Database?

[grundy]

I've been reading threads on people trying to reconnect. Looking for my name, former post to see if anyone has been looking for me (found a couple even). And it strikes me that it's hard to find people, hard to be found.

By the very nature of the community, and the necessity of anonymity to prevent being the target of fair game etc, the current system is the only obvious one.

But, I was wondering if someone could program a database and interface that people could use to insert names of those they are looking for, or names if they don't care to be anonymous of members, allowing the location process to be sped up.

I know something of databases. I'm no good at interfaces. But there are tech-wise people around here.

Is this something that the people running the board and/or members would be interested in?

[Giuseppe]

Is this something that the people running the board and/or members would be interested in?

Giuseppe is very interested. Giuseppe would love to reconnect somehow to people, without them even knowing who is Giuseppe.

Giuseppe would like to apologize for what Giuseppe had to do.

[Kathy (ImOut)]

I think it's a good idea. But how would it be secure. Who would have the authority to pass out the security "code" to let others access it?

I'm about ready to fully come out on this board. What can the CofS do to me? Kill me. Well, they've tried that, it didn't work. They already put the IRS all over my ass. They've even messed with my kid (she doesn't put up with their crap either) - about the only thing they can do to really piss me off and have me going postal all over their butts. So, they do to me, they may get back what they dish out.

[Zinjifar]

Emma seems to be working on a website seperate from the forums where she will be organizing things in a database and will need lots of help from people helping do the horrible data entry necessary.

This might be a good thread to volunteer.

As to security; there is no security; only care.

Zinj

[grundy]

Well, what would have to happen is someone would have to be willing to be the moderator/operator.

Direct inserting of data to the database would have to be nixed. Requests would have to go to this person.

Fields would be:

Name of Person being sought.
Known Post(s) (including public)
Known Organization(s)
Date for each post/organization
Those Members Interested in speaking with them.

Another table would be:
Name of Person wanting to contact others.
Post(s)
Organizations
Dates
Member name.

This would be reserved for only those that are willing to have their name known. The problem is it's a lot of work. And the admins here are probably already swamped. I know I couldn't do maintenance. Hell I can barely go out to a movie.

So someone who has a track record here would have to become the "admin" for it.

[Free to shine]

Emma set up a registration process to stop spammers, she is a clever cookie. Probably something like that could be done for reconnection too.

[Kathy (ImOut)]

What about us people that weren't on Staff? I think my combined total of 6 months on mission staff doesn't really count.

[grundy]

What about us people that weren't on Staff? I think my combined total of 6 months on mission staff doesn't really count.

Well, the "post" would be listed as public.

[Little Bear Victor]

Could do a different approach, too, which might help matters:

We could give tips here for how to make yourself be locatable and how to locate others -- without having a direct connection to "being ex-Scientologist" or posting here (where that is the concern).

Such as "make a blog," "get a mySpace account," "get your own website/domain," and what data to put in your blog so you can be told apart in a search, how to make the blog/site/account searchable on the net, etc.

I assume on of the biggest problems is that people who have been in Scn for long enough don't know too well how to do this stuff. Like me.

[wazn]

Could do a different approach, too, which might help matters:

We could give tips here for how to make yourself be locatable and how to locate others -- without having a direct connection to "being ex-Scientologist" or posting here (where that is the concern).

Such as "make a blog," "get a mySpace account," "get your own website/domain," and what data to put in your blog so you can be told apart in a search, how to make the blog/site/account searchable on the net, etc.

I assume on of the biggest problems is that people who have been in Scn for long enough don't know too well how to do this stuff. Like me.

I would love a tutorial on this sort of thing. :yes:

[Wisened One]

I'd love to help in any way I can get this set up..I'm a Data Entry and Typist fiend (80-100 wpm).... and love proofing/editing/copyediting as one of my passions..(want to do it for a living soon).....

So PM me if anyone would like my help!:)

Wisened One

[Mick Wenlock]

I have had quite a lot of experience dealing with very skittish people who wish to be part of XSO but do not want to identify themselves.

The amount of people who are willing to post under their own names is miniscule. If you do not know what I mean - look at this thread. So asking people to identify themselves in a database to be able to be looked up is kind of iffy.

The problem is that if anyone can look up the names in the DB then people that one would not want looking them up will also have access.

If you restrict access to only those who identify themselves then you have problems with a) false identities b) a lot of people who would otherwise participate will be scared off which makes the whole DB a whole lot less efficient.

On XSO I handled this in several ways
1) No-one but me can see the membership list.
2) a person does not need to identify themself to be on the list
3) I do not confirm or deny whether a person is on it.
4) If someone is trying to hook up with someone they can ask me and I check the list. If that person is on the list (and I know who it is - not necessarily a given) I send the person an email saying someone wants to get hold of them and pass on the email address of the person doing the enquiry. And that's it. I don't tell the person whether the one they are enquiring about is on the list, if the enquired one does not reply, well too bad.

XSO is a fairly small list, if it grows a lot larger I am not sure this sort of manual approach will work but I think the whole idea of reconnection has to have a trusted site and trusted people in the middle of it.

