West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Just as an example of this; I have a friend who visits from time to time, and when she is here she sometimes uses my computer for various purposes including access to her Facebook account. If I follow a link (e.g. from NatPres) to a Facebook page my friend's name appears at the top. That would be reasonable if I were logging in with her ID, but I am not doing that. I am not logging in at all. Facebook thinks it knows who is using my computer.

Apologies for continuing the thread drift, but it is relevant to why some of us are reluctant to use Facebook and hence whether it is an appropriate place for information of general interest.

 

I think that's your friend's fault for not logging off properly - otherwise it would be impossible to use facebook on a library computer for instance!

 

I hate those with a passion, I tend to get three types of ad; boiler fitting services, presumably from discussion here about different sorts of boiler, adverts for the "wrong" sort of models and bloody funeral and pension plans because google think's I must be over 60 if I'm interested in steam.

 

It is possible to save login details with the result that next time a site like FB (or even Nat Pres) is visited, it will auto-login. I expect many of us use that function. Iin your example, it could be saved by your friend and you may not even know about it. Letting other people use a device is a very common way of getting crap on that device.

Even if not, FB will have left a cookie (unless the browser is set to reject cookies from FB) and that's how it might guess who is visiting FB. If there's no actual auto-login then surely nothing sinister in that, really.

Generally FB (and other sites, even Nat Pres) will ask for a lot of personal details. But you don't have to tell them. What you do tell them might not even be true

Steve

 

Indeed, for those who see adverts they are I believe provided by Google. Google adverts will be based on web pages visited or google searches.

Doesn't affect me, I don't see adverts.

 

Could I respectfully bring some facts in to the Internet/Facebook debate please? Its Google that uses Cookies to collect information to send you personalised ads, as it’s Google who sells space to advertisers and then onwardly provides a complete package of marketing onto web-sites. It’s how they make a living and it’s always been this way. The fact that these adverts are now more recently tailored to your browsing history just makes online advertising more effective. If you don’t like it you can switch it off here: support.google.com/ads/answer/2662922?hl=en-GB

It’s this advertising that pays for everybody’s ability to have free forums such as Nat Pres, blogs, web-sites, google earth, email’s, etc, etc. Facebook also provide their service free, again its advertising that pays not you. Do you think twice about watching TV where other than the BBC on every channel we watch adverts?

More people in the world use Facebook than don’t and it can only use the information that you put in, I personally never put my correct date of birth in for example. Cookies can only take information from your PC not you so it identifies that a certain IP address (PC Identity) is looking at a certain site and Google use this information to tailor ads to suit which then reappear on most sites you visit afterward, it doesn’t use your name, address and DOB only the PC’s identity and browsing history. If you don’t like that hit CTRL, Up Arrow and N, all at the same time when in Google Chrome and browse the internet ‘Incognito’.

I would suggest that anybody who doesn’t like the way the Internet works (and always has done) doesn’t use the Internet but comes to the WSR, gets involved and gets all the information they need directly from ‘the horse’s mouth’. However if you volunteer you will need to fill out a volunteer form with your name, address, email and contact details on and that is more information than a Cookie takes from your PC so perhaps that’s not a good option either if you don't like people knowing who you are.

Sorry to sound a bit harsh here and I don’t mean to insult anybody but the WSR has gone to great lengths to communicate and has a great and increasing number of on-line channels to give all as much information as they can handle and I thank all those involved for that. It’s getting better every month and many people in the WSR PLC, WSRA, WSSRT and privately such as Steve Edge and the Individual WSR departments are going to increasing length’s to fulfill the requests for information, you can even watch what’s happening live on the various web-cams on Steve’s site for free.

Perhaps can I respectfully suggest that if people don’t want to use the internet channels that are available for free, rather than complaining to the people working hard to provide the information for no cost, that they club together and ask for the information they want and the format they want it in and somebody on the WSR will work out the cost of that and they can pay accordingly. It would be another great way to contribute to the WSR and its running.

 

And it is easy enough to contribute financially to NatPres and thus avoid seeing the adverts on here.

 

A previous post refers to the coming court cases over trustees and shares as 'old' news. So it is, but having reached a definite stage now it is still news about the WSRA which gets avoided here and usually sidetracked or ridiculed. I wonder what is to be feared if such a strong case exists ?
A list of news items was posted a few pages ago but none about this matter which, if the WSRA loses, would cost it another bundle.
There is no certainty about the outcome - there was not in the previous expensive litigation - but which version of the truth is not for me, or any other NP contributor to decide, but will be decided in court.
I feel sorry for the PLC, who now have another debacle bringing bad feelings and publicity about the railway into the public arena. I also feel sorry for those WSRA Members who see the possibility of more of their contributions heading to lawyers again.

