Who can see a discussion

[elDuck]

Before I even try to post anything serious in here I notice that I can read lots and lots of discussions without logging on.

I guess that some discussions are blocked - otherwise we couldn't talk about client issues without fear of clients reading them.

Now, I had to log on to post in this forum. But not to read it.

How can I tell which forum Ms J Public can read?

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

Just visit the Forum without logging in.

[Bindii]

Before I even try to post anything serious in here I notice that I can read lots and lots of discussions without logging on.

I guess that some discussions are blocked - otherwise we couldn't talk about client issues without fear of clients reading them.

Now, I had to log on to post in this forum. But not to read it.

How can I tell which forum Ms J Public can read?

Anything in the top section of the forum and the very bottom can be read by anyone who is not registered and or logged in... none of the picture areas of the forum can be seen unless you are signed in though...

If your worried about clients seeing anything then don't use your real name in your user name and you shouldn'y pop up in a google search... somehow I think that your right there though... well unless your name is Mr elduck that is.. :grin:

[elDuck]

Hi, Bindii,

well... no, I'm not Mr elDuck. But I might inadvertently give information away... where I work, the name of the venue/church... who knows. Maybe there might be enough in the "who am I" introduction for a passing client to find out.

It would appear, from what you say, there is nothing visible that tells me this is an "unrestricted" area and that, really, apart from anything I might post in the section on pictures I ought to assume that all of it can be read.

Scary.

I guess I won't be posting any time soon then.

Thinking positive - at least I found out before I posted something I might regret!

[Bindii]

Hi, Bindii,

well... no, I'm not Mr elDuck. But I might inadvertently give information away... where I work, the name of the venue/church... who knows. Maybe there might be enough in the "who am I" introduction for a passing client to find out.

It would appear, from what you say, there is nothing visible that tells me this is an "unrestricted" area and that, really, apart from anything I might post in the section on pictures I ought to assume that all of it can be read.

Scary.

I guess I won't be posting any time soon then.

Thinking positive - at least I found out before I posted something I might regret!

You know we suggested something along having a restricted area once before but it was overwhemingly knocked back by the members of the forum...

and besides we dont want arrogant prigs here anyways...

so i guess that means...

see ya... *waves*

*slams door*

:grin:

[george.monaghan]

Hi,

What were you going to do - post pictures with the faces/venue blacked out? What kind of "seious" issues or post did you have in mind - generally speaking that is?

WE post lots of items on here and any client issues should be open for discussion. If you need a private opinion then e-mail some people for their thoughts. :thanks:

Do we need the "secrets" bit on the Forum? This just leads to mistrust and the thought that you are being kept out of the loop.
This would be a very negative thing with those not allowed to view the threads. :crigon_04

I am cynical by profession but all in favour of open discussion. As soon as you say "blocked area" I read "conspiracy" cause I am naturally insecure and think peeps are talking behind my back. Your not talking behind my back - are you?

Lighten your load. We are meant to "post" something we can all participate in.

Remember we never ask for your Visa details - this might incriminate you to the authorities. :dizzy:

[lostmysnorkel]

I guess that some discussions are blocked - otherwise we couldn't talk about client issues without fear of clients reading them.

How can I tell which forum Ms J Public can read?

What do you do that you are so worried about your client's finding out about?

I feel confident that I can justify just about anything in the way I run my business, set prices, and generally provide a service to the client, so with that confidence, I am happy to be open and honest in here.

How come you're not?

In any case, this forum is an area for photographic discussion rather than a shop window for photographers, and as far as I know, there aren't many people visiting who are looking for a 'tog.

[elDuck]

Well as Bindii said
see ya... *waves*

*slams door*

:grin:

And to answer the couple of comments as I leave... I spent a long time in the IT business and have seen the direct results of clients reading stuff that some IT bod thought was "private" but was not. Not pretty.

Lostmysnorkel - glad you're confident. Lucky you. I'm just starting out. I want somewhere safe to ask stupid questions without being slapped - by colleagues or clients.

