Why so many blank profiles?

[AggroJones]

Ya know, I read lots of post here. And some people intrigue me enough to click their profile. But most of the time I find nothing. Its blank. Not even a first name or railroad affiliation.
To these people: please fill out the bare minimum of information. For the most part, we are friends here. Open up a little more. It won't hurt. And it'll only take a few seconds.

Real first name (or at least an alis)
Railroad affiliations
Age
State in which you live

[challenger3802]

It's a little thing called privacy - it means different things to different people.

Ian

[Anonymous]

IMO, for an old fart, it's not an unreasonable request. I will fill in a couple of blanks.

Aggro, I'm jealous. You're too young to be having so much fun.

[fec153]

Does Aggro mean aggrovator or aggrovated?
The picture is of a badger? or a wolverine? Either one has a bad &ss rep.
Hope Santa was nice to you. Have a happy and healthy new year.
Flip

[Anonymous]

I agree, I too must say I enjoy reading profiles if they are there. I think for a small minority it may be a privacy thing but I think the majority just plain old dont take the time!

[cacole]

It could also be a case of people not knowning that there is an area where they can fill in identifying data. How long did you use the forum before you filled in your profile? I know I never did it right away; and not because of any privacy concerns, either -- I just hadn't read any profiles and didn't know they were there. I'm real observant, just like everyone else here.

[Anonymous]

OK, mine's been updated [again].

[egmurphy]

Mine has been kind of a 'work in progress'. First I put in the basic info, like name, location and interests. Later I added the link to my Rail Images page. Then came a signature photo. Last month I added a signature saying. And now I even have a photo of myself in the profile!

I often check other posters' profiles.


Regards

Ed

[GGOOLER]

ok
i updated mine
glenn

[GDRMCo]

check mine. Email me and we can talk about stuff

[tstage]

Wasn't entirely info-less before but took the hint and updated mine.

Tom

[Anonymous]

I usually check and update mine every couple months.
I also look at others. it is nice to know a little about us.

[Anonymous]

I tried to update mine w/an Avatar & some small photo's, but I'm not too savvy about
this part of the forum. On other forums that I frequent it is real easy to upload photo's.
I contacted the forum webmaster & asked for easier directions, but never got an answer.

[egmurphy]

Larry

I'm sure we can help you if you want to update your profile and add avatar or pictures.

We do need to start with step one. When you mention "upload photos" you need to know that with the MR site, you don't actually upload photos to the forum (neither to posts nor to your profile). You need a separate photo hosting website (like Rail Images or one of the other services). You upload your photos to the photo hosting website, then put a reference to the photo address (which would look something like http://www.railimages/albumname/photoid.jpg) inside "[IMG]" tags.

If you already have your photos and avatar uploaded to a hosting site, let us know and well give you detailed instructions about posting them.

If they're just stored on your computer's hard drive, then you need to get an account set up at a photo hosting site first. Then get some photos uploaded there. Then let us know and we'll go through the details.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

I think some would be surprised how often I look at profiles, here and in other forums, when responding to a request.

Age: if I know the age of a person, I can sometimes appreciate where they are coming from. For example, if a teen chances are the budget and space is slim for the hobby. Also youngers guys will often take to computers and trains easier, like DCC. If an old guy, I know maybe telling him to go DCC may not be the most productive response, especially if in the late 70's or early 80's.

Location: Often location will influence my response to roads to model, weather to consider if building a layout in another structure like a shed or even a garage (especially those poor saps in Texas). Location can also determine a store to recommend.

Hobbies, sometimes I'll look at this to see if a guy is active in photography before I critique a picture, if that is requested. I give different advise to new guys and guys who have been strong in photography for a while.

Country: I looks at this if some one is in Canada and I can give specific advise to a fellow Canuck, that is specific to our Country. For example, I might talk about how Atlas may not produce a model, but Life Like Canada might.

You might be surprised to know how helpful a full profile is.

[Anonymous]

After this, There might not be as many.

[Anonymous]

This right to privacy thing seems sorta weak to me. Privacy allows you to be a jerk without consequence! Stand up and have some courage about whom you are. I'm not asking for a phone number or address. I also wonder why the majority of you use a handle and not a real name?!?

[TrainFreak409]

I don't think my profile is blank, but I'll double check it, and update it accordingly.

