Real Names or User Names?

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.

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.

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.

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 got dibs on Greg Berge.

ugarte

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 got dibs on Greg Berge.

I've always wanted to be Earl Leatherland.

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.

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?

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?

Nope, they're not unique.

Edited: NM, I didn't understand the proposed change fully.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I've seen other websites do this: Felix Rodriguez (Kaelistus). And I'm a big fan of that style.

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.

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.

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.