Usernames or Real names?

[Ben Miller]

Hi all,

I've noticed that you've set up Surfbirds Forums to enable users to log in with a "username" rather than showing their real name. Before your forums really get going, is there a chance to challange that decision?

Over on BirdForums (the only other such forum I've used) the use of 'handles' and 'usernames' has created a real problem, with people hiding behind their annonomous handles to throw rocks and generally cause trouble with no comeback. It puts people off posting our joining.

Surfbirds has the opportunity to improve on BF's earlier failings - maybe requiring everyone to use full names might help the level of the debates?

Cheers,

Ben

[Joe Ray]

Good point raised Ben, I feel the exact same way.
I used to be known as 'The Firecrest' but then decided it would be better if I used my real name as a username.
Fully behind this idea.
Jyothi (Joe)

[greenwithensbirder]

a good idea it can save a lot of problems

[admin]

This is a good idea. So we could try to enforce this from here on but would it still work if people who've already signed up with handles still keep them but we insist every one has their real name in their signature at least (as Darrell has)?
________
(division) (http://www.dodge-wiki.com/wiki/Chrysler_(division))

[Ben Miller]

This is a good idea. So we could try to enforce this from here on but would it still work if people who've already signed up with handles still keep them but we insist every one has their real name in their signature at least (as Darrell has)?

Hi Andy,

Please to hear you like the suggestion. I'd personally think that allowing those already signed up to use handles whilst no-one else can may cause you problems. Can you request existing users to change?

Ben

[Stephen R]

so how would i change to my real name?

[shadow]

I'm sorry but I disagree as I don't think it makes any difference what you call yourself. Even if you call yourself John Tom or Andy or by any other name it does not mean that it is your real name. As for Bird Forum I've never seen any body cause any trouble there just so they could hide behind there name, and it certainly does not stop people from joining.

I for one have personal reasons for not using my real name and think, that as with all message boards, it should be up to the individual.

[Nighthawk]

I'm inclined to agree with Shadow as none of us are exactly able to hide behind a username, it's not as though we meet each other anyway.

I completely disagree where the Bird Forum part is concerned as there are some really lovely people on there with all sorts of names that aren't their own, more like that than those using real names, or what we believe are real. With the membership numbers they have on there how on earth can you say it puts people off posting or joining! Whether or not I put my name as Nighthawk or Fred Bloggs makes no difference, does the former not make me any more of a real person than the latter? If people feel more comfortable using pseudonyms then why not let them, it can also make a difference to females and how they are treated at times, that's often been evident on BF.

Surely with a Forum in it's infancy it's better to have people on and talking using usernames rather than putting them off 'at the door' so to speak by saying they HAVE to use real names only.

One other point to bear in mind, would it apply to admin too?;)

Tim Buktu (see what I mean, it's not real, but I could say it is)

[admin]

Yes, this is a tough one. I did a google search this afternoon and found a few forums that insisted on real names only. I could see the benefit on those forums. If there was a way to accurately enforce it, then I do agree that perhaps it may improve manners but like Nighthawk suggests you can't stop someone signing up with a free hotmail account and a made up name. When it comes to ID discussion, some users may also feel more likely to post knowing there is some anonymity.

Steve, in meantime, if you want to change your username, PM me and tell me what you want to change it to and I can change it for you.

Andy Birch - my real name

PS surfbirdsnews email group gets some pretty boisterous behaviour and you can see everyone's name in their emails.
________
CAL-1 (http://www.toyota-wiki.com/wiki/Toyota_CAL-1)

[RaptorBirder]

My view is that subscribers should be allowed to use any (non-offensive) name they wish.

I've observed a few problems on BirdForum but absolutely none that I've seen has directly related to the use or otherwise of pseudonyms. In most cases, it was caused solely by the poor attitude of one or more members.

I consider there are certain legitimate reasons for individuals choosing not to use their proper name. For example, let's imagine the position of one of the many hundreds of people who hold reasonably high profile jobs in the birding world (eg. an official of RSPB, RSPCA, Natural England, etc.).

I believe such individuals should be allowed a private life as well as a public one. So just because their organisation takes a certain course of action or holds a particular view publicly it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone in those organisations totally agrees with it. But in most cases, even if they dont agree such individuals feel it's not enough of an issue over which to resign their job, perhaps believing that they can do more to change it from the inside.

