"Members Only" Daycare.com Forum??

[Michael]

This was my response to a thread in our Private Members Only section and I decided to make it public here.

I've often considered making the forum “members only” but still feel that most of the unregistered comments are helpful and conversational. I was surprised to find out today that The Huffington Post is going to allow comments from only registered members, that use their real identity, in order to change the toxic climate of their article’s public conversation. I am both Liberal and Conservative and I read/watch most news sources (so don't label me! )

I've seen many blogs also going to "member’s only". While I understand the reasoning, it makes me believe the country is heading in a more conservative direction. The internet allows for just about anything and it is my belief it should be self regulated by its owners; us.

This forum is run by its members. I pay the expenses of its bandwidth, servers, databases and management. Here is what BlackCat, the moderators and I have decided:

This forum is to stay both a members and unregistered forum. IF an unregistered poster is not in keeping with this forum's constructive demeanor, their IP will be banned; rendering them no access to the forum or other Daycare.com related areas. Registered members will be judged by our members and should contact me if there is a problem and I will deal with it.

I banned a "member" today that was constantly posting as unregistered and causing unnecessary drama. If he/she had used their account and used this forum in a positive manner, there would have been no reason ban them.

As always, I or any of the moderators are here to help you. They don't get paid or are given any perks. I appreciate their taking the time to help make this forum a positive daily experience for me and the rest of us. Let's keep it that way.

[CedarCreek]

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!!

[AfterSchoolMom]

Originally Posted by CedarCreek

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!!

Ditto!

[mom2many]

Originally Posted by CedarCreek

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!!

Yes, THANK YOU!

[Cat Herder]

Thank you Michael and Mods!!

Being able to post unregistered sometimes allows members to ask really kid/situation specific things that need to be asked without being publicly outed to their clients.

I have also posted unregistered because I have days where I can't remember my log in info (programed in to toolbar) once my computer "updates" and deletes my preferences or I am using a borrowed computer because I am too cheap to buy a new one.

[MyAngels]

Originally Posted by CedarCreek

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!!

Ditto!

As far as making it "members only" - I never thought that would help much. After all, what does it take to register? Use a junk e-mail account and fill in a couple of blanks, and you're registered and free to cause the same drama you might as unregistered.

[Cradle2crayons]

I posted unregistered once for privacy and posted some very personal issues and questions and I was slammed and called out on my post. Lol. So never again will I ever post as unregistered. If its that private and secret I won't post it here.

But regardless of that. I do appreciate Michael and the mods for keeping this forum as peaceful as possible.

[Maria2013]

Originally Posted by Michael

[i]I banned a "member" today that was constantly posting as unregistered and causing unnecessary drama.

I have a Forum of my own, I can't believe there are still people that think if they don't log in, they are anonymous

[MamaBearCanada]

Originally Posted by CedarCreek

Thank you to Michael and all of the mods for all that you do!!

Yes!

[AmyKidsCo]

Originally Posted by Maria2013

I have a Forum of my own, I can't believe there are still people that think if they don't log in, they are anonymous

Ditto!

Thanks Michael and the mods for all your hard work!

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Maria2013

I have a Forum of my own, I can't believe there are still people that think if they don't log in, they are anonymous

Don't go scaring the members. That's not necessarily true.

For the most part everyone's IP here is a Dynamic IP. IP's change unless you pay for a Static IP address which 99.9% of users don't have.

FYI: A Static IP (what Daycare.com has - 66.161.7.83) address is a number that is assigned, to a computer or Domain Name, by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet.

A Dynamic IP (what every member here has) address lasts for the duration of that Internet session. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user.

[Cradle2crayons]

Originally Posted by Michael

Don't go scaring the members. That's not necessarily true.

For the most part everyone's IP here is a Dynamic IP. IP's change unless you pay for a Static IP address which 99.9% of users don't have.

FYI: A Static IP (what Daycare.com has - 66.161.7.83) address is a number that is assigned, to a computer or Domain Name, by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet.

A Dynamic IP (what every member here has) address lasts for the duration of that Internet session. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user.

Interesting because I've seen before it said on several unregistered posts that the op was known because of the IP address giving some type of information that identified them.. Is that location based maybe?? I'm just curious not trying to scare people.

