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 (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) 4.61 (Highly recommend) from 28 votes (334 Visits)

Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Anonymous Author (November 2007)


Hopefully, before deciding to add a friend, you will already know all the information in my previous advice about Friend Requests, and the links to other advice included in it.  If not; at least click on the blue menu bar on the left hand side on

the homepage of the person who invited you.  This will allow you to see all interaction that this member has had on the site – except for any blogs in private groups.  Remember, you needn't agree with every single thing a person says and does to be their friend, be open-minded, yet be smart in your choices. 

Returning Minti Member’s
When a Minti member leaves of their own accord, then returns.
Some current members of Minti have left in the past for their own reasons, and deleted their accounts.  Because of this, they have had to create new accounts and usernames upon their return.  You will find that the majority of these member’s have no problem disclosing this information, and in many cases announce their return for all to see.  Usually, they are happy to answer any questions that you have about their previous identity, as they have nothing to hide.

Member’s With A Secret Agenda
A member returns after their account is deleted or voted off for breach of Minti’s Terms of Service.
Sometimes these member’s return secretly, taking up where they left off.  Usually nobody or only a select few people are aware of their identity.  Habitual offenders have not only done it repeatedly, but created multiple accounts in the process.  Usually admin find them out, or diligent member’s recognise the person’s style and become suspicious.  Failing that, the person behaves in the same manner that got them reported in the first place and is removed again.  They are very good at fooling people, gathering friend’s and causing rifts on the site, however when aggravated, they tend to drop their guard.  These people go to great lengths to be deceitful, and return somewhere they have been made unwelcome.  It is one thing to feel sorry for someone, and give them a second chance, however I recommend being very aware that this can happen.

Member’s In Breach of Minti Terms of Service
Sometimes the site has members who join for their own gains, or dubious agendas.
This includes all member’s who may join to solicit from you; spam your Minti mail; stalk or harass member’s; advertise their own business; or a paedophile.  Read Minti’s Code of Honour by rachelcook to be up to date with what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour for a member.  As for paedophiles they are everywhere, and often they are cowards, so hiding behind a computer is perfect for them.  Look for people that ask you odd questions and provide details and information that just doesn’t add up in their advice, comments and blogs.  Check their family photos if any – often they come from the internet in general.  These people usually offer their email address out freely, in an effort to befriend you and gain your trust.  Think about what types of photos you post of your children, and where you are posting on the site too.  There are a lot of unsavoury and dangerous characters out there lurking on the internet for what we would deem to be innocent photos.  Think twice about giving in depth answers in Q&A to questions about yours, or your children's bodies and underwear etc - especially if the poster is anonymous - don't give them reason to hang around.

Other Ways For You To Find Out About Minti Member's
Trust your instincts, if something doesn't seem right follow it up.
Check out  the Virtual to Reality group to see if anyone has met them in person.  Check with other member’s in their friend’s list, however beware that they may be the member’s own multiple accounts.  Look at the member’s page and seek advice from a high ranking member or member of admin by sending them Minti mail, (check to see if they are online first if you want a quick response).   Do an internet search on the person's username, many people use the same name on many sites.  If it seems to be the same person, (check out general homepage information and photos), this could give your more insight about whether or not the person is genuine.

Don’t have your email address readily available on any social networking site, it gives undesirable members of the public further access to you.  Or, if you choose to have your email address visible, create one that is different to the one you would use for your banking and other private business. Bots scan the internet for addresses to spam, and that is just the tip of the iceberg, many have more sinister agendas.  Being smart online will help you and the Minti community in general to have a great experience.  Ozbinky has just written some excellent advice; Cyber Bullying, I highly recommend reading that too.

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of Minti.com Pty Ltd. If you are searching for health related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Terms of Service for more details.
ADVICE RATING
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blackwidowkate
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | blackwidowkate
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Hi

They say a stranger is jsut a friend you do not know but some of the people i have met on here are too strange.....

Great way with words

I think once you leave if you come back you should have to use your old user name

Stuff it up that is your problem

But alas that is in a perfect world

Luv Deb



Reply Reply Report
Gypsie
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | Gypsie
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Great article....Well done Lui

~ Know what I hate ~

When members choose to leave,delete all their stuff,or even if they get banned,

if they are Administrators of "Groups" they have created...means nothing can be done with that group,

too bad if members wanted to join it...lol

At least they could have nominated another person to take over Administration of the group or something...

Geeeeeeeezzzzz...