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[CFournier]

Profiles are fun and usefull. I often ask stuff about the western railroads, California, Arizona, Utah and the industries and towns over there. I offten get infos by guys who live in these areas. Likewise, if they check my profile, they will see that i'm in a location so far away from the region that I model and that I realy need the input of others to model a believable RR.
Chris

[grayfox1119]

Rick N. you nailed it as far as I am concerned. Knowing the age and experience of whom you are emailing (speaking electronically) is VERY important. I don't buy the "privacy" bit, that sounds too much like an insecure person, and that is not a criticism. We are all here a very short time on this planet, and we all have one thing in common, we love trains and model railroading. I started as a boy of 10 with my 1st train (Lionel) on Christmas, but living in a small cold water flat, the only room I had to set up in, was the floor of my bedroom, and one ceiling outlet. By 18 I was in the Army, and by 21 married. Then after 4 children and now 8 grandchildren, I finally have the time, and room to set up a real layout. Where does the time go!!!??? For you young guys (see , the age of whom you talk to DOES matter), even though you may not have the money, or space, make due with what you have, because you will turn around and one day you will be like me, 65 and saying " where did the time go"? No matter the age, we are all friends, learning and helping each other in a hobby we love.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all of you in RR land,
*** Jubinville
Cherry Valley, Ma

[trolleyboy]

Sorry I've been having to much fun just reading along and finding out new info[:)] I also just realized how to do the profile I'm just a little computor illiterate.[8D]

[SteelMonsters]

I don't put any personal information onto the internet other than my first name. Reason being is that it takes a full name and location, phone number, or address, and the other two can be easily found. I also don't post my regular email address anywhere. I use a yahoo account for registration and contact purposes. Reason being is that there are serchbots that find email addresses for spaming.

Other than that, I am not much of a fan of making profiles.

[NZRMac]

Just updated mine, put my picture on there too (and my 8 mnth old daughter)

Love these forums, can't stay away!!!!

Ken

[Anonymous]

Mines not blank.......But I'm not telling EVERYTHING either. [:)] You can learn about what scales I model in, the general area where I live, and what some of my other interests are. Any more than that, you might learn as a result of private communication. Sad but true, sometimes criminal types use internet forums to look for places to rob or worse. There are real reasons for not giving our too much information to the open world.

I enjoy reading the profiles once in a while too.

Happy Holidays,
Jennifer

[jwr_1986]

Where is the profile. I'd fill it out if I knew where it was...

Jesse

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jwr_1986

Where is the profile. I'd fill it out if I knew where it was...

Jesse

Near the top of this page is a gray bar that says "Welcome jwr_1986" on the left-hand side; toward the right, you'll see 3 links:
HELP :: UPDATE PROFILE :: LOGOUT

Cilck on "UPDATE PROFILE", re-enter your trains.com account password as required, then the "Edit my Profile" page will appear. Scroll down to the "More About Me" section and fill-in whatever fields you want, then be sure to click the "Update My Profile" button at the bottom to make your changes permanent.

Hope this helps...

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Mines not blank.......But I'm not telling EVERYTHING either. You can learn about what scales I model in, the general area where I live, and what some of my other interests are.

I think that's a reasonable approach for those that do have concerns about internet privacy. That's basically the info that would be most helpful to someone checking the profile before responding to a post, yet it's not enough to compromise someone's privacy.

Some of us feel comfortable putting more info in our profiles, but it's not required.


Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

Electronically, lots of information about you is available, if someone has the desire to find out all they can. Those of you afraid of putting general information about yourself on this forum would be best served if you got off the internet completely. I agree, don't post your email address or credit card number(s) in your profile. However, allowing email contact through this forum is filtered by this forum, I think making it unlikely that your information will get sent to spammers. If you think robbers and thieves spend there time looking through model railroad forums, looking for potential targets, I would say their skills are lacking and it unlikely they could find your basement, if they could even indeed, find your house!

Certainly in my case, the fact I am a model railroader, is not an indication of great wealth!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

Electronically, lots of information about you is available, if someone has the desire to find out all they can. Those of you afraid of putting general information about yourself on this forum would be best served if you got off the internet completely. I agree, don't post your email address or credit card number(s) in your profile. However, allowing email contact through this forum is filtered by this forum, I think making it unlikely that your information will get sent to spammers. If you think robbers and thieves spend there time looking through model railroad forums, looking for potential targets, I would say their skills are lacking and it unlikely they could find your basement, if they could even indeed, find your house!

Certainly in my case, the fact I am a model railroader, is not an indication of great wealth!

This right to privacy thing seems sorta weak to me. Privacy allows you to be a jerk without consequence! Stand up and have some courage about whom you are. I'm not asking for a phone number or address. I also wonder why the majority of you use a handle and not a real name?!?Orig. post by DeShane.

I totally understand where you're coming from, However you must also understand that some folks may work in jobs that require a high degree of security and anonymity. They just happen to be Model Railroaders too and wi***o be a part of the community to some degree. This situation isn't a matter of choice, it's necessity and must be respected for that reason.

[grayfox1119]

We have nothing to fear but fear itself. I choose not to live in fear, life is full of wonderful people, and everyone I have met in person at MRR shows or on MRR forums, are terrific people. Obviously no one should place personal items such as Credit card info or passwords into personal online data profiles, that is common sense, as for my name, where I live, etc., unless I am in the witness protection program, or Whitey Bulger, anyone can find out info these days about anyone if they so choose. I feel I am among God's best in these forums on Model RR.
A Blessed and Healthy New Year to each and everyone in MRR land !!!

*** Jubinville
Cherry Valley, Ma ( Hey, is is finally snowing!! A little late for a White Christmas, but still very nice anyways!!!)