{Misc Support} Idea: Anonymous Forum

[katanna]

I had an idea, but I don't know if it would work or not.

Sometimes I want to post a question, but I don't always want people to know who is asking the question. For example, I want to post a question regarding one of my team members, but there is a slight possibility that this team member visits here, and I don't want him to see the post.

It would be interesting to have a forum here where only members can post, but the thread creator remains anonymous. The moderators would be able to see who created the thread, but the rest of the members wouldn't. This would allow people to ask sensitive questions without worry of people knowing who asked it.

Is this possible, and/or would anyone else use this?

Matthew

[katanna]

(to continue my thought after I posted it...)

If there is no way to do this directly (IE: by editing the code of the forums), it might work to have a forum that is locked so only one admin can create threads, then people PM questions to that admin. The admin posts the questions, and others are allowed to reply.

This adds a layer of protection for the CMN group, IE: they can censor the posts. You could even have an admin account that is dedicated to just that forum, IE: create an admin just for this purpose.

This would create more work for the admin group at CMN, but would be easier to code and would add a layer of protection.

Matthew

[cmchamp]

Matthew
I personally believe that we should feel confident, especially in leadership, being accountable for our posts. It keeps us real, open and honest. I also believe that there are enough of us, that should someone in your situation request of us by PM to post a "hypothetical" on your behalf, we would. Anonymous our not, people are smart, and if they think they're being talked about, they'll be defensive and figure it out no matter what you do.
C.

[Gene]

Cory once again speaks wisely (and not even about sound this time ) I think the number of cases where something actually has to be anonymous is very small, and in those cases, asking an admin or someone to post it as a hypothetical is the way to go. Stand behind your words -- you'll choose them more carefully if you do.

[tedanderson]

Without minimizing the wisdom or impact of Cory's statement I would still suggest that there are people who are not mature enough to ask a question without being concerned about the implications that go along with it.

The fact that this issue was even raised makes me wonder if Katanna is the main one who will be asking anonymous questions.

But in all seriousness, let's say that want to know how much money was collected in the offering last Sunday (out of curiosity). But if I haven't been tithing, I might not feel comfortable with asking. If I could ask anonymously, even though the information is available to anyone who wants to know, nobody has to know that I asked.

So maybe we can designate someone to manage the a new sub called "Ask Ted". People can PM me (or the designated person), and then I will ask the question on their behalf without disclosing the person who asked it. And the mods could still look in my email to see who asked the question but for the most part, I won't be embarrassed or ashamed to put my name on something that someone else was too shy to ask.