I vote no. I feel that even if it's just on a subconscious level, people form biased opinions of people based on where they're located. The whole point of an online community is to be able to interact with others who share your interests in a way that is impossible / would never happen in the real world due to location, socioeconomic differences, etc. People might subconsciously feel certain posts are more / less truthful, helpful, accurate etc. based on living in New York versus Iraq, for example. For that reason, I vote that location should be disclosed to members by visiting their profile, but it should not be emphasized as it would be if it were right there in the postbit.
Just think how much people around here care about their reputation! Post after post about "my rep went up" or "how do I get rep?" all because of little green boxes that mean hardly anything and are just supposed to be there for "fun" in the postbit. Now, think what that might do to one's location if it were posted right there smack next to one's reputation! Is location really all that important to people in an online community?
cscgal
The Queen of DaniWeb
19,418 posts since Feb 2002
Reputation Points: 1,474
Solved Threads: 229
I agree with Dani ... but I would have liked to know the location of people I help or the people whome I am helped. And I can do it by seeing their profiles.
nanosani
Unauthenticated Liar
1,830 posts since Jul 2004
Reputation Points: 45
Solved Threads: 56
I have to say no, the location could cause some bias. Dani is right that rep, title and all the rest already cause some tension in some posters. Having location an option is the best idea.
However, these polls never generate very many responses. It would be nice if there were more interested parties out there...
zeroth
Nearly a Posting Virtuoso
1,226 posts since Mar 2005
Reputation Points: 343
Solved Threads: 40
>people form biased opinions of people based on where they're located.
Perhaps, but it's more likely that one would form a biased opinion based on one poorly worded post, a first impression in the Introduction forum, or any number of trivial things that occur often. I think the entire issue is silly. Isolating one example to censor out of many in the same category serves no purpose.
Has anyone ever complained about it? The very act of mentioning biased opinions based on location brings it to the forefront where almost everyone wouldn't even consider it otherwise. This is a prime example of some random guy walking up and raising a nonexistent issue.
Narue
Bad Cop
15,460 posts since Sep 2004
Reputation Points: 6,464
Solved Threads: 1,401
I don´t see why anyone would feel as if they have to lie about their location. And why would someone from Iraq get less rep than anybody else?
What are you driving at, Acidburn?
zeroth
Nearly a Posting Virtuoso
1,226 posts since Mar 2005
Reputation Points: 343
Solved Threads: 40
And I can´t disagree with that viewpoint! Having been born in the deep south, I saw it up close. Thank goodness it didn´t affect the way I feel about people - I turned out colorblind.
But it´s a moot point, as the locations ARE posted in the profile. But I suppose that some people COULD be prejudiced about members that DON´T post their locations. Can we be as screwed-up as all that? :eek: I guess so....
zeroth
Nearly a Posting Virtuoso
1,226 posts since Mar 2005
Reputation Points: 343
Solved Threads: 40
i think it might be benificial because many times people ask on somehting that they should buy but not knowing their location prevents people from pointing them to a store in their country. im sure there are many more reasons too but i think biasis on where someone lives is stupid...i go to UIC in chicago, US's 3rd most deversified university and i no bias on this country but i would rather talk to people from other countries about problems becuase i find that they are more knowlegable...just my 2 cents
nizzy1115
Practically a Posting Shark
864 posts since Jan 2005
Reputation Points: 26
Solved Threads: 15
to be very honest, i have never much cared where anyone was from, if they had good info, or if i could enjoy them, i could care less if they came from backwater hic town.
I feel this exact same way. The only reason I care whether or not the location is listed in the threads is to get an idea of when the user might see/respond to the message I left. I know that if I'm responding, and it's 11:30 AM EST here, the poster based in Bangalore India might be on his/her way to bed at 10:00PM IST.
Other than that, it doesn't really bother me too much either way...
alc6379
Cookie... That's it
2,820 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 186
Solved Threads: 147
Voted yes, if someone posts a reply about a topic in your area (state or city), there might be more chances of them being right so if there's a doubt on, "is he/she right?" Going to the location might be a good choice on finding out. Also, it is just means of how they might get stuff... LOL,(out of the topic tough) here in Texas... ppl call "Coke" every single drink..."hey! go get me a coke".... regardless of flavor, color or taste... expecting the drink they want.
*****But Hey!, that's my opinion*****
Roxsy3392
Junior Poster in Training
95 posts since Apr 2005
Reputation Points: 14
Solved Threads: 0
