As we push out the removal of anonymous accounts

[ctrlbrk]

As we push out the removal of anonymous accounts, a previous announcement and discussed in the forums,

Just seen this in the recent announcement - Can someone from UKBF explain what this entails please?

Thx

 

[Ozzy]

@ctrlbrk Not entirely sure what you are asking, so this is just an assumption of what you are asking .. it means your account profile is a real person and a real business. We don't want people joining UKBF with throw away accounts to come in, make one post and never be seen again. We want people joining to get real tangible business benefits for their company, and then alongside that we also have a forum you can use too.
Touched on it in the last two announcements here and here.

 

[ctrlbrk]

it means your account profile is a real person and a real business.

So, as it stands, my account @ctrlbrk is not linked to my business. I do have a business but I do not mention what it is here on UKBF, nor do I have plans to do so.

What's going to happen to my UKBF account? This is my question.

 

[Ozzy]

What's going to happen to my UKBF account? This is my question.

We're chatting offline at the moment in more detail, but for others.
For your account to remain valid on UKBF we'll need it to not be anonymous (to us) but if you don't want your company information displayed publicly in the directory you untick the box at the top of the directory profile page so it doesn't display to other members.

 

[japancool]

We're chatting offline at the moment in more detail, but for others.
For your account to remain valid on UKBF we'll need it to not be anonymous (to us) but if you don't want your company information displayed publicly in the directory you untick the box at the top of the directory profile page so it doesn't display to other members.

Do we just need to fill in the info under the Business Profile tab?

 

[Ozzy]

Do we just need to fill in the info under the Business Profile tab?

Until we find a way to merge the default code of Xenforo and the business info pages together better, it would be the business info page I linked to and then the who you are bit on the Xenforo profile page (technical limitation I'm afraid).

 

[japancool]

Until we find a way to merge the default code of Xenforo and the business info pages together better, it would be the business info page I linked to and then the who you are bit on the Xenforo profile page (technical limitation I'm afraid).

Sorry Ozzy, I'm feeling a little dense today - can you point me to the business info page again?

 

[fisicx]

Must admit I’m a bit confused now.

@Ozzy, are you suggesting every member has to have a business? That I can’t just sign up with a gmail account and ask a question about a potential business I’m considering starting?

 

[Ozzy]

can you point me to the business info page again?

No worries

Put your company information here...
Put information on who you are here...

every member has to have a business?

There will be edge cases but the main objective is yes. UKBF's purpose is to support small business owners.

 

[fisicx]

does this mean all existing members will need to complete their business profile in order to remain a member?

Will the default be to hide this information as I imagine many members will want to keep their business separate to their forum posts. I know some who are wary of publicity.

 

[japancool]

If we fill our real names in, will these be visible to the general public? I don't mind it being visible to forum staff, not so sure about other forum members, not that it's difficult to find it from CH.

 

[Ozzy]

Will the default be to hide this information

It's one of the fields forced in front of you when you complete your business info.

If we fill our real names in, will these be visible to the general public?

Nope.

 

[japancool]

Nope.

Awesome.

 

[japancool]

This will end the "I bought vacuum cleaner from Argos and it's broken, how do I get my money back" questions.

 

[fisicx]

This will end the "I bought vacuum cleaner from Argos and it's broken, how do I get my money back" questions.

That's what moneysavingexpert is for.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Slightly sad news for me then I guess. I have HAD a business (in fact a few if you include smaller cottage enterprises/endeavours). I lost it after covid. But as well as that I’ve also worked extensively in marketing and product development roles for both small and huge global businesses.

I can’t help but feel that I have a lot to offer small business owners in terms of marketing ideas and also pointing out potential pitfalls and sharing my own experiences particularly as the owner of a sadly failed business. On the flip side the advice and threads on here prove useful even in my current role in terms of ideas, different thought processes etc.

Sad if I would then I would be not welcome as im currently an employee rather than owner.

 

[eteb3]

if you don't want your company information displayed publicly in the directory you untick the box at the top of the directory profile page so it doesn't display to other members.

Thanks for clarifying. Could this be made clear on the page itself?

At the moment the business info page is headed up

"All information is displayed publicly on your business profile and as such we would strongly advise against using your personal details."

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Probably a good idea because the biggest waste of space on here are in employment questions

What sort of a backward dumbass goes and asks a bunch of people running businesses employment questions.

I'm surprised they even mange to used the computing machine let alone log into a forum
....................................................................................................................................................................................................
Oh I have a trade union issue!

I know what I will do I will join a a business forum to resolve the issue because business owners who have no patients or time for me would really love to invest their effort and help me out

Absolut bunch of morons

 

[WaveJumper]

Oh sounds like my days are numbered

 

[Ozzy]

I feel I covered your scenario @BusterBloodvessel in these comments above;

Sad if I would then I would be not welcome as im currently an employee rather than owner.

There will be edge cases but the main objective is yes. UKBF's purpose is to support small business owners.

For your account to remain valid on UKBF we'll need it to not be anonymous (to us) but if you don't want your company information displayed publicly in the directory you untick the box at the top

You would ensure the box isn't ticked, and equally you share your past experiences in business.
You're not here asking can you fill in this survey, or my union tell me to strike so we can have 72% pay rise to fund the union's ivory offices.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

I feel I covered your scenario @BusterBloodvessel in these comments above;






You would ensure the box isn't ticked, and equally you share your past experiences in business.
You're not here asking can you fill in this survey, or my union tell me to strike so we can have 72% pay rise to fund the union's ivory offices.

