Announcement Important changes to the forum

[Bla1ze]

Hey folks,

As a result of recent changes within the UK Online Safety Act, we're going to be disabling direct messages between members of the forum. You'll still be able to contact our Administrators and our Moderators to address issues or raise concerns, but posts between regular community members will be permanently disabled very soon (some things need to be put in place first).

We also recognize that there is a marketplace on this forum where individual members communicate via direct message. Without the ability to send those messages, the forum is not going to be able to continue supporting the marketplace, so it will also be closed along with direct messages. If you're actively using the marketplace, please find an alternate method of communication before messaging other forum members is disabled.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for members of the community and appreciate your patience as we adapt to keep in line with the law with the least impact on your experience.

Thanks!

 

[Joshua Luther1]

Wow. This really sucks.

 

[MozartMan]

UK sucks.

 

[notforhire]

since the UK has no ability to behave reasonably..........

 

[jamezr]

Maybe just stop those from the UK from direct messages?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Maybe just stop those from the UK from direct messages?

VPNs would get around that.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

VPNs would get around that.

Don't be the one that poops on home fields turf. Been there, some thought it was amusing, other places I was made an example. Just saying.

Anyway, @Bla1ze ,

Wouldn't it be easier and still in compliance to simply block UK IP addresses to the DM function? If they do what the guy who drives people around in funny pants chasing after small white balls, that's on them and you can't be held accountable for that.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

since the UK has no ability to behave reasonably..........

Whoever said that? lol
People make fun of the US for not using the metric system. Meanwhile the UK can't decide which to use and uses them interchangeably in random places. Wants to be part of Europe, doesn't want to be.

Edit: Oops. Dyslexic moment. I meant to post this first and the above second to end on a constructive note

 

[Sizzers]

UK sucks.

How do you think I feel....I live here

 

[Del1701]

How do you think I feel....I live here

Same here, I can't belive how messed up the UK is now, it's the newest communist state
And the online safety law not only stuffs up the people in the uk, now it's messing with other people around the world and this website

 

[SyCoREAPER]

How do you think I feel....I live here

You guys have some of the best actors. And many sound more American than American actors. Plus while you guys don't know the proper term for "briskets" and "chips", you do have beans on toast which is good.

So calm your tatas!

 

[SyCoREAPER]

You guys have some of the best actors. And many sound more American than American actors. Plus while you guys don't know the proper term for "briskets" and "chips", you do have beans on toast which is good.

So calm your tatas!

Biscuits. How autocorrect got briskets (which I'm fairly certain is already plural without the s making that even more wrong) is beyond me.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Anyway on topic. Any viability to the idea? You guys know the next battle you'll face are people saying "We can't DM anymore but you can reach me on Whatsapp/Telegram/Discord, etc.." which will add more work.

 

[subguy812]

So because they can't none of us can....

 

[jamezr]

While we are on the subject of forum changes......(See how i snuck that in?)
Is there any chance of getting the navigation options back in forums? Like when i scroll through a big thread and are at the bottom of a big thread...There used to be a way to get back to the top of the thread without having to scroll all the way back tot he top?

 

[Golfdriver97]

Don't be the one that poops on home fields turf.

Simply pointing out the obvious. Nothing more, nothing less.

guy who drives people around in funny pants chasing after small white balls

My username was based on the club called the driver. Like this one:

 

[MozartMan]

While we are on the subject of forum changes......(See how i snuck that in?)
Is there any chance of getting the navigation options back in forums? Like when i scroll through a big thread and are at the bottom of a big thread...There used to be a way to get back to the top of the thread without having to scroll all the way back tot he top?

I second that.

I remember it used to be breadcrumb navigation links at the bottom of the thread, not just on top.
See image below.



And it used to be green arrow button in the bottom right corner of the page that you could click on it and jump back to the top of the page.

 

[Bla1ze]

I second that.

I remember it used to be breadcrumb navigation links at the bottom of the thread, not just on top.
See image below.

View attachment 371011

And it used to be green arrow button in the bottom right corner of the page that you could click on it and jump back to the top of the page.

The green arrows are still there, the breadcrumbs won't be coming back because Google hates them. Having the links in multiple places was really bad for SEO. Not the best suggestion, but you could change to the Default style. It still has them at the bottom - https://forums.androidcentral.com/misc/style

 

[Bla1ze]

Anyway on topic. Any viability to the idea?

To a degree, yes. But that crosses into GDPR rules as well. Plus, they still need to have the ability to send and receive DM's from Mods, so a custom solution would need to be built.

We're still looking for alternative options which cause less disruption. However, this had to be put into effect as soon as possible to be in compliance.

If we find a better option, or if the ruling gets repealed (if you're in the UK and hate it, let Government know), the situation may change. Perhaps, needless to say, but we certainly didn't want to make the changes either.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Simply pointing out the obvious. Nothing more, nothing less.


My username was based on the club called the driver. Like this one:
View attachment 371010

I know you didn't mean to but it can be viewed differently depending on the culture. You know your leads best.

As for your UN, I used to play golf (back in my day they were made of wood, *yells at clouds*) but my mind went to car(t)s instead.

To a degree, yes. But that crosses into GDPR rules as well. Plus, they still need to have the ability to send and receive DM's from Mods, so a custom solution would need to be built.

We're still looking for alternative options which cause less disruption. However, this had to be put into effect as soon as possible to be in compliance.

If we find a better option, or if the ruling gets repealed (if you're in the UK and hate it, let Government know), the situation may change. Perhaps, needless to say, but we certainly didn't want to make the changes either.

As a done it all IT guy, I get having to be in compliance ASAP even if it's not the immediately compromising solution. Was just spitballing ideas, id think the liability of having to moderate more heavily would be worse but I'm not the that wrote the law and likely has a narrow understanding of how simply killing DM as a blanket rule is not a solution. Puts you guys in a rough spot.

I can't remember who I asked in the past but you mind (oh the hypocrisy asking) sending the forum platform? I'll think of some ideas and look around and see whats viable.

I don't think people will leave in droves over DMs but don't want to find out either. You guys have been good to this here Android User and would like to help where possible.