Should Anonymity be allowed on the board?

[barrysloate]

Thanks Leon, you were a model guest...like you said, we will never have agreement on this issue. I guess I will soften my position and recognize some people have a reason to remain under the radar, and it's not my place to tell them to do otherwise.

[Al C.risafulli]

If I am not mistaken, if I added a period or two and identified myself as "Bar.ry Slo.ate" wouldn't that keep my name out of standard searches?

Barry, that's exactly why I put a period in my last name on this board. I started doing it a few years ago, when someone from outside the hobby started asking me nosy questions about my 54 posts.

Unfortunately at that point I had already made the decision to use my real name here. It's the only board where I do. To remedy the situation, I put a period in my last name. But if I had to do it over again, I would NOT use my name.

-Al

[slidekellyslide]

I voted "NO", but I can see the merits of being anonymous....however one should not be anonymous when wishing another poster dead, so they can then suffer the embarrassment of having said death wish appear in the New York Daily News Blog.

Cue the death threat to my inbox in t-minus.......

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Dan,

This is one of my concerns. As someone who uses their full name, I do not appreciate the fact that somebody can come on here and say things that may be incorrect/hurtful, etc., before running away, only to come back later under a new guise/new IP. People should be publicly held accountable for anything they publicly post, and that was my main concern.

Conversely, the points stressed by a couple of others certainly carry more long-term weight. I did give these things consideration, but, as someone who has always used my name, I guess my feelings on this echo those of Barry.

[slidekellyslide]

I've always used my full name...not just here, but also for over a decade on usenet. It's never been much of a concern for me since I've always worked for myself, but I can see the point that many of those concerned with the issue have made.

[Mr. Mitt]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

My point is that since this is an internet chatboard, your decision to "stand behind" all of your posts is really just a decision to remain consistent with a collection of letters that happen to spell "Barry Sloate". You are as much a real person on here as anyone who posts under the same assumed name every time.

I'd like to expand on this a bit. If a new person stumbles on this forum and wants information about T206's, perhaps they'll look for posts where T206Collector is involved. If they're looking for information about a Draper Maynard G41 Ruth, they may seek out Mr. Mitt. If they want chocolate or any information on Agustus or Veruca, they might assume Wankaticket may have a little knowledge. Not many Barry Sloate collectors out there. But, I digress.

Seriously, As you said Barry, over time, they read what you have written and begin to understand your points of view and trust your opinions. Now, at the same time, T206Collector and Mr. Mitt and Wankaticket post and their opinions become as trusted and respected as BarrySloate. Why would you assume that we wouldn't take pride in our posts, or stand behind them, or take the heat when we are incorrect? It comes down to vanity. You said in your last post referencing the mysteries of the universe. I don't need to have the world know my accomplishments. It's just not that important... it's a hobby, not splitting the atom! Does it really matter that Mr. Mitt questioned the authenticity of the Cobb advertisement and that Wankaticket provided visuals that damn near proved it without a shadow of a doubt? Would it have been any different if Jerry XXXX and John XXXX did the same thing? Does it matter to me that Jerry XXXX is going unrecognized for this very minor accomplishment? Not at all. As T206Collector said, if I can add some value to the forum as Mr. Mitt, it's just as important to me as using my real name.

[barrysloate]

It's not vanity in my case, it's wanting people to know that I've been around a long time and know a little bit about baseball cards. I have to tell you that being on this board for so many years and posting regularly helped my business tremendously. I decided a long time ago that having my name here in print was important. That's all really. I decided early on the being anonymous would not have been a good decision. You obviously feel differently.

[Mr. Mitt]

I'm glad that it has helped you in your business, Barry, I truly am. I'm just not sure about my case, though. I see a greater chance of it adversely affecting me than helping. I like the fact that we have a choice.

[barrysloate]

Exactly.

[Jay Wolt]

Anonymity doesn't bother on this board, good hobby content keeps me coming back,
regardless if I know who the poster is.
I place my name on each post, so I won't forget who I am.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Mr. Mitt

I'm glad that it has helped you in your business, Barry, I truly am. I'm just not sure about my case, though. I see a greater chance of it adversely affecting me than helping. I like the fact that we have a choice.

I can actually see very little good coming from using a real name on a public internet chatboard unless it also helps support one's business that also contains a real name.

[Bob Lemke]

Several have expressed perfectly valid reasons for not wanting their name to be associated with their presence on this forum. Unfortunately, there are others whose preference for anonymity is more about avoiding accountability for their words than anything else.

