Catch All - the place for anything you want to discuss off a specific topic

[myglaren]

I first saw it about fifteen years ago and was impressed, this one expands on the original account quite a bit.
Smart woman.

[mickthemaverick]

Just a simple note of appreciation!! I see both Richard and Marc have used different terms being 'auto hide' and 'masked' today to describe the treatment of VIN numbers on the forum. Either or both are so much better than 'Obfuscated' which always sounds like the Forum has a plum stuck in its mouth!! Merry Christmas to all our innovators!!

[CitroJim]

I can't even pronounce that 'O' word... Is it an American import?

[mickthemaverick]

I think it is ours but the actual meaning is to make something 'less clear' or 'harder to understand' rather than removed. So it isn't really accurate for the forum where VIN's are not able to be read at all rather than can be read with difficulty!! More info here.

[moizeau]

Mick, I disagree and agree. I agree that something like 'masked' is a far better word in general but 'osbificated' or whatever is actually closer to the truth. You post your VIN and it isn't hidden, us plebs can't read it but it's still visible to the godlike ones. Therefore it is harder to understand and less clear unless you become a god in which case it's in clear view.

[CitroJim]

^^ Nice one Pete... Made me smile

[mickthemaverick]

Mick, I disagree and agree. I agree that something like 'masked' is a far better word in general but 'osbificated' or whatever is actually closer to the truth. You post your VIN and it isn't hidden, us plebs can't read it but it's still visible to the godlike ones. Therefore it is harder to understand and less clear unless you become a god in which case it's in clear view.

Your argument is very valid there Pete except the bit in purple. I would suggest 'You post your VIN and it is hidden from us plebs but legible to the Gods'. However if that were the case then it would be correct to suggest we have segregation in the FCF and that would never do So maybe we should take a tip from our security services and say it is 'classified' and a certain security clearance is required to be allowed to read it!! Of course that would lead us to the next step to ask: "What do the security services call it when something is masked?" Answer - Obfuscated -- oi it's suddenly gone very dark around me?????

[MattBLancs]

Obfuscation:

I like these odd, specific and not in common use words. Sometimes it's nice to have a specific word that is "exactly what is meant"

In my work we have meetings where we have to ensure we are "quorate" before proceeding.

Then we have have random bits of Latin chucked in: e.g. mark up a document/drawing and cross out the wrong bit? Simply write "stet" next to it.

Then we've acronyms, oh boy to we! One document that tried to define them all ran to eighty pages - and missed many of them!


With all that to contend with, it's a wonder I get anything done!

[Paul-R]

What do the security services call it when something is masked?

Redacted.

Although, done properly, it then is no longer readable by anyone.

[Rp0thejester]

I think in general it should be 'obscured' or anything spelt correctly, we ain't MI5/6/7, it's cars FFS, using old English words will just marr the forums status. Let's keep it simple AND OPEN TO EVERYONE, no matter who reads it! Laymen's terms is the best imo.

[Rp0thejester]

I am CitroJim Champion so be careful on your reply.....I will find you......

[xantia_v6]

I like the verb redact. It is even derived from old french. https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/redact ... e%E2%80%9D).

[Paul-R]

Ahem. See four posts above.

[Rp0thejester]

I was a donor in 2022 it's due to run out, if I put the tenner in will it automatically get renewed or do I need to do something?

[mickthemaverick]

Wait till next week to be sure its in 2024 and then it will be fine. Richard will update your status when he sees the payment come in