I am interested in why people cloak themselves when they are visiting the site. For example, it showed 5 members and 3 guests on line. There were only 4 members showing. Is this intentional? Does the guest count mean that these are visitors that do not want to register? Does the missing member's name mean he/she wants to remain anonymous? Finally, why would a member want to do so? Privacy? Is it because they want to be different? When I observe this, I get a creepy feeling that someone is skulking in the shadows and doesn't want to be seen in the daylight. So, go ahead and beat on me for looking at cloaking as a privacy issue.
We need some contention here.;)

Well, there are a lot of 'options' I can set here. One of which is to allow people to browse the board anonymously even though they are registered. As to why I 'allow' it, when I was setting up the options (as I still am....) I figured that there may be some people who would rather not be 'obvious'. I have seen it as well in the numbers, but I guess it hasn't bothered me. This is also the case with the 'cloaking' of e-mail addresses. You can e-mail a member through the software but it doesn't give you their actual e-mail address.

I'll look over these options and think about changing them. I'm trying to give registered users as much 'privacy' as they might want. The question is - where to stop.

Another factor is that while your company may not look at the internet as a threat, others do and may not want their employees posting their e-mail addresses and such. Some companies are even secretive about their quality manuals (don't ask me why) and label them 'Company Confidential' while others (most) don't care if their QM is posted on the internet.

The 'guest' count is people who are browsing the forums but have not registered. There wouldn't be any info on them anyway except that they're browsing. If they don't register there is no name or anything (except their IP which only I can see) to identify them.

Where you see 5 members online (the number) but only 4 names, it means a member or moderator has 'cloaked' themselves. Maybe they just don't want to be bothered for some reason. Hadn't really thought much about it until you asked. I rarely see anyone who is 'cloaked'.

A lot has changed with this software and my feelings about some of these issues. You may remember (or maybe you hadn't even noticed) that in the old system anyone, even unregistered users, could start new threads and reply to existing posts. I decided that I think it's best, and partly I'm curious, that people register if they want to post.

> I get a creepy feeling that someone is skulking in the
> shadows and doesn't want to be seen in the daylight.

Watch out! The Boogey Man may get you!

I visit the site a lot. I don't care who sees it. The only valid reason for cloaking, to me, is if your supervisor visits the site, too. He would know that you were here instead of working, like me. The chances of that are slim because.......well, that's a whole different issue. I'm sure that some bosses are progressive and would allow a subordinate to do what they do.

energy - to ease your mind a bit - I have found that if I start from here at my worksite & check my homebased ISP mail thru the web - when I'm notified of a new message post there & click onto the link - the software dosen't auto register me as a "shown name"

If Posts edits or other things are needed - I either log onto the cove site directly form work - or get updated with what is happening without it... - really has nothing to do with attempting to "hide" but every so often - at times depending on the discussion topics - it's just not necessary to "officially log-on"

Regards
Jim

Jim,
For me, there is no difference at work or at home. If I want to look at a new post (thread that I'm suscribed to message) or a private e-mail message, I just click on "home" when I'm finished and my name appears below as "on line". I never log on or off at home or work. I'm still greeted with welcome back energy with the last time of my visit from either place. For example, I checked prior to leaving from home for work. When I opened the Cove from my favorites, there was welcome energy with the time I entered the Cove from home. You bring up a good point. Maybe if you are reading a thread you received a message for, the system counts you as a member with no name, until you go to the main page or "home". I'm sure that Marc will read this and respond.

I never 'officially' Log Out because then I have to put in my user name and password (I have to 'officially' log in) the next time I visit the Forums. I'm not in a situation where I'm worried about someone sitting down at my computer and going to the forums under my user name. To me it's a hassle logging in and logging out.

If you don't 'officially' log out, the software times you out of the online listing within a certain time period (which I've not yet determined - but I think it's 15 minutes or less). But when you visit the site again (let's say 3 hours, or even 3 days, later) you don't have to log in again.

If you DO 'officially' log out, you can then browse the forums without logging in (I think) but it considers you a 'guest'. You can't start new threads and you can't reply within threads until you log in again.

Summary: I never log in nor do I ever log out. One of the 'picture frames' in the graphic at the top of the page briefly addresses the LogIn-LogOut issue.

> Maybe if you are reading a thread you received a message
> for, the system counts you as a member with no name, until
> you go to the main page or "home".