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
That's an interesting one... I got stuck as the administrator of a group when Kate left - and I didn't even realise I was back in the group until afterwards - so I am in the reverse of that situation LOL. 

I guess it is one for admin to work on, and perhaps they can come up with a solution to work out a way around it.


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           Domestic-warrior
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | Domestic-warrior
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Ah me too!  I only realised that i was admin of the group when i logged in to view something...surprise!  Anyway i'm learning my way round it! 

 Why can't those groups be still active??



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KyAquarius
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | KyAquarius
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
What awesome advice Lui! Its a shame we get people with bad intentions trying to tarnish the Minti community at times. I wonder if it will ever be possible to make more of our profile features private to new users and people who aren't on our friends list?! Kylie *;-)


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2008 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thanks Kylie, I guess it is like all communities, be they online or in real life... People have differing and sometimes sinister agendas.  Online administrators can only protect people so much, it is up to each individual to decide their own comfort level in regard to personal disclosure. 


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Amerlinwinga
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | Amerlinwinga
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Thanks for sharing Lui...... Great  Advise hunni!!!

Hugs and Kisses



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thanks champ - it pays to be careful - we are in 'real' life, however some people get slack online... Not everyone is who they seem to be.  XOX


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Aaliyah
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | Aaliyah
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thank you for the time you took in preparing this.  I am going back now to start with number one. 

Sincerely,

Aaliyah


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Wow, that's really nice, thanks heaps Aaliyah, I appreciate your feedback, cheers - Lui.


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jenlemen
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | jenlemen
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
good advice, lil.  you are crafting quite a lovely minti users manual here. quite helpful!!


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thanks Jen, it is purely for selfish reasons, now when people ask about things of this nature, I can just send them a link to click on...


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cassaustin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | cassaustin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thanks that is great advice! This is the first website i have ever joined where my pics, general info and thoughts are easily accesible. A good reminder not to give away too much info.


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thank you for your feedback... I have just started using the restricted and private features on my photos when I upload them - it is a good way to control who sees them.


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cheekymonkeys
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | cheekymonkeys
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Good advice! Sounds great for new members to read. So they can get a idea of what minti is all about!


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thanks Michelle - it is so nice to share stuff, and show off our little mites, but we need to be careful of what and how much we allow 'out there'.


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bittenbythelovebug
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | bittenbythelovebug
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
A great piece Lui! It's easy to feel comfortable and let your guard down when you think you're amongst friends, but we must not forget that not everyone is as nice as we are. T xx


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Hey stranger - great to see you around!  Thanks heaps for the feedback, and yes, I think we all get a little complacent sometimes, as it's not the real world... The thing is, that we need to be very careful about who we do let into our real world.  Cheers, Lui XOX


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Fairyfloss
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | Fairyfloss
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Well Written and food for thought

Rainbows

Flossy X



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Thanks Flossy, I appreciate the feedback, and I think you will like the article that Ozbinky just wrote on cyber-bullying too.


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emmysmum
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | emmysmum
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
great advice.
And it is easy to hide behind a computer but i personally don't see the point, as in the end you are only fooling yourself!!
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
I agree!  However as you are probably aware, there have been member's who have even commented to themselves in the past using their multiple accounts... What is with that? 

Thanks for the feedback - cheers, Lui.


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jenjen
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | jenjen
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
thanks for that info....it makes us more aware...jen


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
You're welcome, I'm glad you appreciate it, people are not always who they seem


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janicepovey
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | janicepovey
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Excellent advice as always Lui, You set out some great pointers, it is always good to take a step back and have a think about your actions before running head on into trouble.  "Trust your Instincts", love that and if you do, you can never go wrong.

Cheers Janice



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
That's a great point Janice - I think that most people have great instincts, they are just not confident to follow them.  They often take their cues from other's and follow the majority - even when they aren't comfortable with that line of thought.  Online is a good place to practice following your instincts, as you don't have the visual or aural cues - you can hone your skills in intuition and 'gut feeling' instead - as well as reading between the lines.

Cheers you clever, gorgeous creature - Luv Lui XOX


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HarrisonsMommy
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | HarrisonsMommy
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Thanks Lui, This is good information.  When I first joined minti is was a bit daunting to get "friend" requests.  It was like who are you and why are you asking to be my friend.  And then what the hell is a lounge and what should I be doing with it?  This would have been very helpful when I first joined...will help alot of people...

