Anonymity on the board?

[Al C.risafulli]

My name is Jeff Lichtman and anyone who has a problem with me or my posts can go pound sand.

-Al

[carrigansghost]

Rawn Hill, who wants to be me?

Rawn

[steve B]

I find this thread interesting.

I'm on a mailing list for one of my other hobbies (Collecting old racing bicycles)
And the guy that runs it insists on everyone knowing who everyone else is.
We have to sign off each message with our actual name, and location, spelling out the state so non-U.S. members can understand it. I know of exactly 0 identity problems in 10 years.

But I can understand some of the security concerns. A wonderful bike collection is less altogether than some high end cards or memorabilia.
(My most expensive bike is maybe in the league of a t206 green Cobb for a rough idea) so there's less financial risk.

Identity theft is a concern, but rarely from having ones name on a board like this. I know I'll never convince those who don't think so.

But I will say this, there's FAR more risk of identity theft at the local restauraunt. Usually the card is out of your physical possession, and it's very easy to copy the imprinted info as well as the validation code. This can be done in under 20 seconds by nearly anyone. And with a skimmer that figure falls to under 5 seconds.

You also give up far more info of a personal nature any time you use a credit or ATM card to make a purchase or use a shoppers discount card. Most of them store purchase and demographic info that's mostly used for targeted marketing. That's how the hardware store can send me a coupon for sawzall blades or a $10 gift certificate for my birthday. And almost everyone considers that to be a benefit rather than an invasion of privacy. (I won't even get started on your bank turning the computer loose on your purchase history to "look for fraud" )


Personally I find it interesting to know who I'm talking to, and what their hobby background is. On the bike list, one member has raced internationally in 6 day races back in the 40's -50's he learned from guys that raced in the 30's, and he's in the US cycling hall of fame. His opinion about how the racing was done and how the racers treated the bikes (Like any other tool) counts a bit more than say...Mine with my one season of beginners racing which included a whole lot of DNFs.

Steve B
or as the bike guys get to see it
Steve Birmingham
Lowell, Massachusetts
USA