Permission?

[JoJo357]

I see that the AMCA Forum Brass decided to go back to the old policy of...'You Do Not Have Permission To View This Gallery'. For about a year, or a little more, a non~AMCA member could see all, the only drawback was that they couldn't comment, or start a post/pictures~ect.. I wonder if this policy was actually beneficial to create fresh sign~ups?

*M.A.D.*

[T. Cotten]

I get inquiries nearly daily, Folks,..

...from enthusiasts around the world, about wide variety of motorcycle interests, and now I find it was pointless to link them to forum discussions?

That explains a few reactions.

.....Cotten

[PaulCDF]

Speaking for myself when I was a non-member it was being able to see all (which was useful). This was a factor in motivating me to join and participate more. Just my 2 cents.

[gharper]

Perhaps the moderator can chime in here for managerial clarification....

When I started the Lindbergh thread on this forum, I discovered that non registered members could only read text but could not view images, or post replies. I was sharing that thread with many people before the ride started and all along the way we shared details of our adventure with the public, hoping to generate more interest in the hobby. Stewart made up business cards for each of us to carry. We gave them out like candy at Halloween to anyone that showed interest. Among other things, on the card was a link to the Forum thread. I lobbied with AMCA officials to change the viewing status of the forum for non members. My argument being that we will be encountering the public all along the way and we want them to be able to follow along, hopefully sparking some interest and creating new members. The powers that be agreed to allow non members to view images until the end of September. I requested that they consider extending that deadline, as our ride finished up near the end of September and we wanted more time for outsiders to view the thread and images. I haven't checked, but it sounds like that has recently changed again.

I get the thinking, on one hand, because if anyone can view all images and posts etc, then why even join the club? But, I'm not sure about the reasoning to only allow non members to view text only.....

[RichO]

Something to consider is maybe the powers to be think license plates and other giveaway tells might endanger members items and possessions? Or other scams and such might be a cause of loss to members through photos and contact numbers and such on posts between members? I had an out of date computer and could only access text but not comment or view photos for well over a year when they changed the format.I had been posting and viewing photos for years.I finally got a new unit and after some help with the powers to be it got me back in action. Besides potential members there's tons of card carrying members who never view the forum. Go figure!

[pisten-bully]

I can only add that it seems inconsistent to have an AMCA Facebook presence and then restrict viewing to non-members when they visit the Forum. Doesn't make sense to me.

[exeric]

I can only add that it seems inconsistent to have an AMCA Facebook presence and then restrict viewing to non-members when they visit the Forum. Doesn't make sense to me.

Point well stated. I'm sure monitoring the safety of this site is a big job so I see that side of it. I could care less about Facebook and I think it's a poor alternative to a real forum like our AMCA Forum. Getting people to come here (including our own members who avoid it like the plague) is the challenge.

[T. Cotten]

I know nothing of Facebook, Folks,...

But if it promotes vintage motorcycling, that should be a good thing.

After all, the mandate of the AMCA is to promote vintage motorcycling.

Restricting forum participation is prudent, but public view is its purpose.

....Cotten

[chuckthebeatertruck]

Something to consider is maybe the powers to be think license plates and other giveaway tells might endanger members items and possessions? Or other scams and such might be a cause of loss to members through photos and contact numbers and such on posts between members?!

you have an excellent point. Please let me give the counter point.

It is a false sense of safety to believe suppressing photos to members only protects anyone. All systems can be hacked. More to the point, all a scammer or thief needs to do is join the amca or steal someone’s log in and go surfing.

There’s no background check and pinky swear to join. We assume amca members won’t be pro thieves, but truth is that every population has them. I’ve met a surprising number of amca members who have spent time in the can for everything from drug possession to manslaughter. Every year there’s at least some counterfeiting happening at meets. Bikers tend to be a rougher lot overall.

So, sign up with an assumed name, pay your dues with a disposable debit card, collect the info you want and off you go with no one the wiser. Heck, the amca will sell you a directory of members. Very easy to cross reference addresses, discover property values, and even use satellite info to look at the property in question. Those who live in rural areas already know property crimes are off the chart and if the sheriff is 45 minutes away, you’re on your own.

So, head to a meet and who’s guarding the chickens?

good pro thieves are not easily stopped and anytime you appear in public with your scooter you take a risk, amca forum or not. Gene’s story is a great example. People knew exactly where he was each day on the Lindbergh ride. That sort of info is golden to good thieves.

but, not all theft is the same.

I had a vin cloned on one of my bikes earlier this year. Suspicion is that the cloner spotted my bike out in the wild, casually took a picture and viola my bike was suddenly sold to someone else three states over. I had fun cleaning that mess up. Not hard, but certainly time consuming.

About the only way to be safer is to not participate in stuff, not be online, and live in a gated, guarded community with 24/7 patrol. That is a lot of unfun work as most gated communities sorta suck to live in.

[RichO]

My points Chuck had ? marks after them for a reason. Your points are common knowledge unless in today's world you life in a cave on another plant. Just sayin'.

[frichie68]

I've hit "You Do Not Have Permission To View This" numerous times for no apparent reason, sent complaints, never got a reply.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

My points Chuck had ? marks after them for a reason. Your points are common knowledge unless in today's world you life in a cave on another plant. Just sayin'.

Sorry for misunderstanding your intent.

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who do live in caves. . .