Really need to add DOB to profile
by Derry Bryson · in Site Feedback · 09/25/2007 (8:59 pm) · 7 replies
You really need to add DOB (date of birth) to the user profile. While I have nothing against the younger users (and I would certainly like to encourage and help them), I would just like to know who I am dealing with. You know, is this person 12 or 40?
#2
09/25/2007 (10:11 pm)
Quote:is this person 12 or 40?In my experience, 12 year olds and 40 year olds are on the same level. But I agree with adding the DOB also.
#3
From a practical standpoint, I should mention that it would be too easy to provide false information on the profile page. Also, since GG can't be expected to check the veracity of user profiles, this seems like it would be a wasted effort.
However, from a philosophical standpoint, kid-bashing in professional forums almost seems cool these days. My guess is that a DOB field in the profile pages would only justify verbal violence toward the babies on the boards.
Most of us would probably agree that racism and sexism are unacceptable. But what about age-ism? Is that ok? Should it be?
If there were a race or ethnicity selector on the profile page, I know that I would be offended by it, so I can't help but wonder how the young folks feel about age discrimination on these forums.
09/26/2007 (8:17 am)
While I understand the motivation for the request, I'm not sure that it will solve any problems. From a practical standpoint, I should mention that it would be too easy to provide false information on the profile page. Also, since GG can't be expected to check the veracity of user profiles, this seems like it would be a wasted effort.
However, from a philosophical standpoint, kid-bashing in professional forums almost seems cool these days. My guess is that a DOB field in the profile pages would only justify verbal violence toward the babies on the boards.
Most of us would probably agree that racism and sexism are unacceptable. But what about age-ism? Is that ok? Should it be?
If there were a race or ethnicity selector on the profile page, I know that I would be offended by it, so I can't help but wonder how the young folks feel about age discrimination on these forums.
#5
01/02/2008 (9:04 am)
From a legal standpoint, dealing with a minor is quite different than dealing with a non-minor. There's no way I would ask a minor to do 1099 work. Beyond that, I'm indifferent on this matter.
#6
02/08/2008 (3:19 am)
Neither skill nor obnoxiousness are age specific, so knowing the age of a skilled or obnoxious person is kind of pointless (at least as far as gaging skill or obnoxiousness goes). 
#7
02/08/2008 (8:25 am)
I agree with Jason on this. While GG cannot guarantee the veracity of the DOB that a person presented, I also think that it is a useful tool. People can have their own opinions about what age means (and Aaron makes a good point that some of those opinions are rather childish), but it is a problem when you're looking to employ people to find out that the person you're speaking to, talented or not, is 13 "but my parents are okay with me working". I agree that there are plenty of those 13 year olds that are more talented or mature than some of their 40 year old counterparts on these forums, but explain that to the kids' parents when they sue you for money when they find out their kid is working for "equity" or royalties and think he is getting shafted. Suddenly ageism doesn't seem all that bad in a litigious society such as ours. 
Torque 3D Owner Ray Depew