Anonymity on the board?

[T206Collector]

My reasons for remaining anonymous are personal, and have nothing to do with wanting to avoid identity theft, which is basically zero risk on here unless you share a credit card or SSN with someone.

For those of you that want names so you can "know" who you're arguing with, just keep in mind that a name is just that -- whether it was given by your mom or you made it up when logging on here. It doesn't help you "know" your poster -- unless you "knew" him from the real world first.

[Leon]

I agree with what Steve B said above. I have been on the internet for at least 12 yrs and nothing has happened as far as identity theft. Now, my wife goes and spends $16 on a haircut a year or two ago....pays with a check and just has this 6th sense that didn't feel right (seriously). About a month later someone printed checks on a printer with my account information and their name. After about $500 in purchases, from my bank account, I found out and closed the account. I was instantly reimbursed by my bank (Bank of America- they are great, imo). They told me "tough luck for the merchants. They didn't get proper ID." That was my only issue with identity theft and hopefully my last. ..knock on wood.

I think the best reason that I have heard for not having your name on the board is for professional reasons. Say an employer googles your name and finds it here....if you posted during the workday maybe you could get in trouble......or if you are a public type figure maybe you wouldn't want it.

For me, I am with whoever has said "They want to be me? Poor guys....let 'em. That will teach 'em!!"

[sportscardtheory]

I find it very strange and creepy that someone who is angry/upset with me for something I said on a message board wants my full name. Literally not any other forum I am on has this policy. Not one good thing can come from someone who is angry with you having your full name on the internet. "Just wanting to know" isn't good enough for me. It doesn't explain a thing. On the PSA boards a person's name came out and people scoured the internet and posted pics of that person and his girlfriend and numerous things he had said and his MySpace, facebook and twitter pages were exposed. He didn't want all those people who were upset with him for some stupid thing he said having that info. If he did, he would have given it to them himself. I have heard stories of people messing with other people's eBay accounts because they were mad at something they said on a message board. I believe that it is extremely intrusive and I see absolutely no valid explanation for it. Unless they are pulling some sort of scam, if someone doesn't want their identity exposed on a message board, it should be their right to be anonymous. The sole purpose of an internet message board is anonymity. The only possible exception in my mind is the BST.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by sportscardtheory

I find it very strange and creepy that someone who is angry/upset with me for something I said on a message board wants my full name. Literally not any other forum I am on has this policy. Not one good thing can come from someone who is angry with you having your full name on the internet. "Just wanting to know" isn't good enough for me. It doesn't explain a thing. On the PSA boards a person's name came out and people scoured the internet and posted pics of that person and his girlfriend and numerous things he had said and his MySpace, facebook and twitter pages were exposed. He didn't want all those people who were upset with him for some stupid thing he said having that info. If he did, he would have given it to them himself. I have heard stories of people messing with other people's eBay accounts because they were mad at something they said on a message board. I believe that it is extremely intrusive and I see absolutely no valid explanation for it. Unless they are pulling some sort of scam, if someone doesn't want their identity exposed on a message board, it should be their right to be anonymous. The sole purpose of an internet message board is anonymity. The only possible exception in my mind is the BST.

You have your right to your opinion and I respectfully disagree with most of it. On this board, if you don't want to be known, stay out of arguments. Maybe this board has a bit higher age average and that is why we think the way we do. I think our average age is about low to mid 40's...I am 48. On this message board it is only your right to be anonymous if you stay out of arguments. It might not be the right place for everyone. I hated being so involved yesterday but it was what it was.....regards

[ullmandds]

"The sole purpose of an internet message board is anonymity."


Yup...that's why I use them...makes a lot of sense!

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

"The sole purpose of an internet message board is anonymity."


Yup...that's why I use them...makes a lot of sense!

I worded that strangely. I currently frequent 7 message boards and have been a part of around 10+ since I have been on the internet. Literally not one besides this one exposes your full-name because you get into a heated discussion. Again, I see not one good thing that could possibly come from it and still no one has given me a good reason. It's like handing ammo to someone who is mad at you that is holding an unloaded gun. I'm only curious is all. I don't really care all that much as I most likely will post less here because now I'm kind of paranoid that people want my personal info. I like this place a lot, but I guess it should be more a read for me with some scattered posts here and there.