[Lyss]

Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons

Interesting because I've seen before it said on several unregistered posts that the op was known because of the IP address giving some type of information that identified them.. Is that location based maybe?? I'm just curious not trying to scare people.

Its a general location, like city and state in most cases. You can get latitude and longitude location for a specific IP but it isn't necessarily correct. I know mine generally shows up as a city 45 minutes from where I actually am

who am I? I am a member, I have never posted as unregistered but I am active and post almost daily


I will even type a little bit more since I have also seen people that are NOT mods say they can also tell who people are by the things they say, punctuation etc...

Anyone up for the challenge? I hope this isn't against the rules! I am really just curious if a mod can tell who I am...

[Meeko]

Thanks to Michael and the Mods!

(Sounds like a new band.....)

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Sounds great!

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

who am I? I am a member, I have never posted as unregistered but I am active and post almost daily


I will even type a little bit more since I have also seen people that are NOT mods say they can also tell who people are by the things they say, punctuation etc...

Anyone up for the challenge? I hope this isn't against the rules! I am really just curious if a mod can tell who I am...

I'm an Admin and I still have no idea. There is no corresponding account with your IP. You obviously have a dynamic IP. I can only tell you are from Michigan.

I would have to go through every post made today to see if your IP matched. No one has the time for that!

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons

Interesting because I've seen before it said on several unregistered posts that the op was known because of the IP address giving some type of information that identified them.. Is that location based maybe?? I'm just curious not trying to scare people.

If the person had some kind of writing characteristic or the IP was in a city that someone knew the member was near might add 1 + 1 together. Also, if the Dynamic IP from a new account had not changed and the member wrote as unregistered, one could possibly see who they were.

The member from today that was banned made all the classic mistakes. Spoke negatively and created unnecessary drama, posted as a member and again posted as unregistered all in the same timeframe. That's a no no.

[daycare]

Originally Posted by Michael

I'm an Admin and I still have no idea. There is no corresponding account with your IP. You obviously have a dynamic IP. I can only tell you are from Michigan.

I would have to go through every post made today to see if your IP matched. No one has the time for that!

I am also a mod and I haVe NO clue.......but then again I have no clue about a lot of things........lol

Michael, I must have missed something here. I have been rather busy with work and personal life so I can only post when kids are asleep.

Thank you for all that you do for us, to give us a place to keep our sanity...........

How about my state? Just curious. Call me crazy!

[Maria2013]

Originally Posted by Michael

Don't go scaring the members. That's not necessarily true.

For the most part everyone's IP here is a Dynamic IP. IP's change unless you pay for a Static IP address which 99.9% of users don't have.

FYI: A Static IP (what Daycare.com has - 66.161.7.83) address is a number that is assigned, to a computer or Domain Name, by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet.

A Dynamic IP (what every member here has) address lasts for the duration of that Internet session. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user.

didn't meat to scare anyone or get on your bad side (I just got here)
I meant "board owners" have ways to know IP of unregistered members

sorry Michael

[Cradle2crayons]

Originally Posted by Michael

If the person had some kind of writing characteristic or the IP was in a city that someone knew the member was near might add 1 + 1 together. Also, if the Dynamic IP from a new account had not changed and the member wrote as unregistered, one could possibly see who they were.

The member from today that was banned made all the classic mistakes. Spoke negatively and created unnecessary drama, posted as a member and again posted as unregistered all in the same timeframe. That's a no no.

Thanks for the info. I've never learn a bunch about ip and such. I can code a website but know nothing about ip addresses. I like to learn though!!

[Maria2013]

what have I done...you guys have a hole I can crawl into?

[Cradle2crayons]

No hole, but I have some advice:::::


DEFINATELY do NOT choke on googly eyes or little tiny stickers!!

Originally Posted by Michael

I'm an Admin and I still have no idea. There is no corresponding account with your IP. You obviously have a dynamic IP. I can only tell you are from Michigan.

I would have to go through every post made today to see if your IP matched. No one has the time for that!

ha ha, thanks for checking! Nope, not even from Michigan

[Lavender]

I don't post a lot (and I'm not on whatever the private board is) but I'm thankful for this board. I work in a center but I still learn a lot ... even from many of the unregistered posts.

