Thank you for listening

[robvalue]

Nothing was changed but we're still going to vote on improving that particular rule.

I think the confusion might have come from the fact that we can't automatically verify external communications like we can with PMs. That doesn't mean we can't do it, just that we need some evidence.

My point is that it doesn't matter. If you're referring to private conversations with someone, you're either breaking confidence or you're misquoting them.

For example, I can easily draw up a fake PM and post it, claiming some nobby sent it to me. To the forum at large, they have no idea whether it's genuine or not. If it's not, I deserve to have my head kicked in for it as well. Well, I assume so. If doing this is perfectly fine and wouldn't be punished, the rules are just as lacking. Or I can say, "Mr X called me and told me he is going to leave his wife". There's no need to confirm what was actually said in the phone call. The fact I'm even referring to this should be enough for staff to take action against me. The forum at large would not be told either way, even if you could confirm, and it's the fact that they are able to read it which is the problem in the first place.

Bottom line is that this is a discussion forum, there is no need whatsoever to bring up personal conversations with anyone about private issues. And people doing so, or pretending to do so, should be taken round the back and stapled to a tree with staples. I wouldn't want to be part of a place that allows this.

I'm talking about conversations between forum members here. Conversations with non-members are different and shouldn't be covered except where there is a legal problem which would indeed involve verification. I can tell everyone what my dad told me on the phone if I want and shouldn't be actioned.