I'm pretty ticked with fredmiranda.com.

I find it really discriminatory that I can't register at FM because I use gmail for my email.

I've used gmail for YEARS, as it's free, reliable, and no matter where I move, where I go, or where I am anywhere in the world, I've got access to my email. I can't even BEGIN to tell you how frustrating it was to be tied to Outlook on ONE computer, at home, only accessible when I was physically sitting in front of my computer. Lets not even get into how a hard drive failure, system crash, fire, flood - whatever could wipe out all my emails, contacts, address book, etc. Having a gmail account has assured me that I never lose any information, and if I'm in Botswana and need a registration key for software I need to install on my laptop that I bought 2 years ago, I can get it.

Having gmail also protects against theft. If someone steals my computers, either at home or on the road, all my emails and correspondence isn't stored ON the computer.

It makes FAR more sense to use something respectable, yet free, like Google Mail. So, why wouldn't FM allow people to register with it? As it is, I don't have an ISP based email address, so.. I guess I'm not allowed "in" to the exclusive FM website.

*fume*

Their house, their rules?
Why would you "fume" over something like this? You have no "right" to get an account on their forum.

Because it is free and easy to register GMail accounts used to be used to send out spam. Google has gotten better about it, but that doesn't mean that all forum owners trust it yet.

If you knew what it's like as a forum/server admin to keep spam in check, you'd understand.

Anyway, didn't mean to interrupt your self-entitlement rant

I dont have an account there for that very reason. I dont feel like I'm entitled to an account there so its not an entitlement thing. I'm going to chalk it up as being their loss. Not that I am particularly valuable, but I'm guessing in the days of broadband there are lots of users like myself that rely on web based email accounts who are staying away for the same reason.

I don't have an account there either. Not because of the eMail issue, just because one photo forum is enough for me .

As a forum admin myself, I just understand their decision. Do I agree with it personally? No. But I do understand.

I have my own domain, and I use gmail. Keeps spammers and **** bags out. i approve.

This was discussed one week ago here:

https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=fredm​iranda.com

As stated in one of the posts from the above link, most ISPs provide their subscribers with an email address. The only time I've ever used mine was to register with fredmiranda.com.

Either way, this really is more of a fredmiranda.com tech support issue.

I just find it discriminatory is all. *shrug* I just get irked at the notion of being guilty of something based on nothing more than the email address I use.

"Oh, he uses Gmail. Must be a spammer, lock him out!". It's irksome, that's all.

That said, I have had NO issues with this forum thus far, I DO prefer it to FM anyways. It was just the principle of the thing.

And no, I don't feel I'm entitled to anything. *shrug* I just don't like being told that I'm not welcome for a reason as stupid as what email service I use.

NovusPhoto wrote in post #9682469
I can't even BEGIN to tell you how frustrating it was to be tied to Outlook on ONE computer, at home, only accessible when I was physically sitting in front of my computer. Lets not even get into how a hard drive failure, system crash, fire, flood

First, I know not what your "primary" email server is, but here, I DO NOT USE ANY KIND of "in computer" email for ANY of my several accounts. My primary account, my Yahook Gmail and (cough choke) hotmail are all accessed ONLINE, otherwise know as "webmail"

Second, Miranda is not the ONLY one. Just in photo forums, there's at least one other one that wanted to know my first born, the color of the roofing trim around my house, and what position my girlfriend(s) favor. I am NOT a member

The OP has a valid point, but I also understand FM's policy... though I think FM is a little unnecessarily extreme with it.

Another board I belong to has the same policy for the same reasons, but they also provide a contact e-mail address so you can ask them for a "waiver" of sorts if you need to... which they will generally approve. It's been a long time since I checked, but FM does not have any way to contact them unless you're already a member. That's shortsighted, and more than a little arrogant, IMO.

photoguy6405 wrote in post #9682745
.....FM does not have any way to contact them unless you're already a member. That's shortsighted, and more than a little arrogant, IMO.

Exactly. And also part of the reason I get so annoyed. I'm not even sure WHY I find it so annoying, but I do. There's plenty of ways to confirm someone's email as being legit, and you can also add some conditions, like, you can't post in certain forums until "X" number of posts have been reached, etc.

I just think I'm annoyed because I would have expected something a little better from such an "esteemed" web entity. As it is, I know to avoid anything FM, because of the way they do business. I wonder how many potentially bad FM members are kept out in relation to the number of potentially great ones? Hopefully, enough to make the black mark on their reputation worth it...

For christs sake I'll give you an email at my domain if you really want.

NovusPhoto wrote in post #9682798
Exactly. And also part of the reason I get so annoyed. I'm not even sure WHY I find it so annoying, but I do. There's plenty of ways to confirm someone's email as being legit, and you can also add some conditions, like, you can't post in certain forums until "X" number of posts have been reached, etc.

I just think I'm annoyed because I would have expected something a little better from such an "esteemed" web entity. As it is, I know to avoid anything FM, because of the way they do business. I wonder how many potentially bad FM members are kept out in relation to the number of potentially great ones? Hopefully, enough to make the black mark on their reputation worth it...

As an FM member, I'm beginning to think it's a good thing you have been blocked.

Really, just get another email address, or else forget FM and move on. No children have died over this issue. If you don't know "WHY" you find it so annoying, stop ranting about it ...... at least until you do.

OP I find it pretty lame too.

I agree with OP. I tried to register with my sbcglobal.net email address, the one that came with my AT&T Uverse account, and I was declined.

It's just another forum 99% filled with "which camera" should I buy threads. Why do you need more than one?