Search the Community

Obviously we're all adults here and have a duty to take care of ourselves (or if any of us aren't then we have someone who does). Obviously many members already know each other IRL, whether by recognising boat names on the cut or whatever. Obviously some of us are happy to give our real names, boat names and approximate locations already; and some of us are happy with none of those. We all have our reasons, and any of us can turn out to be mistaken. However the issue of "these technical boaty problems a member has would be much easier to diagnose if you would invite any other member round for a visit" is back. My question then is, to what extent does the wider forum have an interest in the real-life introduction of members to each other? Or consequently, accept any responsibility for what could go wrong? Is it an extra duty moderators would accept? There are grades of protection. In the worst cases, which we might prefer not to think about, some way to assist in holding exploiters to account after they've done something awful. In the best cases, encouraging the sensibly cautious member that the stranger they're about to invite into their life and home is well known and respected by a lot of other people and is doing them a real favour by popping in to look at the boat. In between, perhaps assisting with arguments that arise from visits "he promised to help but he didn't" or "he came and confused me, and gave me bad advice". It seems like this can be covered by both members giving to a moderator a reasonable proof of identity and approximate location, to not be published but just kept on record and hopefully not needed. Also being clear about whether money is changing hands, and the approximate time and location of the meeting. Perhaps also insisting that both members DM a moderator after the meeting. Perhaps offering a sensible collection of ground rules which might be agreed by both members. The sort of accountability that is (perhaps unduly) promised on social media platforms with a "blue tick" or similar mark on the account name. In support of this I quote from a recent thread, but I'm sure there have been others. This is a general question which could be of value to members old and new.

For once a simple and, I hope, non-contentious question: When I hover over a member name, out of those logged in at the bottom, up pops a profile window. Under the space for an image there is a number in a green rectangle that gives no clue as to its significance. What does it mean?