If I am growing my business and make a right mess of some situation, where do I turn to ask questions? If I come here and ask then it is possible that a client could read that. Clients do read this kind of stuff. Look at those people who are checking Myspace before they hire people now. This is no different. I would certainly be reading up to see what to avoid. There's plenty of others who would do similar.

Bindii, if you think I am an arrogant prig, you don't know me. I'm shy and nervous about washing my dirty laundry in public - that's all. I would have welcomed the security blanket of asking questions in private. Clearly the responses to my innocent question state that this is the wrong place for me to do so.

Only one thing to do :getmecoat::wave4: Bye!

[BarryM]

There is probably over 100 proffesionals at least on here all with succesfull business and all at different stages of their business. Not once has there been a complaint or mention that a " customer or client" has been reading the forum.

Yes perhaps its possible, but if your called El Duck im sure none of your clients are aware of this so i really cant see the problem, make up a false company name for on here, no one but you will know about it and then ask away.

The image sections are locked out so if your posting images for critic etc then u have no worries,

on the other hand, like any other forum on the net, your customer/client could easily sign up on forum and have a look anyway.

We wouldnt like to see you leave, you could really benefit from this forum if your just starting out, i like so many others have, seriously give it a chance pal, you have your username, invent a username for business and bobs ur uncle.

[lostmysnorkel]

Lostmysnorkel - glad you're confident. Lucky you. I'm just starting out. I want somewhere safe to ask stupid questions without being slapped - by colleagues or clients.

If I am growing my business and make a right mess of some situation, where do I turn to ask questions?

This would be the place then. I am only 20 months into my own business, and am almost certain I wouldn't have made it this far without the friendly help and advice from this very forum.

If I come here and ask then it is possible that a client could read that. Clients do read this kind of stuff. Look at those people who are checking Myspace before they hire people now. This is no different. I would certainly be reading up to see what to avoid. There's plenty of others who would do similar.

There probably is, but I've never heard of it happening here! Like others have said though, none of my clients have ever booked 'Lostmysnorkel' for their wedding photography, they may have booked a p
'tog 'near Uxbridge' but that could be any one of about 25!




Only one thing to do :getmecoat::wave4: Bye!

Sorry you feel that way, and yes, I suppose your welcome coould have been a bit more friendly, but methinks you may have just shot yourself in the foot there matey.

There ain't no other forum that would have helped as much as this one, we are not judgemental, we would not look down you, and we would always give an honest critiques of any of your work you might show us.


If you can find another place for the same ........ good luck!

Perhaps though, your local Camera Club would be the place to start.

[mogawowo]

we are not judgementalOkay, Someone get this man laid, and while your at it shoot him and put him out of his misery!

[lostmysnorkel]

Okay, Someone get this man laid, and while your at it shoot him and put him out of his misery!

?????????????????????????????????????????????/

[BarryM]

I swear that guy is on mind altering somethings :Dm

[mogawowo]

Me, what sorry im a gnome at the moment i cant reply
lost my snork,
sorry i wasnt refering to you, When i popped that mesage on I had drank a little to much fizzy wine lol, and i was refering to the guy compaling that people may read his messages *offers appologies*

[fotographe]

LOL, what I find funny is an IT guy knowing that an end user knows what they are doing, how novel is that?

As mentioned, anyone can register on here and have access to the member only areas. It's not MI 5, its a little more secure than that here.... :diablo:

What the OP as really said is, they are not able to ask for advice through some fear of their potential clients finding it. Now if they do find it what does it show? To me it shows you are doing some research or getting the advice needed to make their photoshoot/wedding etc... a better experience for them.

Being relatively open and honest with your clients is a good marketing strategy. I did say relatively as saying the bride to be is a minger may not help in your rapport with them? But asking how others would shoot someone who was not the best of lookers (let them have both barrels I would say!) would get you some advice.

The paranoia that you have for others searching to find out what you are saying about them is pretty misguided. Hey if you find that they do find you that easy then use it as your marketing and turn what you think is a bad thing into a good thing!