JowettTalk

I've seen a few new posts by "members" who have pseudonyms rather than proper names, and there is a minimum of other detail when you look at their profile. Is this what we want? I would be interested to know other Club members' views. This new website is very young. As it grows, it would be nice to think that we know who exactly is posting a question or a reply. I can not see why someone would shield their true identity.

I have emailed or private mailed some of the members concerned. I have also deleted two who probably were not interested in Jowetts (after an email to them that did not receive a reply).

Some people may not like to have their full name on a website, but I think they could use their first name. It does make for a more conversational discussion than with initials or car numbers.

Of course, if for any reason they are abusing their anonimity, which by the way is not likely with the two currently so registered, you only have to inform the webmaster and he can decide whether to ban them.

Clearly I have no way of telling if people are who they say they are, unless I ask and check credentials such as JCC membership number. We have had pseudonyms in the Jowetteer in the past!

There was discussion about whether to make the site accessible to only JCC members, since they are paying for the site, but I think that is not in the spirit of the club or its mission.

I will probably make some sections, particularly in the archive, only accessible to JCC members in order to protect copyright and for data or liability protection.

By the way, jowett.org received its 60000th hit on its home page last week since its inception 8 years ago. There are counters on http://jowett.org/jowettnet/ that you can view to see the weekly activity etc.

Please let me have your views.

I fully agree with Keith, we should not restrict the site to members only as we could easily exclude interested parties, sources of information and spares, and generally present an air of 'exclusivism' (if there is such a word!).

We want to [i]encourage[/i] membership - even if it is only associate membership for those with a need or desire for information such as published documents.

It MIGHT be an idea to restrict some aspects of the website to members only, although this might also present problems?

In summary - the more, the merrier!!