SANParks.org Forums

I replied to something that was posted by, let's say X but then I received a pm from somebody to the effect that X is only 15 or 16 years old and that my reply was a bit below the belt. I obviously feel very bad about it, but how do you know how old a forumite is? Most members give so little info in their profiles that it is difficult to create your own image of how a person looks like. You only get an idea if you read all his/her posts.

Oh just want to let you know I am a guy and I am 22

AWB, the problem is that you may never know with whom you are dealing on any forum. I could be a 13 year old home-school boy sitting in New York! But I do agree with you on your point!

Well actually the forum is open to all, and we want to keep it a family orientated Forum, so we all should rather avoid remarks and comments that may be interpreted as inappropriate.

We all realize that it can be fun to have a joke, and sometimes drag the mickey out of others ... but it always should be done with the knowledge that we should not cross a certain line. That line is not necessarily of our own preference, but rather the rules, character and ethos of the SANPArks Forums.

We also have a diverse community, and we do not only differ in age, but also in culture, religious conviction, language ... etc.

All this asks a bit of give and take. We must learn to accommodate each other. But ... rather safe than sorry.

Thanks Imberbe, I will be more careful in future. I must add that my reply was not below the belt but was referring to a possible adult joke. But point taken. The question still remains, why does people give so little info about themselves in their profiles. Sometimes it is only a user name and nothing else, not even location or occupation, zilch.

For example it would be absolutely ridiculous for me to give Sprocky directions to Phalaborwa gate because from his profile I can see that he lives in Phalaborwa.

In one thing you are right, it would be nice at least to have country/state/province or town in "location". Just a little background would not hurt

Just to put everybody's mind at rest, I have edited the post. Again apologies if I have offended anyone, but it was not intentional.

We have actually at times wondered whether your (accurate) location should not be compulsory?

Many would rebel if you ask age ... Hey DB?

Anonymity is perhaps part of the internet, and some would not like having much known.

A difficult one ...

I can get the part where, in case of a female member, it could be a matter of security. And even so for the teenagers under us.
But on the whole I think that if you have nothing to "hide" one could at least fill in a few more details about oneself.
For myself I have put my big feet in my mouth a few times by calling someone her while it was he and visa versa.
But on the other hand it can create some fun.

The he/her is not really important, you'll find out soon enough I find it at times difficult to answer questions about destinations and similar not knowing from which continent/country the member comes from

Especially which is best road to travel to knp?
If you dont know where they coming from.

What about putting the age in category's?
EG: Under 20 (Double)
21-30 (Twenty)
31-40 (Thirty)
40-50 (Forty)
50+ (Fifty)

And would be nice to have a F for female and a M for male in there somewhere Coz I have been called a she and I have called a he a she and visa versa and I dont like it to much

You've got no guarantee that the information a person enters is valid or true anyway, so what's the difference?

Personally I don't think it matters. If you want to know a/s/l (age/sex/location - old IRC abbreviation), use a social network

Hi AWB, I understood your particular situation. On another thread the same comment came up with the same mite - and he gave back as good as he got. We were all very surprised when at a later stage, he revealed his age - his participation on the forum gives an adult impression.

My first mistake - when I assumed a certain mod was a He

Sorry Spook, I really thought you are a He too