How about a link to your Roll Call in the Cruising CC'ers List?

[GmaPajama]

So ... I've been thinking. (DH says that's always dangerous). :)

Maybe we'd like to have links to the roll calls in the Weekly Cruising CC'ers List? It would take me a while to get it all set up - but I'm willing to start with those of you who post a link here on this thread, or on the List itself.

Then, if I can remember which day is Monday - we'll get it started. Whadaya think?

Donna

[Krazy Kruizers]

Donna

That sounds like a really good idea.

BUT

Isn't that going to be an awful lot of work for you???

So many dates!!!

[Mary Ellen]

Thank you, but no.

[GmaPajama]

Isn't that going to be an awful lot of work for you???


I don't mind, and thought it might increase the number of folks who get to the roll calls - that's where all the planning fun takes place. Once it's set up, it's no big deal.

Donna

[GmaPajama]

Thank you, but no.

I'm curious, Mary Ellen, as to why someone might object to the idea. Your reasons could come into play if someone else on your roll calls puts the link on "the list".

Donna

[Mary Ellen]

Donna, I have seen another member 'stalked' on a roll call.

[GmaPajama]

Donna, I have seen another member 'stalked' on a roll call.

Well, the Roll Calls didn't used to be limited to registered CC Members. Since they are now, I'd think troublemakers would be limited. Gladly, I've never seen what you describe, but would think the behavior could be easily resolved by reporting it to our moderators. They are pretty thorough about keeping folks in line.

Donna

[Mary Ellen]

Due to what I've seen, I've not added all of our cruises to your list. It is certainly your decision what you do to your thread(s). :) However, I will probably no longer participate in roll calls.

Face it, not everyone here is nice, otherwise we wouldn't need the 'sticky' about dealing with 'difficult' posts.

[jtl513]

I don't object to it on Mary Ellen's grounds, but I don't see why it's needed. The same kind of people who will tell you where they're (we're) going will join the roll calls, and others will do neither.

[airlink diva]

Count me in!!

[RuthC]

I don't see that it's necessary. We all know about the roll-call threads and how to get there. When there's a new poster who isn't familiar with everything it's easy to point them in the right direction---and help them learn their way around all the boards in the process.

I think it wouldn't take too long for your helpful thread to get awfully jammed up, and difficult to read, if all those links were in there.

Besides, as Mary Ellen points out---why make it easier on those who are up to no good. :rolleyes:

[Barek]

It would depend on how the link were included. Of these two methods:
Raw link format: http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86
Embedded link: HAL roll call forums (http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86)If it were in its raw format, then I would say no as it would clutter-up the list. But if it's an embedded link under some already existing text in the list, then I think it would be useful and not obtrusive (for example, the ship name and date in my signature have been an embedded link to the admittedly small roll-call for my next cruise - and have been in my signature for months now). But, embedded links take longer to maintain, so not sure if its worth the time when maintaining the list.

As to any negative risks of someone causing problems ... to me, that's a not a valid reason to leave it out. "Security through obscurity" is a myth, just provides an illusion of extra security that doesn't actually exist. Why hide a perfectly useful link from people who could benefit from it, simply because a minority might use the site inappropriately? As has been said, if anyone asks, links are usually provided anyway ... no effort to hide the links when people ask. Those links also works both for the good contributors and for trouble-makers. Links in the list would be the exact same way - it doesn't change anything except make the forums friendlier and more open (less clique-like) so that new contributors can learn their way around easier.

[GmaPajama]

Hummm .. well, this is certainly something I could do if you good folks here would like it. Embedded links as suggested by Barek, so as to not clutter up the page. But those wanting the link would need to post it for me - I'm not up to trolling the Roll Calls to copy and paste each one.

I just thought it might be a way to promote the Roll Calls, since some of them seem to draw little interest and they can be so much fun.

I think I'll wait and see if link requests show up, and do them one by one. As for the privacy issue - none can be expected in a public forum. And as to the "not everyone is nice" issue - if you have looked at other forums, I think you'll see that CC has a lot more "nice" posters than is the norm. I know I tend to stay inside my happy little world, but even so rarely notice anyone here that's much of a problem. (unless someone starts another smoking thread, that is!)

Donna

[richwmn]

Perhaps if you did just the named cruises -- "Yum Yum", "Good Nuts", "PanDamers" etc -- that would allow those that are thinking about the groups a way to get in touch with them.

Rich

[mamaofami]

Besides it being a lot of extra work, I don't really see the need for the roll call links, since I see many more people on my roll calls that never add their names to the CC list of cruisers.

When someone new comes on the HAL board to post a question about their cruise, someone usually directs them to check out their roll call and tell them how to do it.

[RuthC]

And as to the "not everyone is nice" issue - if you have looked at other forums, I think you'll see that CC has a lot more "nice" posters than is the norm.
That statement can be seen as diminishing the validity of Mary Ellen's concern. Having fewer nasty posters than other forums is really not something to be proud of.

[sail7seas]

I understand Mary Ellen's concern and take it seriously but think that if someone is going to 'stalk' or be nasty, the link won't make any difference.

