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Need for a locked section, for our own security/privacy


luvemfast

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Due to unforseen circumstances, I feel the time is right for the ability to have a members only locked section of the forum.

This has highlighted the negatives of having an "Open" community. There is lots of traffic here that are guests...... So who are they and what are their intentions? You only need a few bad apples to ruin a crop!

I know that you don't want to Gav, but I think I'm not alone when I say this. I will not be posting any of the "good" stuff here anymore. I'm also considering deleting my entire journal.

 

I think it is time to have an secure area for members only, an area that requires approval by a moderator.

I understand that it may detract to the hits the forum gets, but consider the other options. The active contributing members stop contributing?

At least give us the power to choose to make it private...........

 

Can of worms officially open!

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I am generally in favour of this option.

 

The generous members on this forum take a risk every time they share information about what stuff they own or are working on Zeds, parts, tools, etc.  Giving them place to be able to restrict the 'viewers' to members (either approved by a Mod or over a certain number of posts, i.e. 20), is a good security measure.

 

I would like to think that it shouldn't be needed, but unfortunately there are people in society that believe it is their right to fugg over the rest of us.  >:(

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Well said Simon,

 

I concur with you, I have found while even attempting to do research on non Z sites that in order to see pics at the very least you must be an active registered member.

 

If nothing else at least that feature would deter would-be guests from visually seeing the work that's out there and force people to register.

 

Also with all respect to Gav, and appreciating the cost of running this site, I don't think the platform is the best, and should there be a chance to upgrade it I am 100% certain that the majority of members would contribute to an annual forum membership fee.

 

My 5 cents worth.

 

Cheers

 

John

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While the recent event raises some questions I'm not sure that locking guests out will make each of us more secure. Personal information about us, and of our whereabouts, are freely given away here and potentially used against us. It's not only just pictures. Hopefully there are no dramatic changes.

 

How many times have you been out and spotted a Z, either parked, even semi hidden in a garage, or on the go, or on display at an event? It takes minimal effort for someone to take notice and do something sinister. I haven't really thought about it until now, but I am sure it's a problem that far exceeds this community.

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While the recent event raises some questions I'm not sure that locking guests out will make each of us more secure. Personal information about us, and of our whereabouts, are freely given away here and potentially used against us. It's not only just pictures. Hopefully there are no dramatic changes.

 

How many times have you been out and spotted a Z, either parked, even semi hidden in a garage, or on the go, or on display at an event? It takes minimal effort for someone to take notice and do something sinister. I haven't really thought about it until now, but I am sure it's a problem that far exceeds this community.

Yes, but lets not make it too easy for the bad apples.......

Other sites require registration to view certain areas, without this there are many of us who will no longer upload info to the world.

 

Also with all respect to Gav, and appreciating the cost of running this site, I don't think the platform is the best, and should there be a chance to upgrade it I am 100% certain that the majority of members would contribute to an annual forum membership fee.

Well said John.

 

I'm not saying to lock the whole site, have secure areas so "trolls" and "lurkers" cant see.

If not, I'm not putting up any good stuff thats been going on..... and as stated may also delete some of my posts.

 

It may be a bit of a knee jerk reaction, but its highlighted how vulnerable we've made ourselves to undesirables!

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i think the two main areas which should be locked should be the sales section and also the members rides section.

 

most forums require a post count or useful posts to unlock the sales section to members.

 

at least this requires new members to post and contribute the site instead of just joining to flog there stuff which can be a deterent to dodgies that want to abuse the system.

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While the recent event raises some questions I'm not sure that locking guests out will make each of us more secure. Personal information about us, and of our whereabouts, are freely given away here and potentially used against us. It's not only just pictures. Hopefully there are no dramatic changes.

 

How many times have you been out and spotted a Z, either parked, even semi hidden in a garage, or on the go, or on display at an event? It takes minimal effort for someone to take notice and do something sinister. I haven't really thought about it until now, but I am sure it's a problem that far exceeds this community.

 

OK, I'm going out on a limb here, and its not to bash you statement blue and black but rather look at the facts here, let me play Columbo for a minute.

 

A: Peter lives some 100 km's outside of Metro Melbourne

B: He has never had a break in

C: He had a family emergency with his daughter the night / day in question

D: Anyone even dreaming of breaking in to Peters place while he was asleep would have to be nuts considering Pete's sporting background.

