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@Gordon Shumway
Well, I being the one that is probably being mentioned here, as my profile is empty with just a statement that I do not share info on the internet, or something like that, if it ever comes to having to state any more than I feel comfortable with, I will leave. It is not necessary for strangers to know more about you than you feel comfortable with allowing. Heck, I don’t even tell my siblings everything. I am basically a private person and that is the way it is.
As much as I enjoy chatting and getting to know what I have about the regulars, I don’t feel like it should be necessary to provide more information than I feel necessary. I don’t feel others should have to do so, either. Bits of more have come out in posts as I have become more comfortable, but nothing earth shaking.
I, therefore, disagree with this. Why is it necessary for others to know more about you than you wish to share? Why should a private person not be allowed to join a forum because others “have a need to know” more than is necessary and more than you, as a private person, want to share? Like I said, I doubt it will ever happen here, but it if does, I will have to leave, because I would not feel comfortable.
By the way, who is to say that what is in the profile is actually “accurate” when it is required? If it is required and someone, like me, who does not wish to share some info, is forced to put some info down, who is to say it is accurate? I would just leave, but others might just decide to “create a bio”. So, what good would it be to require it? It will just push people away.
I am not sure this thread should be in the area of new members introducing themselves. I think there is a forum suggestion area that it would be best suited. This is where new members introduce themselves with what they feel comfortable sharing. A debate about how much sharing in the profile does not seem inviting to me. Just thought. Good topic, though.
The link below would be more appropriate, I think. If you want to copy and paste your initial thread post there and then delete it here, I would be willing to copy and paste my comment there and delete it here, Gordon. It would have to be before anymore comments are posted here, though, or their comments will be left behind.
Cello and Viola Time!

Regulars


Personally, I think it's very helpful to know what Country someone is from. I don't think anyone needs to be more specific.
I believe it can help to remind members to be more aware of possible communication issues/differences.
But it should still be left up to the individual member if they want to share that personal information.
- Emily

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I tend to agree with @Mouse on this subject. Let a poster provide any information they feel comfortable with. No mandate should be necessary.
If a forum user wants to know where a poster is, they can always politely inquire in a post or PM. I've found that a member's general location eventually will come out if it becomes relevant to the subject matter.
If I'm asked what country I'm in I'd have to say TEXAS 🙂
Bob in Lone Oak, Texas







I just randomly selected three profiles. None of them had any personal information, like mine. So, I believe that I am not alone in my thoughts. I believe that requiring information will hinder new members from joining, and in my case, members will leave.
I wish my email was not visible, I do not think that is necessary, and would rather not have it shown. We can PM each other if we want to contact anyone. I thought was brought up before, but I could be wrong.
Cello and Viola Time!








@Mouse - I *could* be wrong about this - but I suspect the reason you can see your own email (oh, and that of other users) is because you have admin status. As far as I'm aware, normal (members) users are denied that info. Pierre will know for sure. LOL - what I really meant was every member can always see their own registered email (so they can change it when needed), but the emails of others is denied them unless they have admin status... That's clearer !!!
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh -
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)







I was wondering about that. I couldn’t remember how it was before. Thanks. I was going to create a mock member to see the difference. I believe you are right.
Well, unless I have a need, I will not be replying here again because I don’t want add more to detracting from new members introducing themselves here. This is a good topic, though.
Cello and Viola Time!

Regulars



I don’t particularly care myself if people know where I am from, I wouldn’t share any personal details however with anyone on the internet, I don’t even have my real surname on my you tube account. When I become a famous soloist I will publish all my real details😎 I will say this though, the town where I live is between Liverpool and Manchester, a post industrial mess, it really is an awful place to live, poverty stricken, full of stupid violent people who’s idea of a good time is a fight, anytime any place. Last year we had a stabbing murder every week for the first three months of the year, we have the worst mental health problems in Britain and did have the worst suicide rate, don’t know if that has changed though.

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I'd say for human curiosity it's sometimes interesting to go "oh wow that person is from Hobbiton" or whatever, but no, it shouldn't be necessary to share more than you are comfortable with.
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World's Okayest Fiddler
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Regulars



Country would be useful, though, especially when people talk about equipment or books or graded exams. What is extremely familiar in one country may not even exist in another.
For example, the British members of this forum have mentioned Hidersine products a lot, while I literally never heard of Hidersine in 20 years of playing in California.

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Regulars

Frankly, country is the only thing I want.
There's a guy on vcom called Terry Carscadden who wants info on strings and bows. He uses English spellings (fibre, not fiber), so I recommended an English website, but it finally turns out he's in Canada. That makes a world of difference in what stores you recommend to him. If trade deals allow, it may be a no-brainer for him to buy from Fiddlershop, unless there's a Canadian alternative.
And for those of you who are unaware, if I wanted to buy a Fiddlerman bow, the bow might cost $60, but the shipping would cost $77, so it's not a no-brainer for me. (it's a brainer?).
Andrew

Regulars


Hi! @Gordon Shumway -
I agree that knowing a Forum Member's location can be helpful, but no one can force a person to give up their privacy... at least not in my Country. (lol)
But, here's a few ways to possibly address your concerns.
- The most obvious - you can ask the Forum Member where they are from.
- Make suggestions of products you like and use, then ask the Member to find a dealer/store or the equivalent near their own hometown.
- Someone in need of some special services? We can see where you are from - so refer to ones you have personal experience with or ask if the member has Teachers, Luthier or Music store, etc... near where they live.
- When Members don't want to give up their location, I think it's safe to assume if they can navigate this forum, they can navigate/search the internet - suggest to them what to look for.
- Directly ask Fiddlerman (or someone else) to help a Member with a problem if you suspect you are having trouble communicating/figuring out where they're from.
I think you are usually very helpful (lol - caught what you said to Fran) - I always enjoy reading what you post and appreciate what you share.
- Emily
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