"I only got onto it through following a link of RObert's. It's his fault; I'll blame him!"

Bronywn now you have caused me a lot of wasted time. Wandering around trying to think of a witty comeback which fitted the topic. Alas I've failed miserably. Two themes to play with, the similarities to my ex in apportioning blame like that or the fact that you actually followed a link someone posted (but then I'd done worse and followed one of runners recently and what a gem that was).

On topic some ability to exchange private messages would be useful, some posters have wanted to exchange contact details with others without broadcasting them to the world.

I've never decided about the BBQ thing, some I'd love to meet but other posters have left me with the impression that they would have no qualms about extending online squables into the outside world. Not something I want in my life.

R0bert

I'd have to disagree with individual's suggestion about background information. When you put even a shred of personal information out there, it's used in personal attacks, I've had it happen here. I don't mind the rough and tumble of debate though I find it very distasteful when it reaches that point.

Besides, some people actually have careers and reasons to keep private, while others can just criticise from the sidelines. Those who have nothing to lose can punish those who do.

Same goes for the BBQ suggestion. There are some I'd enjoy having a conversation with, even some of those whom I tend to disagree with, though there are enough with extreme attitudes to put me off. It's a shame really.

Did someone mention CJ's packed up and headed off? Hmm, I've been away for a while. That's unfortunate.

TurnRightThenLeft: "Same goes for the BBQ suggestion."

I don't understand your reasoning here. If "same" refers to privacy, then the only extra bits of information you reveal when someone sees the real you is your approximate age and gender. That said, I doubt the fact that I am a male on the downhill slope of life will come as a surprise to anyone.

I said above that I thought it would be nice if OLO allowed you to put some biographical information on your user page. But I had forgotten they do allow you to put up a web link. It is not as good but doesn't suffer from the maintenance problems either. Possibly the only improvement would be to allow you to display that web page in a frame.

Ludwig, regarding the General Comments page. From what I can see it is the most sophisticated page on the site. You can sort, filter and customise it in a myriad of ways. Perhaps my only suggestion would be the ability to save your preferred settings as a cookie. My one whinge about the page isn't the page itself - its how many clicks you have to do to get there. One click from the top of main forum page should be all that is required.

chainsmoker: I like it. They probably keep the statistics anyway. Why not say "... and 20 not logged in" along with the names of those logger in.

I'd have to disagree rstuart. General age, yes, as well as appearance and enough to identify who the individual is.

In the vast majority of instances this would be fine, but there are a few individuals here who I simply wouldn't want to know who I am, because what little I've seen of their personality here gives me cause for concern.
I'm aware the anonymous nature of internet forums tends to exaggerate things, however I'm skeptical that it's worth the risk of encountering such a person.

TRTL: << Did someone mention CJ's packed up and headed off? Hmm, I've been away for a while. That's unfortunate. >>

Thanks mate - but I'm still around. Graham gave me a short holiday from OLO for an intemperate comment, shortly after which I gave myself a short holiday on the coast with the kids/grandkids :)

Since I got back I've been a tad busy doing other stuff, but thanks for noticing.

What's annoyed me lately, is the mispelling
of titles by Forum staff of new threads
put in by posters.

A poster puts in a suggestion for a new discussion,
only to find their title mispelled by one of the staff.
Sometimes, it doesn't matter.
Other times - its funny ("Popeulate or Perish").
Other times -
it diminishes the topic.
"Rape victim's rather seeks papal audience."
Should have read, "Rape victims' father seeks papal audience."

Everyone makes mistakes, but could Forum staff
take a bit more care?