There's time for me to post those sort of questions yet ??

Thanks for the clarification Ozzy - makes more sense now and I see where you're coming from/what you're trying to avoid.

 

[ctrlbrk]

In my account I have dozens of bookmarks and references to watched threads. All stuff that I consider useful and that I have collected in the 2.5 years I've been a member.

I am sure I am not the only one.

What's going to happen to accounts that are no longer "valid"?

Also, will a timeline be announced?

 

[eteb3]

What's going to happen to accounts that are no longer "valid"?

Sending accounts read-only would be a good compromise. Or limited to 10 posts/year (posts, not threads started). If I can't stay, I'd pay for that (£15/yr?)

 

[eteb3]

On this point of eligibility, @Ozzy , would you consider a not-for-profit category in the "Industry" drop-down in our profiles? I'm director of a charitable company, and also do various other bits of non-profit work. None of the options really fits (maybe "Health & Leisure", at a real stretch?).

On accounts, directors, insurance ? etc, we have just the same needs as any other business. And I've found people here immensely helpful: people like to feel like they're doing good, so possibly good for the forum vibes in general.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Sending accounts read-only would be a good compromise.

Compromise on what? There was no answer to my question.

 

[Ozzy]

There was no answer to my question.

I thought I had answered it..?

 

[ctrlbrk]

In my account I have dozens of bookmarks and references to watched threads. All stuff that I consider useful and that I have collected in the 2.5 years I've been a member.

I am sure I am not the only one.

What's going to happen to accounts that are no longer "valid"?

Also, will a timeline be announced?

I thought I had answered it..?

Hi Ozzy, you provided some answers earlier but not to the above quoted bit.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

On this point of eligibility, @Ozzy , would you consider a not-for-profit category in the "Industry"

There are already plenty of these here
They ask for the Spongebob plan 10 times a week??

 

[Ozzy]

Hi Ozzy, you provided some answers earlier but not to the above quoted bit.

I did think this bit was answered. Anonymous accounts are not allowed, anonymous to us. If you don’t have a business to list in the directory just un-tick that box in your directory profile.

Bit I hadn’t answered. Those that are anonymous and don’t complete that part in their profile will be deleted in the future at a yet to be set date.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Those that are anonymous and don’t complete that part in their profile will be deleted in the future at a yet to be set date.

Ok. I haven't made my mind up yet on what I will do - probably others here in similar situation.

Not sure if this applies to long timers such as @WaveJumper or @Lucan Unlordly but it's worth asking that UKBF provides a good announcement in advance when you're planning to delete the accounts? So people have the time to copy bookmarks etc.

 

[fisicx]

@Ozzy, I’m assuming you mean the accounts will be deleted but the posts/threads will remain.

 

[WaveJumper]

Wavejumper as it happens is totally confused really don't know if i meet the criteria or not ?

 

[fisicx]

Wavejumper as it happens is totally confused really don't know if i meet the criteria or not ?

All you need to do is make sure your business details are complete in your profile. You can then elect to make them public or not.

 

[Ozzy]

UKBF provides a good announcement in advance

Yep, will be mentioned in the monthly UKBF members update email at the appropriate time. That email will start being sent on 6th November to all members, and will continue in the first Monday of each month.

posts/threads will remain.

Correct

All you need to do is make sure your business details are complete in your profile. You can then elect to make them public or not.

^^ this guy gets it ?
We (UKBF) want to ensure no anonymous accounts. Whether you run your own business or work for someone else’s business.
My preference is members here want to trade together, and get someone business revenue flowing between the members, rather than hide their business details but that is an opt in/out button in your profile settings.

 

[ctrlbrk]

My preference is members here want to trade together, and get someone business revenue flowing between the members, rather than hide their business details

Not everyone is here to sell to others.

I signed up to learn how to run a business. My target market is not here.

 

[eteb3]

My preference is members here want to trade together, rather than hide their business details

Would be good if we could have a public and an anonymous user name. I'm not revealing biz details because I've asked many questions under my current user name that I probably wouldn't have asked publicly.

Or maybe I should create a new, public account?

 

[japancool]

My target market is not here.

Neither is mine, but I can't see the issue with letting UKBF know who I am and what my business is.

 

[japancool]

Would be good if we could have a public and an anonymous user name. What's stopping me revealing biz details is that I've asked many questions under my current user name that I probably wouldn't have asked publicly.

But no one, other than UKBF staff, needs to know what those details are.

 

[Ozzy]

But no one, other than UKBF staff, needs to know what those details are.

I do understand @eteb3 comment, it’s their historical content assuming they do also wish to promote their business here, which I think is valid.
It’s points like this I value and feeds back into melting pot and why nothing is being rushed and is being done bit by bit ?

 

[ctrlbrk]

Neither is mine, but I can't see the issue with letting UKBF know who I am and what my business is.

Flipping that statement, do you have an incentive for you provide your details?

I don't have any reason to share my details unless there is a business purpose to do so.

I will still be able to search for stuff even if I no longer have an account. Unless Ozzy decides to block search for non-members, that is.