Real Names or User Names?
Posted by CowbellGuy
Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: CowbellGuy (Moderator)
Date: October 24, 2006 11:29AM
Just looking for some feedback here. I have a mod that will replace all occurrences of your user name (message author, searches, etc.) with what you have entered in your "Real Name" field in the control panel. I don't really have a strong opinion about it either way, but I wanted to see what you all think.
___________________________
"[Hugh] Jessiman turned out to be a huge specimen of something alright." --Puck Daddy
"[Hugh] Jessiman turned out to be a huge specimen of something alright." --Puck Daddy
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: Chris '03 (---.hsd1.ct.comcast.net)
Date: October 24, 2006 12:23PM
I've always been of the opinion that real names foster a more civil dialogue. I'm pretty sure the majority of users here used real names before one of the updates to the forum swapped user names with real names.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: las224 (---.twcny.res.rr.com)
Date: October 24, 2006 12:28PM
Real names would be nice - people control what they put in the real name box anyway, so if they felt uncomfortable, they could just change it.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: ugarte (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: October 24, 2006 12:31PM
I've got dibs on Greg Berge.las224
Real names would be nice - people control what they put in the real name box anyway, so if they felt uncomfortable, they could just change it.
___________________________
quality tweets | bluesky (twitter 2) | ALAB Series podcast | Other podcasts and writing
quality tweets | bluesky (twitter 2) | ALAB Series podcast | Other podcasts and writing
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: ursusminor (---.nrl.navy.mil)
Date: October 24, 2006 01:06PM
ugarteI've got dibs on Greg Berge.las224
Real names would be nice - people control what they put in the real name box anyway, so if they felt uncomfortable, they could just change it.
I've always wanted to be Earl Leatherland.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: French Rage (---.packetdesign.com)
Date: October 24, 2006 01:37PM
But I'm already in enough trouble with those congressional pages, the last thing I need is for people to realize I'm posting on here too.
___________________________
03/23/02: Maine 4, Harvard 3
03/28/03: BU 6, Harvard 4
03/26/04: Maine 5, Harvard 4
03/26/05: UNH 3, Harvard 2
03/25/06: Maine 6, Harvard 1
03/23/02: Maine 4, Harvard 3
03/28/03: BU 6, Harvard 4
03/26/04: Maine 5, Harvard 4
03/26/05: UNH 3, Harvard 2
03/25/06: Maine 6, Harvard 1
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: DeltaOne81 (---.raytheon.com)
Date: October 24, 2006 01:37PM
Snarkiness aside , ugarte has a good point. Is there any guarantee that real names are unique?
I do prefer that idea, because you could always just match it to your username if you wanted, but do we have any guarantee on them?
I do prefer that idea, because you could always just match it to your username if you wanted, but do we have any guarantee on them?
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: CowbellGuy (Moderator)
Date: October 24, 2006 02:26PM
Nope, they're not unique.DeltaOne81
I do prefer that idea, because you could always just match it to your username if you wanted, but do we have any guarantee on them?
___________________________
"[Hugh] Jessiman turned out to be a huge specimen of something alright." --Puck Daddy
"[Hugh] Jessiman turned out to be a huge specimen of something alright." --Puck Daddy
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: Tub(a) (---.law.pitt.edu)
Date: October 24, 2006 02:35PM
Edited: NM, I didn't understand the proposed change fully.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2006 02:37PM by Tub(a).
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: JasonN95 (---.nyc.deshaw.com)
Date: October 24, 2006 03:10PM
I think keeping the unique identifier is a good idea to prevent any easy imposter shenanigans, so if it has to be one or the other, I'd vote for the user ID. How about both? E.g.: "Posted by: "[user ID]" [name] ([domain info])" Another forum I participate in puts both your login ID and your name entered into your profile beside your posts.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: ftyuv (---.bstnma.fios.verizon.net)
Date: October 24, 2006 03:59PM
I agree with Jason. I've spent decades on this forum building a reputation, and I don't want some smug freshman putting "ftyuv" for his real name and distroying my eCred.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: Jim Hyla (---.twcny.res.rr.com)
Date: October 24, 2006 06:07PM
Agree. As an aside, Age your work is wonderfully done and very much appreciated. Now what about an easy link so we can all donate to your cause.JasonN95
I think keeping the unique identifier is a good idea to prevent any easy imposter shenanigans, so if it has to be one or the other, I'd vote for the user ID. How about both? E.g.: "Posted by: "[user ID]" [name] ([domain info])" Another forum I participate in puts both your login ID and your name entered into your profile beside your posts.
___________________________
"Cornell Fans Made the Timbers Tremble", Boston Globe, March/1970
Cornell lawyers stopped the candy throwing. Jan/2005
"Cornell Fans Made the Timbers Tremble", Boston Globe, March/1970
Cornell lawyers stopped the candy throwing. Jan/2005
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: kaelistus (---.mak.com)
Date: October 25, 2006 03:23PM
I've seen other websites do this: Felix Rodriguez (Kaelistus). And I'm a big fan of that style.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: billhoward (---.hsd1.nj.comcast.net)
Date: October 25, 2006 04:15PM
Going forward it might be a good way to make the discussions more civil. Anonymity breeds anarchy and chaos.
When you mean real name, you mean the first and last name supplied on signup, which probably but not guaranteedly is real?
But don't apply it retroactively: Someone who was a jerk under cover of an anonymous name ought to have a chance to wipe the slate clean.
When you mean real name, you mean the first and last name supplied on signup, which probably but not guaranteedly is real?
But don't apply it retroactively: Someone who was a jerk under cover of an anonymous name ought to have a chance to wipe the slate clean.
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: CowbellGuy (Moderator)
Date: October 25, 2006 05:02PM
It's whatever you put in the "Real Name" field at registration or set in the Control Center. It's not unique and can even be left blank. Since you can now change your login to whatever you want, perhaps that's just the best way to proceed.
___________________________
"[Hugh] Jessiman turned out to be a huge specimen of something alright." --Puck Daddy
"[Hugh] Jessiman turned out to be a huge specimen of something alright." --Puck Daddy
Re: Real Names or User Names?
Posted by: jtwcornell91 (Moderator)
Date: October 25, 2006 06:43PM
I kind of like having handles that are easily visible, with real names that are known to those who pay attention. Sort of like Superman and Batman calling each other "Clark" and "Bruce". On the old Clarkson Roundtable several people addressed me as Joe because I signed my posts "JTW, Cornell '91" and used an email address which contained the name "joe". Oops.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.