is more computer wizardy involved.:cuss: and I have to come up with some catchy name like Autum Daze:nono::whistle:. Maybe it will be WTF:rolleyes:

[Rich Anderson]

Thanks for the help Autum Daze...even if your loseing your leaves:rotf:

[Eric Eis]

When we used our "real" names I think it set us apart from other sites. Now there is more computer wizardy involved.:cuss: and I have to come up with some catchy name like Autum Daze:nono::whistle:. Maybe it will be WTF:rolleyes:

Rich real name is there just click on the name and it will list the persons name
Eric

[richard lambert]

thanks John

[John Dunkle]

When we used our "real" names I think it set us apart from other sites.... Hi Rich,

You are right - but...

I'm not sure it "set us apart" for all the right reasons. Let me explain...

At any time - there are about 2:1 - 3:1 "Guests" vs. "Members" logged into this site. That means if there are 50 Members/Users - there are about 100 - 150 "Guests" at the same time. Until recently - with the change - those "guests" - whoever they are - know your name, your location, your phone number - and and even with Google - are able to take a drive by your house... It takes less than 30 seconds to do all that...

How do you feel about that now? Not so good right? You don't know who those "guests" are - and neither do I, as they are not a registered member of this community...

So - through my end of the telescope - here is what I did with the programming...

In short THE ONLY THING THAT HAS CHANGED is that folks (like you and ALL WHO POST HERE) who DO NOT WANT to share your "real name", location (etc..) with all those "guests" - now do not have to do so...

Rather, my programming gives our Members/Registered Users a way to participate without sharing "who they are" with hundreds of "anonymous" guests in a single a day - and tens of thousands each and every month...

At the same time - if you ARE registered to the Forum - everyone knows EXACTLY who they are conversing with (it's as easy as clicking on their display name (like "C.O.B."), or looking up their profile, or looking at the main forum page or the main thread page - all of which you CAN ACCESS AS LONG AS YOU ARE LOGGED IN....

In many ways, CSL's earlier post was exactly right... In today's Internet - where there are thousands of "voyeurs" to this forum each week/month - and is there ANY reason in the world I should be forced to tell those folks know EXACTLY WHO I AM, where I live, and all my other personal information I may post in any thread...??? I think not...

As well - and finally - for those that DO WISH TO continue to post their "Real Name" as their display name for the entire world to see - go ahead. As before - there is nothing to prevent you from doing so..

Bottom line - I am all about building a "community" where everyone knows who their "neighbors" are along with their fellow community members... However, for the "guests" and "voyeurs" to that same community - I'll do whatever I can within my ability to program technology - to protect the privacy of our community and the privacy of those who contribute to this same community...

I think my latest programming hacks make huge strides in achieving both goals. And, while not "perfect" - it's a huge improvement...

From my end of the telescope....

John

[Fred Preston]

John, Thanks for the advice and protection. Couldn't think of a handle except for the one given to me when I played No. 8 in the Portland scrum many years ago.

[John Dunkle]

;)

It's my pleasure..!! Also - you played Rugby??!! :shock: While I played collegiate level hockey, LaCrosse and other silly sports.....

I played rugby only once.... Once was 'nuff... I was - and am - a woosie... :)

;)

John

HEH!!

[Marty Kohler]

Every club needs intelligent men willing to sacrifice their time for the bigger good...From a lurker mostly, who is learning everyday thanks for keeping everyone a little more safe and for the kindness that comes through in everyone of your posts.....

[Dean Romig]

This is a very good thread. It's good to read the opinions and thoughts of everyone, both on this thread as well as on the other thread pertaining to this topic. Certainly everybody's entitled to their own opinion but John, you've given us a very valuable tool in this new 'nickname' or 'handle' feature to help protect our privacy and identity. For registered members and PGCA Members it is a breeze but for those lurkers and skulkers who would do us harm it is a pretty good firewall. Thanks John :clap:

[Jess Lee]

It is a little sad to see but a sign of the times. Thanks for your vigilance.