Anonymity vs Privacy on the Net54baseball

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by Kawika

Don't really have a rebuttal for you, Paul. You are correct that our "clubhouse" is also a fishbowl and I fully appreciate the security concerns people might have. If someone ever steals my baseball card collection maybe I'll wish I had stayed anonymous. The internet is lousy with nameless bottom dwellers and their unkind and stupid commentaries. Just look at any blog. I stand against that. I was fashioned in older times, my word is who I am and I will put my name by it and take my chances.

Just a couple of responses:

Requiring names may get rid of the bottom dwellers, so I get that, though only to a degree - who is to say what my real name is. You can call me "Paul" if you like.

But I think there's a missed point among those who put their real names, and that is what your current and future employers may think about your hobby. The number of HR departments that care about employee - current and prospective - Internet activity is only growing. Now, this is a far cry from porn, obviously. But the cleaner my Internet profile, the better. My next employer might not really want to hire someone who spends working hours browsing the b/s/t listings here.

I'd rather not have to worry about these paranoid concerns, or who will find me or look for me or whatever. And by keeping a low Internet profile, I don't have to.

So, again, if you'd like to take the small risk that posting your name with your valuables is going to get you robbed, or that your boss would fire you or not hire you, go for it, dude. But to require people who want to talk about baseball cards, of all things, to take any risk whatsoever is ridiculous.

[calvindog]

How about no names are listed but if one board member has a problem with another then names are divulged privately?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by calvindog

How about no names are listed but if one board member has a problem with another then names are divulged privately?

A brilliant suggestion. I will second this motion.

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by Leon

A brilliant suggestion. I will second this motion.

+1


When I first came to N54 - I wouldn't mind posting my name, or talking about family or personal stuff and my card collection was viewable to anyone on my website.

Over time (and because of some comments or correspondence from member(s)) - I feel less comfortable with the idea of posting my name, or sharing personal tidbits, and my collection on my website is now password protected.

Add to that the point raised about googling your name.... I would rather not have all of my posts and threads here show up in a google search.


So.... I am for 'no names', with the understanding that all names can be divulged at the moderator's discretion.


I would like to point out (especially because the beginning part of my post has a negative vibe to it)..... that N54 is one of the coolest places to go on the net. This is a great, great site. And a thank you goes to Leon and the other moderators.

[bmarlowe1]

Originally Posted by calvindog

How about no names are listed but if one board member has a problem with another then names are divulged privately?

Perfect

[teetwoohsix]

Originally Posted by calvindog

How about no names are listed but if one board member has a problem with another then names are divulged privately?

I agree, this sounds like the way to go.

Recently (sort of) in the watercooler section, the board member (or ex?) Shimozukawa posted a link to a site where you put your name in and it pulls up every address that is tied to your name. I think he deleted all of his posts so it's probably gone.

I tried it and sure enough it pulled up my address(one of the few with the same name). I understand there are quite a few sites that do this, but it was a bit alarming to me how easy it is for anyone to figure out where you live just by your name, just having an unlisted phone # these days just doesn't do the trick anymore. And why would he post that on this site? Who knows, because now he is gone, and left us with a bunch of deleted posts

Anyhow- this is the best site on the net, and Jeff's idea sits just fine with me too. Thanks for taking care of the board Leon- very much appreciated.

Sincerely, Clayton

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Just a couple of responses:

Requiring names may get rid of the bottom dwellers, so I get that, though only to a degree - who is to say what my real name is. You can call me "Paul" if you like.

But I think there's a missed point among those who put their real names, and that is what your current and future employers may think about your hobby. The number of HR departments that care about employee - current and prospective - Internet activity is only growing. Now, this is a far cry from porn, obviously. But the cleaner my Internet profile, the better. My next employer might not really want to hire someone who spends working hours browsing the b/s/t listings here.

I'd rather not have to worry about these paranoid concerns, or who will find me or look for me or whatever. And by keeping a low Internet profile, I don't have to.

So, again, if you'd like to take the small risk that posting your name with your valuables is going to get you robbed, or that your boss would fire you or not hire you, go for it, dude. But to require people who want to talk about baseball cards, of all things, to take any risk whatsoever is ridiculous.

Probably not a bad idea to keep a low profile. Nowadays some dirtbag can pick your pocket via the internet from the comfort of his basement suite in Pyongyang or Bucharest. I'm just an old guy with dated expectations who appreciates the congeniality and manners of the bygone millenium and who is apparently pissing in the wind in the new one.

[Collect Equity]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

But I think there's a missed point among those who put their real names, and that is what your current and future employers may think about your hobby. The number of HR departments that care about employee - current and prospective - Internet activity is only growing. Now, this is a far cry from porn, obviously. But the cleaner my Internet profile, the better. My next employer might not really want to hire someone who spends working hours browsing the b/s/t listings here.

Another reason to avoid associating your name with your card collection is in case you run for public office some day. I can just imagine a news article about how Jonathan who is running for Mayor is out-of-touch with the common man's plight because he spent $20K a year on baseball cards last year alone.

(like when John McCain was asked about how many houses he had -- he's invested in rentals and someone else takes care of them so he didn't know. Boy did that make him look out of touch)

I too like the idea that when people get in disputes their full name AND email are disclosed to each other in an email to both from Leon so they can take it offline if they'd like.

-Jonathan