E: It comes right after Roberto's motor is finished and Dyno'd

F: I doubt someone would have driven all the way out to Pete's place and staked the place out.

G: The parts stolen where random, Yes albeit for a L series they grabbed what was available.

 

Would you risk breaking in for a lucky dip scenario or would you bee looking at a bigger prize for the effort ?

 

In all likelyhood the parts stolen where as a consequence of Roberto's motor not being there, they are too distinct to be used as we all agree and would stand out a mile, if Roberto's motor had gone however, that would be a different case because apart from the ancillary gear hanging off it, who could pick it by the block rocker cover etc?

 

I doubt anyone will see these parts on a car period, maybe way down the track they may attempt to sell them off somehow, realistically someone was following the progress on Roberto's motor and saw a chance to strike but ended up with consolation prizes instead.

 

But Pete's drama is not the only one, in the last year, how many fly by nighters have rattled members cages with crude remarks, parts sales, etc etc etc.

 

People membership is a privilege not a right, and protection of valued members is paramount be it their intellectual or contributory input.

 

 

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Sorry to hear this shit Peter. just my 2 cents worth,

If this was a random hit by your normal druggy looking for a quick score of easy salable stuff, not knowing Peter or what he has, the most easier stuff to move would be tools and I am sure he would have a big range of stuff doing what he does.

If no tools were taken it looks like a thief to order, a customer has given him the address and information and he is getting paid for the order, most  likely the motor,  they have taken just the motor parts to fill the order.

 

I would say the person who placed the order is some one who has been to your place and knows your lay out and know what security you have in place.

 

I was involved in the capture of a druggy who made the mistake of casing my joint out, They just drove down my drive 200m off the road where nobody could see them, and when they seen me they made up a story about looking for a car for sale, and they forgot the number, I took down the rego number and rung the cops and said if any body gets broken in today these will be the boys, They went around the corner and robbed another house, The owner contacted all the places that might buy jewel and they were caught  selling it, my info put them at the scene.

 

Most forums I belong to have a member's only section.

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I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here...

 

The place that was broken into was a business, correct?

 

Is THIS site the only way someone could know or see what's at the shop? I doubt that....

 

This place is not by it's lonesome, 100 kms away from EVERYBODY and EVERYTHING else, otherwise it would be a VERY poor location for a business, so I don't see the 100 Kms away from Metro Melbourne being valid at this point. There are many people between Metro Melbourne and where Peter is, anyone of them could be the culprit.

 

Being a Business, there would be a lot of people that would have walked through the doors, customers, delivery people, building maintenance/repair, etc. Again anyone of these people could have caught a glimpse of something they wanted or they could sell.

 

It could have been some thief that thought he saw gold in the parts, maybe due to proximity to the door, tools/machines, what they saw first etc. Some thieves attack places of business, without knowing what is in there exactly, just that they could potentially find something worth while. Most thieves also don't work alone.

 

There is also the potential this thief was a friend, colleague, customer, etc, that would be privy to information, even with a "locked members only section" on this website. The Internet is not the only way to gain intel. ;)

 

Lets say there there is this members only section, who's to say that a person with access to that section isn't a thief? If someone gets their garage/shed/house/business/etc broken into when there's a members only section, does that mean that a new, deeper members only section will be requested?

 

Have the thief/thieves been found yet? Do we know how they gained their intel, or if it was more random than that? I haven't seen any indication that it has come that far yet.

 

So why is there this knee jerk reaction to sharing what we do?

 

If you're going to get that paranoid, just stop posting on the internet, period, maybe start wearing some tinfoil head fashions as well, because no matter what you do, there will be someone that wants to screw it up for you, steal it, etc.

 

I don't share certain information on the internet, simply to keep some of that anonymity, but I've allowed enough people to know where I live and see my projects that if I was this paranoid, I would have everything bolted down, and then some.

 

Thieves aren't always anonymous people, many time we know them.

 

I'm not saying that a Member's only section isn't a good idea, I just don't think it will solve the "problem" that is being seen by some.

