I’m sure that most everyone on ValdostaConnect.com knows that our goal is to do true networking on this site, which is why we do not approve profiles with nicknames. I send everyone an email that I initially decline. This email describes what they can do to become a member. Occasionally, even after I send the email, I get some angry return responses. I have been called a racist, a monkey, and a few other things. This time I was told to go to… “hell with gasoline drawers”. There was no question that this person was upset, and he also said that he was offended because he couldn’t join with a nickname. He said that our website was nothing special and he went on about other things that I don’t want to mention. What this guy may not have realized or intended in his response to me, was that he implied that Valdostans weren’t qualified to operate a business in a professional manner. I wish that I could say that he is alone in his thinking, but there are a number of people (regrettably other Valdostans), who don’t realize that ValdostaConnect is a legitimate business and not solely a fun place to browse online. We do more than just provide a free profile page. Many members do not realize that without their support it’s difficult to grow and expand.
Many of us love websites like MySpace, FaceBook, Classmates.com, and Yahoo Personals. These are only a few of the well known companies who Valdostans do business with, but are these companies giving back to our community? Google “Valdosta” and you will find hundreds of outside companies capitalizing on our online business yet none of them have an office here nor do they provide helpful resources specifically for our community. One of our primary objectives is to add valuable resources and opportunities to the Valdosta – Lowndes County community.
Take a look at my response to this individual and tell me what you think.
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Hello,
- The email I sent was not a “you can’t join us letter”, but a “this is what you can do to join” letter
- I created the site as a social and business network. You can’t do true networking if you have a lot of people using nicknames. If you go to Classmates.com, Reunion.com, some other site like Yahoo Personals, they don’t accept nicknames (they have certain goals that they want to accomplish, and so they have their rules for membership). Are these sites the only ones people respect, but when it comes from something organized in Valdosta, does membership rules mean nothing?
- I’m not trying to duplicate Myspace (never have). Myspace pretty much has a “post anything you want” policy. There are people out there who want to do things on the web that don’t involve foul language and obscene images. This is why I spend a great deal of time moderating ValdostaConnect
- I don’t require full names. You can 1) use your first name, 2) use your last name, or 3) use first and last initials. When you do this you still have the option of placing a nickname on your page title.
- The site is a social and business website specifically for networking which is why there is a profile question about occupation and if you own a business (of which I have not required you to answer). I definitely don’t want people to tell where they actually work because of safety and privacy concerns. So, if someone is a teacher, I don’t want them putting that they work at VHS (just that they are a teacher).
- I tell all of our members just because someone is on the site don’t make them safe. This is why I created an online safety and privacy guide and Prevent identity theft group.
ValdostaConnect is a business (not simply a site for fun). Even MySpace doesn’t exist just for fun.
The goal and objective of our business is to connect friends, family, and business associates that extends far beyond the web which is why I don’t treat it like MySpace. Is Classmates.com and Yahoo the only companies allowed to do this on a professional level? Even MySpace operates their business in a way that they feel is best. Are businesses from Valdosta not allowed? My goal is to add a valuable resource to the community- a way for us no matter where we are in the world to get together, do a little socializing, and do some business together. Does the fact that I’m from Valdosta means that I’m not qualified to do this? There are many companies like MySpace, Classmates, Yahoo, and numerous others companies making a great deal of money from Valdostans, yet not one of them are trying to put anything back in the community. Why would these companies have your respect but ones from Valdosta do not?
Sincerely,
Eric Jackson