[NeedaVaca]

Originally Posted by Meeko

Thanks to Michael and the Mods!

(Sounds like a new band.....)

That's funny!

[Cradle2crayons]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

ha ha, thanks for checking! Nope, not even from Michigan

Interesting. So do any mods or Michael know where the other unregistered on this thread is from?? Maybe it's a matter of some are easier to see state than others?

Although I'm a long time reader of this board, leave it to me to not sign-up officially until today, and I have never posted(till now lol). I have little to no idea about any of this but it's kinda scaring me a little . It appears I've just walked into something is what I mean.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by sleepinghart

Although I'm a long time reader of this board, leave it to me to not sign-up officially until today, and I have never posted(till now lol). I have little to no idea about any of this but it's kinda scaring me a little . It appears I've just walked into something is what I mean.

Welcome to the forum.

[daycare]

Michael.........you never say hello anymore. I am like chopping liver huh???? hhahhahh Chopped liver.......

had to edit, but leave it to laugh at myself..

[Bookworm]

Originally Posted by Lavender

I don't post a lot (and I'm not on whatever the private board is) but I'm thankful for this board. I work in a center but I still learn a lot ... even from many of the unregistered posts.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by daycare

Michael.........you never say hello anymore. I am like chopping liver huh???? hhahhahh Chopped liver.......

had to edit, but leave it to laugh at myself..

Hello Daycare!!!

I believe you have my phone number. Only a couple here have it. Call or text sometime. It would be nice to hear from you.

Originally Posted by Lavender

I don't post a lot (and I'm not on whatever the private board is) but I'm thankful for this board. I work in a center but I still learn a lot ... even from many of the unregistered posts.

Its viewable from the Providers Section: http://daycare.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

It takes 500 posts to join and you are almost at that number. I can send you the password if you would like.

[MyAngels]

Originally Posted by sleepinghart

Although I'm a long time reader of this board, leave it to me to not sign-up officially until today, and I have never posted(till now lol). I have little to no idea about any of this but it's kinda scaring me a little . It appears I've just walked into something is what I mean.

This kind of stuff pops up every now and again, but really we're a peaceful, happy bunch overall . Welcome to the forum!

[Cradle2crayons]

Originally Posted by Michael

Hello Daycare!!!

I believe you have my phone number. Only a couple here have it. Call or text sometime. It would be nice to hear from you.



Its viewable from the Providers Section: http://daycare.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

It takes 500 posts to join and you are almost at that number. I can send you the password if you would like.

It's 500 and six months right?? Cause I am not at the six month mark yet going to the left out closet lol I'm going to eat some googly eyes.. And cheesecake..

[daycare]

Originally Posted by Michael

Hello Daycare!!!

I believe you have my phone number. Only a couple here have it. Call or text sometime. It would be nice to hear from you.



Its viewable from the Providers Section: http://daycare.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

It takes 500 posts to join and you are almost at that number. I can send you the password if you would like.

glad you enjoyed the laugh...I have actually been in your area quite a bit. I finally sold my house down south. I didn't want to, but had to....

I will be there again next weekend, but going to SD. I want to surf.............it's no good up here....and OC is too big of waves. I am a chicken.

I don't have your number? OR maybe I do and just don't realize it.....lol

Well now that I have picked on you, I am going to sign off and go to run. The thing I hate more than anything in the world...........ok well almost anything

[MyAngels]

Originally Posted by Michael

Don't go scaring the members. That's not necessarily true.

For the most part everyone's IP here is a Dynamic IP. IP's change unless you pay for a Static IP address which 99.9% of users don't have.

FYI: A Static IP (what Daycare.com has - 66.161.7.83) address is a number that is assigned, to a computer or Domain Name, by an Internet service provider (ISP) to be its permanent address on the Internet.

A Dynamic IP (what every member here has) address lasts for the duration of that Internet session. Once the user disconnects from the Internet, their dynamic IP address goes back into the IP address pool so it can be assigned to another user.

