Keep the Forum open, please - R-pod Owners Forum

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fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Topic: Keep the Forum open, please
Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 4:24pm

Hi hp,

Although I limit my Polysocial Engagements to forums like this and Google+ Communities and occasional tweets, I did stumble across this which might help address your Facebook open group timeline thing:

http://facecrooks.com/Internet-Safety-Privacy/How-to-Keep-Your-Open-Groups-from-Displaying-on-Your-Public-Timeline.html/

A couple of points: 1) I haven't tested that method. 2) I completely made up that "Polysocial Engagements" phrase. I feel a trending hashtag coming on... :)

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Hairy Podders View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 05 Mar 2014
Location: Northwest Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 217

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 1:55pm

As Travis(I think) said, the fact that none of my friends on Facebook have to endure my non-stop Rpod questions, is but one of the positives. And my friends thank me...
I try to make it a point to NEVER make a post anywhere, about when I'm going to be away from the house, on vacation, when the bride & daughter are home alone, etc. That said, usually I won't post about being on vacation until after I'm back home. That's just security common sense. But not everyone subscribes to that train of thought. But, I do enjoy reading peoples vacation blogs, when they are on the road.

Darryl, Julie & Lindsey
Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines
2014 RP178
2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 1:02pm

Yep. Google is really good at it. So is Amazon. Just yesterday Amazon suggested I might like a Camco Brass Water Pressure regulator. I bought it. Secretly hoping they will suggest a comfortable camping chair! :)

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Seanl

Senior Member

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Location: Fredericton NB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 633

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:53pm

My entire life is on google since I have an android phone. It ie scary somtimes when I go into a new website and the adds are all for things I have purchased or thought about purchasing.

Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition

Tars Tarkas View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:19pm

Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, among others, know nearly everything about you, usually whether you make up an identity or not. Try creating a new account at LinkedIn if you don't believe me. They will suggest connections for a lot of people you know even if you tell them you are Tars Tarkas from Mars. Facebook and the others are data mining and they all know your SSN, date of birth, mother's maiden name, your favorite brand of beer, how much gas you bought last week and what you had for breakfast this morning. This isn't much of an exageration and it's the business they are in. I know a lot of people don't care or figure oh, well, what are you going to do?, but I avoid that when I can, to the extent I can. To me it's reasonable to skip Facebook.

Open or close the Facebook forum. I liked the old days of the internet.

2010 176
FJ Cruiser

kymooses

Senior Member

Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Location: Louisville, Ky
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1807

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:02pm

Not at all Fred, and trust me I am glad to see and hear other opinions on the matter. I know it's a bit of a false sense of security for some folks but it does help them. And c'mon it's the internet we all like to have our voices heard when there is something we might not agree with. I understand how it might have looked and I'm glad to try and clear it up and put any and all concerns at rest.

And as I said it is the way Facebook prompts page admins to react, that big groups should be closed. And yes it does prevent random lurkers to the group but it it still the exact same process as before.

We add probably 10 or more members a day and you've seen I'm sure that none of them ever post, they just lurk and gain helpful information and then maybe someday they'll say hi and get to know folks and that is great, but they can still lurk and no one is going to bother searching through 900 members to bother them. It is just clicking that you want to view posts that has changed. It's not gated or locked or unavailable to anyone, you just click that you want to see it. Yes that's different, it's not 100% open to the world, but it is the second they say they want to view it.

One of the other big reasons for the change, and we've discussed it there since the beginning is how active the group is and how it is spammy to other friends of friends newsfeeds. It's easy for everyone just to click an arrow and ask to hide all content from such and such group but Facebook does make things complicated at times and not everyone knows how to limit their newsfeed or not show all the posts etc. This has been the big fuss there most the entire time that the group has gone between open and closed. I'm sure you've seen how quickly 1 post ends up with 60+ comments in a matter of minutes sometimes, then all a sudden a friend who just liked someone's picture now has 60 notifications from a group they don't even belong to.

But yes it is very easy to make face accounts, I block probably 10 or more each day that try to gain access to the members there. It's mostly harmless spamming, annoying but not a real threat, but it scares some users.

I know I kind of jumped around topics here but I sincerely do not want anyone to never feel welcome or invited or valued and wanted to post, lurk, or anything there. It wasn't a decision that was made quickly or hastily, I have mails from members back when there were 20 of us there in the group discussing it, and of course more now that there are 900 of us.

I honestly did not expect anyone to even notice, it's been changed back and forth 3 or so times over the years, but I do appreciate you voicing a concern as to where the group may be headed or the goals of it.

I certainly and honestly hope hanging out there with us as your second stop still continues. There are a lot of Podders who could use advice and help and who just want to talk and share stories with other Podders. It is each member there, here, other Rpod forums, and the other random Rpod pages and fansites out there that make us all the growing and evolving community that we are.

