Virgin Media Phorm Webwise Adverts [Updated: See Post No. 1, 77, 102 & 797]

[OF1975]

I have to head out now. I will be back this afternoon.

[roadrunner69]

Originally Posted by OF1975

Ok, I accept a private forum would be easier for most people but how do we stop Phorm PRTeam or Phorm employees from accessing that forum? Permissions that block newly registered users from accessing the private forum?

OK i know they don't seem that bright (going through user profiles at badphorm using their phormpr user name) but we can't rule out the possibility that both their brain cells may have collided in the past couple of months and registered under another (rather more anonymous user name).

[dav]

Originally Posted by roadrunner69

OK i know they don't seem that bright (going through user profiles at badphorm using their phormpr user name) but we can't rule out the possibility that both their brain cells may have collided in the past couple of months and registered under another (rather more anonymous user name).

I hope you aren't suggesting that they would consider operating in a less than transparent and underhand manner
Being an ex-spyware (current?) pedaller, I'm sure the thought never entered their heads. I believe them to be totally above reproach

(awaits quote by PhormPR on another forum taking my last sentence above totally out of context and saying CF members give Webwise the green light)

[roadrunner69]

...even one of our harshest critics admits we are honest and trustworthy...
"I believe them to be totally above reproach"

Originally Posted by dav

I hope you aren't suggesting that they would consider operating in a less than transparent and underhand manner,
I believe them to be totally above reproach:

yeh you can see it coming.

[unicus]

Is IRC popular nowadays? I gave up on it years ago (OK many years ago - when I was using an Amiga ) as I never really got on with it and I'm generally known to be in the geek class (but hey, geek's the new chic right? ) With my reservations and those outlined by others I'm not sure it's the best way for an inclusive but private discussion, so to quote an advert "there must be a better way"

BTW well done Alexander with getting a meeting with the Earl of Northesk this could be a very productive avenue.

[OldBear]

Originally Posted by dav

<snip>
Have the private forum area set up as invite only with a friendly CF team member (aren't they all?) willing to allow permissions to a select few who will debate and screen questions submitted to them by PM's from all other members.

Keep it a small group (<10?) of members who are known to be genuine.
I'm unsure how progress could be reflected to the community at large though, irrespective of the approach used.

Sorry, dav, while I can understand (partly) the reasons some people think this fight needs to go underground, I really think a lot of forum members are going to be upset when they see suggestions like "invite only", "select few", "screen questions" and "known to be genuine" with regards to those who will take this fight forward for us.

Who and how is it going to be decided who our 'select, genuine' representatives are to be? Post count? Techie knowledge? Legal knowledge?

Apologies, but it has to be asked.

OB

[Barkotron]

Agreed - I think it's counterproductive to move substantive discussion to some kind of secretive "inner circle". It's far better to keep everything out in the open: Phorm have already tried to dismiss a general feeling of mistrust amongst customers (as shown on every single comments page of any story about their technology, the public response has been overwhelmingly negative) as a minority pressure group. I'd say setting up secretive discussion fora plays right into their hands on this one.

Not that there's anything wrong with discussing on IRC, but I'd say the group still needs to be open rather than password/invite-only.

[AlexanderHanff]

I am not suggesting it should be secretive I am open to what people want to do, my original suggestion was just a separate thread so we don't get the questions lost in the daily traffic on this thread.

Alexander Hanff

[Florence]

Perhaps the questions in this thread but also pmed to you so they can be lost within the thread since you would have your personal copy of the questions. Give the phorm spies more to dig throught to find them.

[manxminx]

I feel one reason why this thread has been such a success is that it is in a mainstream forum, is visible to everyone, and anyone can register here.

However, one of the drawbacks of this openness is that Phorm are watching our every move. Not good!

I've been following this thread since the start, have conversed with some people via pm, and seen posts on other forums from members here. I've got a pretty good idea who I would nominate to represent me on this working party.


Edit:

Originally Posted by AlexanderHanff

I am not suggesting it should be secretive I am open to what people want to do, my original suggestion was just a separate thread so we don't get the questions lost in the daily traffic on this thread.

Alexander Hanff

That's ok, if people are happy with the lack of privacy. After all, so far everything has been in the open and look how much we have achieved!

[Florence]

I have emailed amozon today to see what there reactions to phorm are, and if they would class this as breaking there terms and conditions.

[dav]

OldBear/Barkotron:

Fair do's. I was merely suggesting that we stop telegraphing our intentions so openly and giving Phorm time to prepare their counterspin. It is clear they have moved their focus away from convincing us here that Webwise is a good thing and are now just monitoring us (should we expect anything less from them?)

Anyway, my suggestion was only related to Alexanders news that he is to meet with the Earl of Northesk and the list of points they were to discuss. I'm sure most of these are now in the public domain anyway, but if there was some absolute Webwise-killer that someone came up with it may be best to keep it on the QT until it has been confirmed as such and then hit them with it at such a time to give them minimum wriggle-room.

No biggie.

[OF1975]

Oldbear while I can definately empathise with your points there is an issue that Phorm have a significant advantage in that they can sit here and monitor our plans, our activities and the legal points/questions. Their previous activities on the badphorm site re the badphorm user page is a worrying development.

The suggestion of a private forum/IRC channel was not to negate discussion here but to try and prevent Phorm from leveraging that significant advantage when it comes to the questions we put forward to the Earl of Northesk for his meeting with Alexander.

[Kursk]

The suggestion of an 'inner circle' is pure idiocy. If some members want to chat in secret then carry on, but this forums' strength is in the volume and complexity of contributions by a wide range of people. Let Phorm read it all. Let them know that opposition is not abating; let them know what they face if their technology is deployed. Some kind of covert geek group will not successfully take this forward as will sheer numbers, with or without masks. Good grief.

[dav]

Easy, Kursk. Turn it down a bit.
I'll try to explain what was being proposed and why....

It wasn't to exclude anyone from the general discussion, but was to provide a PhormPR-free way of presenting member's concerns to the Earl of Northesk through Alexander. As he, no doubt, would need clarification and discussion with others the suggestion was to try and find some way of doing this with others who wanted to participate and get involved with this process.
I tell you what...forget it. The next time I'm in a position to take a penalty kick, I'll just tell the goalie where I'm going to put it.