"Occupation" and "Interests" fields in profile.

dugan · 11-03-2015, 02:54 AM

Do we actually have legitimate users who fill out the "Occupation" and "Interests" fields in their profiles? It seems to me like most spambots fill out those two fields and most legitimate users don't. The "Interests" field in particular.

Do we need those fields?

Randicus Draco Albus · 11-03-2015, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Do we actually have legitimate users who fill out the "Occupation" and "Interests" fields in their profiles?

Yes.

Quote:

Do we need those fields?

No.

However, they are part of most fora. Plus, they allow members to add details to their profiles that let others know a little more about themselves, if they chose to do so. Those fields are not needed, but I do not see them as harmful.

jeremy · 11-03-2015, 09:49 AM

Do you think LQ would be improved by removing them? They only appear on a members' profile page, and I can certainly think of situations where the information could be useful.

--jeremy

cynwulf · 11-03-2015, 10:13 AM

I don't have anything filled in in "additional information", so maybe users who don't want to use it can just leave it blank, as I do.

If spammers fill them in, then maybe they're useful for detecting spammers?

rtmistler · 11-03-2015, 12:44 PM

Sort of a "whatever" thought on my part. I do wonder how many people have actual profile photos. And then I rapidly stop wondering. Since all that stuff is non-mandatory and not verified, I see no big deal either way excepting that maybe some persons can consider reaching out to fellow members based on this. Myself I rarely update anything and similarly do not visit member's profiles unless I clicked on it by accident.

rokytnji · 11-03-2015, 01:34 PM

Meh. If you just want to go by my rep, and not check and see. That I am not all that and a can of beans.
My about me page can set you straight.

I guess to some folks here. That make me look like a spammer. To others. It shows me as a real dude. Not a poser. Like some.
I did sometimes get PM's on my outside interests because of "my about me" section.

Randicus Draco Albus · 11-03-2015, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

It shows me as a real dude. Not a poser. Like some.
I did sometimes get PM's on my outside interests because of "my about me" section.

Definitely. Since this is a board composed of volunteers and not a help centre with paid support staff, personalised profile pages can give members a bit of a "real person" aura. So I do not see a problem with it and some people will find it useful. I seriously doubt the majority of people who fill in those fields are spammers. But then, most of the profiles I have visited are for members who have been around for a while.