Regardless, I think this forum has always operated fairly well with Leon being the arbiter of when anonymity becomes malevolent and I trust him to continue to do so, especially now that he has more information on all registered users.

I know when I'm assessing the credibility of any post, a person whose name is right out front gets bonus points.

[jmk59]

No. Sort of. I thought the policy of the old board was simply perfect. Good concept and good execution. You can be anonymous and happily read and post and do whatever you want in total privacy, until you decide you want to post something controversial or inflammatory.

That means that anonymity is completely within the control of the member. Want to be anonymous forever? You can. But not if you want to be confrontational. I think that's a fair tradeoff.

One of the big knocks on chat boards is that anyone can be brave from behind a keyboard. Having to put your name down is just one small thing that says you have to be willing to stand by your controversial or slamming comments. I don't think that's too much to ask. It's kind of a way of life for me.

And it is so easy to defeat search engines, I can't see how that can be a factor at all. Jo@nn K!ine. As to the very good point about OTHER people using your name in inflammatory posts, that would be easily addressed by a board rule - simple to understand and enforce - that says you cannot use a first and last name in a post. Or at least not without the engine-defeating mechanisms.

I think the registration process that requires valid info is a good improvement in terms of overall security. But I also think the board lost something when that became enough.

So ... how do I vote? Not quite 'no'. Not quite OK to put info in Profile area - why can't someone that posts only non-controversially have the option to stay completely anonymous?

Guess I'll vote 'no' as my closest choice.

J.o.a.n.n

[Matt]

Originally Posted by jmk59

No. Sort of. I thought the policy of the old board was simply perfect. Good concept and good execution. You can be anonymous and happily read and post and do whatever you want in total privacy, until you decide you want to post something controversial or inflammatory.

That means that anonymity is completely within the control of the member. Want to be anonymous forever? You can.

Actually, if I recall correctly, on the old board even if you wanted to be confrontational, you didn't have to expose your name to anyone other then Leon. On the new forum, no one's name is unknown to Leon.

[jmk59]

Matt,

I think on the old board there were some exceptions, but it was largely "put your full name by your posts unless you are well known". I think there were some occasions/reasons where Leon would be okay with a person that requested only Leon to have the info, but the predominant practice was to require full name unless you were known.

I do believe that was better than having everybody on a only-Leon-needs-to-know basis.

J

[jmk59]

nm

[FrankWakefield]

1- I voted 'no'.

2- The poll process works very well here at this new site. Again, thank you, guys.

3- Even though I voted no, I kinda agree with what Joann said up there about perfection. It was a well moderated system, thanks to Leon.

4- Seeing Barry Sloate use his name helped me reconsider what I'd used on the old board, and for me going with my name here seems better.

5- After reading Barry's posts I'm going to mention 'BarrySloate' one more time, 'cause he's a good guy, runs good auctions, and all that jazz...

6- So maybe I should have voted some sort of qualified no along the lines of what Joann talked about, but I'll stay with a straightforward no.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by jmk59

I think on the old board there were some exceptions, but it was largely "put your full name by your posts unless you are well known". I think there were some occasions/reasons where Leon would be okay with a person that requested only Leon to have the info, but the predominant practice was to require full name unless you were known.

That does sound familiar - I must have mis-remembered. It was so long ago.

[mark evans]

In my judgment, the current rule as applied by Leon strikes an appropriate balance between the competing interests. My personal preference, however, would be for folks to make known their full names if, for no other reason, than to facilitate meeting other hobbyists.

Mark

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by Bob Lemke

Unfortunately, there are others whose preference for anonymity is more about avoiding accountability for their words than anything else.

I know when I'm assessing the credibility of any post, a person whose name is right out front gets bonus points.

Bob I really hope that isn't directed towards Jerry or I in reagards to the Stall & Dean thread.

As it's known by Leon and most others who we are plus you can always contact me directly as my email is right next to my name as I'm sure Jerry's is as well if you have issue with what we posted etc.

Cheers,

John

[Peter_Spaeth]

I voted no. Personally, I don't like it when I don't know who people are.

[cfc1909]

Went out tonight and missed a good bit.
I usually stand strong but good points were made that changed my mind. This is America and you should have your choice. Leon, keep the trolls in check. Nothging personal-all 20 of them.

JR cfc1909

[danc]

First off, as noted in an earlier e-mail Leon, that "blood comment" was an inside joke from a prior conversation which you forgot. I am forgettable I guess. The poll has a strong showing for "NO", which is fine, I voted another way. I can understand a change if there were reckless newbies or a ton of gnomes controlling the joint, but while I still prefer the other board (I do not miss the Bruces), I'm kind of warming to this new environment. Keep up the good work.