I'm curious - if your IP address changes often, how can you actually prevent access by banning their IP? Couldn't they just start a new session and come back again?

Maybe I'm not understanding this, which wouldn't necessarily surprise me come to think of it

[SilverSabre25]

Originally Posted by Michael

I'm an Admin and I still have no idea. There is no corresponding account with your IP. You obviously have a dynamic IP. I can only tell you are from Michigan.

I would have to go through every post made today to see if your IP matched. No one has the time for that!

I found it...

[nannyde]

Originally Posted by NeedaVaca

That's funny!

Very! It's been an entertaining thread. My head is spinning with the explanation of isp and dynamic isp. As if a poster could be figured out with only a “catch me if you can" post.

[Former Teacher]

Originally Posted by Michael

This forum is run by its members. I pay the expenses of its bandwidth, servers, databases and management. Here is what BlackCat, the moderators and I have decided:

This forum is to stay both a members and unregistered forum. IF an unregistered poster is not in keeping with this forum's constructive demeanor, their IP will be banned; rendering them no access to the forum or other Daycare.com related areas. Registered members will be judged by our members and should contact me if there is a problem and I will deal with it. [/font][/color]

Thank YOU Michael!

[Former Teacher]

I know I don't post often. There just isn't enough hours in the day.

As for me being a "mod", every time I go to check out the spam threads etc...they are already gone!

That being said I am here at LEAST once a day. I love my Friends Without Faces!

[Crystal]

Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons

It's 500 and six months right?? Cause I am not at the six month mark yet going to the left out closet lol I'm going to eat some googly eyes.. And cheesecake..

The more googly eyes, the better

[Cradle2crayons]

Originally Posted by Crystal

The more googly eyes, the better

And even more cheesecake!

[Michael]

Originally Posted by MyAngels

I'm curious - if your IP address changes often, how can you actually prevent access by banning their IP? Couldn't they just start a new session and come back again?

Maybe I'm not understanding this, which wouldn't necessarily surprise me come to think of it

Banning does work. Usually you can ban someone for a session or even days depending on several factors. The offender can come back but usually the ban keeps them away. If they start trouble again, I will go through the same process. Call me the mad dog protector. At some point it is not going to be worth it for them to waste so much time trying. There are other forums they can bother with.

[Kaddidle Care]

I'm glad you're keeping it open. Sometimes folks will pop on and ask a question or reply to a thread and sort of get their feet wet.

I did this and personally found it difficult to locate the thread I posted in as a non-member so I signed up.

The best way to deal with a Troll is to not post in the thread at all. I know the members here are pretty good at avoiding the Spam posts - the ones selling something. Just treat a Troll the same way.

Again, as others said, Thank you Michael and the Mods. I am no longer in Child care but still enjoy this forum.

[MsLaura529]

Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons

And cheesecake..

I want some cheesecake!

[Maria2013]

Originally Posted by Crystal

The more googly eyes, the better

what's with this "googly" eyes??

[Sugar Magnolia]

Wow. My data connection was spotty/down yesterday. I'm always late to everything.

I agree with leaving most things open to everyone, including unregistered comments. They are usually relevant and interesting, helpful, and occasionally controversial. I think incidents of abuse and hard core trolling are pretty low here. Michael and the Mods do a super job. Thanks guys!

I do like the option of the private area. Nice to have a choice.

As for the venting thread ...I will be honest and say I don't pay much attention to it. Or the positive or funny sticky threads either, for that matter. It just seems disjointed and hard to follow. I think a lot of vents/funnies/good news winds up as a new thread anyways. I DO like the FAQ sticky threads for new users or visitors to get quick answers.to things like how to start a daycare, website, forms, etc.
Can there be sub-sections? Like "behavioral issues" or "business administrative issues" or "parent relations" ? Maybe that is too complex. Just an idea.

[MyAngels]

Originally Posted by Maria2013

what's with this "googly" eyes??

I think they are referencing this thread: http://daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64612

[MyAngels]

Originally Posted by Michael

Banning does work. Usually you can ban someone for a session or even days depending on several factors. The offender can come back but usually the ban keeps them away. If they start trouble again, I will go through the same process. Call me the mad dog protector. At some point it is not going to be worth it for them to waste so much time trying. There are other forums they can bother with.

