Rage @ forum users with no account info!

[Umai Naa!!]

One of the things I've found with forums is that you can remain as anonymous as you like, but there will always be people clever enough to read between the lines, or do a bit of internet detective work. I've been guilty of it myself.

Have had customers of previous employers contact me through forums, etc to assist with their grievances, even though I've not known them from a bar of soap, saying "Oh, but you used to/or still do work there. You must be able to help me out", or "You c-words f-worded my car!".

It's a pretty small world now that we have the internet.

[ziggyboy]

Have you ever thought and asked yourself that not everyone is after the same thing in an online forum? I have never attended a VW meetup and don't intend to. I'm on here to talk about VW's online. I guess I'm not that into cars to feel the need to meetup with people in person.

You have asked - what's the point?

People like me do research before buying a car, so I ask my quesitons here. I read up on people's problems with their cars, and see if they're significant enough to make me not buy one. After I've bought mine, I use the forum to ask more questions. I also log on here to voice opinions on topics posted by others (eg. GolfMK7 has come out, do you think it looks nice?). I don't think it's necesary to divulge anything about myself to state an opinion.

Have you been to an online newspaper? People comment on articles, doesn't mean they want anything more than just post an opinion. It would be bizarre for someone to get annoyed that all they've provided is a first name.

I'm by no means against people like you, because you keep the "hobby" alive, but I don't feel the need to attack people because they prefer to be anonymous.

[Bel]

Nothing wrong with a VC commodore I learnt to drive in one (253 with a 'Brock' exhaust, sounded beasty haha)

[Mk3 AAA]

The grey golf thing is true, but I'm sure if you said the grey Golf R32 on BBS CH at Willow Park around 2:30PM Tuesday who saw me waving from a Red Mk2 GTI with the union jack on the back window... THAT could narrow it down,

I see your point. But...

I've never been one for the 'something to hide' argument in withholding personal information, it has a naivety to it, it implies sinister behaviour when it could just be a sensible response.

We've had cars stolen before, mates have had houses and cars targeted for certain items or parts. One family friend even had their family threatened simply because the crooks wanted their car, and didn't want to be reported.

Perhaps you annoy the wrong person, they know your car, they find it on the site, they link it to your phone number, your friends your address, your facebook and details... can't you see how that could go pear shaped in any way? It's your right to give up your own privacy, much more so than any assumed right to privacy... but some people like others to jump through a few hoops before trusting them with their own information.

You could tailor a scam so well that people think they've actually met you.

Alternatively, some people just can't be bothered with forums, there's politics (oh you can't say that about random#08 he's been on here since 1984), competitiveness/one-upmanship, snobbery...

It's a bit different when forums have sections you have to log into and you can open up a bit more as the audience is filtered down, but I guess this has to be balanced against bringing in new people and leaving this open for the assistance of the wider community.

but MOST importantly... TWO MAGNAS! Are you mad? (it's ok it's ok, we had one, we had one)

[Mr R 360]

Have you ever thought and asked yourself that not everyone is after the same thing in an online forum? I have never attended a VW meetup and don't intend to. I'm on here to talk about VW's online. I guess I'm not that into cars to feel the need to meetup with people in person.

You have asked - what's the point?

Yes I realise not everyone here is after the same thing however I explained at the start that this person was into the car scene and regularly attends our track days.

What's the point?
Well I'm not sure what you are referring to here but I wanted to have a good natured rant and get other peoples opinions/ideas on the matter. At no stage was I dictating that everyone should do as I do. Rather I made a suggestion that it would help if users put something in their profiles.

Have you been to an online newspaper? People comment on articles, doesn't mean they want anything more than just post an opinion. It would be bizarre for someone to get annoyed that all they've provided is a first name.

I'm by no means against people like you, because you keep the "hobby" alive, but I don't feel the need to attack people because they prefer to be anonymous.

I agree with you in regards to people getting upset if only a name was on a newspaper comment, that's just weird but I see VWwatercooled as a car club with a forum, not just some random online only forum.

I realise everyone perceives things differently (especially text) and unfortunately you have seen my comments as an attack. This is not the case and I tried to convey this with the use of smiley faces etc. It was nothing more than a good-natured rant at my frustrations in finding a fellow car enthusiast.

The grey golf thing is true, but I'm sure if you said the grey Golf R32 on BBS CH at Willow Park around 2:30PM Tuesday who saw me waving from a Red Mk2 GTI with the union jack on the back window... THAT could narrow it down,


but MOST importantly... TWO MAGNAS! Are you mad? (it's ok it's ok, we had one, we had one)

lol the two magnas were a result of unfinished business. You see I had a brand new TJ VRX back in 2002 and it was written off by a red light runner within 6 months of purchasing it.... Long story short, I always felt like I didn't have "closure" or something. So I got another one and enjoyed it for 12 months and it helped me get past a fear/uneasy feeling when ever I went through "that" intersection.