I'm considering a number of different options for the future, one of which is adding a bit more privacy to our community.
What do I mean by that? Well, by limiting viewing access to guests that are not registered members to start. Also, possibly looking into turning on verified member forums where only members who actually have a loved one or interest inside prison would be given access. In addition to those features, we can password protect forums, so anyone who wishes to gain access to a particular forum must have the specific password.

The soon to be released (hopefully) version 3 of our community "software" will be a huge leap in functionality from what we are currently using, which is about the best there is out now.

Just thought I get your feelings on this subject and see where everyone stands. I DO NOT have any intention of making PTO a private community. As I always say, support is our number one goal here, but sharing information is also a directive I don't want to break, and I know there are plenty of guests that visit PTO daily and gain useful information.
What I am considering is limiting non-registered member viewing to certain forums, and even possibly special use forums to everyone accept those who are selected, or request access to them.

Food for thought.. Lets here what you think..

Fed-X

you know i think that limiting viewing of certain forums is an idea. I mean i agree with you about keeping it public so everyone who is looking for support will find it. I just think that some issues contain information that is private. whatever's clever with me though :)

yes...this is something i have been hoping for. more privacy, more security. it's like a dream come true!

thank you, david.

I voted not sure just yet...I see both sides of it. Maybe if access was just a bit more limited, as you said, maybe certain forums can't be viewed unless your a member-ya know?

David, I think it would be a good idea for us. We have had so many visitors that have come through and haven't really participated in the forums and all. And then again we have had some members who have caused some problems for other members so it really is hard to say which way to go. But I think going private on some of the forums would be good because some of our members do speak from the heart. And some do used their real names so anyways these are my thoughts for whatever it may be worth. Hey also what are you planning as for as the get to gether. Just to hang out and put faces with people or speakers for different things. How should we dress? If you need any help let me know okay. Kellie aka cherrie from tx

Fed x, What about people that come to learn about prison and such things? And would we have to enter a pass word every time we enter a forum?

I feel that we're doing ok the way we are. I've posted my and my husbands names quite a few times and I don't feel insecure about it, but if it would make things easier for you and the other moderators, it would be ok. I know you guys have to clean stuff up and I'm sure it's time consuming. So, I trust you're judgement.

I like the idea of some forums (informational) being accessible to everyone, but other forums being more restricted... I think it would give people a way to "ease" into trust and self-revelation....
:)

I really haven't cared up untill real recently, now I'm a little concerned who would be reading what I would consider to be kind of private, and wouldn't want other than PTO members to read.

IMO I think if some forums ie. unspeakable love were private that would be fine and maybe it would make it more comfortable for people to be more open. Overall I say not private, as so many people look for support via search engines and just "stumble" across us. I know too, that lots of people just like to read for a bit until they are comfortable enough to post something, and I would not like to think that they would become discouraged and move on without finding the support they need.
Gillian

I too like the thought of more privacy. There are some real coocoo's in this world and they have no business on here reeking havock.

IMO I think if some forums that discuss issues that are more sensitive were private that would be fine and maybe it would make it more comfortable for people to be more open. Overall I say not private, as so many people look for support via search engines and just "stumble" across us. I know too, that lots of people just like to read for a bit until they are comfortable enough to post something, and I would not like to think that they would become discouraged and move on without finding the support they need.
Gillian

IMO I think if some forums that people discuss more sensitive issues were private that would be fine and maybe it would make it more comfortable for people to be more open. Overall I say not private, as so many people look for support via search engines and just "stumble" across us. I know too, that lots of people just like to read for a bit until they are comfortable enough to post something, and I would not like to think that they would become discouraged and move on without finding the support they need.
Gillian

It's funny you brought this up. I have thought of this on several occasions, but I never voiced what I was thinking. I do feel that some forums should be held under privacy. Sometimes, I think people can use the info we post in the wrong way. for instance, the justice system, others who may know the inmate as an enemy, etc...... So I think having passwords to the most private parts of the forum is a very much needed thing and it's a great idea!!

Pookie

I just did the poll, I forgot before.

With the remark made by a visitor in the Prison Weddings forum, IMO I don't think visitors should be permitted to post. They should have limited access to the forums until they do become members.