It's so interesting, the things that go on behind the scenes . Thanks for keeping this forum so great .

[Maria2013]

Originally Posted by MyAngels

I think they are referencing this thread: http://daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64612

omg that had me laughing

thank you for clearing that up for me

Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons

It's 500 and six months right?? Cause I am not at the six month mark yet going to the left out closet lol I'm going to eat some googly eyes.. And cheesecake..

I am going to join you in the left out closet... if that's ok. I will bring more cheesecake (and googly eyes). I have been here for awhile but I have posting anxiety. :-/

Originally Posted by Michael

Welcome to the forum.

~Thank you Michael! ....Glad to be here .


~...Sorry, I was afraid to double post and didn't see your comment MyAngels so I'm doing the best I can for now.


(MyAngels quote) "This kind of stuff pops up every now and again, but really we're a peaceful, happy bunch overall . Welcome to the forum!" (end quote)

~Anyway, thank you also for the welcome. And yes, I know y'all are a wonderful, peaceful, helpful bunch; I wouldn't have signed-up otherwise. And it's a weird feeling because it's kinda like I already know y'all although I just joined .

[Texasjeepgirl]

Originally Posted by Michael

It takes 500 posts to join and you are almost at that number. I can send you the password if you would like.

Well I may never reach 500 posts...
Sometimes I literally go for MONTHS without logging in... I get so busy with everything else in life.. then today I log in and read all of this.

I know ZERO about IP addresses
What I do know is
Being a moderator or ADMIN for any forum is very very time consuming..
My husband and I were members of a TEXAS based jeep club and it's forum.. My husband read and posted DAILY...
Then he was elected PRESIDENT.. and WOW... the amount of time he spent reading all the posts.. trying to keep everyone in line with the 'family oriented' theme of the club... was BRUTAL... everytime I looked up he was ON THE COMPUTER.. wore me OUT...
so..
I say.. THANK YOU to all ADMIN and MODERATORS for the time you invest on keeping things together for all of us.

I don't read every post.. I don't read every thread...
I have not ever posted as unregistered... it never occurred to me to do it.. but.. I'm sure those that have.. have valid reasons for doing so.
I have stepped on toes here a time or ??? sometimes without intending on doing so.. and I got a whirlwind of reprimands...and messages of support...
I do enjoy all the opinions here..
even those I might not agree with.
I always learn things.. good and bad.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Texasjeepgirl

Well I may never reach 500 posts...
Sometimes I literally go for MONTHS without logging in... I get so busy with everything else in life.. then today I log in and read all of this.

I know ZERO about IP addresses
What I do know is
Being a moderator or ADMIN for any forum is very very time consuming..
My husband and I were members of a TEXAS based jeep club and it's forum.. My husband read and posted DAILY...
Then he was elected PRESIDENT.. and WOW... the amount of time he spent reading all the posts.. trying to keep everyone in line with the 'family oriented' theme of the club... was BRUTAL... everytime I looked up he was ON THE COMPUTER.. wore me OUT...
so..
I say.. THANK YOU to all ADMIN and MODERATORS for the time you invest on keeping things together for all of us.

I don't read every post.. I don't read every thread...
I have not ever posted as unregistered... it never occurred to me to do it.. but.. I'm sure those that have.. have valid reasons for doing so.
I have stepped on toes here a time or ??? sometimes without intending on doing so.. and I got a whirlwind of reprimands...and messages of support...
I do enjoy all the opinions here..
even those I might not agree with.
I always learn things.. good and bad.

I PM'ed you

[Texasjeepgirl]

yes you did BlackCat
and I can't tell you how much I appreciated the support I received..
I'm not too proud to ever apologize for saying something that steps on a toe...
it doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to change my opinion.. ..but.. I know I can be out there and a little too bold at times..

[jenn]

I don't know what an IP address is, and wouldn't understand it even if it was explained. I have great technology skills
I don't think I have ever commented without being signed in.
However, I never really sign out. If I had to sign in to my account again, I'm not sure I would know my username/password. Hope that doesn't happen!
I love this group. So much support and advice, and a place to vent!