Closing your Boards.ie Account

seamus

Neyite wrote: »

I like the Deleted Poster idea for the reasons you state, but would take it a little further and add a number at the end. If you had an old thread with a few closed accounts it could get confusing which deleted poster is which. Numbering changes a previously known username to an anonymous number, yet wont be confusing in threads, as you can distinguish "deleted user 101" from "deleted user 293"

Although it sounds feasible in principle, you really need to ask yourself what it is that you're trying to achieve.

If you're trying to disconnect the individual from his posts, then changing the username doesn't really solve anything, because you can still review a particular post history whether someone is called "Neyite" or "Deleted User 50". So if someone has "outed" their name as "Joe Bloggs" innocently in a post 5 years ago, then that information still exists.

If the aim is to disconnect a commonly-used nick from boards.ie (many people use the same or similar names across multiple sites), then most posters will at one point or another have been quoted or named by another poster. So even if you've been changed to "Deleted User 50", a search on Google for "Neyite site:boards.ie" will bring up a post where you were quoted, which in turn leads back to "Deleted User 50" and your entire post history.
It would not be possible to accurately change occurences of someone's nick in posts or quote tags. That would be creating an expectation of privacy which could not be guaranteed.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but you need to think about what the actual aim is.

dr bollocko's suggestion of dumping all posts into a single "Deleted User" account probably has the most merit, though there is still an issue where it may appear that a thread is made up of entirely one poster arguing back and forth between his deleted self. There are also technical performance issues with having so many posts belonging to one user.

There are a number of technical solutions to this in reality, but there has to be a balance. You could set up the "Deleted User 101...202...303" etc accounts, but rather than changing someone's name to one of these nicks, you randomly distribute their posts across 50 of these "deleted accounts". This removes the problem that "Neyite" can be linked to any one account. But it also potentialy creates a problem when it appears that an account linked to user "Neyite" also appears to have some "interesting" opinions on Travellers and immigrants.

Dav

The Left Hand Of God wrote: »

If a user had a boards account from 2000 to 2003. Never used boards since. When they signed up it said "Hi and Welcome"

Could they have all their posts history deleted as the new T&C's more or less infer that prior to them they didn't exist? If you get me?

I say it is more a question for Dav and the team really as they have the ability to seek a proper legal answer rather than finding a square'ish peg to fit a square hole.

No, they can't have their stuff deleted as this has never been a service this site offers or plans to offer and there was no allowance for it in the old Ts & Cs either, so it doesn't really matter when someone signed up.

The Deleted User account is something we thought about but realised that it's a very dangerous thing to attempt to re-write history and this site is a living history of Irish society over the last 10+ years. The National Archives are storing parts of this site for particularly important occasions such as the Presidential lection and the General election before that. On top of that, there is the obvious issue seamus points out that quoted text remains with the original username and whilst it may seem a straight forward task to do a "find and replace" on the database for such things, it really isn't and, to be frank, this isn't something we're willing to do. Again I'll point out that you have chosen to write what you've written, not us and in the same way as you cannot "unsay" something you've said in the pub talking to your friends, similarly, you shouldn't be able to "unsay" things you post here - especially since it has taken an actual decision to come to the site, to write a response or post and to hit submit. You can retract it with a follow up post of course and show that you don't hold that view point anymore, but you should not be allowed to remove any reference to you having said it in the first place. As I mentioned before, a blanket approach to this can potentially make us an accessory to a crime or to be in contempt of court by facilitating the removal of evidence in a legal case and there is no way we're opening ourselves up to that sort of legal trouble.

So we're not going to do this and unless there's a legal reason for us to do so, I can't see us changing from this position. As I've mentioned I don't know how many times already, if you really need something gone, you can contact us and we'll look at it, but there really needs to be a serious reason for it - typically we get these requests where someone has mentioned their name, or what class they were in at school/college and it's given people enough information to identify themselves. I kinda have to be blunt now and say that's that for this topic foks, we won't be changing our minds on it.

The Left Hand Of God

Dav wrote: »

No, they can't have their stuff deleted as this has never been a service this site offers or plans to offer and there was no allowance for it in the old Ts & Cs either, so it doesn't really matter when someone signed up.

