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A closed forum?

Jason
  • 44 posts
  • # 71643

I thought I would throw this out there, and see what people think.

Should these forums be for ICB members only? I understand that there are people out there that would like to know where to start, canvassing for information etc, but personally I am not so sure that this forum being a public domain is such a good idea.

Let's face it, anyone can register. It could be that one of your clients registers on here, knowing you are a member, and sees posts requesting help. How would potentially affect your business relationship? It could also be that certain training providers seem to take every opportunity to throw their tuppence into any discussion with a view to promoting themselves (naming no names of course!!). Then there is potential spamming etc.

So, can of worms opened? Or is everyone happy as it is? Would you sue the forum more / less if it was members only?

Jason
Liz D
  • 273 posts
  • # 71646

Admittedly struck me as well, Jason

I know we can't view Fellows & Branch Topics unless you are within that region but can Members in Practice be viewed?
Peasie
  • Member PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 481 posts
  • # 71648

Members in Practice section can be viewed by anyone. Any time I visit this forum I am not logged in. I click on the new posts bit and it's only when I click on a post not available to me that I bother to log in. Or if I want to reply to something. If it is possible to restrict the "Fellows" section and the geographic sections then surely the MIP section should also be restricted.
Theresa
  • Member
  • 495 posts
  • # 71658

Jason said:

 Would you sue the forum more / less if it was members only?

Jason
”

I really hope that was a typo :)

To answer the question -  and as a greatful recipient of one of the crass commercial interruptions - I would say it is a two edged sword.

To require those reading the boards to be ICB members of whatever degree is to invite secrecy - surely not a very desirable thing, especially as the ICB is not as well known as might be hoped for - though I do see your point about the confidence of those for whom we may work being 'dented' by seeing us ask for help.

From my reading of the boards here I have noticed that one of the key themes is that we should not be afraid of 'not knowing' but in fact open about the fact that none of us is perfect, yet we have this amazing resource - the ability to ask our peers for help and advice so that we do not - however unwittingly - tell our clients something which may be incorrect.

Surely this is bookkeeping Prudence in its highest form?

While there may be a case for some of the boards to be limited to those who have paid subs to the ICB I for one am not in favour of throwing all the 'outsiders' out, some come offering work or looking for help which may lead to work for one or more of us.  Also the viewpoint from which they relate to us is important - if we start covering our tracks by hiding what we say - does not that too dent public confidence?
  • Fellow PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 115 posts
  • # 71671

I agree a closed forum is a bad idea it just invites the question, 'what are you hiding?'

It is sensible the fellows and regional forums are closed, but I wonder if it would be possible to configure the page so that they only appears if you have access rights.

Mike
  • 698 posts
  • # 71678

Hi All

I have to agree with Jason I think that the members in practice area should be restricted to those members who hold practice licences.

There are some issues that a member may require advice on and would like to keep it amongst their peers.

I think it is a good idea to keep parts open to all to encourage the growth of the ICB both from the bookkeepers and client side however I think certain forums should be restricted to the relevant parts of the membership.

Kind regards
Stuart

  • Forum Moderator, South East & Greater London Regional Chairman

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Infinite
  • 82 posts
  • # 71686

I agree with Stuart.

As a student I find the open forums really useful as many questions I have generally get answered without me even having to ask!  

However, I think that for those who are just starting out in practice (as I will be very soon once I've got Level III Cool)  it might be an idea to have a closed forum dedicated to those individuals.  In this way, we have a place to post 'silly questions' and ask for advice without compromising the reputation the ICB has for accrediting top quality bookkeepers.

Just thought I'd throw my 2p in!

PS very excited about becoming MICB next week (terrified of the exam but thought I'd display some over-confidence) 
gigagirl
  • 220 posts
  • # 71739

I agree with Stuart but I also think "infinite" makes a very good point.  I have had a couple of occasions when I might have asked a silly question, but didn't.  My reasoning is that, when I Google my name, it brings up posts from this forum in the results.  Not very professional having my website appear on Google, followed by a post from me saying something daft.
(I'm not some egomaniac - I google myself purely for market research - and not all the time, honest)
Liz D
  • 273 posts
  • # 72089

James>  Can we have this issue run past the powers of be please?  especially since the drawings/salaries debate.

Let me know if Im out of order on this one though....


Cheers

Liz
sarah
  • Companion Fellow PM.Dip
  • Practice Licence
  • 1137 posts
  • # 72093

Hi 

  I would definitely not like to see a closed forum.   Just because you ask a question it does not make you silly.  They do it on accounting Web all the time and it is informative.  I have got work through some of my answers and Questions on accounting web  and some of them have been silly.

I guess there would be nothing wrong with having part as closed if a member was worried.

I think members need to think about their replies and they should be thought out properly and read again twice by the poster before they post so they are okay.   I think if the forum was closed I know I would not be as interested to take part as I am not really a fan of closed forum's I think it would lead to it becoming parochial and unfriendly.

The Drawing/ Salaries debates highlights that we are a diverse group of people and are willing to have a discussion,  we are all adults and if you don,t want to reply to a post then you don,t have to. It is healthy to have different opinions as it encourages people to be honest and not be a sheep.  The whole point of a forum is you see other points of view other then your own.  Nobody should take replies as personnel.   

 If members are worried then they could have their own private area, but I don,t see why the members who do not want a closed forum would be forced to.  If the forum becomes where the freedom of speech and taught can not be aired.  Then I think it would be the death of the forum.
 
 

Edited at 12 Jun 2011 09:15 PM GMT

  • Sarah Douglas C.FICB

    HouseTree Business Ltd 


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