Posters ages

[455driver]

Would it be possible for the posters ages (a rough idea will do- Teen, 20s, 30s etc) be put on all their posts as it would enable us to see who is asking a genuine (albeit slightly silly seeming) question and who is just on a wind up, there are some frankly quite trolling posters on here at the moment who simply will not accept answers when they are being posted by people in the know.

 

[SS4]

I just think it'll introduce prejudices tbh

 

[yorkie]

If there are people trolling, that needs reporting using the reporting system (report button:

).

People have the option to display their DOB (example) but it could never be compulsory.

I just think it'll introduce prejudices tbh

Agreed. There are some very sensible young posters on here, and I don't think it is fair that they should be 'judged' on the basis of their age, just because some other young people can't behave.

 

[455driver]

I just think it'll introduce prejudices tbh

But a teen or 20 something asking a fairly obvious question (or answering a question completely wrong) is a bit different to a 40 something doing it, I mean it as a way of cutting the younger posters a bit of slack.

 

[SS4]

But a teen or 20 something asking a fairly obvious question (or answering a question completely wrong) is a bit different to a 40 something doing it, I mean it as a way of cutting the younger posters a bit of slack.

I did admit I jumped to the wrong conclusion as to your intentions, I apologise for that. I'm still concerned about any subconscious judgements though.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Surely age doesn't tell the full story though? Whilst it would in 99% of cases what about those in their 40s who have learning difficulties, therefore ask seemingly childlike questions?

 

[ryan125hst]

Surely age doesn't tell the full story though? Whilst it would in 99% of cases what about those in their 40s who have learning difficulties, therefore ask seemingly childlike questions?

I agree Matt. And it's not just those with learning difficulties that ask childish questions. I know for a fact that some people think that trains have steering wheels (well, they used to have something that looked like a steering wheel, but it was the handbrake ). If they aren't interested in trains and have never seen in a cab, or at least been told about the controls, they won't know.

And you've only go to watch the FGW documentaries on Five to see just how little the public know. On Thursday they were wanting more carriages for the Dawlish Airshow. They don't know that some areas of the network have no spare capacity, and that there is a shortage of rolling stock.

If you aren't interested in/ don't know anything about something, it is easy ask a question that is obvious to those who do know about the subject.

 

[455driver]

I did admit I jumped to the wrong conclusion as to your intentions, I apologise for that. I'm still concerned about any subconscious judgements though.

So you made assumptions about my motives because of my history of biting back (or as I like to call it defending my Industry and grade) on here!

I can see what you mean though, probably best to leave it as it is with us regulars getting wound up by the trolls and getting infractions for biting but the troll uses the 'but I thought' or 'the bloke at the station told me' and just gets a friendly warning.

 

[richw]

Several other forums I use have age in the user box on the left of the post.
Here we have

455driver
Established Member
Join Date: 10 May 2010
Location: Feltham
Posts: 3,570

On other forums I use we have

richw
Member

richw's Avatar
Join Date: April 07
Location: Redruth
Age: 25
Posts: 1,576

On the other forums I find that there is no age discrimination, but members seem to give appropriately worded answers dependent on the ages of the person asking the question. Older members seem more willing to help younger members get better understanding as well.

 

[asylumxl]

Whats to stop someone giving a false age?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I find that sometimes it is very easy to differentiate the more worldly-wise (which isn't always correalated with age) from the naive (which isn't always correated with youth), based on the knowledge apparent from the post. But often, the knowledge and age probably will be correlated.

But for other posters, I find that the language and writing style is a more obvious clue. When the two together lead to the same conclusion, I feel confident in knowing how to consider their post. In the cases of those new 'members' seeking help in the 'Disputes and Prosecutions' section, then obviously, I tend to assume that everyone is completely innocent and that the massive loss of revenue incurred by the railways every day is in no way related to their naive discovery after detection that other passengers on trains might sometimes buy tickets.

I generally assume that those posters whose interest is in liveries, class numbers and train numbers will be far, far younger than me. Always.

And then when I pass through stations such as Doncaster and notice the men in their 50's and 60's clutching notebooks at the extreme ends of the platforms, then I realise that I haven't a clue.


BTW 455driver, I will say that I'm one of the people who very much appreciate your posts on here!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

But for other posters, I find that the language and writing style is a more obvious clue. When the two together lead to the same conclusion, I feel confident in knowing how to consider their post.

As ever, you make a most incisive posting. My age of 68 is there for all to see on my forum profile and my language and writing style emanates from days long gone, as has been commented upon by other forum members in the past. I find a gently worded PM rather than a brusque posting is generally received in good heart.

 

[Starmill]

But a teen or 20 something asking a fairly obvious question (or answering a question completely wrong) is a bit different to a 40 something doing it, I mean it as a way of cutting the younger posters a bit of slack.

I'm really struggling to follow this. I'm doing my best to be deadly serious and not sound/act offended or indignant - but how does this relate at all? Perhaps if we are talking a thread about life skills (e.g. cooking) in the general discussion forum I could see where you might be going, but even I wouldn't agree that it's bad for anyone to ask questions about that at any age.

In terms of railways, anyone could make a mistake or ask an obvious question at any age and I really don't see how someone in their 20s needs to be cut slack, when a 40 year old might be new to railways and not know much about it!?

I think the point is fairly established that adding ages to posts could create problems, others have explained this. But in addition to serious disadvantages, I'm struggling to see any advantages either..

 

[Clip]

Im 28 and have been 28 for many years

 

[Flamingo]

I do know where 455 is coming from, one might be inclined to be a bit more patient with somebody who might not have had as much life experience (or snappy with somebody expressing an off-the-wall opinion when they really should be old enough to know better!).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

...the massive loss of revenue incurred by the railways every day is in no way related to their naive discovery after detection that other passengers on trains might sometimes buy tickets...

You have got a way with words

 

[gordonthemoron]

Im 28 and have been 28 for many years

I think I'll revert to quoting my age in hexadecimal (base 16), at least until I reach 58