The need for Shetlink

[The Big boss]

As far as I am concerned this Shetlink is a complete and utter waste of time and space.

 

If people haven't got the guts to put their true name to a comment then it is not worth reading.

 

The Big Boss aka Paul featherstone

[JAStewart]

Don't read the comments then! Luckily we live in a society where a person has the right to protect his or her identity. I think that Shetlink is fantastic, especially in a tight-knit community like Shetland. Some people just can't say things publicly here (sadly).

 

I'm someone who's happy to my name next to my views, and I'd love it if more people were like this, but some people will not, and although it can be annoying, I totally respect their right to do so.

 

If you don't like it, the door's right over there. If you don't appreciate the privacy that a society like ours offers, go to North Korea.

 

James Stewart.

[Twerto]

who is Paul Featherstone?

[tlady]

^^

 

Someone whos got the Monday morning blues ...

[Fjool]

Well, Paul, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it. However, if you feel Shetlink is 'useless' then why waste your time here? I'm not sure we're about to close everything down just because you don't like it, to be honest. Sorry.

 

There are as many reasons to remain anonymous as there are people using Shetlink. I can only speak for myself, but the reason that I remain (only semi-) anonymous is that I have no desire to get personally involved with the issues which arise here. When I close my browser, that's it. It's a way of keeping these aspects of my life separate.

 

Having said that, there are lots of folks who know exactly who I am and it wouldn't be hard to find out if someone was of a mind to (there's plenty of evidence available ). I am always careful to write nothing that I wouldn't put my real name to. Not that I don't make faux-pas and idiotic comments just like everyone else from time to time.

 

Whether an anonymous comment is worth reading or not...? I think they are. It is every person's right to express their views and, if a bit of anonymity is required to encourage open and honest talk, then this is a good thing. In the main, our user-base consists of regular posters whom, generally, know each other in a round-about way... seven-degrees of separation and all that.

 

It should also be noted that Shetlink's T&Cs are clear about what can and cannot be said regarding personal attacks, offensive materials, etc. If a user is seen to be abusing the anonymous nature of Shetlink, they are handled accordingly.

 

At the end of the day, however, it's just a bit of fun and there's nothing to stop folks announcing their identity if they want to. It has been left as a personal choice.

[Roachmill]

The Google tells all: PAUL FEATHERSTONE is an experienced and versatile operatic tenor and actor.

 

If you want your real name to be easily trawled and processed by any old spam furnace then go right ahead. Stick your email address and home phone number up while you're at it.

[Njugle]

^ ahem, not perhaps the PF we have here, i am confident in speculating.

 

Guts? Guts about what? This is an internet forum, not a political campaign.

 

The ideology that Shetlink has revolved around since it's inception is to share resources and communicate ideas. If within that any user is particularly keen to pursue communication with another individual user they can do so privately and with full disclosure in the private messaging service.

 

The other analogies that we have attempted to adhere to is that of a 'virtual living room' or cafe/bar whereby it is interesting to set the world to rights with other visitors with a level of decorum but, like my living room, without exposing every opinion of every named visitor to the general public, the media and the world wide web! Some folk might treat their guests like that but we don't.

 

I enjoy reading the opinions and the banter of most if not all Shetlink's users and, with very few exceptions, couldn't care less who they are.

 

I'd be interested to hear what issue has caused this opinion of resentment to (relative) anonymity.

[Evil Inky]

who is Paul Featherstone?

And how can we be sure that The Big Boss is really him ?

[Brink]

I found Shetlink when looking for something else entirely, and my introduction to this place was reading the “Ghost Stories†thread in the History section.

I thought it was not only very interesting (I still have flashbacks to Njugle's post of 20th March 2006 on that topic) but at times absolutely hilarious

I do think though, that in the last year or so, the tone has changed a bit..even the most innocuous threads can get a bit vicious and “personal†very quickly, which is really why I would prefer to stay (sort of) anonymous...I really do not want to get caught up in any of that. Although, funnily enough, the reason I registered in the first place was because I took exception to one particular post, which I found offensive beyond belief. Due to a Shetlink glitch, my registration was not recognised for a week, by that time the topic had moved on and I realised that fanning the flames would be a bit pointless.

 

On the whole though, this forum is entertaining and even informative, looks to me as if membership is growing, and I think that is thanks to not even the anonymous option so much, as the sensible moderation.

[Muppet]

As far as I am concerned this Shetlink is a complete and utter waste of time and space.

 

 

It's not compulsary! Pretty simple solution is don't waste your time with it.

 

As far as i'm concerned it's a pretty good sounding board of grass roots feeling among the community, an absolute wealth of knowledge of matters local and not so local, full of members who frequently go out of their way to assist other members, a great place to share interests and experiences. It's well run, well moderated and it's free!

 

I can undestand why many people prefer to remain anonymous. I don't have a problem with that. Until today, you have been happy to be one of those anonymous members.

[JAStewart]

On the whole though, this forum is entertaining and even informative, looks to me as if membership is growing, and I think that is thanks to not even the anonymous option so much, as the sensible moderation.

 

Well said. Personally, I love Shetlink - it's what keeps me upto date when I'm at uni!

[KOYAANISQATSI]

who is Paul Featherstone?

 

Who cares?

 

[sassermaet]

I agree with JAStewart, it's nice to be able to keep up with hot topics at home when you're away.

[trout]

Well everyone's entitled to their opinon (as long as it stands with the Shetlink T&C's) and that was one of the base premises - "share information, share resources and communicate ideas" - when this all started. The ins and outs of anonymity have been discussed prior.

 

Thanks for your input.

 

As a complete aside, it's quite a unique thing the username; an online representation of ones self.

[Ghostrider]

As far as I am concerned this Shetlink is a complete and utter waste of time and space.

 

If people haven't got the guts to put their true name to a comment then it is not worth reading.

 

The Big Boss aka Paul featherstone

 

Much better folk post under an anonymous nickname than have a system of posting under unverified "real" names.

 

Lets see....this week I am going to be Sandy Cluness, next week.....hmmmm..........awwwwwwwww what the heck, I'm going to be Malcolm Bell....yup, can just see that working nicely.

 

If you think you can come up with a practical effective verification system, that doesn't defeat the very purpose these boards are here for, than lets hear it....Otherwise, if you chance to see 'shetlink' in the address bar on your screen, maybe a quick click on the nice little square red button with the white "X" in the top right of your screen is your wisest solution, all this angst can't be good for your health.