The Deleted User account is something we thought about but realised that it's a very dangerous thing to attempt to re-write history and this site is a living history of Irish society over the last 10+ years. The National Archives are storing parts of this site for particularly important occasions such as the Presidential lection and the General election before that. On top of that, there is the obvious issue seamus points out that quoted text remains with the original username and whilst it may seem a straight forward task to do a "find and replace" on the database for such things, it really isn't and, to be frank, this isn't something we're willing to do. Again I'll point out that you have chosen to write what you've written, not us and in the same way as you cannot "unsay" something you've said in the pub talking to your friends, similarly, you shouldn't be able to "unsay" things you post here - especially since it has taken an actual decision to come to the site, to write a response or post and to hit submit. You can retract it with a follow up post of course and show that you don't hold that view point anymore, but you should not be allowed to remove any reference to you having said it in the first place. As I mentioned before, a blanket approach to this can potentially make us an accessory to a crime or to be in contempt of court by facilitating the removal of evidence in a legal case and there is no way we're opening ourselves up to that sort of legal trouble.

So we're not going to do this and unless there's a legal reason for us to do so, I can't see us changing from this position. As I've mentioned I don't know how many times already, if you really need something gone, you can contact us and we'll look at it, but there really needs to be a serious reason for it - typically we get these requests where someone has mentioned their name, or what class they were in at school/college and it's given people enough information to identify themselves. I kinda have to be blunt now and say that's that for this topic foks, we won't be changing our minds on it.

1. Thanks for the reply.
2. I wasn't asking if it was a service provided.
3. There were no "old T&Cs" to seek reference from. That's why there were "new" ones.
4. Have you asked your legal people the question I proposed? Therefore you would have the answer to your legal reason question?

Overheal

The Left Hand Of God wrote: »

4. Have you asked your legal people the question I proposed? Therefore you would have the answer to your legal reason question?

Dav wrote:

So we're not going to do this and unless there's a legal reason for us to do so, I can't see us changing from this position.

.

The Left Hand Of God

Overheal wrote: »

.

You really need to read what I asked again instead of trying to answer questions you obviously don't understand. Or ones you wished answered

Taking part of my question and fitting in part of another answer is pretty much the square'ish peg into the square hole. Did I mention that already?

Dav's answer was referenced by point 2 by the way.

Not point 4.

But feel free to .. I dunno.. answer stuff..cos.....like... stuff...

Even though you were asked not to (because you obviously don't have the answers)

Overheal

Bye.

Hal Emmerich

The Left Hand Of God wrote: »

If a user had a boards account from 2000 to 2003. Never used boards since. When they signed up it said "Hi and Welcome"

Could they have all their posts history deleted as the new T&C's more or less infer that prior to them they didn't exist? If you get me?

I say it is more a question for Dav and the team really as they have the ability to seek a proper legal answer rather than finding a square'ish peg to fit a square hole.

What was the point? It's an 8 year old Account, no one knows it's you unless you tell them and if they already know then they've had plenty of them to read your posts....if it's something you said that identifies you then I'd say you'd have more chance of winning the Lotto than someone coming across posts that old....and if it is this, I'd imagine any admin would have no prob deleting it if you asked them....but you know this so maybe I'm missing something.

Selective deletion is your best bet either way as Dav ain't on for a full wipeout.

TheyKnowMyIP

Hal Emmerich wrote: »

What was the point? It's an 8 year old Account, no one knows it's you unless you tell them and if they already know then they've had plenty of them to read your posts....if it's something you said that identifies you then I'd say you'd have more chance of winning the Lotto than someone coming across posts that old....and if it is this, I'd imagine any admin would have no prob deleting it if you asked them....but you know this so maybe I'm missing something.

Selective deletion is your best bet either way as Dav ain't on for a full wipeout.

You also have to consider long term posters who may be identified in the future by publication of their email address which could be used to associate any posts to an identity.

No system is ever 100% secure, but I think the recent hack has something to do with it. This is what most are worried about I reckon.

I've had my fair share of expressing my Trolling views on this site, and while I wish the mods well, I hope they modify their practices to a finer level of legal granularity as THE LEFT HAND OF GOD has suggested.

I don't know what to say, except I hope boards.ie can bring back some of the "spirit" it had before the full on commercialisation of the site. Best of luck in the future.

Orion

Hal Emmerich wrote: »

Selective deletion is your best bet either way as Dav ain't on for a full wipeout.

Like it's Dav's decision. Dav is an employee. His job is to communicate and enforce policy. While he may have an input in policy he doesn't dictate it. It's disingenuous to imply that he is the one that 'ain't on' for it.

As regards 'selective deletion' - if you come to me and ask for a post or two to be deleted in one of my forums and give a reasonable reason I will take a look - as I said in the thread about deleting posts I can and will accommodate someone making a reasonable request. However, if deleting them will ruin the flow of a thread - even an old thread - then they won't be deleted. So selective deletion may or may not happen depending on a) the thread, b) the mod and c) the form the request takes.