Again, IMO, I feel all potential members must have some connection to the prison system (family, friend or self). During the sign up process they should provide verifiable info to prove this. Otherwise, we will continue to have these boneheads with nothing better to do than to attack our PTO Family.

I also think that if they want to become a member of a forum, they should PM the moderator with a request and state how they would benefit/contribute to that specific forum.

This would be alot of work for David (for forums w/out mods)and the moderators, but it's work well worth it in order to provide a safe & emotionally secure environment for our family here.

The remark posted in Prison Weddings was way out of line and would not have been made if the membership requirements were a little bit stricter.

BTW David, your reply rocked!

IMO I think if some forums that people discuss more sensitive issues were private that would be fine and maybe it would make it more comfortable for people to be more open. Overall I say not private, as so many people look for support via search engines and just "stumble" across us. I know too, that lots of people just like to read for a bit until they are comfortable enough to post something, and I would not like to think that they would become discouraged and move on without finding the support they need.
Gillian

fed x this is a great site and i cannot express how meaningful it was to me when i couldn't find a soul out there who would talk to me or even feign interest. but there is value in my eyes to some kind of guest privacy. if you can find a way to do it and still include and invite and welcome folks in at the same time. i say do it.

I agree.
CJ

I agree. It sounds fair.
CJ

I think limiting some forums to registered users is a practical move. It will ensure the privacy of those who need to vent about personal things going on in their lives that maybe everyone should not really see nor have a constructive comment to make about it.

JMO

I would like to see all the existing forums remain open. I looked through most of the forums before I made my decision to join, if I had been denied access to most of the site at that time I may have decided not to join. The ADDITION of private, password protected forums is a wonderful idea; let's face it, some things are just too private to discuss knowing a "stranger" may be lurking. Many people who seek out places like this are hurting badly, lets try to put on as friendly a face as we can so they'll feel welcome and be encouraged to join.

i agree Shawna

I think that all new members should register and have information for all to see, but I don't feel we need to be private. When a person signs on they should not be allowed to not show up for all members on the board. That way we absolutely know who is looking at us.

Donna

And that makes three,,,because I also agree!

I'm with Shawna, & Sherri on this one

Yep... Me Too!!!

Yea.. I agree too!

fourth in line :)

Yes, I would. I don't think guests should be able to read all posts.And especially after reading what happened to Jody.

Count me in... I agree with what was said above!

I think having the forums password protected where personal information like imates' addresses are posted would be a good idea.

I noticed there was a thread today dealing not so nice letters being sent to a member's loved one in prison. They were "supposedly" from PTO members too.

Ohh, are we supposed to have a nick-name ?? lol.

I think I am the only Karlina in Denmark, there are some in Russia.....but not here. I thought about it before I registered but I saw many of you revealing their real identity so I decided to just be me.

So yes, I am not always outspoken cause I know EVERYBODY can read what I write,- but then I can always send a pm. (Or do you read those, David...?? -lol)

Therefore I would like a part of pto more private, only some places.... Love Karlina

Another reason for some privacy might be nervousness associated with the legal chill and reprisals to do with inmate speech posted on the Internet -- the law is becoming clearer but it's still murky and reprisals happen, either because the inmate spoke or because a DoC would like to grab any money associated with the publication.
There may be many reasons for more privacy (and the delicate balance of that against the purpose of public advocacy), but for the technical side I'd suggest the "Keep it Simple" rule -- categorize only as "public" and "not public", and have a prominent "sticky" to help keep in our minds all the various and shifting reasons for posting in one or the other.
sodaigakko

YESSSSS PLEASEEEEEE!!!

We'll make it so when the next version is out..

I like all of the ideas about privacy. However, I hope we do not discourage persons not related to the prison system to our site. I have shared numerous stories from our site with persons who I hope will jump on the anti-death penalty band wagon. I recently shared "blood Cows" out of the Hep C forum with many people. I think the way to get advocates and the people not related to the system to get active in the injustices in the sytem is to educate them.