If Surfbirds insists on real names I believe that we run the risk of excluding a whole tranch of well informed individuals who will simply not feel able to engage in the really important debates. Please rest assured that I'm not suggesting that anyone should publish confidential information not already in the public domain but such people are often best placed to contribute a factually based and soundly reasoned view to balance the frequently inaccurate and misguided media hype, which worryingly is taken as gospel by so many people.

Finally, as has been said before, I don't believe it will be possible for Surfbirds to police such a rule so what's the point of introducing something that we all know from the outset is completely unenforceable?

Let's get out there and do some birding!

Bill Oddity

[Ben Miller]

Hi all,

As I started this discussion off, I feel I should add a few more thoughts. Rest assured Andy et.al I don't want this to become a discussion on the pros and cons of BF, however I do feel there are some lessons to learn from how certain parts of that site have evolved...

I'm inclined to agree with Shadow as none of us are exactly able to hide behind a username, it's not as though we meet each other anyway.

I completely disagree where the Bird Forum part is concerned as there are some really lovely people on there with all sorts of names that aren't their own, more like that than those using real names, or what we believe are real. With the membership numbers they have on there how on earth can you say it puts people off posting or joining!

Nighthawk, Shadow (or who-ever you are... :)),

There are, of course, many lovely people on BF, I didn't say there were not. However, please let me disagree with you on some of your other points. I'm mainly talking about the Rare Bird threads here, however I feel this is very relevant to Surfbirds, form whom the UK Rare Birds gallery and listing forums have driven a lot of the popularity amongst the UK birding population (pls correct me if I'm wrong on this Andy). People interested in rare and scarce birds are drawn to Surfbirds, so there might be value in looking at how the Rare Birds threads on BF have evolved.

Let me assure you Nighthawk that all of the following does take place on BF:

1) Please hide behind pseudonyms just to make accusations at certain other people. It's happening on one thread right now!

2) There are 'BF Lurkers', well respected birders who use their totally anonomous usernames to promote their personal agenda around about a topic or a bird, or just to 'stir things up'

3) Some well respected birders refuse to join as they feel their views will be open to abuse by people 'hiding' behind usernames. You are right when you say that the total number of users of BF is very high, but equally as "RaptorBirder" alluded to - it can be about the quality of views brought to the table, and BF is starting to miss out on this.

I also disagree with you Nighthawk when you say that "it's not as though we meet each other anyway". I find the birding community, and particularly the twitching community, is a very small world where you meet the same people quite often, and reputations do matter.

I totally agree, though, that it could be hard to enforce - how do you ensure people enter their real names? Am I really Ben Miller? However, just because it's hard shouldn't, I think, prevent the admin having a think about how it could be done - if it's the right thing to happen...

Cheers,

Ben

[admin]

Thanks all for your feedback on this. We really want to be a friendly forum. It's a hobby for most of us and something we enjoy and want these forums to compliment the rest of the content on Surfbirds and be informative, useful and easily accessible without being intimidating. We welcome all levels of birder and hope our more experienced members will be happy to spend the time helping more novice readers.

Admin, for one, wants your feedback about all areas of the site, so please feel free to post here or PM us if you want to take it offline.

I agree, let's take what works the best from different forums and leave the less successful things alone. It's a chance to be a little different. This is something we definitely need your help on.

Having run the surfbirdsnews email group for a few years, we've witnessed the passionate and heated debates that have erupted there and it's usually turned most readers off whilst 2 or 3 members go at each other. We definitely lost members as a result. It's harder work (but not impossible) to post anonymously on an email newsgroup as you have to create a fake email address. Real names may help but won't eliminate heated arguments.

We respect people's right to privacy and readers have different reasons for this. We won't tolerate anonymity if that user is trying to "stir things up" or being abusive. Having said that, if some of our founding members (anyone in this thread for instance) want to start a trend of real names to promote a more personable forum, we are 100% behind that. Either by changing your handle to a real name or using your signature. We may even put a note on sign up encouraging users to use a real name if they want to. It might just promote a little more harmony. In meantime, if you want to change your username, again PM me and I can change it for you.

PS - if any of our founding members want to occasionally reviews books etc, PM me and I will put you on a list. We want more reviews from our readers. You get to keep the books but I'm afraid optics have to be returned to the manufacturer! :(
________
Lamborghini 350GTV (http://www.lamborghini-tech.com/wiki/Lamborghini_350GTV)

[Nighthawk]

Nighthawk, Shadow (or who-ever you are... :)),

There are, of course, many lovely people on BF, I didn't say there were not.