DanC

[three25hits]

Originally Posted by Jacklitsch

with his snarky posts

Anonymity should certainly not be allowed on your blog, Strand deserves much better.

[Fred]

I don't care either way.

Leon, if someone doesn't register does that mean they can't post?

I wouldn't like it if you couldn't post unless you first register because we could be missing out on lurkers that may actually have something positive to contribute but they just don't like to register for anything. Personally, I hate registering on websites. This website is different because it's actually something I really like and I feel like part of the community.

I'm going to venture to guess that if registering is a prerequisite to posting then the number of posts have decreased.

I don't care if someone is anonymous because if I don't like what they say I just ignore it. If they become a nuisance then Leon (and the mod dudes) can take care of it.

[Leon]

Registration is mandatory to post and will continue to be....We got away from 100% anonymity due to many reasons, Trolls being the main one....There can still be one on this board but the back end security makes it fairly easy to deal with. Too many issues the other way.....

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I have to say, the dissenters to my viewpoint have made great points. Admittedly, I did take all of your concerns into consideration prior to us actually having this debate, but I now understand just why you are all on the opposite side of the fence. You have swayed me just enough; I still don't fully agree with you, but neither do I fully agree with my original feelings on the subject. Being set in my ways as I am, I almost feel like congratulating the "other side" for managing to put a dent in my opinion! Points well taken, guys, and a lesson learned on this end.

[Fred]

Leon,

Have you seen a drop in participation since the new board has been put in place? Just curious. It's different but it's also pretty neat.

[drc]

Tell me if this would solve the problem:

Unless I am mistaken, one's personal page info is only available to those who are registered and signed in (I assume would not show up in a google search). When you are not signed in as a member, you can't access anyone's personal page, not even your own. Thus, one could put his or her name on that page and it would be viewable only to fellow registered members (If I am correct). To find out what real legal name belongs to a poster's nickname, a signed in member would simply have to click on the poster's link. Thus, the poster's name would be cloaked from the the outside world of googlers, yahooers and nefarious lurkers, yet there would be no anonymity within the membership.

[Leon]

Fred- Some statistics are not available on this board as they were the old one. The number of threads started is about the same or maybe a little more. I actually think participation is up just a little. I have had dozens of people that have registered that said they were just a lurker before but now will be a participant.

David- Yes, it is only our members, who aren't banned, who get access to certain things. The BST threads and user profiles are among them. Lurkers can still see the general forum threads though. I think the way it is set up now is a pretty good system. Membership does have it's privileges..I do feel the new board is safer than the old one...take care

[Doug]

Originally Posted by drc

one could put his or her name on that page and it would be viewable only to fellow registered members (If I am correct). To find out what real legal name belongs to a poster's nickname, a signed in member would simply have to click on the poster's link. Thus, the poster's name would be cloaked from the the outside world of googlers, yahooers and nefarious lurkers, yet there would be no anonymity within the membership.

That's a good idea. Maybe it could be required for people to fill out the "real name" section of their profile so everyone on the board can have the ability know who a poster is, but at the same time it would protect the people that want to be anonymous outside of the board from popping up on search engines.

I see no value to having one's real name (complete name) posted after each submission. A simple first name, with a following initial for their last names perhaps, but not a full name. I personally have no problem with anyone on this board knowing who I am, where I live, cell #, blah, blah, but I'm sure there are posters who prefer some semblance of privacy and that should be respected, regardless of their rationale.

After all, Leon has everyone's real stuff, what is to gain by exposing personal data? Today's cyberworld is whacky enough without aiding the nuttys. If a poster go postal, I'm sure Leon could easily nuke them in about a half nanosecond.

As for Leon, somehow "peasant" does seem to fit your persona, something like "Beldar the all-knowing", or "High Priest of NET54" perhaps.

I really am Al.

[HRBAKER]

I can see both sides. I have no issue with it as long as the poster is honoring the decorum of the site. I don't necessarily need to know who everyone is. Would it be nice, sure but absent troll-like behavior NBD to me.

To Leon...

A BIG OOPS!! My post about "peasant" fitting your persona was in error, I meant to type doesn't fit your persona. Sorry for the bad post, no harm intended, I type too fast sometimes and need to slow down and re-read what I'm about to post.

Al

[Leon]

The ending totals on the anonymity poll were: (Should we allow anonymity?)