Suggesion up for voting

[RedMaestro2]

In an effort to thwart fakers, some militaria forums protect their "Fakes" sub-forums with membership restrictions. A certain number of posts or level of membership is required before these sub-forums can be accessed. Theoretically, this prevents or deters fakers from easily getting information that would help them in their nefarious trade.


I wonder if we might set up a similar restricted system on this forum. While it may not stop the most determined, it will certainly halt some and help weed out others. We have a wealth of detailed, fake-related info from true experts that is vulnerable. And it is in the interest of the collecting community to protect it.


What do you think of this suggestion? Please vote in the poll. If you are in favor of a restriction, please select yes and the option for the access threshold. Comments, ideas, and opinions are welcome!


Thanks, and Happy New Year!


Alex

[Eryk]

Didn't vote yet because this won't work IMO. Any fraud worth his salt will research, and having a threshold of posts won't dissuade them. And yes, this makes me sad.

[andrew6767]

The only membership restriction ideas I have seen on other forums is to force you to pay money to them to view things. So I vote no. I doubt fakers are going to hang out here reading threads for inspiration.

[Esteban_cool]

I don´t see a point on restrictions. It´s selfish and doesn´t help nobody. Voted No.

[ph3s]

RedMaestro2 I would agree with you, but what the new collectors , who join forum would do? They can't post photos in fakes ask for help etc?

[EricFG]

But what of the new collectors who join the forum; what would they do? They can't post photos in fakes ask for help etc?

My biggest concern as well.
Good idea, but I've got to vote 'no' unless I hear more convincing arguement for the other side.

[medals73]

I know there is much concern, especially on this forum, about fakes and about the danger of educating the fakers. While this can sometimes verge on the shrill and paranoid, it is a legitimate concern. But there should also be concern about educating the new(ish) collector. Ex cathedra intonations that "This is a fake because I say so" with none of the reasoning behind that judgment (admittedly, some of that conclusion is "gut and guess") helps no one and shutting off parts of the forum based on any arbitrary threshold for access to even limited wisdom won't hurt the fakers (and knowing purveyors of fakes) and will only harm the beginner.

I, too, voted "No".

[ph3s]

Unless we have a closed one where most known or any other kind of fakes can be disguised and more advance member can share their knowledge, if they willing to do so of course. What you think?

[Lapa]

Originally Posted by andrew6767

...I doubt fakers are going to hang out here reading threads for inspiration.

I agree 100% with Andrew's statement. Fakers are working hard to improve their wares and do not wait around reading what we may think (especially if it is in English...).

Marc

[Eryk]

A resourceful person takes knowledge where they can find it; I’ve no doubt forgers use the web as a resource to improve their craft. Especially in such niche areas as medal collecting.

That said, the more that is published on the myriad frauds out there the better. The average collector will never see a large enough sample of the real things to form a good basis for judgment any other way.