 

The only thing that I generally see posted in members only sections on other sites is porn, rude jokes , and SOMETIMES members only offers from sponsors. To attract and help out non paying members (that's how most of the members sections are set up, for paying members), people will continue to post their projects and ideas outside of the members only section.

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Its was his private residence

 

And on the rest of your points, I beg to differ and its not a personal thing, we all have a right to our opinions.

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posting about what your doing, where your going, how much your spending on a "project" really is not a good idea.

 

seems that Peter's "family" trip was spontaineous, so either his place was being watched, deliberatly or maybe a neighbour saw him leave OR someone decided to visit unanounced and saw an oportunity.

recenlty my mum passed away and while I was away from my property at her funeral , 2 cretins arrived in a white holden,HQ ute.

same thing happened 3 years ago when I remarried, same MO.

Lucky I had a security guard on both occasions  at my property:)

you never know who is watching

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Its just really dissapointing to think someone would do this to a man who has been nothing but generous with his time and expertise.

Now.

Where is the incentive for him to be as helpful to us again? It would take a big man to go back to how it was before!

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I run a business from home and am not concern with any one coming back to rob me, I am more concerned about my neighbor, as he can see when I leave and lock the gate, and is why I insist that my lady doesn't get to friendly with them , as if they come down socially they get to see things the others would not, and having the advantage of knowing you are gone.

I prefer to just keep it a friendly wave at the top of the gate and the old friendly chat at the gate.

 

When my dad died and we went to the funeral my sister got robbed, and she hardly ever leaves home.

 

Just a word of warning normally when you have been robbed once, they know the lay out and what else you have and generally come back.

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posting about what your doing, where your going, how much your spending on a "project" really is not a good idea.

 

seems that Peter's "family" trip was spontaineous, so either his place was being watched, deliberatly or maybe a neighbour saw him leave OR someone decided to visit unanounced and saw an oportunity.

recenlty my mum passed away and while I was away from my property at her funeral , 2 cretins arrived in a white holden,HQ ute.

same thing happened 3 years ago when I remarried, same MO.

Lucky I had a security guard on both occasions  at my property:)

you never know who is watching

 

This^^^

 

I try to not post about upcoming excursions, especially on Facebook, and I don't even post about some after the fact, just in case there could be a trend in timing that some thief could pick up on, especially if it involves both myself and my Girlfriend.

 

This is basically why I said if you're really that paranoid, stopping posting at all on the internet, talking with friends, etc. A good thief knows how to get information and how to use it regardless of the source of information. Thieves don't think like honest people, they will exploit anything they can, many will even pay to be a member of an exclusive "club" or group to get the intel they need/want.

 

As I said in a PM moments ago, I guess I'm just more used to this due to where I live, since it seems to be quite common. I've had stuff stolen from me, and I'm sure I will again, it sucks, it really does, but why get bitter over it, and say "F the world," then you're no better than the thief.

 

I hope the thief is caught and dealt with harshly, but this just seems like over-reacting to me.

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I will start by saying that I'm not against a 'sealed section' of the forum.  (just be careful where you put the staples)

 

We have been very quick to jump to the 'it's got to be a troll' result. 

 

1. Peter might live 100k's from metro Melbourne, but he lives in suburbia.

 

2. Pete, bless his cotton socks, is happy to regale us with stories of engines built and the whys and wherefores of why they are good.  He will talk to anyone and is prepared to share his time with anyone interested - have you ever tried to have a short conversation with him??  This is why we (at least I) love him.

 

3. He works in a high profile racecar building business that would attract both genuine people wanting to build a competitive car and  ... well ... others!  Pete is just as likely to do no. 2 with these 'others' as anybody else.  Not hard to follow Pete home - if speed doesn't scare you!!

 

4. Pete has plenty of deliveries to his place.  All very shiny and not hard to see them coming and going.  nuf said?  Get a post box - all of you!!

 

5. Pete has been known to be visited by some nice cars (and a hilux!) and probably even test a car or two in the vicinity of his place - spotlights!!

 

6. I doubt any potential thief checked Pete's CV to realise the whooping they may have received if located by him in his shed.  Bodies?  What bodies?  I also doubt they knew of Pete's travels on the night - she's well I hope????  Really?? She is well, isn't she??

 

Now none of this post is intended to belittle, deride or offend Pete.  He isn't doing anything that the rest of us aren't doing - just on a much bigger scale with more knowledge and skill!!

