Yesterday, I had been reading a post in the forums that had been started by a deleted member.
Based on things I've read here on this site, if a member e-mails communitymanager@NAS.org.uk requesting their account be deleted, they will be given the choice of having their account permanently closed, which, unless I'm mistaken means that their member profile is removed from the site. Alternatively, they can choose to have their account 'paused', in the event that they may want to return and reactivate their membership at a later date.
Now, I am aware that due to a design flaw, it is possible for members to create the impression that they are a deleted member, simply by changing their NAS username to 'Deleted User'. However, I was somewhat surprised, to say the least, when I suddenly noticed the deleted member was online. The green light signaling that this member was online was a bit of a giveaway.
Obviously, it is none of my business how other members wish to use their accounts unless the members are in fact spambots, or just want to deliberately cause trouble. However, it just struck me as rather odd that a member who had gone to the effort of creating the impression they were a deleted member, would then actively choose to 'blow their cover' by appearing online. To my mind, if someone has gone to the effort of creating the illusion they are no longer an active member, it tends to suggest that (for whatever reason) they don't want other members to know they are still here. Hence why I found it so odd, and dare I say disconcerting.
Edited to add: I feel it would be wise not to speculate on the identity of the deleted member. Also, even if you're certain you know the identity of this member, please can I request that no mention is made of anything they may have stated in the posts they had created elsewhere on the forums, as I do not feel it would be helpful. Thank you!