Let me assure you Nighthawk that all of the following does take place on BF:

1) Please hide behind pseudonyms just to make accusations at certain other people. It's happening on one thread right now!

2) There are 'BF Lurkers', well respected birders who use their totally anonomous usernames to promote their personal agenda around about a topic or a bird, or just to 'stir things up'

3) Some well respected birders refuse to join as they feel their views will be open to abuse by people 'hiding' behind usernames. You are right when you say that the total number of users of BF is very high, but equally as "RaptorBirder" alluded to - it can be about the quality of views brought to the table, and BF is starting to miss out on this.

I also disagree with you Nighthawk when you say that "it's not as though we meet each other anyway". I find the birding community, and particularly the twitching community, is a very small world where you meet the same people quite often, and reputations do matter.

I totally agree, though, that it could be hard to enforce - how do you ensure people enter their real names? Am I really Ben Miller? However, just because it's hard shouldn't, I think, prevent the admin having a think about how it could be done - if it's the right thing to happen...

Cheers,

Ben

Hi Ben,

I was only making a comment about there being some lovely people 'over there' that have pseudonyms, not intending that you had meant anything to the contrary, I promise you. However it is a fact that there are many, many more with usernames than with 'real' ones.

I think you'll always get people on Forums (with real names or pseudonyms) who are ever intent on stirring things. Much of that has gone on there of late and I've become fed up with it.

The remark about not meeting each other was intended as a flippant remark because of us being on the boards, not seeing each other. Apologies Ben, I wasn't thinking at the time about twitchers, bashes etc, I guess because I do neither and prefer to go birding alone.

You may not believe this - but this is the FIRST time I've ever used a pseudonym and I'm doing so now as I've become fed up with being attacked on threads seemingly (to me) because I'm about the only one who has used my real name; it seems to me that they lurch onto those who identify themselves even more so and with the possible intentions of shutting them up perhaps! Obviously here I'm speaking of those who are the stirrers. If we've had proper debates then people read yours add their thoughts and so forth and it all goes along nicely - until you get a trouble maker or two!

Just as a real matter of interest Ben, would it make any difference now if I did put a Christian name on the signature part?

Best regards.

[Nighthawk]

Thanks all for your feedback on this. We really want to be a friendly forum. It's a hobby for most of us and something we enjoy and want these forums to compliment the rest of the content on Surfbirds and be informative, useful and easily accessible without being intimidating. We welcome all levels of birder and hope our more experienced members will be happy to spend the time helping more novice readers.

Admin, for one, wants your feedback about all areas of the site, so please feel free to post here or PM us if you want to take it offline.

I agree, let's take what works the best from different forums and leave the less successful things alone. It's a chance to be a little different. This is something we definitely need your help on.

We respect people's right to privacy and readers have different reasons for this. We won't tolerate anonymity if that user is trying to "stir things up" or being abusive.

PS - if any of our founding members want to occasionally reviews books etc, PM me and I will put you on a list. We want more reviews from our readers. You get to keep the books but I'm afraid optics have to be returned to the manufacturer! :(

Hi Andy and thank you for listening to both sides of this debate and seeing the points from both 'camps'. I have to admit to liking the thoughtfulness you've expressed - and for simply listening to us.

I'll give the reviews some thought, darn shame about the optics though!:smile:

[Stephen R]

In meantime, if you want to change your username, again PM me and I can change it for you.

PS - if any of our founding members want to occasionally reviews books etc, PM me and I will put you on a list. We want more reviews from our readers. You get to keep the books but I'm afraid optics have to be returned to the manufacturer! :(

hi admin,
did u get my pm about these matters?
have you considered making this a sticky so that all members can see the debate?
Btw which artist did these avatars i reckon they need there own thread in the artwork forum imo.
cheers

[Ben Miller]

Hi Andy and thank you for listening to both sides of this debate and seeing the points from both 'camps'. I have to admit to liking the thoughtfulness you've expressed - and for simply listening to us.

Here Here!

[Ben Miller]

Just as a real matter of interest Ben, would it make any difference now if I did put a Christian name on the signature part?

Hi there!