The only way to avoid that is to never publicize here or on the Roll Call what cruises you are taking. Many people take that stance and I honor it and fully understand. By posting to a roll call on a public forum, one has opened themselves up to 'what might be'. This is NOT to be understood to mean I think any kind of negative posting is appropriate ....it can be downright threatening IMO


A 'stalker' or continuously nasty poster would ultimately be banned, wouldn't they?
I think it very generous of Donna to make the offer and whether it comes to be or not, I appreciate she is willing to do even more work on our behalf.

[Mary Ellen]

A 'stalker' or continuously nasty poster would ultimately be banned, wouldn't they? Sadly, no. They just get suspended for a while. :(

[Desdemona01]

Donna, I have seen another member 'stalked' on a roll call.

I have to agree with Mary Ellen. I stopped participating in roll calls because of this. But, I'd like to get to know the people I'm cruising with.
I just don't think it's necessary to link the roll calls--many people don't add their names to the "who's cruising" list (me included) but like to participate in roll calls.

Unless you've been cyberstalked by someone who you know is going to be on your cruise, you can't understand how alarming it can be.

JMHO
Des

[GmaPajama]

OK, I guess I'll just let this idea pass. Several of you have pointed out things that would have never entered my mind. I sure don't want to do anything to take the fun out of the Cruising CC'ers List.

Thanks for all your input - and, as always, Happy Cruising.

Donna

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just read some of the commebts about what has happened on a Roll Call or 2 -- does make one think about them in a different way now.

But you did have a great idea Donna!!

[Barek]

I can understand people's concern - but as a general rule, it's usually best to only share personally identifiable info in emails to those you trust.

In all honesty, I still fail to see how adding a link from the list to the forum would make any difference. Both are still publicly available on the CC forums. Someone who is prone to causing trouble (stalking, harrassment, whatever) are going to find the roll-call forums anyway. And by not having the links, it just makes it harder for new cruisers to join in on the communities (and sort of makes the roll-calls sound like clique-ish clubs - if that's what you want, a publicly available and archived forum like the CC roll-calls is likely the wrong place for that sort of thing, for many reasons).

I won't argue it further, as I viewed it as only a nice-to-have convenience rather than anything earth-changing. But this thread does open my eyes a bit to how the roll-call communities function here.

[Desdemona01]

I can understand people's concern - but as a general rule, it's usually best to only share personally identifiable info in emails to those you trust.

In all honesty, I still fail to see how adding a link from the list to the forum would make any difference. Both are still publicly available on the CC forums. Someone who is prone to causing trouble (stalking, harrassment, whatever) are going to find the roll-call forums anyway. And by not having the links, it just makes it harder for new cruisers to join in on the communities (and sort of makes the roll-calls sound like clique-ish clubs - if that's what you want, a publicly available and archived forum like the CC roll-calls is likely the wrong place for that sort of thing, for many reasons).

I won't argue it further, as I viewed it as only a nice-to-have convenience rather than anything earth-changing. But this thread does open my eyes a bit to how the roll-call communities function here.

Barek, I think you're making assumptions that are not warranted. There is a sticky at the top of the HAL boards page that clearly explains the Roll Calls--I think that is easier for a newbie to find than to sift through the "who's cruising" thread. Of course, anyone who uses the internet knows to not share personal info unless you trust the other party. But, I know someone personally who quit our roll call and CC completely because of a cyberstalker--this person was harrassed no matter where they posted on CC(and I withdrew from the roll call and have not participated in one since). No one is looking to make the roll calls "clique-ish". Since you apparently have not experienced this, I think you're being a little harsh. I sincerely hope that you don't ever have a reason to understand what it feels like.

[Barek]

Barek, I think you're making assumptions that are not warranted. There is a sticky at the top of the HAL boards page that clearly explains the Roll Calls--I think that is easier for a newbie to find than to sift through the "who's cruising" thread. Of course, anyone who uses the internet knows to not share personal info unless you trust the other party. But, I know someone personally who quit our roll call and CC completely because of a cyberstalker--this person was harrassed no matter where they posted on CC(and I withdrew from the roll call and have not participated in one since). No one is looking to make the roll calls "clique-ish". Since you apparently have not experienced this, I think you're being a little harsh. I sincerely hope that you don't ever have a reason to understand what it feels like.
Actually, I have seen it happen to someone I cared about (not on CC). It took that person quite a while before they returned to the internet, and in the rare case that she still posts anything, it's under new online names - to the best of my knowledge, she never did return to the forum where it happenned.

Perhaps I'm mistaken on the clique-ish aspect of the roll-call forums. I hope so. The only one on which I have participated thus far hasn't had any real activity to it, less than a dozen posts total I think - so I can't judge first-hand.

But you missed my point entirely (okay, I lied - a little arguing left in me). As everyone has clearly demonstrated - stalkers and harrassers are going to find you regardless of if a link were added to the "who is cruising" list or not. By adding it in the list too just makes added convenience for new users who haven't learned the site well enough yet. To me, the bigger threat on CC is actually the link in everyone's profile that shows every post made by that person and within which forum they made it - to me, that info should only be available to the user him/herself, and to site administrators, not publicly available.