I think it looks for cookies where ever you enter, as I understand it. One of the things that can make different things happen for different users is what type of firewall the company (or an individual) has set up. With all the different company networks, not to mention personal networks, many things can happen. Some are very unexpected. That's one of the things that makes writing software, or even simple web sites, difficult. Add to that the different capabilities of Netscape vs. Explorer (not to mention the different versions of each) and many weird things can happen. It is also a factor of the the server you're running your site on. A MickeySoft IIS server is completely different than a Unix or FreeBSD server. Just becauase you test your software on a IIS server does not mean everything will work the same on a Unix server. One limitation of the IIS server, if memory serves me, is that the 'getimgsize' function is not part of it's abilities, while it is on Unix and FreeBSD. Uploading files on a IIS server (as an attachment on this software) is completely different than on Unix or FreeBSD.

Lastly - if you log in from work during the day and then you log in from home in the evening, the software should account for the time/day of your last visit, messages read / not read, etc. internally, but some things (because of cookies) may not be the same. I can't explain further because I'm not yet fully knowledgable on how the software tracks everything.

To give you an idea of what I am dealing with, check out this part of the 'instructions':

http://elsmar.com/temp2/erd.pdf

It's about 300 pages - think you can handle it?

O.K. O.K. O.K.
Here's another one for the Master. When you add your comments to a post, there is a place for attachments. What's up wit dat? Is that for uploading a file? I knew I had seen a place for attachments. I just feel like being a PIA today. Sorry. Must be a man thing.

> When you add your comments to a post, there is a place for
> attachments. What's up wit dat? Is that for uploading a
> file? I knew I had seen a place for attachments.

Yup - if you reply to a thread or start a new thread there will be an 'attachments' button near the bottom. You can 'attach' a file in your reply (or in the 'thread starter' post) - using the 'Browse' button, it gets the file from your hard disk and uploads it to the board - but it stays in a protected directory - it does not go into the pdf_files directory or anything. When you attach a file to a post, any registered user who reads the post will see there is an attachment and can download the attachment to their computer.

Like avitars and things. Rated PG? Thanks for the clarification.

More like someone asks for an example of a form or procedure or whatever. You can attach a copy of a form you have to 'share' with everyone if you want. The software is designed for pictures - and kids - but I've changed things so you can also attach Excel or Word documents or pdf files and such. There have been several posts with 'attachments' lately.

The only valid reason for cloaking, to me, is if your supervisor visits the site, too. He would know that you were here instead of working, like me.
Visiting this site according to all criteria is working

Howard,
That's how I view it. I'm working hard. Very hard. Extremely hard. But, in a previous life, only my Boss had Internet capability. I had to ask him to research for me. Kind of a power thing. I only presented that scenario because it is so far fetched and I was still pressing the cloaking thing. Lately, the members name on line match the number displayed as being on line. So, there is not a lot of cloaking going on. Out of the shadows is a good thing.
:eek:

To ease your mind, I looked through the admin options and I think only admins (me) can cloak themselves. I had mine turned on for a few days in part to see how it works - so you were probably seeing me. :p

I will say one thing, you must really be paranoid.

To make things worse for your paranoia, anyone who logs out can roam the board 'anonymously' so it really doesn't matter whether I have 'Allow Cloaking' turned on for admins, moderators and/or registered users or not.

Settle down or I'll have to install hidden cameras in your house along with the microphones I already have strategically placed around your house (I won't mention your office at work...) :cool:

Originally posted by Marc
To ease your mind, I looked through the admin options and I think only admins (me) can cloak themselves. I had mine turned on for a few days in part to see how it works - so you were probably seeing me. :p


I'm not paranoid. It's just that everybody's after me:) So, you're the Boogey Man! I think anybody can cloak. Let me try putting on my stealth suit. Even though I detest that kind of behavior.;)

Hey, I'm cloaked. Just set you edit options to invisible mode and poof, you're invisible. What a feeling of power to be spying on everybody without them knowing who it is. I have to go lay down now. This cloaking stuff is tiring. I will stay on line for 15 minutes and you can see that I'm the Boogey Man!;)

I don't even remember where I saw the 'switch' to allow that option or not. I may be confusing something somewhere. I know I can eliminate it by taking the option out of the template for that screen - I just don't see it as a problem so for now I'll leave it in the template.

I see it does work for you. But, of course, because I'm an 'admin' I can see you! :p I can tell you're 'cloaked' by the * next to your username.

