Yeah, but I guess it is needed for some people living in countries where authorities aren't that nice. Maybe I'm wrong.
If you are talking about the countries that I think you are talking about, the country flag setting will make no difference...
They are being tracked anyway.
As for putting the country name instead of the flag image, well colour me a closet vexillologist.
As far as I am concerned, a black flag means you are a submarine and are surrendering.
I have to agree with tautech on the black flag option it's better than no flag at all and indicates to others that the member has made a consideration in relation to disclosing their location.
Muttley
Well, this country is not that relevant in the big scheme of things anyways.
The black flag should be selected with an option called "I have a very good reason not to show my country, I'm sorry".
Every single person in the world should be standing up and shouting about how proud they are of the statistically insignificant event of their birthplace/religion/color/etc.
Oh, Phuleeeeze!
This is about very practical things like mains power voltage, acquisition source availability, shipping, import tariffs, etc.
Black like this?
I'm reverse engineering a piece of hardware that literally fell out of the sky and landed in my backyard using a logic analyzer, could use some help.
You're overthinking this issue. It flares up from time to time because people (usually new members) ask a question and the answer would be better tailored if some idea of where they are was supplied. The forum software has, but until recently did not require new members fill out the country location. As it also doesn't require many other available bits of information that are not normally filled in either.
Dave provided a middle solution for those that for undisclosed personal reasons did not want to supply that detail. That was to use the black flag to at least show that the detail had not been ignored.
Dave IIRC did not want to force people to supply such details or at the very least he was sympathetic the individuals right to not supply it.
At the heart of this latest flare up is a fundamental intolerance of a vocal few who want to insist everyone conform to their idea of how things should be done.
I seriously don't think appeasing them is a progressive step forward.
The country detail is often not sufficient in itself anyway. It is a supreme irony that ones who bleat the loudest about this minor transgression of omitting locality context are also the ones who complain about how hard it makes their lives when trying to help the new member. And then proceed to not be helpful.
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At the heart of this latest flare up is a fundamental intolerance of a vocal few who want to insist everyone conform to their idea of how things should be done.
I seriously don't think appeasing them is a progressive step forward.
I think it's better to have a sticky 'Read this before asking what to buy!' post and have a boilerplate reply that says "Please read THIS then try asking that again...". You can copy/paste that reply in about three seconds.
Anybody caught NOT posting the boilerplate reply to an offending question can be publicly flamed and shamed. Three offenses should get you banned (because if you can't follow forum procedure then why should they???).
As to the 'buying advice!!' problem: I think it's better to put in a big sticky 'read this before asking what to buy' post and have a boilerplate reply that says "Please read THIS and try asking that again..."
Anybody caught NOT posting the boilerplate reply to an offending question can be publicly flamed and shamed. Maybe three non-boilerplate replies could even get you banned from the forum. Problem solved.
Boilerplate replies aren't always appropriate.
That is my intent and point. The OP was not some narrow minded, intolerant, racist and elitist ego maniacal rant.
Those who are accusing people like me, who are asking for the mandatory country indication, of intolerance are being overly defensive and are not considering the whole idea. The problem is when people ask specific questions that almost require location information and it is obvious they haven't even bothered to say where they can buy from.
It has been said over and over, nobody needs to put their real location if they are that concerned about revealing it. At least this way we know that the person has considered their location information and has made a conscious decision to set the flag. If the black flag is available then it can be used.
If the person has made an active decision to not indicate their correct location, that is fine. If they then post a question about what/how/where to buy something and then reject answers because it doesn't work where they live, then we can chastise them for not being clearer.
As it is now, the majority of the newbies posting come in and make no indication where they are or where they can buy and ask for advice on purchases. This wastes everyone's time and after the hundredth time people will either not respond or get nasty with them. This is not good for welcoming newcomers nor encouraging people to help.
That is my intent and point. The OP was not some narrow minded, intolerant, racist and elitist ego maniacal rant.
That is my intent and point. The OP was not some narrow minded, intolerant, racist and elitist ego maniacal rant.
I think that the criticism was more in the direction of being a busybody.
There is also the case of people living in some kind of "hated" countries. They maybe don't want to get bad reactions due to actions of some crazy, fanatic guys.
Our importance we over estimate, do we?
The 'my way or the highway' approach, not by you, is inappropriate for such a diverse community.
Plus I find that having a flag causes people to treat you differently, depending on their idea of the country in question.
At the heart of this latest flare up is a fundamental intolerance of a vocal few who want to insist everyone conform to their idea of how things should be done.
Members trying to dictate what other members should do - it rubs me the wrong way.
Go ahead and don't reply to posts without flags. But don't impose your rules on others.
OK, same statement applies. How trying to help people the best way when they ask for help is being a busy body....