Thank you again Fred for saying what you felt needed discussing, that is the spirit behind all of this, for us all to share and grow our opinions based on the wisdom and thoughts of others!!

RPod Rallies
RPod Owner Map

rpodcamper.com View Drop Down

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Location: Reading, Pa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3990

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 11:51am

As an admin here one of the reasons I help here is for the open sharing of r-pods and camping. We have not talked about closing it or making it private we try to deal with any spam as quickly as we can when we spot it or are notified about it.

fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 11:19am

Hi Travis,

Thank you for taking the time to explain. I should have been a bit more diplomatic, rather than just a rant. I have enjoyed browsing the rPod Facebook page. It has been both entertaining and (sometimes) a learned experience. Although this is my first stop every morning, that Facebook group was my second.

I guess I just don't understand Facebook well enough but, as I understand it, a closed group cannot be browsed anonymously. In order for one to browse or preview a closed group, one must join the group.

I certainly understand the *moderated* forum model whereby only members may post or comment (like here), but I just don't understand how creating a private gated community is beneficial to the larger rPod community or to those who may be exploring the idea of rPod ownership.

To the point that some members believe creating a closed Facebook community somehow protects their privacy (trip plans), this is a false sense of security. Kinda like putting a small bicycle lock on your Honda 2000i in a Walmart parking lot in downtown Chicago. :) It's quite easy to create a "fake" Facebook identity. There are, in fact, tutorials on just that. I hope this has been explained to the group. Perhaps an occasional moderator post reminding folks to review their personal privacy setting might be a good idea. It does amaze me what people "put out there".

Again, I apologize for the rant and won't do it again. I was just a bit surprised when I saw the lock on the door and over reacted. As administrator of the Facebook group it is certainly your prerogative to administer as you see fit. And, it's really not fair for me to even be having this discourse in this house.

Thanks again for your response and have a great day! It's time to go camping!

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

kymooses

Senior Member

Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Location: Louisville, Ky
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1807

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 10:33am

Facebook is just a different animal all together. It's not as useful as the forums by any means, I much prefer Pod stuff via avenues like this.

RPod Rallies
RPod Owner Map

Camper Bob View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 26 Sep 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 913

Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 10:24am

As a casual observer, the reason I am not interested in Facebook is as you described. Their security still leaves something to be desired. Too many stories in recent months about their lack of security. I appreciate everything your trying to do on Facebook, but for me, I am still satisfied with this forum. As long as security is an issue, I won't be viewing Facebook anytime soon. Safe Travels.

Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder

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fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Topic: Keep the Forum open, please Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 4:24pm
	Hi hp, Although I limit my Polysocial Engagements to forums like this and Google+ Communities and occasional tweets, I did stumble across this which might help address your Facebook open group timeline thing: http://facecrooks.com/Internet-Safety-Privacy/How-to-Keep-Your-Open-Groups-from-Displaying-on-Your-Public-Timeline.html/ A couple of points: 1) I haven't tested that method. 2) I completely made up that "Polysocial Engagements" phrase. I feel a trending hashtag coming on... :) fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Hairy Podders Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Ohio Online Status: Offline Posts: 217	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 1:55pm
	As Travis(I think) said, the fact that none of my friends on Facebook have to endure my non-stop Rpod questions, is but one of the positives. And my friends thank me... I try to make it a point to NEVER make a post anywhere, about when I'm going to be away from the house, on vacation, when the bride & daughter are home alone, etc. That said, usually I won't post about being on vacation until after I'm back home. That's just security common sense. But not everyone subscribes to that train of thought. But, I do enjoy reading peoples vacation blogs, when they are on the road.
	Darryl, Julie & Lindsey Cooper & Libby- Devoted Canines 2014 RP178 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 1:02pm
	Yep. Google is really good at it. So is Amazon. Just yesterday Amazon suggested I might like a Camco Brass Water Pressure regulator. I bought it. Secretly hoping they will suggest a comfortable camping chair! :)
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

Seanl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Location: Fredericton NB Online Status: Offline Posts: 633	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:53pm
	My entire life is on google since I have an android phone. It ie scary somtimes when I go into a new website and the adds are all for things I have purchased or thought about purchasing.
	Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:19pm
	Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, among others, know nearly everything about you, usually whether you make up an identity or not. Try creating a new account at LinkedIn if you don't believe me. They will suggest connections for a lot of people you know even if you tell them you are Tars Tarkas from Mars. Facebook and the others are data mining and they all know your SSN, date of birth, mother's maiden name, your favorite brand of beer, how much gas you bought last week and what you had for breakfast this morning. This isn't much of an exageration and it's the business they are in. I know a lot of people don't care or figure oh, well, what are you going to do?, but I avoid that when I can, to the extent I can. To me it's reasonable to skip Facebook. Open or close the Facebook forum. I liked the old days of the internet. TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

