suggestion

[Chullicken]

Isn't there an official BYC.com form the OP can fill out when asking a question? I've seen it, not sure who made it but it's very well thought out and simple. Applies all the relevant information for respondents. If not, maybe the 'admins' should consider this and have it as an official posting. Sure not everyone will ever see it or use it, but would be handy to copy paste that in for an OP to use and reply to their own question.

Fully agree on the time waste issue...love reading peoples post but sometimes five people have to ask the same question before the OP even re-post even then I notice a lot of times its not nearly enough for an educated response back which is unfortunate as some issues are very time sensitive.

 

[lazy gardener]

How about just the state or Providence?

That would be more than sufficient.

Creepy hypothetical...

A teenage girl joins and enters the name of the city she lives in, then posts a bunch of pictures taken in her yard. What if in that background there is a landmark, like a water tower? Creepy guy happens to take a liking to her and using google maps and/or google earth finds out where she lives.

I am not at all suggesting that one should ever place their city in their profile. Even I won't do that. As for the hypothetical teen placing her city AND photos which have a landmark which can be identified... Yep, that's creepy. Even if one posts a photo with land marks, without placing their state, province or town, in theory, a stalker might be able to do an exhaustive google search to find them. For example: the name of a restaurant. A business location along with a street sign. On a public format, it's important to exercise caution and common sense.

Town names should NOT be part of general location.

 

[Blooie]

Don't have to get specific....simply Northwest, or South would help at times. Katie uses the internet now (with supervision, of course) and I would never allow her to put her location anywhere. Ever.

 

[Chullicken]

How about just the state or Providence?

Heck, could even generalize it more and still be accurate with just a region such as 'New England', 'Southern', 'Midwest'..etc. To add to what you stated. Be very helpful.

 

[lazy gardener]

The other option is, given enough frustration at this issue, simply stop responding to requests for assistance until the OP has provided all necessary info.

 

[Folly's place]

How about a very general comment, like 'very south', or 'cold north' or 'desert'? I see both sides here, but it is hard to offer help without general weather information.
Mary

 

[Chullicken]

The other option is, given enough frustration at this issue, simply stop responding to requests for assistance until the OP has provided all necessary info.

It's easy to say...but I think you like a lot of us have that unending need and desire to help people out regardless of the information provided. Does BYC have an official post as to what an 'OP should post when asking a question in depth' must read on the forums?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

If you know one knew the approximate location of this picture they could find it's exact location very easily:
View attachment 1241569

I would love to have those barricades LOL

 

[lazy gardener]

Even if one posts a photo with land marks, without placing their state, province or town, in theory, a stalker might be able to do an exhaustive google search to find them. For example: the name of a restaurant. A business location along with a street sign. On a public format, it's important to exercise caution and common sense.

Town names should NOT be part of general location.

Further thought regarding the stalking potential: I do not ever post my town. However, if one were to stalk me, or for that matter, any other BYC member, it's possible that enough info could be posted over time to allow location to be "teased" out. For example: What state thread does the member frequent? Social discussions about activities the member attends, perhaps comments about where one shops.

I know that when I've had a sense that I'm talking to a minor, or that a minor is posting, I will often send a PM if they are becoming too free with their personal information: Reminding them not to post any information that will indicate that they are a minor, not posting location and such. I think as adult members, it's important that we all look out for the more vulnerable members. Perhaps my response in this area is not appropriate? Should I be simply flagging such issues and concerns to the mods? Instead of responding with PM???

 

[007Sean]

For my location I use South Central Texas. That's a huge region. Not likely anyone trying to find someone will be able to do it, unless, as @casportpony said about landmarks in the pic.