 

So what can we do about it?

 

7. I don't want to agree with Salty, so I wont!!  But it is more likely that is was just coincidence - ie no cars in the drive so I'll have a look.  Death and funeral notices are the facebook/twitter of the past.  Don't put anything in either that you don't want everyone to know.  Typing a phone number like OH 4 OH ....etc doesn't trick anyone, it just prevents (probably only slows) it turning up in a search.  God (read Gav) invented PMs for a reason, use them.  I see more and more posts on this forum that are nothing more than PM's for everyone to read.

 

8. Posts on this forum regarding social or race meetings should be restricted to the initial post and locked!  PM's should them be the form of questions and commitment after that.  Otherwise we provide the whole world with a list of the people who will be going for a lovely drive for the weekend.

 

9. Photos of shiny car bits and pieces are the meaning of life on this forum as we live vicariously through others more advanced or less cash challenged.  Just take some care when posting photos so as they don't advertise more than is required.  Photos of the inside of a plain garage/shed give no clues.  Google earth maps are different.  I know I've been a little blase regarding this recently, but I'm not pretending I'm above making errors (It'll never happen to me - that's not a challenge people, it's an example of my blase attitude at times only - I think I overly rely on the alarm (which rings me directly not relying on neighbours to call someone when they get sick of the noise after a couple of hours) and the dogs.

 

10.  Or we could burn some trolls.  Not really justified, but a shiver load of fun.  Being part of the angry mob.  Hunting them down.  After all there's bugger all on TV out of ratings.

 

On a completely different topic, go to google maps - directions - type in from USA to JAPAN and check number 31.

 

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sorry for all this BS not cool at all ... i did make a comment on facebook that we were at the hospital wont do that Agana

1. I will fix my shed so no one can get in

2. I wont post pics of engines that are not mine without the owners knowledge

3. as i do this job because i love doing it and i like to help people it wont stop me from doing my thing. the people that did this are beneath me and are not worth worrying about

4. I think the site is OK 99.9% of the people on it are top sorts , the weekend we had fixing MaygZ Z was profe of that .

5.the ass that did this will get his and wont have any Friends on the forum so good luck fixing What ever shi  t box you have

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sorry for all this BS not cool at all ... i did make a comment on facebook that we were at the hospital wont do that Agana

1. I will fix my shed so no one can get in

2. I wont post pics of engines that are not mine without the owners knowledge

3. as i do this job because i love doing it and i like to help people it wont stop me from doing my thing. the people that did this are beneath me and are not worth worrying about

4. I think the site is OK 99.9% of the people on it are top sorts , the weekend we had fixing MaygZ Z was profe of that .

5.the ass that did this will get his and wont have any Friends on the forum so good luck fixing What ever shi  t box you have

 

+1

 

Pete i am sorry to have heard this happened to you, but like you said the bonding we did at Maygz place is what this forum is relly about.

 

Loui

 

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Thanks guys.  But don't forget - "what happened on the trip to Maygz's, stays at Maygz's"

 

 

 

which part dont you agree with? ;D

I don't disagree with any part of it.  I simply disagree with you!

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I cant add much more to whats been said already except that I will be seriously reviewing what I post and how much detail I provide.

 

Ive only ever posted one Youtube clip and it may be my last, this is sad and even more sad is that I love the pics and posts from Pete (and others) but understand where they are coming from if they wish to wind back their content.

 

Ive had friends that have had bad experiences when selling things and Ive always made a practice of meeting buyers off site so they cant case the joint. So far Ive been lucky but its only a matter of time. Having said that I put a lot of trust in this forum (too much maybe) and have welcomed people to my place to pick up when I arranged a group buy, no disrespect to the people concerned but I may not do this again.

 

Much like John (Sirpent) I had to register and get approval from MODs for some BMW web sites, cant say I'm rapt with that but I do understand and am gratefull for the insight gained as I couldn't have done what I have without their help.

 

I guess I'm in favour of a locked section as I think the sharing of detailed information is one of the strengths of this forum and I would hate to see that disappear. It makes it harder for newby's to find the info but given the circumstances I think its warranted.

 

On  a final note....treat what you post on this forum as you would anything you would post on Facebook.

 

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