Alternative/additional Forum

Yes, and we often here that. Yet the content, which is the lifeblood of the forum is supplied by the members who offer their time, their effort, and their expertise, to the benefit of others. That is where the value-added lies. So, my thanks goes to those who contribute their time and efforts whether as moderators or contributors. It is that cooperative effort that makes the left click to this site worthwhile. And make no mistake, it is the content that is critical.

Lawrie Miller

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AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Are you 100% sure that I am not anonymous? People have been posting here using several aliases. There is one person that has used at least seven aliases to post here. This week he is posting as Bond. Next week he might be using Boris to post. I think that the moderators are doing a great job. It is not easy to moderate posters who are possessed or obsessed. Some people are ready to take their fights to their graves. I don't think that starting another forum will be the panacea.

Scott L. Rogers
a.k.a. --------

 

No, I'm not sure at all. As I said: "If one had a reliable way to ensure that people really are whom they say they are (no pseudonyms) ..."

I don't think another forum would be a panacea. But, as Tom said, the more, the merrier. If a new forum doesn't serve people's needs then it will fade away (just as have almost all of the DL forums).


(Incidentally, I have no involvement at all with the new initiative Peter is discussing.)

 

AMEN to a new forum, or AMEN to the idea that it won't be run by Frenchy??

 

Good point Lawrie. You are 100% correct that all three factors have made this forum as great as it is.

 

Simon,

It is true that trust is earned. If I met a person, however, and they wouldn't tell me their name or answer any questions about their background it would greatly increase my suspicion. It doesn't mean they couldn't earn that trust but it would be a much tougher task than others who were more open. Also as you pointed out, someone who is open could easily lose my trust by inapproprate actions and words. In our culture openness and honesty are usually the two largest componets of trust.

 

That was a good while ago, wasn't it? I'm pretty sure I wasn't moderating when the bios for Best Education Degrees were being written, and that was June or July 2001.

But, yes, definitely an oversight--I'd completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it.


Cheers,

 

However Dave the primary issue is how is openness and honesty operationalized in a forum such as this! I have observed a number of instances whereby identified posters exhibit"openess and honesty" in terms of sharing their professional backgrounds and credentials yet the basic premise of their positions are skewed by personal bias or highly entrenched erroneous beliefs! These same individuals will defend tenuous positions by any means that will prevent an erosion of their self-esteem and this factor is the bottomline in a number of the flame wars that occur!

 

Quite true. As evidenced by the fact that my bio includes the moderator tag, but yours does not. Hard to imagine not including it considering we were writing a DL book.


Tom Nixon

 

Sure, Peter, maybe...maybe...maybe, but the question is how, how, how? The moderators of this website certainly didn't ask for this thread. Yet here it is and many others that they are not happy with, I'm sure. My question is, how will the good intentions of other moderators stand up to the barbarians at the gate?

Are there pat answers to every question that will appease everyone? Is there to be no debate (and therefore no visitors to the website)?

 

Re: No! Oh the Horror!

Dear Mr Anon - e - mouse,

You can get enough polls together to make a stud if you wish. You can also debate till hell freezes over ...

...but the poll is yours and not mine, and debate is yours and not mine.

I have not come to this group for any approval - I have come courteously to make people aware of some attitudes and feelings that others have, and how it has been suggested that these are accommodated.

I have quite openly stated the issues - there is no debate.

 

You support my point by default.

I have stated the issues that have and do concern many - they do not concern you and apparently are not even be 'issues' to you.

You are entitled to your position, and i am not challenging that It is just that we are all not on your side of the fence.

 

It will not be easy, but it is worth a try. It is not to threaten degreeinfo, but to provide an alternative. It may never become large, and definitely will not become a cult-like forum as this is at times.

Degreeinfo doesn't have any title to the inquiry area as the modersators would readily agree, although some contributors apparently think otherwise.

I will be there also, and maybe alone also ... but it doesn't have to be big...just effective and fair.

 

No Qualms

This is not just an ordinary club where we can share our personal opinions and they remain amongst ourselves. On contraire! This is a worldwide forum that is viewed globally, thanks to the internet. If I choose to run for office (or choose any other occupation which draws public scrutiny), then I do not want some of my opinions or playful antics (that have been expressed on this forum) to be used against me. Not that I've said anything bad -- but definitely controversial.

This is not a private club or a brotherhood where we can open up to each other without concern for political reprisal at a future date. At this point, I am a nobody, but who knows what the future holds?

If this weren't a global forum with a worldwide viewership, then I would, without hesitation, post my name.

Yes Mr. French, I fully understand your thoughts and I have no qualm with what you have stated.

 

Re: No Qualms

There is an addendum to the points you elaborated. As previously noted, there are individuals, both anonymous and not, whose basic level of integrity is questionable! Bullying is a commonly used practice when posters do not agree with the positions proffered by some of these "pundits" who claim expertise in their respective fields. This is manifested by all sorts of ploys to have others accede to their viewpoint including personal attacks when they are 'losing ground".

The problem with identifying oneself in such a milieu can potentially place a poster in a vulnerable position by certain people who display vindicativeness. This is exactly what occurred in another distance education website when one poster bombarded my e-mail with vitriolic statments due to a disagreement with his perspective. It was very disconcerting!

The anonymity of these forums, regardless of identifying oneself, negates commonly accepted decorum that would be expected in face to face interactions. If one is highly credentialed and has a reputation to protect, by no means would I expect that individual to jeopardize their credibility by revealing their name and personal data!

 

Individuals should be judged by the merit and worth of their postings, not on whether they use a pseudonym for reasons that may or may not be agenda-based.

I use an identity that is not my real name for reason unrelated to Degreeinfo. As a stock broker, the NASD (National Association of Securities Dealers) restricts the use of registered representatives in chatrooms, forums and e-mails, without prior approval (http://www.nasdr.com/4040.asp). In my position, none of my postings have anything to do with securities or recommendations, but in theory I’d have to have prior approval everytime I post.

Another reason is, as Simon mentioned above, reprisal. Sometimes members have views or opinions that may differ from popular consensus. Who wants to receive vindictive e-mail?

The bottomline is who cares. You either put some modicum of value in what the individual says or you don’t. We all do that anyway, whether they use their birth names or not!

 

Peter, this wouldn’t be, by any chance, the Web-based forum touted back in February of this year by the individual posting as Dan Peters on AED, would it? If so, it appears the new board has a definite agenda, as articulated by Dan Peters, “I can´t wait until the new board is up where people can discuss the shady past of Dr Bear without having their postings moderated like on degreeinfo, the scam board.”

Moreover, if this is the same board you are alluding to, what is your explanation for how you can appear to be so combative with such an individual and his cronies in public, yet be privy to such inside information?

 

Maybe I've been in the closet, but I haven't seen any cover-ups or unwarranted deletions at DegreeInfo.com. I've had a couple of my postings deleted over copyright issues, but I can't blame DegreeInfo for that, especially when they are held to a higher standards for educational reasons.

If you start your own forum, please let me know ASAP. I promise I'll behave!

I am welcome on your forum, aren't I?