Numpties!
It's funny that most days I check whether there have been any anonymous comments to approve or remove and often there's nothing - most people with something to say don't bother - but this evening there are 50 anonymous ones, and they're all complete rubbish: just groups of random letters!
These are sad people; I imagine them as social misfits who don't get much opportunity to try to hold an intelligent conversation. Apparently they come lots of different countries though: Brazil, Austria, Colombia, Russia, Japan, US, Germany, Saudi Arabia... but it's probably all the same idiot with nothing better to do.
I'm keeping a record of these people in case it's ever any use. Maybe there are internet police who can give these people a clip round the ear!
Real people
We often get new people creating an account here but most of them do seem to have trouble following simple instructions. Almost all use a made up user name (nothing wrong with that) and then put exactly the same name where they're supposed to enter their real name.
Also, when I check their location it's always a very long way from here, which is a bit suspicious and their email address or interests betray them as either not local or with no connection here. Usually they try to log in immediately without waiting to get the email to say the account has been enabled.
The characteristics of all these incidents are SO similar that they probably aren't people at all but a user account auto-generation system, and seeing how easy they are to spot and defeat, not a very good system.
It would be nice to have fewer pretend people and a few more real ones.
Face Book
I agree Andrew. Its a shame that more local people have not yet come forward but I am sure they will.
I have just had a look on Face Book and tried the words "Corfe Mullen". I am sure if you opened a group there and directed it to your web site you may get some real "CorfeMullenites". There were quite a few subscribers who had marked the Wikipedia information.
Just a thought anyway. I still love reading the site comments ... even if I am far away in Cape Town.
CM Face Book Group
Thanks for this idea Tess. I'm not a member of Face Book at present. When I looked at it a few months ago I wasn't sure about personal privacy and didn't join. I may do so now their new policy change means it's going to be easier to control your own details.
There's another Dorset online group I'm a member of so I'll mention it there and see if a few more turn up.
Facebook and Flickr
Hi. I'd suggest setting up a Facebook page (rather than group). You will need to have your own personal facebook account, but then you can set up a Facebook page from there on any subject. A Facebook page differs in that you don't need to be a Facebook member to actually read the page. We have set one up for our Nestbox Webcams at Dorset Wildlife Trust at www.facebook.com/pages/Bob-Brenda-Barn-Owl-Cam/111139658915029 and it is working really well.
Also, do you have a Flickr account? There are quite a few people in Corfe Mullen (and local area) adding photos to Flickr - it's another great way of interacting with local people. Once you have your own account you can set up a Group and local people can add photos to your group. See www.flickr.com/groups/dorsetwildlifetrust/ and also http://www.flickr.com/groups/broadstone/ You can then use www.slideflickr.com/ to show the photos on your website (all for free).
Just a couple of ideas. Hope they help. Jane (Jane Adams - Corfe Mullen Nature Watch)