Making profiles private

[Lightning Dash 327]

Before I logged in, I noticed I could view profiles of any member while I was a guest. This pretty much means any internet user can view our profiles, see our contact details (Skype ID, Deviant Art account, etc), without requiring an account. We do up our profiles for all the other members of our community to see on here, not for the avid internet user. It would be sensible and wise if our profiles was made private and viewable only to registered members.

 

Be fair; we're not exactly the most liked community around the world. Our privacy should be secure on here and you could even take it just a little bit further by adding a 5 posts minimum until members can view profiles just for that extra bit of security.

 

There are slots on our profile where we can put our accounts for other services like Skype, Deviant Art, Twitter, etc, and we all know there are anti-Bronies/haters, even the odd troll out there that could easily view our profiles; Using the information on there to start spamming/flaming us on the other different places we're on, they wouldn't have any trouble in doing that.

 

I'm not saying this actually happens; It might not, I don't know. But that's not really the point, point is it's a possibility and forum profiles being private has always been that basic step to assure the privacy of it's members. The 5 post minimum idea was just an extra thought that could potentially be added to the system to counteract trolls that just make accounts for the sake of directly targeting members.

 

I don't know if you're already working on it or how you look at this but in my honest opinion, it should at least be looked into. There are no cons that come with this, just the benefits, and if any form of community needs a feature like this implemented, it's us.

[~StatesTheOblivious~ 1,795]

If I'm not mistaken, this actually is a basic feature of IP.Board's software. Isn't it? Would I like this to be implemented? Yes and no. Yes, because it has all the advantages you mentioned, no because it's something that'd make the forums a bit ... less open. Uh ... Actually, scratch that, I think it's a damn good idea. Period.

Edited February 9, 2015 by ~StatesTheOblivious~

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

I'm sure it would be possible to augment the forum that way somehow. It should at the very least be possible to give members the option to make their profiles viewable only to certain people.

[Jeric 46,854]

 

 

There are slots on our profile where we can put our accounts for other services like Skype, Deviant Art, Twitter, etc, and we all know there are anti-Bronies/haters, even the odd troll out there that could easily view our profiles; Using the information on there to start spamming/flaming us on the other different places we're on, they wouldn't have any trouble in doing that.

 

 

I would much rather see an enhancement that hides specific elements of a status update vs removing a profile page entirely. As it stands MLP Forums profiles are relevant passive recruiting tools and assist by showing up in search results for prospective members who, as guests, may be curious about our members. 

 

Giving each member the ability to show contact data to only other members, or even friends, would be something I support, but not fully eliminating access to profile pages. It would be akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.