kymooses Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Online Status: Offline Posts: 1807	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:02pm
	Not at all Fred, and trust me I am glad to see and hear other opinions on the matter. I know it's a bit of a false sense of security for some folks but it does help them. And c'mon it's the internet we all like to have our voices heard when there is something we might not agree with. I understand how it might have looked and I'm glad to try and clear it up and put any and all concerns at rest. And as I said it is the way Facebook prompts page admins to react, that big groups should be closed. And yes it does prevent random lurkers to the group but it it still the exact same process as before. We add probably 10 or more members a day and you've seen I'm sure that none of them ever post, they just lurk and gain helpful information and then maybe someday they'll say hi and get to know folks and that is great, but they can still lurk and no one is going to bother searching through 900 members to bother them. It is just clicking that you want to view posts that has changed. It's not gated or locked or unavailable to anyone, you just click that you want to see it. Yes that's different, it's not 100% open to the world, but it is the second they say they want to view it. One of the other big reasons for the change, and we've discussed it there since the beginning is how active the group is and how it is spammy to other friends of friends newsfeeds. It's easy for everyone just to click an arrow and ask to hide all content from such and such group but Facebook does make things complicated at times and not everyone knows how to limit their newsfeed or not show all the posts etc. This has been the big fuss there most the entire time that the group has gone between open and closed. I'm sure you've seen how quickly 1 post ends up with 60+ comments in a matter of minutes sometimes, then all a sudden a friend who just liked someone's picture now has 60 notifications from a group they don't even belong to. But yes it is very easy to make face accounts, I block probably 10 or more each day that try to gain access to the members there. It's mostly harmless spamming, annoying but not a real threat, but it scares some users. I know I kind of jumped around topics here but I sincerely do not want anyone to never feel welcome or invited or valued and wanted to post, lurk, or anything there. It wasn't a decision that was made quickly or hastily, I have mails from members back when there were 20 of us there in the group discussing it, and of course more now that there are 900 of us. I honestly did not expect anyone to even notice, it's been changed back and forth 3 or so times over the years, but I do appreciate you voicing a concern as to where the group may be headed or the goals of it. I certainly and honestly hope hanging out there with us as your second stop still continues. There are a lot of Podders who could use advice and help and who just want to talk and share stories with other Podders. It is each member there, here, other Rpod forums, and the other random Rpod pages and fansites out there that make us all the growing and evolving community that we are. Thank you again Fred for saying what you felt needed discussing, that is the spirit behind all of this, for us all to share and grow our opinions based on the wisdom and thoughts of others!!
	RPod Rallies RPod Owner Map

rpodcamper.com Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 11:51am
	As an admin here one of the reasons I help here is for the open sharing of r-pods and camping. We have not talked about closing it or making it private we try to deal with any spam as quickly as we can when we spot it or are notified about it.

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 11:19am
	Hi Travis, Thank you for taking the time to explain. I should have been a bit more diplomatic, rather than just a rant. I have enjoyed browsing the rPod Facebook page. It has been both entertaining and (sometimes) a learned experience. Although this is my first stop every morning, that Facebook group was my second. I guess I just don't understand Facebook well enough but, as I understand it, a closed group cannot be browsed anonymously. In order for one to browse or preview a closed group, one must join the group. I certainly understand the moderated forum model whereby only members may post or comment (like here), but I just don't understand how creating a private gated community is beneficial to the larger rPod community or to those who may be exploring the idea of rPod ownership. To the point that some members believe creating a closed Facebook community somehow protects their privacy (trip plans), this is a false sense of security. Kinda like putting a small bicycle lock on your Honda 2000i in a Walmart parking lot in downtown Chicago. :) It's quite easy to create a "fake" Facebook identity. There are, in fact, tutorials on just that. I hope this has been explained to the group. Perhaps an occasional moderator post reminding folks to review their personal privacy setting might be a good idea. It does amaze me what people "put out there". Again, I apologize for the rant and won't do it again. I was just a bit surprised when I saw the lock on the door and over reacted. As administrator of the Facebook group it is certainly your prerogative to administer as you see fit. And, it's really not fair for me to even be having this discourse in this house. Thanks again for your response and have a great day! It's time to go camping! fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

kymooses Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Online Status: Offline Posts: 1807	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 10:33am
	Facebook is just a different animal all together. It's not as useful as the forums by any means, I much prefer Pod stuff via avenues like this.
	RPod Rallies RPod Owner Map

Camper Bob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913	Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 10:24am
	As a casual observer, the reason I am not interested in Facebook is as you described. Their security still leaves something to be desired. Too many stories in recent months about their lack of security. I appreciate everything your trying to do on Facebook, but for me, I am still satisfied with this forum. As long as security is an issue, I won't be viewing Facebook anytime soon. Safe Travels.
	Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder