Personal profile question

[T-Bird]

Hi, everybody.

Didn't find any threads about this with a quick search so here it goes.

As a newbie here I've found that for some reason, people tend to leave their age and/or location blank or hidden in their personal profile.

Is there a reason for that, because since the internet has brought us closer, I personally find it rather strange to suggest a certain product or whatever to someone if I don't know where on this blue ball of ours that person is living. What applies to EU doesn't necessarily apply to US or someplace else. And vice versa.
And I don't mean an area or a city, just the country. That should rule out the lurking burglars.

As for the age, I find it a lot easier to reply when I know the age of the person asking that question. Don't know about You all, but my answer is different to a teenager who probably just got his/her first bass/amp/gig (pick one), than to a veteran bass player who has been playing before I was even a twinkle in my fathers eyes. (If they ever should have a question that I can answer, that is).

So what gives? Am I the only one that finds this slightly annoying?

Regards
Sam

[superbassman2000]

I think a lot of people leave their location out for privacy's sake.

Age is probably so people don't go "that kid is only 13 years old and thinks he knows everything" and they automatically discount what they said.

personally I don't mind when people leave out their age/location--it almost levels the playing field a little more imo because that way, everyone is equal in that respect and you don't get preconceived ideas about them.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

The only thing that bothers me is when people ask a question about thier gear, but only mention one thing, and they dont have thier profile filed out.

Its sometimes useful to have your gear list proud and representing!

[bassicinstinct]

Laziness, pure and simple IMHO.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Generally I think you can tell age pretty easily from the posting style,vocabulary and "attitude"!

So if somebody think they're 'God's gift' - then they are almost certain to be 15/16 - if they are more realistic, then it's due to a bit more experience!

Seriously, the problem with age is that the profile asks you to put your date of birth - now I think that is very dangerous information to be making easily available!

When my bank phone up, this is one of the questions they ask as a "security check", to verify I am who I say I am!

As to location - I think this is very important and is something that has been discussed many times here on TalkBass, as there is no point in giving advice if the person lives in a country with different prices,gear availability etc etc.

I have always said that the only way to sort this out, is to have a compulsory drop-down list that people must choose from when they sign up to the site and have said this to Paul, the site owner.

Paul has said however, that he doesn't want to do this, as it would put people off joining up...restrict the flow of new members etc.

Without this - I think it will never be resolved as a perennial problem...

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Thanks for Your responses so far. They pretty much sum up what I have experienced in different discussion boards. I'm currently "active" only in TB, as I have a sort of a dislike for the anonymity that internet offers and have had my share of troubles because of that. But here it seems to be civilised and well organised, I like it here

Regards
Sam