 

Well said Andy, it is now 23 years since I left the communications business and nearly 30 since I stopped being a Computer Services manager. It was not for nothing the Google was known as the Goole. The company, Google, is an exceedingly brilliant computer services business and thrives on comparative data. As Andy said if you don't like them gathering data either go Incognito (there is also a tab near the top right of the screen with a little symbol of a spy) to switch it on, or move to Outlook or some other browsing service. You will find they all collect info. No different to the TTI on the train recording all the various methods used to purchase tickets for management's consideration.
I would say that the WSR operations forum has probably spent the next 5 years worth of comments on the internet and the collection of IP addresses and data so lets get back to operations. Wagons Ho

 

We already have that. It's called the Journal, published by the WSRA but pan-railway in its focus. It follows exactly the model you mention and you only have to do three things to get it.
1) Pay your subs
2) Tell us your name
3) Provide a postal address for delivery

Once you have a copy you can write to the editor (snail mail or e-mail as you chose) and suggest items you'd like to see covered in future issues.

BTW - other web browsers (e.g. Firefox) and other search engines are available. A combination of these things will keep your data out of the clutches of Google (unless you are using an android device) but it might put said data into the clutches of Microsoft. As has often been said "there is no such thing as a free lunch".

 

All plc's occasionally have Board changes. I retired as a Board member last October (Friday the 13th actually) and think I unwittingly caused a minor landslide which had some impact on the resignations of 3 other directors. The Company is now moving forward in what can only be described as a professional and clever way. With only 5 Directors left the Chairman with the agreement of the other directors has come up with what looks like an excellent plan to bring some of the strategic partners onto the plc Board. Hence the proposed seats for the WSRA and the WSSRT. These charities will need to look at the financial position of the plc before stepping into that role but things are moving forward. If everything goes well we will end up with a cosmopolitan Board for the plc. This is really a mimic of what the Board looked like over 25 years ago and if it can achieve 50% of what that Board achieved we will have nothing to moan about on this forum.
Lets give Ian, Paul and Chris a chance and see where we are going. This forum seems almost hellbent on destroying the WSR by constantly raking the muck. It is not needed, not wanted and definitely not helpful.
Ken Davidge
One time Director
Two Times Trustee
Wagon Basher Extraordinaire
Happy Bunny
Overweight
Tired and grumbly

 

You seem to know far more about where this case is than I do as a trustee.
Or perhaps you are just speculating about what you think may be happening and how much it may be costing? Or indeed the view held by the plc?
If you are an Association member please write to me via the Association and I'll provide you with an update. Or attend the AGM later this year when there will be an update to all members. Or read the Association meeting minutes which record all decisions taken by the trustees and are made public.

 

Faol, all I wrote, regarding the WSR PLC, was that I felt sorry for them in the present and future circumstances; nothing more nothing less. However, I guess you have a message which you are entitled to put over.

Aldfort, as far as costs are concerned I have no idea but, like everyone else, I know that litigation is not a cheap road to travel. The History web site mentions some names, yours I believe is among them, suggesting that things have progressed beyond letter writing, comments on this and other web sites, and your newsletters, having named solicitors and a barrister who are acting, presumably, for the WSRA. All that is freely available on the web and no 'insider' knowledge from any source is needed. As I mentioned in the previous post my sympathy is with the PLC presently, but I am not party to their views.

 

This is indeed excellent news.

Quite.

I think it's unreasonable to expect to be fully kept abreast of legal proceedings - how many other railways when they unfortunately have to go through such things give a blow by blow account? It would be just as odd as having a big news story from trustees that they're throwing members out of the association... I'd expect to be told a result at the end yes, but no more than that, it's just unnecessary and further drags the railway through the muck.

 

Sorry Greenway I was not directing a criticism at you but every now and then this forum needs a reminder it is supposed to be about operations and not the Board room politics.

 

Updated links page now online at http://www.wsr.org.uk/r-links.htm (or just go to wsr.org.uk and look for "Links" under "More" on the top menu) For those with a dislike of FB, be brave

Steve

 

As you have said you have no idea so you are speculating. Possibly unhelpfully to all the parties who are involved.
You are right my name is mentioned on the other site but most people know who lies behind my on-line handle already. I've been using the same handle on forums for years and on most of them you can look me up and find my real name at the press of a button.
My offer to write in privately as a member still stands for you or any member.
I'm not going to comment further on a public forum.

 

I do not expect a reply Aldfort, but I add there is no speculation whatsoever by me just statements about what it freely available to read on the internet.. No figures are quoted by me just one question and a simple comment that decisions lie in judicial hands rather than anyone here.
I leave it to other readers to draw their own conclusions if they consider both sides of the equation.