What to do when you don't know what to do.....

Lately, there has been some nasty grams being sent. First, shame on the person(s) responsible. I know it can be frustrating as a recipient of these. I've been there. I had one person even threaten to call my husband!! So...you think..okay, do I blow this crap off or do I address it head on. If you copy/paste it in it's entirity here on the board, they don't like it coming to light so they complain to the moderators and have it removed. So....be sure to exclude their name. **** works well.

But...if you ALL really want to stop this nonsence....

Go to their profile and click on the words 'Block this member' (see Tracy's post from a few days ago for the profile name). You will never recieve another piece of hate mail from them under that name again. Be proactive! Don't wait for your turn!! If you hadn't gotten your nasty gram yet, go ahead and block them so you won't! BTW...most private emails also have a block/spam/bounce- back feature. Use it if you get a nasty gram in your private email also. But...I would report them first! Report them to the moderators on OH. Report them to your private email carrier. They have a way of tracking IP addresses. They can not only block the IP address but can also prosecute them for harassment.

Once you block someone on OH, not only can they not send PM's to you, but they also can't read your posts (or you their's). That's right. Anyone I have blocked cannot read what I am writing right now. They can read your replies to it though so...block the culprit before you add anything to this thread..k? If they figure out that we've all blocked them and that they can't pm any of us...maybe they will crawl back under their rock and stay there.

You are not alone! And you are not powerless!!

Sherri

Sherry,  Thanks for posting.  I just happened to catch the post to Socki.  It made me sick all evening.  She doesnot need this stress.  My question is...when you block a person does that block everything from that computer???? or just the user name???  Does that make sense?? I have blocked both users,  the alias and the person I believe is behind this.  But I will say I think this person is becoming more desperate and scary.  I hope OH reports her.  Just wondered...

Paula,

It just blocks the user name. That is why it is crucial for any nasty grams to be reported to the moderators as well so that if the behavior continues, they can block the IP address (the computer), all user names associated with that IP address (so if they tried to use their user name(s) on a different computer, a flag would go up) and/or prosecute them for harassment.

Sherri

Thanks!!! That is good news.  I am a retro junkie not a techno wennie so, thanks for explaining it.... Please have a wonderful day!!!!

Hehehe...I think I'm half-way in-between. Kinda a techno junkie..or is that a retro weanie? Probably more like a techno retro weanie junkie! LOL!

I hope you have a good day too!

All this business is making me very wary of being myself or share personal information here....

Unfortunately, any kind of public forum always attracts all kinds. The majority of people on this board are very loving, giving people. You know the saying though...it only takes one bad apple. When we get that bad apple, we have to be able to band together to remove them from our bushel. We don't do that by going into lurkdom and hiding behind other people's posts. I've been attacked on more than one occasion. I figure it's the price I pay for putting myself out there. I have always had the attitude that if I can help one single person, it will be worth it. I have been told by more than one that my posts have helped them...so yes..it is worth it. That is not to say that I will put up with the bad apples! I'm just willing to battle them head on and get them out of our bushel!

I do hope that you will feel comfortable with us other good apples...even if sometimes we are more like a bag of nuts instead...

Sherri

I have been reading many of the older posts the last couple of days, and it does look like overall this group is a supportive one.  I really am looking forward to getting to know everyone on this board:)

Stacy,

I think that the more you read the posts..and the more you check out our profiles, the more you'll see the loving..and experienced..nature of the majority of the people here. I really do consider the folks here my family. I am closer to most of the women here than I am my birth sisters. And the guys? Emil is like my favorite uncle...Floyd is like a close brother...and Scott is like my nephew. I have blood relatives I am not close to though...whiners, back-stabbers, liars, drama queens/kings. Yes, there are a few of those family members here too. I haven't spoken to some of my siblings in 4 years...think it would really bother me to write off the trouble makers here? Nope! I'm all for peace & harmony! If you read my profile, you'd see that life has a way of giving me enough troubles. I sure don't need any added ones from anyone trying to get attention here..or at a family reunion!

Welcome to the board and please feel free to join in on any get togethers we have. We love to meet new people! Regardless of what some folks may think, we are not a clique. We aren't too receptive to the trouble makers but to everyone else? You are more than welcome!!!

Sherri

I agree with Sherri on this one.  It's up to us to keep these people out and our board safe.  If you get the nasty gram report them. 

If your worried about sharing information with us - remember whatever you post on the internet is FAIR GAME for people to read and use against you.  I've set my profile to "private" several times or "viewable to my friends" only because my soon to be exhusband was reading my post and blogs.  I finally decided if he has nothing better to do than read my stuff let him.  Stacy, I understand your concern.  I was a lurker on the board for a couple of months BEFORE I posted so I kind of knew people before I posted. 

Remember we are all here for SUPPORT!  John 3:16 fits here!!  "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you"  If this doesn't spell it out for you my Mom always tells me "if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all" 

Huggs!
Frankie