Emails from forum admin

[M S G Benning]

I have been thinking long & hard about the above subject. I recently received an EM from FA to advise that I/we had not logged in for quite a while (& I'm sure I wasn't the only one!). Whilst I was events coordinator for 7side section (I gave up at last AGM), I logged in regularly (& probably will do again once the season restarts its hotbed of activity), however, that does not mean I don't look. Currently I generally only log in when I want to post or respond to something. This brings me to 2 questions that should be discussed by all JCC members
1) When you wish to access the 'board', should this only be available to registered members (i.e not General public) & therefore 'forcing' a log on at that link?
2) How much do we want to make available to non members?

Please let me say that I know we are all enthusiasts who give up our valuable time for free & that it is appreciated by many far & wide & long may that continue.

[Forumadmin]

There are distinctive security groups.
1. Anyone one with access to a web browser
2. Registered users that have been vetted as having genuine email adresses and interested in Jowetts. You might like to know I spend considerable time doing this vetting.
3. Users who register on JowettGallery, provide their given names and are members of an affiliated club. You might like to know I spend considerable time doing this checking.

On JowettTalk some sections can be seen by 1 and 2 but others (e.g. the Legacy Project) only by 2.
On JowettGallery some albums at the discretion of the owner can be seen by 1. The default is they can only be seen by 3.

I am happy to discuss with the exec or anyone, but the general rule is if you only want it to be seen by club members then post in JowettGallery.

The software for Forum and Gallery has many facilities which we currently do not use. The first hurdle is to get those interested in Jowetts using them, not making it more complex. But I have always implemented security controls that I thought appropriate at the time to secure our assets, confidentiality and integrity. These controls have to be regularly strengthened. Currently the Forum is under attack just like you may have read is happening to the stock exchange!

Many users ignore basic internet security advice and post email addresses and other personal information. I also spend time trying to correct this in all the posts I read.

Well at least the reminders have woken some of you up!