I agree with everyones opinion about privacy. However, I do hope what every changes are made that we do not exclude those who do not have a relationship to the prison system. I have shared numerous stories from PTO with persons who I try to recruit to protest against the death penalty. I also try to reach people who can help change the system on prison injustices. I feel the only way to change public perception and to get a strong voice for prison reform is through education and We currently have a very educational site. I have recently
shared the stories in the Hep C forum, ("blood Cows"). I have changed a few minds with that story. There will always be terrible people who bash any and everyone. The people who come seeking information on a honest & pure level will leave here with views beneficial to prison reform.

what version? There is a new version of PTO?

I think it would be smart to password the pen pal forum cause if anyone can access it they could be prisoner haters or whatnot and write our loved ones and really do a number on them I am in other groups and this has happened to one of them this woman got in good with her pretending to be a wife with a husband in the system and when he got out she drove to the woman's house and caused all kinds of problems the only people that reply to these post are the members anyway so why should we take the chance at some crazy writing our loved ones there might be a few crazys here already but we love them anyway lol but the support here is amazing so as long as they aren't all inaccessable we should be fine

Well, I guess i have to change my vote, so I agree to be Private in some of the Forums, Not all....


Love Ya
Donna

I think if it becomes more pass word protected I will give up and go away.

As it is I can't access the chat room or the picture gallery. I keep getting messages saying I'm not logged in when I log in again it gives me a message I'm already logged on!!!!!!
Too many malfunctions for me to worry with and so I won't.

Please make it more private.

Yes, I vote for more privacy in the way a person can go online and type a name into their browser and pull up the post and all return comments.. That should not be possible under the circumstances. It made me very uncomfortable to see all that I have posted up on the web.Some things are just private.
ndn

I'm not sure whether making some forums private would work. Who knows when someone registers they are telling the truth. Anyone can make themselves sound like Mother Theresa if they have to and so it wouldn't keep away the idiots. As some people have already said, many people read through the forums before deciding to join. We need to show new people that help and support is there for them.
We all know that there are a lot of people out there that just want to cause trouble and as the Internet is open to everyone, you don't post things that you don't want eveyone to read, or else be prepared for the responses that you might get.
Could we perhaps limit the chat room or a separate forum to people who have been members for a certain length of time. Then you know that there is a good chance that they are genuine and you will feel more free to post sensitive things there.

You know what, I hadn't thought about this in a long time but it occurs to me now that with some of the rare occasions of reprisals there have been with the discounted prison phone call companies vs. some of the DOCs, the Phone Systems forum could benefit from a little limitation w/ regards to privacy too. Just thought of that. So yeah, a little access limitation might be good (and help keep things like that safe)...

I agree with what Tara said. Forums where addresses are posted should be private. However, as a fairly new member I would like to say that if I had to give information or to "prove" that I had a right to be here as one posted, then I would never have joined. I read this site for a couple of weeks before I ever posted. If I hadn't been able to read them first, I doubt that I would have joined.
Thinking about things that were mentioned, then I will have to say that it does bring up a little concern about who all may read what I post....and boy, have I posted some private stuff here!! I think that I tend to forget other people besides PTO people may read this. This has become so much like a family that I feel when I post I am only talking to all of you. You know, I don't want people that I know outside of here, other than one friend and some family members, to know about what is going on in my life but if it means that one person who needs this group joins, then I am willing to take that chance.
If part of that did not make sense....oops, sorry! I was typing away and watching TV at the same time when Sara sent me an IM from aol and I was typing in the reply box! She didn't understand what I sent her and I lost my train of thought and I am just too tired to go back and read what I wrote. Dang...I spent so long typing the oops part that I already could have reread what I posted and fixed it. :-D
Sometimes I really have to question myself. Haven't found an answer yet though.

I understand where we do deserve our privacy from certain people that aren't members so we won't get harrassing things said to us. This is a time that we need people to be here for us, not against us. And I know if I wrote something about my friend and someone said something negative about him I would be ready to knock somebodys head. These aren't funny situations. I guess it depends what it going to be private. But of course I haven't seen too much on here that I worry about hiding. If I don't feel comfortable answering it, I just go to the next one. I still haven't met enough of people where I would tell too much anyway. Maybe I will feel comfortable in the future. But I love this web site and I have learned a lot from it. My husband teases me and says this is my favorite chat line. But I will agree with what ever ya'll feel is the best for us.

Please keep in mind that we have a fantastic admin team and when someone does come here with intent other than support, they are banned and their comments deleted very quickly..