Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

I am totally baffled by the number of PTO members that do not have their location on their profile? I am just trying to figure out why that is? It is really nice and helpful, when one checks out someone's post and it gives you a good idea of where this member is and how far or close that person is to you or other PTO members. Just wondering??

Some people are more private than others. I considered not adding it, but figured they could drive to Lowbanks and still have no clue so I was good.
Others ... I'm sure there's a variety of reasons ..privacy/safety I would think is the #1 reason

SandyM wrote:Some people are more private than others. I considered not adding it, but figured they could drive to Lowbanks and still have no clue so I was good.
Others ... I'm sure there's a variety of reasons ..privacy/safety I would think is the #1 reason

But what the heck are people afraid of Sandy? We are all interested in the same "hobby"? I have never had a problem with any member in all the years I have been on various forums. I just feel that it would be nice to know, but that is just my humble opinion.

If I lived on my own there is no way in hell I would put my location on the forum. That's brutal honesty. Just because we all have a common interest doesn't mean everyone has been screened etc., obviously. I'm on here, haha! Wackos are everywhere .... I'm not pointing Fingers, I'm just saying. It takes one to ruin it all.

Remember the Tim Bosma situation? happens. Daily. I absolutely don't have an issue with anyone not announcing where they live. Some people are more trusting and don't have issues. Perhaps some people have had issues and are cautious. So many scenarios ..impossible to rhyme them all off here ...

Different strokes for different folks.

SandyM wrote:If I lived on my own there is no way in hell I would put my location on the forum. That's brutal honesty. Just because we all have a common interest doesn't mean everyone has been screened etc., obviously. I'm on here, haha! Wackos are everywhere .... I'm not pointing Fingers, I'm just saying. It takes one to ruin it all.

Remember the Tim Bosma situation? happens. Daily. I absolutely don't have an issue with anyone not announcing where they live. Some people are more trusting and don't have issues. Perhaps some people have had issues and are cautious. So many scenarios ..impossible to rhyme them all off here ...

Different strokes for different folks.

I totally respect your opinion 100% Sandy, but like you said, "different strokes for different folks", you are right.

Just a general location would help e.g. Niagara region.

It was the same on PSO, privacy couldn't be a problem,
Like KB said general location is enough.
I suspect most people just couldn't be bothered to take the time to familiarize themselves with the site, it's too bad.

I wanted to jump in and add my 0.5 cents american ...its not a great idea to put in too specific an address ...the general area is fine or just the town name...i buy and sell a lotta things on kijiji...i don't want people coming directly to my home if i can help it at all...when i sold the pullets it was rather unavoidable but really, if you don't know the person, why invite a perfect stranger to come scope you out...especially if you live rurally with faraway neighbours...its just unwise...hence my location and if you notice, I'm in a swamp on the map..lol

Maybe this info helps you figure out what you want to post and what not, assuming it's not just lazy like OC suggested, and I think she is onto something there.
In the profile, you have two settings, one for town/region and one for gps coordinates

• the town/region is visible to general public. You don't need to have a login to see it as it appears on the right under the avatar. We admins recommend regions here, just like Sandy said, even a town is a big enough area to not be able to find you quickly.
• the GPS coordinates for the map (look top left next to the quick links for the map), is populated by an actual gps coordinate. We admins recommend a close, but not actual location. Favorite is the meeting place where you want to meet other PTOlers as it makes the driving there really easy. A parking lot, intersection, police station, ... This map is visible to members only. So in theory you could get a little closer to your farm. BUT NEVER within 10km radius!

These settings help finding out where the farm is, makes it easy to plan for trips, but also should give enough privacy to not be bothered by strangers.
Off course, there is no pressure to put anything online. If you are not comfortable with it, that is fine. After all, we use avatars for a reason....

I am a private person too, hence a very vague location below my avatar (SE Ontario), which is visible to the public. I would never give away my exact location online. However, I don't see what the problem is with marking a spot on the PTO site map in the general area of where you are, since this is only visible to PTO members. I chose a location that's actually quite a drive from where I actually am. Arenas, police stations, any public places are are good options. I find it curious that people have no problem disclosing all kinds of personal information on Facebook (hey, date of birth is a mandatory field when you register - what's with that?!), and yet it's an issue giving a general location on PTO? I don't get it.