I was reading the article on dimethyl sulfide off-flavor that is featured on the AHA home page today. I spotted an error and wanted to point it out in the comment section, but the only way to comment is to log in with a Facebook account. I am a member of the AHA with an AHA online account, but I can’t use that to comment. I need to have a stinking Facebook account! Talk about leaving me with an off-flavor!!!
+1
Never had a FB account, never will, absolutely refuse to, but am a proud, paid AHA member and should be allowed to fully participate. Really hacks me off too.
Same here. I REFUSE to get a Facebook account
I finally was forced to a while back in order to accomplish something I needed to get done - can’t remember exactly what, but it’s under a false name and uses a junk email account I keep for just such things. I still don’t have clue how to use Fakebook, and I have zero desire to learn.
I’ve heard of people doing that. But to me, this is different. AHA is something I regularly, openly, and proudly associate myself with, and willingly pay my dues. I’d like to participate in its community, activities and services directly without having to go through another, unrelated association I don’t otherwise wish to participate in, or under a false identity.
I’ll check tomorrow and see what the deal is. It shouldn’t be be like that.
I don’t understand why some people are so resistant to using social media. It’s a tool. Nothing more. What if a mechanic ran up against a stuck lug nut and you handed him an air impact wrench and he said “I refuse to use it!”
You wouldn’t think much of that mechanic would you?
I agree with you, but I understand their choice.
Hey everyone-
Thanks for the feedback on our commenting system for HomebrewersAssociation.org! A lot has changed (especially with Facebook and its users) since we moved to the Facebook commenting system 6 years ago. The good news is we are gearing up to rework the website starting later this year and I will definitely be making a note to reassess the commenting system on HomebrewersAssociation.org articles.
I’m curious… would folks be more open to using a Google/Gmail account, which has become more the standard than Facebook?
Thanks again for the feedback!
Cheers,
Duncan
PS: Also, feel free to send me that error 
duncan@brewersassociation.org
I’d welcome an option to use a Google/Gmail account. That’s what I use for everything else.
Yeah, that’s definitely what I’m using more and more when 3rd party account verification is an option.
Understood and I agree with you, but I’m a Luddite who still uses a flip-phone so I’m used to being a second class citizen in a world that just assumes everyone has and loves their smartphone. That is the same world that also assumes everyone should love social media.
But this still begs the question: if one is already logged in to the website with their user ID and password, which is necessary to access some content, why isn’t that sufficient to leave a comment?
Exactly! I have other accounts, but I don’t see why I need to use them.
The forum will not be going anywhere!
I agree. A member should have to present AHA member credentials once and have unrestricted access to the entire gamut until log out.
I do realize that non-members read the content on the website and may wish to comment, so a login option other than as a member may still be in order. Should we compel people to pay for a membership in order to explore the content, any more than we should compel them to have a Facebook or Google account to share insights? Should we confine comments to members? Maybe, I don’t know. Why not multiple options to post a comment? Sign in as an AHA member, sign in with Facebook, sign in with Gmail. Member only content would still require signing in with a member ID and password. But leaving comments could be done with any of those. If we want to be the go-to site for exchange of information and building community for homebrewers, we should expand, not restrict, hombrewers’ ability to have their voices heard, and hopefully those who find the content beneficial will feel driven to become paying members to gain full benefits and access. Membership should sell itself. Those who are already members should not have to meet any additional requirements to fully utilize the website.
BTW… what was the error?
Good question. I think I noticed a quibble in one of the earlier articles in the series, can’t recall now what it was, minor but noticable, but I thought I’d let it pass until someone else brought it up – this series being just the sort of generally authoritative content we crave. I mean you and me, BrewBama. Isn’t it nice to be scanning for details instead of gasping at the whole dang thang?
I disagree with that. Ever heard of trolls? People that don’t brew, disagree for whatever reason with Homebrewing? Logged in members should be able to comment, no one else. And any logged in members should have full access to the site, without any third party requirements.