I can sort of see her point, Allyson. Threats are scary. Some people are more easily intimidated, some people feel more vulnerable, or feel they may have exposed their family or friends to possible harm. People react to threat, even electronic threats, differently.

As I said, buffalo hide and pigheaded, in my case. But not everybody is that way.

People react to threat, even electronic threats, differently.

So this is about accomodating people who may react to a threat that could possibly happen, at some time, in an uncomfortable manner?

I think I must have missed a big thing, somewhere.

Was someone at this board threatened by another person, or are we talking about "maybe someday"?

Was someone at this board threatened by another person, or are we talking about "maybe someday"?

Depends on how you define threat, I guess.

IIRC, however, there have been a couple cases where posters have been made uncomfortable by trolls who have found their addresses (email).

there have been a couple cases where posters have been made uncomfortable by trolls who have found their addresses (email).

But that's not something we can address -- only registered users can see other people's e-mail address. There is no recourse, no protection.

I really don't see what we can do.

So this is about accomodating people who may react to a threat that could possibly happen, at some time, in an uncomfortable manner?

No, I don't think this is about "accomodating" anybody. What I've understood it to be is how to go about reporting a problem poster, and then whether or not to have the capability for the entire membership to discuss the poster and the problem in a closed or restricted forum. So far I believe the discussion is leaning toward "no," I could be wrong. We've been rediscovering ways to report, more than the closed thread. There was some feeling a restricted thread would provide a better feeling of security for people who are more nervous about online threats.

I think I must have missed a big thing, somewhere.

Was someone at this board threatened by another person,

Yes.

or are we talking about "maybe someday"?

That too, and possibly diffusing the nervousness about the possibility. Problem?

I really don't see what we can do.

Oh, I totally agree.

Also, I don't think the proposal is a good idea, because it would lead to a false sense of security, which is more dangerous (in my view) than having it in the open. Just stating the clarification.

IIRC, however, there have been a couple cases where posters have been made uncomfortable by trolls who have found their addresses (email).

Welcome to the internet. Cold as that may be, sometimes I think we bend over a little too far to protect folks that should be able to protect themselves.

I don't see a difference between feeling blinding rage at your fellow netizen that causes you to step out for a bit and backchannel til your rage subsides, and feeling a momentary chill that some dickweed found your email addie and is calling you a douchebag so you step out for a little while and backchannel until your squickiness subsides.

I mean, the solution is, if you dont want crazy people infiltrating your brain from time to time, cancel the DSL or say c'est le vie.

If someone threatens physical harm, there are resources, and you could very well go to the technology thread and folks will explain ISP things to you so you can contact the service provider, or call the cops.

If you fear physical harm, the Buffistas can't help you, ya know? Well, maybe ita, but only if you happen to be living with her, and she's home, and the SciFi channel isn't on.

There was some feeling a restricted thread would provide a better feeling of security for people who are more nervous about online threats.

Which is why it was brought up.

Also, I don't think the proposal is a good idea, because it would lead to a false sense of security, which is more dangerous (in my view) than having it in the open. Just stating the clarification.

I agree with this. But I don't think it does any harm, and may do some good, to talk it through.

And apparently I don't have an elsewhere to be today. Talky meat.

I don't know. I've been cyberstalked. It's terrifying, and I've been online for, as I've said before, about half my life. For me, it was a hell of a lot worse than my occasional fits of blinding rage.

Mind you, I'm in the odd position of being easily found using my real name; it's the reason I deleted any email accounts attached to it, and left my name off of anything that might be listed with my address. (Although I'm still findable, just less so.)

I understand completely about the name thing. I'm findable, too, but I tend to be more reticent online than most because of the name.