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misty · 15-09-2011, 12:00

Okay, what does it take to become a trusted member on this board? I am here daily and have been ever since I joined. I am here because in am in the process of becoming and liveaboard cruiser and would like to PM other members. Any info would be helpful. I am trying to buy a wind vane from another member.
Respectfully
s/v Misty in Mobile Bay in 3 weeks.

Johnathon123 · 15-09-2011, 12:16

Hi Misty.

Welcome.

I don't know if there is a formal process as such. It is a case of contributing a lot to the forum, giving opinions that are valid and useful and building your profile amongst the community.

In so far as trusting other members it is like the real world, we have the good the bad and the ugly residing here. Most of the bad and ugly are weeded out pretty fast but some have still snuck through.

Use your gut, read the profile of the person, look at the posts they have put up (you can do this through the profile) and again, trust your gut!

Just like in the real world "if it sounds to good to be true, it isn't true"

Be careful though, the Internet is a strange and dangerous world.

Good luck with your plans

**David M** · 15-09-2011, 12:37

Just for everyone's education, it is only a matter of having a certain number a posts and of being a good citizen of the community.

SaucySailoress · 15-09-2011, 12:53

If you are referring to the PM system, I think you simply need to have ten posts and then you are allowed to post links in the PMs. We don't allow members with less than ten posts to send unmoderated links, as a disincentive to spammers.... is that the 'trusted member' message you are referring to?

Unfortunately this can occasionally cause some annoyance when members join up specifically to send a PM with an email address to a potential seller or buyer! On the other hand, you can send as many PMs as you like without links in 'em!

**Dockhead** · 15-09-2011, 12:56

And a hint -- if you will break down any e-mail address you send -- like jo*at*blow*dot*com instead of jo@blow.com, it won't be picked up as an email address, which will help protect you from spammers at the same time.

zeehag · 15-09-2011, 13:12

make 10 posts then ye can pm.......

TaoJones · 15-09-2011, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeehag

make 10 posts then ye can pm.......

To be precise, make ten posts and then you can include links in your PMs - but you can send PMs immediately upon becoming a member as long as they don't contain what look like spam links to the anti-spam software. It isn't a personal judgment of anyone with less than ten posts, nor of their motives, it's just an automated way to protect the site from those clever spammers who think they can exploit the site to spam the members in an invisible way.

TaoJones