New Flag

[Sigi_BC84]

Hi,

 

I'd love to have the flag of the Pitcairn Islands in BBO.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcairn_Island

 

--Sigi

[mrdct]

Quite a cool looking flag, but I don't believe Pitcairn Island satisfies the BBO flag criteria, recently posted by Fred as:

 

We only add flags if one of these 2 conditions apply:

 

1) The place in question is a member state of the United Nations

2) The place in question has fielded a team in a recent World Bridge Olympiad

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

 

I actually find it quite silly how people use flags other than their own on BBO and would like a software modification that cross-checks the person's flag with the location of their IP address. If they aren't same, the software could put some sort of marking on the person's profile that indicates they are using a flag from a country that they aren't actually in. If people are reluctant to disclose their real country of origin for whatever reason, they still pick the UN flag.

 

Would anyone really want to associate themselves with a place where 25% of the male population are convicted rapists?

[csdenmark]

Quite a cool looking flag, but I don't believe Pitcairn Island satisfies the BBO flag criteria, recently posted by Fred as:

 

We only add flags if one of these 2 conditions apply:

 

1) The place in question is a member state of the United Nations

2) The place in question has fielded a team in a recent World Bridge Olympiad

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com

 

I actually find it quite silly how people use flags other than their own on BBO and would like a software modification that cross-checks the person's flag with the location of their IP address. If they aren't same, the software could put some sort of marking on the person's profile that indicates they are using a flag from a country that they aren't actually in. If people are reluctant to disclose their real country of origin for whatever reason, they still pick the UN flag.

 

Would anyone really want to associate themselves with a place where 25% of the male population are convicted rapists?

Completely agree Dave. I have never understood why BBO gives that simple and silly option to persons bored of bridge.

 

The correct solution is simply to display sign-up info with no option for change.

[Gerben42]

But then I cannot play in "Polish only" individuals anymore. And that's sad because they are in my opinion the best indi's around...

 

Also IP address does not work. I am living in Germany but that does not make me German. I know that many BBO users don't live in the country they are from.

[mr1303]

If I go on holiday somewhere and play bridge from an internet cafe or somewhere similar, I want people to know that I'm English, so therefore I still want to have my English flag up.

[csdenmark]

But then I cannot play in "Polish only" individuals anymore. And that's sad because they are in my opinion the best indi's around...

 

does not make me German. I know that many BBO users don't live in the country they are from.Also IP address does not work. I am living in Germany but that

But then I cannot play in "Polish only" individuals anymore. And that's sad because they are in my opinion the best indi's around...

We both know the reason for such a set-up Gerben. In fact it is so that especially here software is supporting decent behavior. I am convinced that tournament organizers will be very happy to enable a serious person like you via a custom file.

 

Also IP address does not work. I am living in Germany but that does not make me German. I know that many BBO users don't live in the country they are from

Certainly not - therefore the sign-up info to be displayed.

 

If I go on holiday somewhere and play bridge from an internet cafe or somewhere similar, I want people to know that I'm English, so therefore I still want to have my English flag up

Certainly - therefore the sign-up info to be displayed.

 

 

------------------------------------

 

I wonder what has ever caused BBO to play the game of the fools. No matter the reason, it is never too late to be wiser and it is never too late to correct.

[Sigi_BC84]

I actually find it quite silly how people use flags other than their own on BBO and would like a software modification that cross-checks the person's flag with the location of their IP address. If they aren't same, the software could put some sort of marking on the person's profile that indicates they are using a flag from a country that they aren't actually in. If people are reluctant to disclose their real country of origin for whatever reason, they still pick the UN flag.

 

Would anyone really want to associate themselves with a place where 25% of the male population are convicted rapists?

I'm changing my flag almost daily at the moment and I don't think that it's anybody's business why I might like to do that and which flag I choose.

 

Cross checking the flag by using GeoIP or something similar is not really workable (I might be traveling abroad and still wanting to use my home country's flag).