Sorry to hear about your previous experiences. That's just bad form.

Call me old fashioned, however I do prefer to talk to people as Bob, or Jane or whatever - can't get used to writing "Hello MyLittlePetSnowBunting" or whatever :laugh:

Cheers,

Ben

[RaptorBirder]

Hi Andy and thank you for listening to both sides of this debate and seeing the points from both 'camps'. I have to admit to liking the thoughtfulness you've expressed - and for simply listening to us.

I'll give the reviews some thought, darn shame about the optics though!:smile:


Here, here, here!

[admin]

Hi Stephen R - have changed your username and stuck the thread for the time being. Glad you like the avatar artwork as it's mine. Hope to add a few more over the coming weeks although all of you seem to be pros at this as you all have pretty great avatars already. Andy
________
Honda CR-X del Sol history (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_CR-X_del_Sol)

[Joe Ray]

Hi Andy.
Just a quick note to say I think that the response that the site has made, really taking note of user feedback, is excellent. The changes made, due to user discussion, are great, and goes to show what an excellent new forum this is.
Keep up the good work :)
Cheers
J

[john robinson]

I agree with Raptor, but I just think that to use your real name is kind of nice. It's not the Spanish Inqui job is it ?
I have always used my real name and have had the usual rubbish but that can usually be sorted pretty quickly. If people are posting pics they can usually be id eed pretty soon anyway.
JohnR

[Firstlight]

Hi,
Not to concerned what people wish to call themselves (other than having to type out long names), I have corresponded with John Robinson on several occasions and he suggested than he prefered proper names so I use my christian name, but my full/real name can be found on all of my images.
My only wish is that people are polite and understanding, we do not all speak the same language, or understand/share the same sense of humour, or all have the same level of expertise, so at times people need to reflect on what they say, I suppose the old saying of "engage brain before opening mouth" applies.
regards David

[john robinson]

David
Yes I don't know why it is but I just find it embarassing to address a post by someone using a wierd name ( and lets face it- some can be ! ). It's no big deal but maybe I'm old fashioned !
Cheers
JohnR

[FayJ]

An interesting thread. I prefer to use a username as opposed to my real name, not because I have anything to hide - and I have no intention of chucking in a few grenades and running away! - but because firstly I hate my real name and don't want it looking back at me everytime I'm on a forum!!

Secondly a friend, who used her real name on a (non-birding) forum, was subjected to cyber stalking and harassment and I've had the odd bit of bother too, when I have used my real name so I am a bit wary of putting my real name online too much.

But, my friends and family all call me 'Fay' which is a shortened version of my real name and if you want to call me that, then feel free to.

Cheers
VB

[Colin Key]

I am with John on this one; there is difference between using a discrete on-line name (John R or Colin K) if you do not want to give your full and proper name but some of these "monicas" are just downright stupid. I had a trawl through the members list (bored, or what?!) just to see what I thought the most silly name was, but I got even more bored and gave up.

I do think that this bloke called "Admin" is a bit suspect; do you reckon he could be related to that well-known Nigerian birder "Idi Admin"? :laugh:

Colin

[FayJ]

I am with John on this one; there is difference between using a discrete on-line name (John R or Colin K) if you do not want to give your full and proper name but some of these "monicas" are just downright stupid. I had a trawl through the members list (bored, or what?!) just to see what I thought the most silly name was, but I got even more bored and gave up.


I think at the end of the day, it's up to the person concerned.
Some people want to see real names, others aren't bothered and some like to have an alternate handle as opposed to their everyday identity. It's no big deal, although in private correspondence I do use my real name.

I hope my 'moniker' is not 'downright stupid, though - I am a birder and I come from the Isle of Wight (which was known as Vectis in Roman Times).

[forktail]

I do think that this bloke called "Admin" is a bit suspect; do you reckon he could be related to that well-known Nigerian birder "Idi Admin"? :laugh:

Colin

Hilarious

until you remember he was 'well-known' for being Ugandan

F. :ohdear:

[Colin Key]

Hilarious

until you remember he was 'well-known' for being Ugandan

F. :ohdear:

Oh, yes!! (but not that much difference REALLY)

Colin :err::tongue:

[Colin Key]

I have just noticed on "the other channel" that there are members calling themselves "Bananafishbones" and "Semolina Pilchard" - I quite honestly would not lower myself to communicate with these sort of "Jodrells".

