IPVM has launched its own discussion group, integrated within the IPVM site, with advanced features and ease of use. We can now help you even more and better facilitate feedback from thousands of other members. This note explains the key changes and benefits. Check out IPVM Discussions Now

Single Spot for Articles and Discussions

Previously, we had discussions hosted on LinkedIn, which made it difficult and confusing for the 75,000+ visitors per month to IPVM.com to find our discussions. This was especially challenging for those who do not regularly use LinkedIn. Now, as IPVM visitors read our posts, they can click right over to discussions and vice versa.

Single Sign-On For PRO Articles and Discussions

Previously, users had to log in separately for IPVM.com and for IPVM LinkedIn discussions (and of course have memberships for both). Now, IPVM PRO member login provides instant access to both IPVM articles and discussions. Even in the few week beta period, we have over 500 posts and 5,000 reads, a strong sign of adoption.

Stealth Comment Without Disclosing Your Identity

This is the biggest, and most novel, feature of the new system. On LinkedIn, everyone had to disclose their real name always. On other forums, people could completely hide their identities. By contrast, on IPVM discussions, the default will be real full names but members can hide their identities for specific comments. At the same time, we will know who the commenter is and can review if anything is improper.

Here's what it looks like and how you can enable it:

We think this is a huge benefit. Many individuals have a lot to lose by publicly asking questions or raising problems (e.g., integrators face retaliation from a manufacturer partner, employees can get in trouble with their company, end users are frequently harassed by sales people). This way, sensitive issues can be raised without the member being worried.

While some fear misuse, we can handle this. Some worry that people can use this as a cover to promote their products or attack their competitors. However, we will check each stealth post for any such issues. If there are, we will reach out to the member and ask them to modify or delete the comment. However, we will never reveal the name of the person publicly.

Embedding Pictures and Links

LinkedIn, as well as many forums, restrict formatting of user’s posts. By contrast, IPVM forums allow embedding images, videos and links. For instance, if a member has a problem with a camera, they can share the image directly in their comment. Likewise, we can embed images and videos in line to improve our response.

Up Next – Searching

Another major limitation of LinkedIn discussions is that they are in closed area that neither search engines nor even us could access without manually logging in. By contrast, IPVM discussions are accessible directly on the public Internet (with detailed comments members only). In February, we will add this to IPVM search making it even easier to find any information on a topic of interest, whether it is in a post or discussion.

Helping Members Still #1

All of these improvements focus on making it easier for members to participate so we can better help you. We are excited about how fast and strong discussions have already taken off in the first 3 week beta period.

Start a discussion. Leave a comment. Read on. See for yourself, go to IPVM discussions now.