It is very hard to reconnect with people if you are not willing to tell them who you are.

[grundy]

Well, that's why the title of this thread was "database?" not "Database!"

I already thought of the manual review aspect. I know when it's small it's easy. When it gets larger .. whoa baby.

Maybe your site is the answer to my concerns. And the way it's done here will be allright.

[SomeGuy]

Mick,

Not sure how you handle requests to your mailing lists, ie if any one asks do you send the request to who ever and in theory don't do verification but just handle the anonimity?

If so I'm sure you could wish out loud right now and some one could come up with a database and some php pages put the code up for open source (so it can reviewed) and you could nab it to do this for you.

You could maintain confidenciality still putting the honus onto who ever is initiating the reconnect.

Something like

{add me to the list}
Name:
emai:
other search type fields (position held, years in, nickname, maiden name)

{contact some one on list}
Person you wish to contact:
your info here:
reson why:

And not return a confirmation of found or not found. Probably take a script kiddie maybe 20 minutes to do. You'd need a host, chances are with mysql and php + smtp. Those usually run $9.99 a month, more depending on bells and whistles more if you want to use your own server to insure even more privacy protection.

If it's something which interest you I'm pretty sure stating that interest with any parameters you might have and it have a good probability of getting done.

[Emma]

I have an idea on how to do this but it is still brewing. It goes something like this....

A person doesn't have to identify themselves at all, but they do have to name those they are seeking. People often google their own names in association with cities and or organisations. If they happen to come across their own name in an entry from someone who is seeking them they might be interested enough to look. Providing the unidentified person puts something in the entry like (was at AOLA from 95 - 2000 in the tech area) it might be enough to get the "lost" person to contact them. Of course if you name yourself your chances will increase.

As I said, it's still a brewing idea and suggestions are welcome.

If this idea is acceptable it will be incorporated into the new Exscn website that is being developed right now (I've been very busy which is why I haven't been around much).

Ideas?

[nw2394]

I think the only way to go with something like this is to be able to put as much as or as little as you want to in regard to yourself and/or the person(s) you want to contact. The database, such that it is, is searchable. If someone else finds you - or what they think is you - they can send you an email - the actual email address is only known to the system - the person contacted either responds or they don't.

Personally I got no flaming problem with identity. I am Nick Warren. I live in Crowborough, East Sussex, England. I was SO from late 78 to early 84. In Scn from 75 to sometime in the mid 90s - don't really remember exactly when I got fed up with progress there - been in the FZ since early 2002. I won't put my full address or phone number here - but you can find it in the phone book easy enough. That's who I am and I don't really give a monkey's who knows. OSA already knows who I am anyway.

Nick

[grundy]

I have an idea on how to do this but it is still brewing. It goes something like this....

A person doesn't have to identify themselves at all, but they do have to name those they are seeking. People often google their own names in association with cities and or organisations. If they happen to come across their own name in an entry from someone who is seeking them they might be interested enough to look. Providing the unidentified person puts something in the entry like (was at AOLA from 95 - 2000 in the tech area) it might be enough to get the "lost" person to contact them. Of course if you name yourself your chances will increase.

As I said, it's still a brewing idea and suggestions are welcome.

If this idea is acceptable it will be incorporated into the new Exscn website that is being developed right now (I've been very busy which is why I haven't been around much).

Ideas?

This was the idea I was TRYING to promote with my suggestions on the database fields. Emma you are a genius. lol

[Giuseppe]

A person doesn't have to identify themselves at all, but they do have to name those they are seeking.

Giuseppe would love this idea. :happydance:

I would like to post anon message to people.

Say to something like:

Jenny, I am sorry for everything. I love you, please love me back (or not), but let me know. Thanks. -Forrest Gump.

Forrest - I love you too, but you were always too good for me. You will have to take care of Forrest Jr. Sorry I could not be there for you. -Jenny (second pea in the pod).

[Little Bear Victor]

The first thing OSA will do upon anyone providing a service of this kind is to start sending requests under false e-mail addresses in the names of others. Remember, they have lists of your past connections, if you are an ex-Scientologist.

When I first got out, I was a bit concerned about this possibility, so I figured out a way to verify the person writing was actually who they claimed to be if I had uncertainty about it (I never actually had to use it, but the idea would work): There is always something that only you and the person know that OSA wouldn't, and could not find out, so you ask the person this. For example: "Hey, what was that CD again that you gave me for a birthday present when I turned twenty?"

One last thing that OSA could do is to contact you as someone who is not out of Scientology and ask them for the answer. Well, either take that as a great opportunity to inform the person about the real world or do what you think is best. But I seriously doubt OSA would go and start any major campaign to inform current Scientologists about every ex-Scientologist they are trying to find out about.

I'm just saying that no matter what the system OSA will try and use it to find out about people. If you don't want to compromise your email address before confirming it is not OSA trying to contact you, you can use PMs.

[boldhawk]

What was it that you had to do, Giuseppe?