Colin :swoon::confused:

[Collalba]

David
Yes I don't know why it is but I just find it embarassing to address a post by someone using a wierd name ( and lets face it- some can be ! ). It's no big deal but maybe I'm old fashioned !
Cheers
JohnR

I'd go along with that John. I am sure some of the more wierd names do not need to be repeated here, but I guess everyone to their own. I used Collalba on here as I am into research projects involving Wheatear Sp., and also think using my full name could sound a bit pompous on this 'ere forum!

Peter

[Colin Key]

..... and also think using my full name could sound a bit pompous on this 'ere forum!

Peter

Why?

Colin :err:

[Churcho]

As a new member of one days duration, I have read all the threads concerning the use of usernames as opposed to real names and would like to make the following observation.
The use of a username litters the internet in many ways, banking for instance, and it is almost part of computer life. Some names I wholeheartedly agree appear downright silly but then again in my life outside the birding world, I have met and corresponded with people whose real names appear equally silly. I promise you that I had occasion to deal with a man whose surname is Wankiwitz, and if you can ring his office and ask for him without smothering laughter then you are a better man than I am.
Is it important that we use the name we born with for all the things we do in life? If it was then the advent of a username would not have come to fruition. I am happy to use my full name if it is required, I have used the name by which all my friends call me and by which I am known to the internet world. This does not mean that I wish to hide behind it and cause utter mischief, that surely is in the nature of the person and not in the name.

[Colin Key]

I promise you that I had occasion to deal with a man whose surname is Wankiwitz, ........

I have been dealing with these sort of people all my working life - I once had the great misfortune to share an office with (now deceased) Dr Simon Tosser. I also had, in a first year university undergraduate group, two girls called (and this is the honest truth) Eileen Dover and Teressa Green.

But, back to the the subject, I cannot understand the use of childish (and often ridiculous) "user names" - WHY?

Colin :err:

[Thing]

Oh, yes!! (but not that much difference REALLY)

Colin :err::tongue:

Not sure I understand what you are saying here...

[Colin Key]

Not sure I understand what you are saying here...

To do with African geography - don't worry about it.

Colin :biggrin:

P.S. Out of curiosity, why do you feel the need to call yourself "Thing"?

[Thing]

To do with African geography - don't worry about it.

Colin :biggrin:

P.S. Out of curiosity, why do you feel the need to call yourself "Thing"?

Ok.

It's an old nickname. If it helps any, my mother calls me Michael.

[MichaelF]

Nearly as many Michaels as Joes around this place! Help!

[Colin Key]

Nearly as many Michaels as Joes around this place! Help!

No, there are more!!:laugh:

Colin:beer:

[Colin Key]

Ok.

It's an old nickname. If it helps any, my mother calls me Michael.

Have just read your thread on BF on your Fulham patch Michael - very humorous and very interesting.

Hope to see you posting more on this forum.

Colin :smile:

[Thing]

Have just read your thread on BF on your Fulham patch Michael - very humorous and very interesting.

Hope to see you posting more on this forum.

Colin :smile:

Aw shucks.

Paying more attention to putting the patch stuff on the blog (self moderating you see - or perhaps not!) but thanks all the same!

Stunning male Sparrowhawk and Moorhens getting loved up this lunchtime!

[john robinson]

I think people should use their own name - fullstop !
John Robinson

[Redwing]

I am with John on this one; there is difference between using a discrete on-line name (John R or Colin K) if you do not want to give your full and proper name but some of these "monicas" are just downright stupid.

Colin

I have just noticed on "the other channel" that there are members calling themselves "Bananafishbones" and "Semolina Pilchard" - I quite honestly would not lower myself to communicate with these sort of "Jodrells".

Colin :swoon::confused:

Didn't you used to be called 'Swamphen' on 'the other channel' as you call it?

[Colin Key]

Didn't you used to be called 'Swamphen' on 'the other channel' as you call it?

Yes, because at the time I was registered as three different members in three countries with three different ISP addresses and three different usernames (including one with my real name).

Don't ask me why - it is a long, long story!! :biggrin:

Colin

P.S. Since I chose a rather nice shot of a Purple (Gallinule) Swamphen as an avatar, I didn't think that the username was too "way-out" in that case.