Angela



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      HarrisonsMommy
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | HarrisonsMommy
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?

Um, oops I should have posted this one to the friends one...

Advice is still great.  You never know who you can trust.  It just means that you need to be vigilant about keeping track of your friends and what is going on.  It is so easy to be decieved online.  You just need to keep your head about you and your eyes very wide open.

XXOO-Ang



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           llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
LOL!  Thanks Angela, people tend to be more relaxed in what they say and do online, as this is just an online world...  However they seem to forget that it means it is easier for someone to assume an identity, and pretend to be someone they aren't.  Also, this is a public website, and anyone can see what is written, so people need to protect themselves a little better.

Cheers, Lui XOX


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Friend Or Foe?
Like I keep saying matey - you gotta lay off the vino when you are driving the keyboard... Hehehe. Thanks for your comments and your support - Luv Lui XOX


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hermy
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | hermy
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
great info once again Lui.......regards Sandra xxx


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Thanks Sandra - it is a shame that it is necessary, however forewarned is forearmed...  Lui


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yummymummyof3
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | yummymummyof3
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Good advice, I think some forget that this is online, you have no idea who is on the other end....  xx


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Yes, like it could be someone pretending to be a Doctor, or a Therapist and giving out terrible advice...  People need to know that most registered practitioners are usually listed somewhere online or in a local area phone book etc... 


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angelicarose
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | angelicarose
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?

great advice

xxx



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Thanks Angela, I see you have been busy, I will have to check it out - Lui.


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Domestic-warrior
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | Domestic-warrior
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?

There are some really devious people out there..a very good warning to be on our guard!

Thanks again,  maybe you should rename these 'The Minti Users Guide' ....what do you think ? Jx



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
There sure are, and they don't like being talked about or recognised.  I think they prefer to sneak around - tough luck huh?!  I don't know enough about the site to write a Minti Users Guide, I just wanted people to get the maximum out of their minti experience... Plus I like short titles.   Thanks heaps for the feedback Julie


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emmie
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | emmie
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?

brilliant advice luv and so very well put as always

cheers lotsa luv emz xx



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Thanks Emz, it's good to see our discussions can be useful to other people too!  XOX


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ellamia
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | ellamia
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Great advice. This is good for new members. thanks for the advice

Love Kell


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Thanks Kell, as you can see in the links, there are similar advice articles already.  This is more of an example of who we might be dealing with, and just to be a little cautious about who we are interacting with online.


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WinnierooPooh
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | WinnierooPooh
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?

Superb advice, once again. I think these Maximum articles  are great and would encourage new members, such as myself, to read them. I would also encourage old hands to point newbies in there direction. It would make life online easier, to remember that there are dangers and pitfalls.Thankyou.

Luv Winnie.xxxx



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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Thanks Winnie - although some of this covers topics that aren't so nice, it is important to be aware of some pitfalls like this, so people can avoid them. The great majority of people on Minti are fabulous - there are just an odd few that sneak through under the radar. Cheers, Lui.


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MumKim
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | MumKim
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Great advice, well written with nice links.
cheers
Kim


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
LOL - Thanks Kim, well you would know about it, as you have been on the ball in the past, which was great.


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           MumKim
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | MumKim
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
and coped more than my fair share of flack for it by newer members who were unaware of the damage that particular member had done in the past under her many previous member names.


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                llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
You sure did, and so have a couple of members lately when they have justly reported people for similar behaviour... You can be pretty sure that there will be more people creating multiple accounts, and sneaking back across the border after being deported.  Hopefully if EVERYONE can be more aware, people will be more likely to seek answers instead of jumping to defend someone they don't know.  Especially when they are being reported by a long time, reputable person like yourself.


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cazza
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | cazza
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Great advise...

xxxx cazza


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      llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Thanks Cazza, I worry that people are too kind on the site, and forget to be careful and protect themselves a little.


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           cazza
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | cazza
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
A great friend that i hadnt spoken to me for a while gave me advise that i so needed yesterday, and has helped me realise who i can trust and who i cant...

so i know from now on what to do....

xxxxx cazza


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                llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: Maximum Minti 8 - Who's Your Friend?
Well - the most important person to trust is yourself... I find it is best not to put too much faith in other people, for if they disappoint you in any way, you won't get too upset.  When people can hide behind the computer - they could be anyone...  When I met Angela, we both brought our knights in shining armour with us - LOL!  (Her one would've kicked my one's butt I reckon).


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