Useful Idea.............

[I'ddie4him2]

I think we need a feature here that might help with an unfortunate issue that pops up here from time to time. Members harrassing other members. It's happened to me, Quite a few members I know personally, and others that have contacted me about this.

I have discussed this with numerous other CF members and several fellow Staff as well. Each of us agreed that to be able to come here to CF and be able to post and yet appear offline except to other staff would allow us to move about the forums a bit more freely.

For clarification purposes here, This will NOT make posts invisible. The members name would not show in the online users list. This would not affect posts in any manner. They would still show up as soon as the post reply button is pushed. This would not allow any manner of mayhem or disrupting forums, Nor would it allow for illegal activities when posting.

We have had the ability, for quite a number of months now, in our options, to prevent other members from searching our posts to have some privacy. I think being able to appear offline would be a nice feature to have in addition. CF Staff would still be able to see the members, Only the membership would not be able to see their name in the online users list.

I know of several other forums that use this feature and to my understanding this is a standard feature of VB software.
Could this be considered and possibly implemented with little difficulty ??

[Debi1967]

CF Staff would still be able to see the members, Only the membership would not be able to see their name in the online users list.As long as staff still had sight of them then I am fine with it and will endorse this

[Lindon Tinuviel]

So it's just the standard "Invisible" feature of vBulletin? I'm in favor of it.

[I'ddie4him2]

So it's just the standard "Invisible" feature of vBulletin? I'm in favor of it.

Yes, That is correct.
I believe this will be a step towards ending this type of behaviour.


ETA, Additional thoughts........

One reason I am concerned about this is because within the last year I have had disgruntled members call me at home and send me nasty emails. Emails that contained threats against myself and my family.

Then, I considered if it happened to me, It could happen to others here. I would like to prevent that if possible.

[encouraging loves animals]

Yes it would be a good feature to have!

[CaDan]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[Gwenyfur]

I'd love it...

[pgp_protector]

the only problem is the "not allowing searching of post" doesn't really work as long as the site is indexed by Google.
If they prevent the indexing, then it will work.
Otherwise all someone has to do is google the user name.

[loribee59]

the only problem is the "not allowing searching of post" doesn't really work as long as the site is indexed by Google.
If they prevent the indexing, then it will work.
Otherwise all someone has to do is Google the user name.

Actually, I tried googling a member one time who had the option to turn off the "search posts" in the old CF. Its username does show up on Google, with posts made in CF-- but it's much slower to wade thru all the posts listed in Google. Having the 'search posts by member' here was much easier to find. So, in essence, turning it off prevents such behavior that ID4H had experienced...and with another stronger step up to keep members 'invisible' would be more proactive and protects the members' safety/privacy.

I'd make it an OPTION...not a standard. Some people like their privacy a little more than others.

[I'ddie4him2]

Bump
Any further word on this ??