In my messages, there is an American flag on my avatar in the last message I posted. Can I turn that feature off? I've never seen it before and would like to remove it.
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Why is there a flag on my avatar in the messages?
- Thread starter MarshCreekBass
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Many here from out of the Country Post without mentioning their location; So when we then answer post with advice etc. take a day or 2 for OP to mention he is from X and all the advice given is irrelevant to where he lives 
I believe before upgrade change we could see location on Avatar but now only sometimes; So I wouldn't mind it on Avatar at all times also not Bad Idea for messages knowing that info as it seems is now
I believe before upgrade change we could see location on Avatar but now only sometimes; So I wouldn't mind it on Avatar at all times also not Bad Idea for messages knowing that info as it seems is now
Not sure where you live but the American flag is certainly being used as a political symbol.
You have just made the exact point of those who object to it.
It is a point of fracture, the technical function of which can be indicated by other means.
Been on the internet since early 90s before browsers were even a thing.
Internet never cared about country of origin. If anything we all lied about where we were actually from.
The ability to create yourself online and become that persona in full is a feature of the internet.
I first joined TB when I was 14 or so. Engaged with fellow bassists 2x-4x my age and with many commonalities and laughs.
Knowing the details of who is behind the keyboard is not always useful. If anything, it can detract from the content shared.
Internet never cared about country of origin. If anything we all lied about where we were actually from.
The ability to create yourself online and become that persona in full is a feature of the internet.
I first joined TB when I was 14 or so. Engaged with fellow bassists 2x-4x my age and with many commonalities and laughs.
Knowing the details of who is behind the keyboard is not always useful. If anything, it can detract from the content shared.
Again, not really. I dont care if it is there, im sure it will be removed. Im questioning why people are using it as a political issue
The intent is fine. You get an I'm from someone and they have a flag from somewhere you don't recognize, it's a hint that be careful, you may be getting scammed. (Nothing against non-USians, but if someone in Nigeria is contacting me about a bass, suspicions are on alert.) But in that example, not sure I even know what the Nigerian flag looks like. Is there a hover over hint to tell you the country of origin?
I see no unwanted flags in my messages...
But I understand why some would not want to imply any nationalism
But I understand why some would not want to imply any nationalism
If the car was a lease, would that make a difference? Many of us pay to use this site, so while we don't own it we sure do pay money to use it, and as users our preferences are important.
FWIW, I see the flag in our ongoing DM chat in your avatar pic (not mine) starting on October 23rd. The messages prior to that do not have it, but every message from october 23rd on does.
I was wondering how this would be received. Thanks for all the feedback.
So this is easily toggled off, but the purpose was to put a flag on the avatar only in PM’s, as an added security feature to screen potential buyers of classified items.
The flag is not dependent on the user’s profile but comes directly from the users connection. So, if you have a bass for sale and someone pms you claiming to be from country x or ship to country x, and the flag shows country z, that can raise a red flag for the seller.
Whether or not this is useful or not, or worth the potential privacy issues is up for discussion. Note that the ONLY time your country is shared, is if you send a pm to a TalkBass member.
I can also post a new poll regarding this.
So this is easily toggled off, but the purpose was to put a flag on the avatar only in PM’s, as an added security feature to screen potential buyers of classified items.
The flag is not dependent on the user’s profile but comes directly from the users connection. So, if you have a bass for sale and someone pms you claiming to be from country x or ship to country x, and the flag shows country z, that can raise a red flag for the seller.
Whether or not this is useful or not, or worth the potential privacy issues is up for discussion. Note that the ONLY time your country is shared, is if you send a pm to a TalkBass member.
I can also post a new poll regarding this.
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It may be a feature of the core software that this site runs on and they are testing it out (maybe the reason its on and off for some people) Or maybe they are experimenting with country of origin symbols to help prevent fraud especially in the classifieds. Not sure how effective it would be anyway as you can mask your IP, but, it is being used here as something else. Would you have felt different about it 6 months ago? Maybe. Maybe not, but that is kind of my point. Im sure it will be gone as i can see it is triggering people.
Edit...didnt see pauls post above before i typed this
I saw the American flag in my private messages this morning, personally I really like it!
I just checked again and it is gone...?
I just checked again and it is gone...?
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