 

Apart from that I think it would be totally inappropriate for BBO to police their users regarding which flag they are allowed to display.

 

I would be willing to accept flag checking if BBO manages to implement something similar for the self-ratings (e.g. if an Expert botches the spade slam because of a miscount of trumps he/she gets degraded to Intermediate automatically).

 

(Now you don't take that last sentence seriously, do you?)

 

--Sigi

[Sigi_BC84]

The correct solution is simply to display sign-up info with no option for change.

If you are really serious about country affiliation this would be an option. The user would then have to double check after sign-up because the country couldn't be changed later.

 

I don't think one needs to be that strict about it -- what's the big deal about changing the flag if you feel like it?

 

BTW Claus I'm not bored of Bridge.

 

--Sigi

[Elianna]

And what about people who are double or triple citizens? Why should they be forced to pick one? Personally, I like changing my country according to what nationality I feel like on that day.

[mrdct]

If I go on holiday somewhere and play bridge from an internet cafe or somewhere similar, I want people to know that I'm English, so therefore I still want to have my English flag up.

When I go holidays I change my flag to whatever country I'm in at the time and change my email address to "on vaction". Look out me during April when I'll be travelling through SE Asia and central Europe!

 

I don't think one needs to be that strict about it -- what's the big deal about changing the flag if you feel like it?

I guess it comes down to what the purpose of the flag functionality is. I would argue that its primary purpose is to enable people to make some sort of connection with their pick-up partner or opponents and to help people find a game, if they so desire, with people from their own country. I get somewhat miffed when I sit down to play with a player from St Lucia expecting to be able to engage in idle chit-chat about cricket, only to find that he's an American who just likes the look of St Lucia's flag.

[Al_U_Card]

And we can always give any badly behaved Americans a small Canadian flag to affix to their intro ...... just like in real life...lol

[uday]

The users seem to have decided that flags are mostly cosmetic, as opposed to ID'd themselves. Is this because some flags look cool? Bec some countries might be discriminated against? Don't know. I dont have plans at the moment to display the "real" (not that it is anything like 100% accurate anyway) country of connection based on IP address (not that this can't be fudged) anytime soon unless people want it and the client can display this extra information sensibly

[rona_]

The users seem to have decided that flags are mostly cosmetic, as opposed to ID'd themselves. Is this because some flags look cool? Bec some countries might be discriminated against? Don't know. I dont have plans at the moment to display the "real" (not that it is anything like 100% accurate anyway) country of connection based on IP address (not that this can't be fudged) anytime soon unless people want it and the client can display this extra information sensibly

 

I am a Greek Cypriot living in Egypt. Three years ago I lived in Singapore and next year I might be living in Venezuela or Mali for all I know. ;) I always use the flag of my country of origin. Why should I be forced to wear the flag of the country I live in, especially when I don't speak the language. Furthermore, why should I have a mark on my profile saying I'm not logging in from France for instance, but logging in from Timbuktu. Most people don't have their real name, email, or bridge level on their profile so why is their "real" flag becoming an issue now.

 

mrdct who gets miffed if the Santa Lucia player can't discuss cricket with him because he's actually an American who took a fancy to the S>Lucian flag, is going to be changing his flag when on vacation. When he logs in to bbo with a Singapore flag and people chat to him in Hokkien or Singlish, he will need time to explain why he is wearing a singapore flag, and why he doesn't speak the language.(if he doesn't). :) This is just one example of how it could get uncomfortable and inconvenient for some. Personally, I would not want to have to explain on a daily basis when approached by Arabic speaking members, why I log in from Egypt but don't speak the language, or have to explain why I am here.

