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 ld80061
Lieutenant
Joined: Jul 01, 2007
Member#: 18198
Posts: 169
   
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 Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:52 am Post subject: Request for a gender tag for members... |
 
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Unfortunately, I am a rather forgetful individual, so even when I enjoy someone's company here on SST, I can't always recall if they are male or female - especially if their name is sexually ambiguous, like molossus or... er... ld80061. 
So, it would be appreciated if SST would put in a male/female tag, so absent-minded individuals like me can use the right pronoun for the right member.
Thank you for your kindness to the weaker-minded among us! |
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Caliburn
Guest
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:05 am Post subject: |
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I am not fond of this. We had some problems in the past with certain community members being extremely "nice" to females.
Everyone is free to submit a piccy to the sexiest contest  |
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 j2brown
Commodore
Joined: Feb 22, 2002
Member#: 9
Posts: 3188
Location: Sterling, VA
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:15 am Post subject: |
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It's been discussed many times in the past, and hasn't been implemented for many reasons. I think if it ever is implemented it'll be optional for the reason Caliburn mentioned.
jeff
sdg |
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 SiriusCreations 
Admiral (Administrator)
Joined: Aug 26, 2007
Member#: 18704
Posts: 4419
Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: |
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If implemented it should definately be an option to show the gender or not.
I know a few members who have reasons not to tell what their gender is, like those mentioned above.
And when it is an option you still not know the gender when it is set to "do not show".
Therefore I do not think it should be added. I think if you want to know and you are not sure it must be possible to ask it.
(btw for those who does not know it yet, I am male  )
_________________
That's the beauty of music. They can't take that away from you. (Andy Dufresne)
Sirius' Concerts
NUTs & RATs |
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 alien_avatar
Captain
Joined: Oct 28, 2006
Member#: 16007
Posts: 1342
Location: Berlin
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:13 am Post subject: |
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For that matter, even if you have a tag showing the gender, you don't really know whether that person is telling the truth or not...
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"Welcome to the paranoia club; cheapest fees in the universe and membership lasts forever."
- Peter F. Hamilton, The Evolutionary Void |
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j2brown
Commodore
Joined: Feb 22, 2002
Member#: 9
Posts: 3188
Location: Sterling, VA
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:37 am Post subject: |
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That's true, alien, but if someone select "Female" they shouldn't be upset if people refer to them as "her" or say "Ma'am".
jeff
sdg |
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tinkerbelle
Commodore
Joined: May 05, 2009
Member#: 25449
Posts: 2518
Location: Germany, Franconia
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| SiriusCreations wrote: |
If implemented it should definately be an option to show the gender or not.
I know a few members who have reasons not to tell what their gender is, like those mentioned above.
Therefore I do not think it should be added. I think if you want to know and you are not sure it must be possible to ask it.
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I agree - it should be every member's choice to tell his gender or not. And what does it matter if the wrong pronoun is used? If someone is bothered about it, he/she will correct you.
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It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
A. de Saint-Exupery |
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ArchitRen
Lieutenant
Joined: Jun 28, 2007
Member#: 18166
Posts: 120
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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It could be done with just the color of the name...(if chosen of course). Girls names could be pink and boys blue and non-gender specific white, instead of a tag. Specially in chat, since many of us work/lurk and don't have time to be looking at tags or people's profiles. I vote for the option also, although can't think of a single reason I wouldn't want people to know I'm a girl.
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"This is just a bit of silliness, really" |
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 LadyInque
Captain
Joined: May 20, 2005
Member#: 10281
Posts: 2224
Location: Eastern Massachusetts
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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| ArchitRen wrote: |
| Girls names could be pink and boys blue and non-gender specific white, instead of a tag. |
Not in favor of this myself, but pink and blue? Surely we could color outside the lines, as it were. Red and Green, mayhap, though then it would look like a Christmas tree.
Gender can be a complicated thing, if you let it. There could be unforseen baggage, connotations, etc. I'd just as soon not have it be official in any way, even if it is optional. |
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ArchitRen
Lieutenant
Joined: Jun 28, 2007
Member#: 18166
Posts: 120
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Posted:
Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think the color itself is an issue. JERIC could choose colors that look bettter with the SST layout, light and dark blue etc... And again, if it's optional, it doesn't have to be complicated. You either have it on or off. Nothing has to be read into anything. There are clearly folks who enjoy the anonimity of being online and not having anything implied, inferred or assumed when a gender is not obvious. I respect that. I just happen to be someone who doesn't want to have a Miss, Mrs. Lady, --ess, etc. in my name, but would like to be recognized as a woman. And unless I change my name, that's not possible for me. And I'd like to keep my username as is. Again, avatars often imply gender also, as does mine, clearly. However, it doesn't show up in chat, which is where some would like to have their gender recognized.
_________________
"This is just a bit of silliness, really" |
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j2brown
Commodore
Joined: Feb 22, 2002
Member#: 9
Posts: 3188
Location: Sterling, VA
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Posted:
Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:14 am Post subject: |
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...And we once again see why it's best to ignore this issue. It's too complex and requires too much thought for the slight benefit that only a few people would get from the change.
jeff
sdg |
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weaponlordzero
Captain
Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Member#: 15677
Posts: 1639
Location: Louisville, KY USA
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Posted:
Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:23 am Post subject: |
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I don't think it's a big deal. If there is question, just ask!! 
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I do not wake up with thoughts of control and rebellion, but thoughts of purpose and righteousness and the empowerment to fulfill those convictions that define me. |
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zgurl49
Commander
Joined: Aug 08, 2006
Member#: 15310
Posts: 824
Location: Minot, ND
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Posted:
Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Personally I think it's a good idea because I have already offended others by calling them a female or male when they were not. And just asking isn't as easy at it sounds - some people get offended by the simple question for whatever reason. Plus, no one with a gender neutral name wants to spend all their chat time answering that question.
As a side note, asking someone's sex in chat brings back images of teen chat sites and the "a/s/l?" question...kinda tacky and outdated for SST IMHO.
That being said, I don't care either way if the gender identification tag is added or not. I've learned to just keep my mouth (or fingers ) shut if I don't know someone's sex - I'll just wait for someone else to ask, then add them to my handy dandy cheat sheet.
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AdamR
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Member#: 26242
Posts: 60
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Posted:
Wed Aug 05, 2009 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Personally I think it's a good idea because I have already offended others by calling them a female or male when they were not. And just asking isn't as easy at it sounds - some people get offended by the simple question for whatever reason. Plus, no one with a gender neutral name wants to spend all their chat time answering that question. |
I think the question is how "offended" would people really get. Over a simple mistake because the username is gender-neutral? Comes with the territory. Granted I'm not a chataholic at SST, but how often are people realistically asking the gender of others in chat? I surely don't see that issue when I'm on. |
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zgurl49
Commander
Joined: Aug 08, 2006
Member#: 15310
Posts: 824
Location: Minot, ND
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Posted:
Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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It's not a daily occurence but it has been happening more frequently due to the amount of newcomers.
Like I said though - it's not a major deal but I have been on the delivering end of offending someone for both stating the wrong sex, and asking somone's sex. It's uncomfortable for both parties involved. Just sayin.
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Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow. - James Dean |
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