[john robinson]

Dear oh dear !
One of the reasons I. gave this forum a rest was because some of the posts were getting abusive.
It seems like nothing has changed, and that sort of stuff doesn't attract too many new members.
I'll take another sabbatical .
JohnR

[Colin Key]

I'll take another sabbatical .
JohnR

No, you must not go AWOL again John - age, experience and common sense are a valuable commodity here.

What this low form of life had in mind when he (or she, or it) chipped in I do not know. Having looked at the posts made on BF he is clearly a troll and a trouble-maker. Best ignored (which, as you will have gathered, I find difficult!!).

Colin

[Thing]

Dear oh dear !
One of the reasons I. gave this forum a rest was because some of the posts were getting abusive.
It seems like nothing has changed...
JohnR

Unfortunately this seems to be the way with any internet forum on any subject. Birders may love a bit of bickering, point scoring and in-fighting but it is not specific to our forums. That's people for you.

[Thing]

Weird...

[ampelinus]

In my humble opinion if members wish to use a username then they should be allowed to do so without being slated by others for the choice of their username, which I find a little pompous & pointless.
As for the general slagging off that goes on both on this forum & Birdforum, again it's pointless & offers nothing to any debate but I guess it's part of the Human condition basically flawed.

A.

[Colin Key]

How can i use the tools ?

This person has posted five spam messages today, all of which I have reported. Moderation a tad slow!!

Colin :smile:

[Colin Key]

In my humble opinion if members wish to use a username then they should be allowed to do so without being slated by others for the choice of their username, which I find a little pompous & pointless.
As for the general slagging off that goes on both on this forum & Birdforum, again it's pointless & offers nothing to any debate but I guess it's part of the Human condition basically flawed.

A.

If someone wants to remain anonymous then all well and good, but I think that using a name such as "Colin K" or "John R" is the way to go. I have already referred to some of the user-names on BF, and people calling themselves "Bananafishbones" or "Semolinapilchard" (both real examples) might just as well use the name "....forbrains" in my humble opinion. :puzzled:

Colin :no:

[forktail]

If someone wants to remain anonymous then all well and good, but I think that using a name such as "Colin K" or "John R" is the way to go. I have already referred to some of the user-names on BF, and people calling themselves "Bananafishbones" or "Semolinapilchard" (both real examples) might just as well use the name "....forbrains" in my humble opinion. :puzzled:

Colin :no:

Hi Colin

Semolinapilchard is a reference to I am the Walrus by The Beatles. The 'pilchard' is question was a Detective Pilchar who used to make it his business to nick rock stars. John Lennon used to eat a lot of Semolina

Bananafishbones is a reference to another popular beat combo called The Cure.

trivial I know, but interesting perhaps

....forbrains is defined by the Urban Dixtionary as commonly used to describe people who often go off topic and talk about something completely irrevelent. These people aren't very good at socializing and are extremely random. (most likely they are trying to acheive a certain kind of humor but failing miserably) Also see dumb....

There's more than a few of those on the various forums :laugh:

[Colin Key]

Thank you TIM :smile:

Colin

[ampelinus]

If someone wants to remain anonymous then all well and good, but I think that using a name such as "Colin K" or "John R" is the way to go. I have already referred to some of the user-names on BF, and people calling themselves "Bananafishbones" or "Semolinapilchard" (both real examples) might just as well use the name "....forbrains" in my humble opinion. :puzzled:

Colin :no:

There's no need to be offensive Colin which is the point I was trying to make.

Regards, A.

[Thing]

This person has posted five spam messages today, all of which I have reported. Moderation a tad slow!!

Colin :smile:

And now that they have been taken out, my previous post looks like I am referring to my previous previous post and that I am saying that my previous previous post is weird.

Weird.

[Colin Key]

There's no need to be offensive Colin which is the point I was trying to make.

Regards, A.

What I find offensive is that these anal-retentive, childish, peurile morons who use such "monikas" expect to be taken seriously.

I would not lower myself to respond to someone who wishes to be called "Bananafishbones", even more so when you look at his, her or its avatar.

I could use more expletives but will resist since you are obviously a sensitive soul, whatever your name is.

Colin :realmad:

[forktail]

What I find offensive is that these anal-retentive, childish, peurile morons who use such "monikas" expect to be taken seriously.


anally retentive: used to describe a person with such attention to detail that the obsession becomes an annoyance to others, and can be carried out to the detriment of the anal-retentive person. some characteristics are orderliness, stubbornness and a compulsion for control, as well as a generalized interest in collecting.