Insect Overlord

TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »

I've had my fair share of expressing my Trolling views on this site, and while I wish the mods well, I hope they modify their practices to a finer level of legal granularity as THE LEFT HAND OF GOD has suggested.

I'll be honest, I could never tell the difference between that account and this one. ^

TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »

No system is ever 100% secure, but I think the recent hack has something to do with it. This is what most are worried about I reckon.

Also, that's a total crock a' shite.

Hal Emmerich

TheyKnowMyIP wrote: »

I've had my fair share of expressing my Trolling views on this site, and while I wish the mods well, I hope they modify their practices to a finer level of legal granularity as THE LEFT HAND OF GOD has suggested.

I don't know what to say, except I hope boards.ie can bring back some of the "spirit" it had before the full on commercialisation of the site. Best of luck in the future.

Has the site changed that much as it has grown?

Hal Emmerich

Orion wrote: »

Like it's Dav's decision. Dav is an employee. His job is to communicate and enforce policy. While he may have an input in policy he doesn't dictate it. It's disingenuous to imply that he is the one that 'ain't on' for it.

I'd say I could walk outside and get 100 people to read my post and none would take it up/twist it like you have.:rolleyes:

Orion wrote: »

As regards 'selective deletion' - if you come to me and ask for a post or two to be deleted in one of my forums and give a reasonable reason I will take a look - as I said in the thread about deleting posts I can and will accommodate someone making a reasonable request. However, if deleting them will ruin the flow of a thread - even an old thread - then they won't be deleted. So selective deletion may or may not happen depending on a) the thread, b) the mod and c) the form the request takes.

Was this the Post that said if the person asked by quoting rules or laws that they could go hop.....yea, I read that post.....

Ruu_Old

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

Zaph

Ruu wrote: »

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

:eek:

See ya Ruu, thanks for all you've done for Boards over the years.

TouchingVirus

Ruu wrote: »

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

Your leaving is a tremendous loss for Boards Ruu, but thanks for everything you've done. I hope your clean break works out for you and your family, you will be missed. So long and take care.

Orion

Hal Emmerich wrote: »

Was this the Post that said if the person asked by quoting rules or laws that they could go hop.....yea, I read that post.....

Yeah pretty much. I'll say it again. If you ask me to delete a post and have good reason for asking (I don't even necessarily need to know the full details) I'll have a look and accommodate you if possible. If you pm me saying "delete this post or else" I'll just refer the demand to the admins and that's it. How you ask is as important as what you ask. Does that make me a bad person?

Orion

Ruu wrote: »

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

Sorry to see you go Ruu. Too many good people are leaving. Sad Orion is sad.

themadchef

Ruu wrote: »

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

I hope your acc comes with special, ten year acchievement, reverisible button too

Sadly missed Ruu. Huge loss to Boards, very best of luck to you and your family.

stovelid

Ruu wrote: »

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

WindSock

Ah Ruu, sorry to see you go. Noticed you hadn't been around much lately. Hope it all works out for you and your family, all the best

Ghost Train

Hope you'll still come to The 3AM [Cuckoos Meridian Time] Club reunions Ruu. See you

randylonghorn

Jaysus!!!

El Weirdo

randylonghorn wrote: »

Jaysus!!!

That was pretty much what I said when I read it.

Super-Rush

If Mike65 closes his account, i'll burn the place down.

Overheal

Ah Ruu..... may the sun shine on yer face and may the wind be at your back.


,,,, actually, thats bull****. I hate that expression. It's backwards. The wind is supposed to propel you forward but what the sun is there to blind you so you don't see the wind is shoving you into oncoming traffic?

So may the sun be at your back and the wind on your face, to keep you warm but still give you an awesome breeze. ... yeah.

Rabies

Ruu

Sad day.

I blame the Admins for putting this feature in to place

*shakes fist*

AH will feel empty

r3nu4l

Thanks for everything Ruu, a true gent and guiding light for anyone on boards.ie. One of the nicest people I've encountered on boards.ie.

-Chris-

Jesus, this new feature is really backfiring imho!

Gordon

Ruu wrote: »

I've been here for ages but it is time to say goodbye. A clean break is best for me. Life is too busy and I need to look after myself, my family and my friends, take care and I love you all.

Sad day

12/11/11* shall now be known as Ruumembrance day. Farewell sweet prince.


*11pm

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