Show Members Location in their info?

[oldschool]

Just wondering if the Location field in Members info can be made mandatory, then we all know what part of the country each other is in, making it easier to organise rallies and swap parts, etc.

[avenga]

There is nothing in the forum software to make it mandatory but I could probably code something in to the registration form and the edit profile page but that will only enforce the location field on new members and when you edit your profile. I can't make it retrospective and force current members to enter a location unless they change their profile.

The other problem being is the location field is a free text field so members could type anything they want in the location like "At my desk" or "On the computer" so I would really need to code in a drop down box with the main cities in NZ so then they can pick the closest.

There is also the privacy issue that some users may not want to display their location which is fair enough.

So long story short, I could probably code something workable but I don't think I have the mandate to force people to disclose their location without a majority of members supporting the idea.

What I have seen done on another forum I belong to is just a thread called "Members locations" and then you can post as little or as much about what area you live in. Or I could edit the forum rules and ask people to voluntarily full in the location field.

[avengertiger]

voluntary should work would it not? then whoever wishes to remain cloaked in darkness can
i wouldnt mind editing my profile to update it

[avenga]

If you want to add your location to your profile voluntarily then just click on the "Profile" link at the top of the page and then on the menu on the left hand side click "Forum Profile Information"

On that page you can enter your location and also your gender, age and upload an Avatar and/or signature.

[JoKer]

most of 'us' kinda know already where each other is..

but yea maybe a contacts/intro thread could handle that

[oldschool]

Would also be nice to know member's first names when wanting to send them a message.

[avenga]

The Forum software doesn't even have a field for first or last name in the profile so that is a no go. I guess the makers of the forum software think people who use forums want the stay semi-anonymous.

Here is what I will do. In the "Introduce yourself" board I will make a thread called "Members Real Names & Location" I will then limit that so only registered members can veiw the thread. That way we can see limited details about each other but random guests can't.

It will be optional to put as much or as little detail as you want on that thread.

[avenga]

I can't restrict access on just one topic but I have installed a mod which will let me limit access for guest so they can see the list of topics under the "introduce yourself" section but if they click on any of the topics it will block them and ask them to log in.

So anything you post in the "introduce yourself" section will only be able to be accessed by members.

[oldschool]

Can members be listed by the date they joined, then we could see at a glance when we have new ones.

[avenga]

Yes they can be. Just click on the members link up the top then click on "Date Registered" to sort members in ascending or descending order.

You can sort users by Status, Username, Email, Website, ICQ, AIM, YIM, MSN, Position, Date Registered or Posts

[oldschool]

Ok, I did that, but it doesn't remember the setting and next time I log in it's mixed up again?!

[avenga]

No it doesn't remember it unfortunately. The forum software is really built for larger forums with thousand of members so they figure alphabetical order would be the best way to find members. There isn't really anyway to change this I don't think.