 

In my view there are more important things to worry about. :)

[csdenmark]

The users seem to have decided that flags are mostly cosmetic, as opposed to ID'd themselves. Is this because some flags look cool? Bec some countries might be discriminated against? Don't know. I dont have plans at the moment to display the "real" (not that it is anything like 100% accurate anyway) country of connection based on IP address (not that this can't be fudged) anytime soon unless people want it and the client can display this extra information sensibly

 

I am a Greek Cypriot living in Egypt. Three years ago I lived in Singapore and next year I might be living in Venezuela or Mali for all I know. ;) I always use the flag of my country of origin. Why should I be forced to wear the flag of the country I live in, especially when I don't speak the language. Furthermore, why should I have a mark on my profile saying I'm not logging in from France for instance, but logging in from Timbuktu. Most people don't have their real name, email, or bridge level on their profile so why is their "real" flag becoming an issue now.

 

mrdct who gets miffed if the Santa Lucia player can't discuss cricket with him because he's actually an American who took a fancy to the S>Lucian flag, is going to be changing his flag when on vacation. When he logs in to bbo with a Singapore flag and people chat to him in Hokkien or Singlish, he will need time to explain why he is wearing a singapore flag, and why he doesn't speak the language.(if he doesn't). This is just one example of how it could get uncomfortable and inconvenient for some. Personally, I would not want to have to explain on a daily basis when approached by Arabic speaking members, why I log in from Egypt but don't speak the language, or have to explain why I am here.

 

In my view there are more important things to worry about. :)

In my view there are more important things to worry about

Correct Rona - display of sign-up info will satisfy you and most else. There is a fairly simple solution which will solve 95% of the problem. It is something like today but so that default is sign-up info each time you log-in. In exactly the same way as software now is forgetting you last time logged in as 'invisible'. Then those who want to fool others can do so - in an awesome way - but such matters little for determinated persons. Decent people will then easily be able to blacklist those.

 

If you are asked for basic personal info - it is an act of hostility to to refuse or to provide false info. On BBO you are asked - on most other playing sites you are not asked.

[Aberlour10]

 

In my view there are more important things to worry about.  ;)

I undersign it.

 

In my opinion the exisiting rules of privacy at the BBO are right.

The only thing that isn't "privat & free", is my and my table mates behavior.

 

Robert

[A2003]

deleted

[mrdct]

mrdct who gets miffed if the Santa Lucia player can't discuss cricket with him because he's actually an American who took a fancy to the S>Lucian flag, is going to be changing his flag when on vacation. When he logs in to bbo with a Singapore flag and people chat to him in Hokkien or Singlish, he will need time to explain why he is wearing a singapore flag, and why he doesn't speak the language.

My usual practice when overseas is to change my email address to "on vacation", but perhaps I should be more clear and write "currently on tour in:".

[Brandal]

Decent people will then easily be able to blacklist those.

 

If you are asked for basic personal info - it is an act of hostility to to refuse or to provide false info. On BBO you are asked - on most other playing sites you are not asked.

Not sure what the "decent people" comment means,

for me people(my friends) changing flags are a practical

"problem" for me.

 

In the lobby I have displayed only the countries where

I have friends and/or partners I play with.

 

This is a problem,I have a couple of friends who change

flags almost every day,and never use their country's flag,

so I never see them. :)

 

 

I do wish some day our friends can be shown regardless

of lobby settings.

[csdenmark]

Decent people will then easily be able to blacklist those.

 

If you are asked for basic personal info - it is an act of hostility to to refuse or to provide false info. On BBO you are asked - on most other playing sites you are not asked.

Not sure what the "decent people" comment means,

for me people(my friends) changing flags are a practical

"problem" for me.

 

In the lobby I have displayed only the countries where

I have friends and/or partners I play with.

 

This is a problem,I have a couple of friends who change

flags almost every day,and never use their country's flag,

so I never see them. :)

 

 

I do wish some day our friends can be shown regardless

of lobby settings.

Brandal I have settings something like you except I only have friends displayed. All else filtered out.

 

'Decent people' is a simple eufemism for persons fit for bridge - those able to conduct thinking themselves.

[Brandal]

Brandal I have settings something like you except I only have friends displayed. All else filtered out.

I didn't know that was an option,will have a look,thx Claus

 

EDIT: Does not work against "flaghoppers"....too bad.