So I'm not sure anally retentive is the correct phrase here. It could perhaps be more accurately applied to someone who is obsessed with people using their real names and wants to control how people use a forum? ;)

later in life, those who reject anal characteristics are said to have "anal expulsive" personality types. I'll get me bins...

F.

[ampelinus]

What I find offensive is that these anal-retentive, childish, peurile morons who use such "monikas" expect to be taken seriously.

I would not lower myself to respond to someone who wishes to be called "Bananafishbones", even more so when you look at his, her or its avatar.

I could use more expletives but will resist since you are obviously a sensitive soul, whatever your name is.

Colin :realmad:

Well Colin I find your comments quite judgemental regarding peoples usernames. How you can dismiss someone because you don't aprove of their username is really unbelieveable. Of course I realise we all judge people to some degree or other but you seem to be at the very high end of the scale.
So your real mad are you? tough.

Regards, Neil. My real christian name.

[Colin Key]

Thank you Neil.

This subject has been thrashed to death on this and other forums. I guess it is partly an "age thing", but I do not like the total anonymity which some of these "daft/silly/downright effing stupid" usernames impose. As I said earlier, if someone wants to remain anonymous there are more sensible ways to do so through a "halfway house" name such as first name plus initial or a number - to re-iterate, I would never address someone using the two examples of usernames which I gave earlier.

Just as an aside (although relevant), I met a birder here at Ria de Alvor this spring who I vaguely know, having met him several times before. This year he had in tow a friend and after chatting for a while, and referring to Birdforum, it transpired that he was not only a Moderator of BF but a "Super Moderator" with tens of thousands of posts to his name. And, surprise surprise, he was not only a human being but also a very nice guy to boot! I gave him my unreserved opinions on Birdforum and he actually agreed with most of what I said, especially about usernames, and even referred to the two examples which I have cited here.

There is so much .... posted on internet forums that could be avoided if people were more transparent and accountable. I have previously mentioned another (photography) forum where one guy had two (maybe more) I.D.s and was replying to his own posts for no other reason than logging up thousands of posts - sad state of affairs which I uncovered with the help of one of the mods on that forum.

I will now pull the rug from under my own feet by stating that, despite being banned from Birdforum twice (and now indefinitely), I am still a member under two different usernames which I can access via my Vodafone "dongle" or U.K ISP address - but that is because I am a bit "naughty" :biggrin:

I really prefer to "stand up and be counted" rather than hide behind a nom de plume.

Colin :smile:

[ampelinus]

Fair enough Colin,

You could be right about the age thing, I think we can agree to differ. I spend alot of time on Birdforum & there are many idiots on there some with a username & some with their own name, one person in particular is very aggressive & he uses his own name.
I agree with your point about people posting multiple times it seems they are listing with their posts. A few guys on BF just tag on "I agree" to all the id threads & build up thousands of posts just for the sake of it, which seems very pointless to me.
One thing I didn't mention before is that I'm a very shy person & I hate being in the limelight which is why I use a username.
I don't know about you but I find these forums, sometimes not always, a bit like Kilroy or some other supposed debate show. What I mean is you just get the two extremes of opinion & no middle ground, which usually ends up in a slagging match & ends up putting people off joining in.

Regards, Neil.

[Colin Key]

Thank you for that frank "reply from the heart" Neil.

All I can say is "Be yourself".

My very best wishes,

Colin :smile:

[Johnny X]

Y'all be shocked to know my surname isn't actually 'X'. There are plenty of good reasons to fancy a bit of anonymity, especially if you work!

These days recruiters are pretty good at researching your internet trail...and being prolific on the forums might not be the impression you are looking to make ;-)

[Colin Key]

Y'all be shocked to know my surname isn't actually 'X'. There are plenty of good reasons to fancy a bit of anonymity, especially if you work!

These days recruiters are pretty good at researching your internet trail...and being prolific on the forums might not be the impression you are looking to make ;-)

At least it is a "real" name Johnny, and at the same time retains your anonymity - it is these "silly", nonsensical monikas which I take exception to.

I must say, I am rather intrigued by the number of people who I know have full-time jobs yet seem to be permanently logged into Birdforum or Surfbirds Forum (or both) during office hours :biggrin:.

Colin