I just discovered last night that we have the ability to NOT show up as being on-line (invisible). I go to other forums that have this abilities as well. I have never even thought to "not show up as being there if I am there." So, my question is, why do you or why do people do that you think? I'm not implying that there is anything wrong with it, but I just wonder why and do you think alot of people do it? Just something I have never thought about before.

I am never going to assume that someone is not around anymore because---well, you can't really know. And just because someone is not posting is not an indicator either because----well, alot of people lurk and don't post and if they are luking invisible----I think you get my point.

[ 05-07-2003, 07:31 AM: Message edited by: Reeka ]

<font color=lime>I have pondered this myself Reeka. Maybe to be mysterious, or not to be bothered, who knows. I personaly dont need to be a part of a forum where I dont want people to know I am. ;) </font>

In the (recent) history of Ironworks, there have been some members who have taken it upon themselves to make life miserable for other members. They usually get banned pretty fast. However, some members feel 'safer' knowing that people who may target them for threats, abuse, annoyances, whatever are unble to see them as being logged on. You can still read and post and enjoy the forum as you always do, but no one can pinpoint you and find out when you are and arn't online. The same goes for any other forum on the net.

Well, that's one explanation. I'm sure there are many more.

To me the main goal here is to be seen, or I would say, noticed...
I wouldn't understand point of that "invisibility".

Because a lot of the time, I may read a few posts but am busy doing other things as well and have no time to post, or my RSI is playing up so I can't post, just read, and people tend to think that when you show up as online, you're available and they get upset if you don't reply to their posts, or assume you are ignoring them. Especially since you show up as being online for a time after you've gone away.
Besides, on a forum with over 10000 members of which I know maybe 200, I don't see the need to let them all know whether I am online or not.
But I'm not very bothered either way - it's just a box you can tick once after which you are invisible all the time. If you had to tick it everytime you logged on I might not have bothered. I don't think it's important either way, just one of the many options on a forum. Some people meticulously fill out the "who are you, where do you live, what do you do?" forms in their profiles, some don't. Either way is fine with me. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Good point Aaron, well said.

[ 05-07-2003, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]