Please make location mandatory

[meeera]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I have no problem with what people put in the location field. They can leave it blank, name the street on which they live (which I wouldn't advise for reasons of privacy), or simply state that they reside on a world that orbits an unremarkable star in one of the more unfashionable arms of the Milky Way galaxy.

I don't know whether the forum software allows for changing the text "Location", but if it does, "Country" is the most useful piece of information (and rarely risky to divulge).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by meeera

I don't know whether the forum software allows for changing the text "Location", but if it does, "Country" is the most useful piece of information (and rarely risky to divulge).

Yes, Country would be perfect.

[Terisa de morgan]

Sorry, Jon. I think you're missing two points:

• Give information based on a profile in internet is the safest way to be wrong
• If you force people to put personal information at their profile, there will be people who isn't going to come here to ask for help as they dislike sharing that information in a global way.

So, if the objective is helping people giving more accurate information, you're missing the point by a mile.

Note: As you can see, that is not my problem, but I know a lot of people that way.

[JSWolf]

But given the differences in different countries, the answers given can be country specific.

So the problem is that if we don't know where the person lives, then sometimes the answers given can be plain wrong or not as useful as they could be.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But given the differences in different countries, the answers given can be country specific.

So the problem is that if we don't know where the person lives, then sometimes the answers given can be plain wrong or not as useful as they could be.

That is certainly true, but you're not going to get right information making that field mandatory (this is internet, do you remember?) and you're possibly going to annoy people. A field is as valid as the rightness of its data, and making it mandatory doesn't change this.

[latepaul]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But given the differences in different countries, the answers given can be country specific.

So the problem is that if we don't know where the person lives, then sometimes the answers given can be plain wrong or not as useful as they could be.

"The answer to that depends on where you live, if you live in the US..."

OR

"The answer to that depends on where you live, could you tell me which country you live in?"

See how easy that is?

Your solution to this "problem" will affect everyone regardless of whether they ever ask a question, much less whether that question is geographically specific.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by latepaul

"The answer to that depends on where you live, if you live in the US..."

OR

"The answer to that depends on where you live, could you tell me which country you live in?"

See how easy that is?

Your solution to this "problem" will affect everyone regardless of whether they ever ask a question, much less whether that question is geographically specific.

Or "If you're in the U.S., the answer is ...; if you live elsewhere, the answer is ..."

[Cinisajoy]

For electronics: if you live in the US, do this, UK do that, Canada, do another thing, if you are in another country please specify as the above information may not work for you.
If you feel you aren't being understood in a technical forum, please post your native language.

Now in cooking, US is not all encompassing.

[4691mls]

I can't remember what the signup form looks like as it's been years since I joined. Maybe there should be an instruction next to the location blank that says something like "You are not required to enter your location. However, you may receive more useful responses to questions about equipment, stores, etc. if you provide your country".

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

I can't remember what the signup form looks like as it's been years since I joined. Maybe there should be an instruction next to the location blank that says something like "You are not required to enter your location. However, you may receive more useful responses to questions about equipment, stores, etc. if you provide your country".

Sounds like a way to get people to not register. To me: this comment

You are not required to enter your location. However, you may receive more useful responses to questions about equipment, stores, etc. if you provide your country"

Is very insulting. It implies that the powers that be think that other people are stupid. Or the powers that be want to restrict who joins but they can't say that.
It is easy enough to politely ask for a country in a post. Not all questions require a country.
Other questions might require more than a country.
Example would be where can I find Rodelle vanilla extract. In the US would be too broad an answer. In Texas would be too broad an answer. In Odessa would be too broad an answer. At HEB is too broad an answer. The correct answer is at the west side HEB.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Sounds like a way to get people to not register. To me: this comment Is very insulting. It implies that the powers that be think that other people are stupid. Or the powers that be want to restrict who joins but they can't say that.
It is easy enough to politely ask for a country in a post. Not all questions require a country.
Other questions might require more than a country.
Example would be where can I find Rodelle vanilla extract. In the US would be too broad an answer. In Texas would be too broad an answer. In Odessa would be too broad an answer. At HEB is too broad an answer. The correct answer is at the west side HEB.

If you knew that they were from anywhere in the US, couldn't you say to use Amazon.com?

https://www.amazon.com/Rodelle-Reser...ef_=mp_s_a_1_1

[JSWolf]

If you don't want to put where you are from, just put in your home countries Amazon URL.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by John F

If you knew that they were from anywhere in the US, couldn't you say to use Amazon.com?

https://www.amazon.com/Rodelle-Reser...ef_=mp_s_a_1_1

Can you pass the Nitroglycerin? Could use the Heimlich maneuver too.
On the Madagascar vanilla, that is 3 times the price as here.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Sounds like a way to get people to not register. To me: this comment Is very insulting. It implies that the powers that be think that other people are stupid. Or the powers that be want to restrict who joins but they can't say that.
It is easy enough to politely ask for a country in a post. Not all questions require a country.
Other questions might require more than a country.
Example would be where can I find Rodelle vanilla extract. In the US would be too broad an answer. In Texas would be too broad an answer. In Odessa would be too broad an answer. At HEB is too broad an answer. The correct answer is at the west side HEB.

.

I don't think it's insulting (though it could probably be worded better). I think it's about awareness, not intelligence.

Usually this issue comes up in the "which one should I buy" forum and a country would be sufficient.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

.

I don't think it's insulting (though it could probably be worded better). I think it's about awareness, not intelligence.

Usually this issue comes up in the "which one should I buy" forum and a country would be sufficient.

For that particular forum, I would love to see people say hi, I'm in wherever, what is the best device for me.
I know a forum where native language would be more important.