I feel much better now with that stupid cloak off!:)

Originally posted by energy

I feel much better now with that stupid cloak off!:)Energy, this is for the FBI and YOU! http://elsmar.com/Forums/online.php:thedeal:

Although I'm a little confused regarding the connection btw the FBI and myself, what a neat feature. Does that mean we can all access this and see who is lurking in the shadows, anytime? :cool: After all, there's a couple of reasons that a person may not want to be seen. 1. Paranoia 2. Right to privacy:biglaugh: 3. That feeling that you're better than everybody else:eek: 4. Your ashamed to be associated with a group, but not too proud to use the information that they provide;) 5. they steal panties from clotheslines. Thanks for providing this outstanding device that allows Members to see the "Phantoms" in our midst:biglaugh: :smokin:

Just kidding with you energy :p You don't like cloaked users (secrets) and neither does the FBI.... Well, I was laughing to myself as I wrote it. I may be the only one here who 'sees' the humour there.

Anyway, actually no. If someone is cloaked I don't think they show up here. Haven't tried that yet. But it is kinda interesting to see who's looking at what - I'd be surprised if anyone visiting here cares if others know. If they do care they can simply log out and browse the boards as a Guest - which is the same as being 'Cloaked'. No one knows who a 'Guest' is anyway.

I put the code in because - as I said - I think it's kind of interesting to see who's on and what's being read, etc. If it upsets people, they'll let me know and I can remove it. I really sorta figured you'd like it, too!

BTW - by your considering:
> 4. You're ashamed to be associated with a group, but not too
> proud to use the information that they provide
Are you saying we're a fringe group here??? :eek:

Marc,

The cloak feature still works. At the time I sent this, at the bottom of the page it showed 5 members on the board. There were only 3 member names. That means that some scaliwag and myself were cloaked. It also did not show the names on the new feature. Well, it's getting hot here with my cloak on, so time to remove it. And, I did get your humor. You're just a fun guy!:smokin:

I see that the "Nosey People" option has been removed. I guess it was like wearing an transparent cloak for some. Or, too much info for the layman? Too bad. It was a great option. But, information in the wrong hands can be a dangerous thing. Kind of like infringing on big brother's turf. :biglaugh:I didn't remove the link from the thread I posted to - this Cloaking thread. Just from the main page. All you really have to do is bookmark the link.

The problem is, it refreshes and - depending on the CPU load, can really bog the server down if people start 'hanging around' just to watch what others are doing. It takes a fair amount of CPU time to query not only who is online but where they are/what they're doing, etc. I thought it was an interesting 'option' when I first put it up, but I also saw the CPU load increase close to 20% when 3 or 4 people were using it to watch others.

Something you don't see - but I do - is the server you're logged in from. The server has to do DNS lookups and a bunch of other 'chores' it typically doesn't do when you're just browsing the board, posting messages and such. Parsing the php script, the software has to get the same information for both of us but your user status is checked and the software filters that (and some other info) out of the output. In short: You don't get all the info it collects because of your user status, but the server has to do the work anyway.

To be honest, I think this is really meant for Admins (moi, of course) and maybe moderators. I haven't seen any other vBulletin sites which give 'members' the option to view what everyone is doing. I only use it to watch energy and Big Al, anyway (gotta keep an eye on those conservative types...) ;) Just to irritate them! :bigwave:

For those of you who saw the function link on the main page and noticed it was gone a day later, the function still exists. I just decided not to advertise it widely. I may bring it back. :thedeal: I just don't want 10 people hanging around watching what everybody's doing and in the process bring the server to its knees.

And I'm waiting for that big, shiny, fast new server someone's gonna donate! :cool:

Here's another one for ya to look at, energy!

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showgroups.php?

Let me know if u can see it with your access level.

By the way - the 'updated' online.php file has a bug that (hopefully) they'll fix soon. :rolleyes:

Marc,

The things you do for me!:biglaugh: No problem with the "Access Level", whatever that is!:smokin:

You're not a moderator - so there are some things you can't see. That's what I mean when I talk about 'access level'. The user 'levels (access levels) are:

Guest
Registered - But Awaiting E-mail Confirmation of Registration
Registered ('Members') (after account is activated by responding to the e-mail the software sends
Moderators
'Super' moderators (I don't use that here), and
Administrators.

So, I'm not a moderator! I'm not as smart as yous guys! Shoot me! Throw it my face! Beat me, flog me, no wait..that sounds good. Just give me enough options to see who's skulking around the perimeter of my favorite playground. They are few, but, they are there. Slimey, creepy, crawly vermin with minimal input and a passion for "Privacy".:biglaugh: Kind of like :thedeal: Great job on the improvements! have a good one!:ko: :smokin:

Just stand still. We'll shoot you, skin you and fry you in bacon drippings. Serve you right up!

Here's the latest scoop:

http://16949.com/gif/new_options_small.gif

Of course, energy can't see everything because he's not a moderator! :ko:

'Who's Online' is now also in the 'Forum Jump' drop down menu (near the top) at the bottom of almost every page.