[ullmandds]

One of the problems w/anonymity is that it encourages negative behavior. When I was a kid we'd play on the cb radio...and we'd harass people...total strangers...cause trouble. Same concept. If your identity is known...this type of behavior is less likely to occur...as you have to be responsible/accountable for your actions.

Lack of responsibility/accountability is running rampant these days...and is not good...and should not be encouraged.

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

One of the problems w/anonymity is that it encourages negative behavior. When I was a kid we'd play on the cb radio...and we'd harass people...total strangers...cause trouble. Same concept. If your identity is known...this type of behavior is less likely to occur...as you have to be responsible/accountable for your actions.

Lack of responsibility/accountability is running rampant these days...and is not good...and should not be encouraged.

Isn't that what moderating is for. If someone is getting out of hand, 99% of message boards will issue warnings and/or suspensions/bans, not hand out that person's personal info to anyone who wants it.

[GrayGhost]

Interesting thread. Anyone who has done business w me knows my name, and I have nothing to hide.

[T206Collector]

I could see why it annoys the people who use their real name on here to have to argue with a guy named "T206Fart". But my only point is that T206Fart and Leon Luckey are both equally "real" to me.

[barrysloate]

Sportscardtheory, T206 Collector and others: Several years ago the late Joe P. and I began a hostile exchange that sadly was never resolved. I remember I was away for the weekend and came home to a bunch of emails asking me why Joe P. attacked me so viciously. I had to get on the board to see what it was about.

And while it's no fun to get into a nasty argument with anyone, the one thing that bothered me the most was I had absolutely no idea who it was. He then used the named tobacco-r-us and nothing more. No matter how many times I asked him to reveal himself he wouldn't, but the attacks continued. He knew exactly who I was, but I had no idea who my adversary was. Do you think that is fair? Finally, after about two weeks somebody emailed me and identified him. Turns out he was an old customer who I had recently reunited with through one of my auctions. Don't you think I had a right in that situation to know his name?

[sportscardtheory]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Sportscardtheory, T206 Collector and others: Several years ago the late Joe P. and I began a hostile exchange that sadly was never resolved. I remember I was away for the weekend and came home to a bunch of emails asking me why Joe P. attacked me so viciously. I had to get on the board to see what it was about.

And while it's no fun to get into a nasty argument with anyone, the one thing that bothered me the most was I had absolutely no idea who it was. He then used the named tobacco-r-us and nothing more. No matter how many times I asked him to reveal himself he wouldn't, but the attacks continued. He knew exactly who I was, but I had no idea who my adversary was. Do you think that is fair? Finally, after about two weeks somebody emailed me and identified him. Turns out he was an old customer who I had recently reunited with through one of my auctions. Don't you think I had a right in that situation to know his name?

Not in my opinion. If he was out of line, then he should have been "moderated". If you were both in a heated discussion, then who's to say you didn't start it just so you can get his info (strictly hypothetical). And what happened when you found out who he was? I don't understand why a person's personal info needs to be plastered all over the board just because you want it to be. (my tone is just general curiosity and not inflammatory)

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Don't you think I had a right in that situation to know his name?

This is obviously a very personal issue to you. And I am sympathetic to the unique facts of your argument with Joe P.

I think you feel exposed on here because you have always used your real name and a lot of people in the industry know you personally and professionally. Sitting in your shoes from the spotlight, I would certainly want the light shined on everyone ese.

But when I came on here, from day 1, I never wanted to post my name publicly or learn the real life info of anyone else; in nearly a decade on here I've never met member (except 2 or 3 extremely brief "here you go/thanks" in person card trades). Viewing the world from where I sit in the shade, I could care less about "real" names. And I understand and respect the importance of not being easily Google-able by, e.g., a current or future employer.

Do you know that the next time you apply for a job somewhere that they will Google you and see all of your posts on here?

Or that Michael O'Keefe might write a blog about you?

Why would you expose yourself to that?