Posted Sun Feb 24, 2008, 10:13am Subject: Re: A non-mandatory Real Names policy on CoffeeGeek
I've always had my real name in my profile but had planned to change my username at some point so consider it done. Atgcruat came about from trying to register late one night & having every interesting nickname I came up with rejected as already taken.
brentling Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2002 Posts: 881 Location: By the beach in Auckland, NZ - turn right you can't miss me Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: wega, fiorenzato Grinder: Growing collection of... Drip: yes people call me that... Roaster: collection building...
Posted Sun Feb 24, 2008, 8:02pm Subject: Re: A non-mandatory Real Names policy on CoffeeGeek
Hi Mark,
I don't have an issue with real names, equally with anonymity.
But I will clarify - I maintain a "degree" of anonymity, for a variety of reasons, having said that, I don't hink there is any regular who couldn't get hold of me if they tried, or contacted yourself.
I have my reasons, as I am sure do others.
Some, and certainly not necessarily in any rank of importance, are:
I have been stalked online - not anything "violent", but damned annoying at the time I am working very hard at be not the easiest person to find for allcomers
I have some more serious reasons, but they are my reasons.
Having said that - my user name and name have some common ground. You will note my surname is not there, but only to slow the posse down.
I would hate to see someone who is more paranoid than I not able to join a forum because of strict rules...
just some thoughts from one who prefers to remain anonymous to the uninitiated... :)
Brent (Are you still paranoid if they really are after you?)
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 4,700 Location: Vancouver Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Frankenstein'ed LM Linea Grinder: Anfim Super Caimano Vac Pot: 1922 Silex Drip: Krups Moka Brew Roaster: Hottop
Posted Mon Feb 25, 2008, 4:29am Subject: Re: A non-mandatory Real Names policy on CoffeeGeek
brentling Said:
I have been stalked online - not anything "violent", but damned annoying at the time I am working very hard at be not the easiest person to find for allcomers
I have some more serious reasons, but they are my reasons.
I hear you and sympathise. Because of my exposure online and on this website
- been stalked both online and in person, including at trade shows. - receive hate mail occasionally - have anonymous people post things in attempts to damage my reputation etc (like the occasional joker who gets a flickr account and pastes my photo to other unsavoury and illegal images) - have been threatened with physical harm, as have those close to me.
and more.
I was listening to CrankyGeeks, or it may have been CNet's 404 podcast the other day, and at one point, someone goes "I found it by googling me... come on, everyone googles themselves!" and I was thinking, well, I don't google *myself* - haven't done it for several years now, because there's been a few isolated occasions where I didn't like what it turned up. Plus that there was a gay male porn star in the early 2000s named "Mark Prince" ;)
I guess my point is, I've been subjected to a lot of bad stuff by having my online identity so out there, and I know what most of the risks are. I've had to change my credit card once. I've had problems with possible identity theft. I've had people represent themselves as me when talking to the media, to coffee businesses, to financial institutions. I've had my phone ring at 3 in the morning because some joker managed to track it down and call me at that time seeking espresso buying advice.
With all of that, I definitely sympathise with anyone worried about their privacy. But on the other hand, I think this is a mature enough forum that, if people are even using their real first names (be it in their username, sig, or profile page) the danger of any privacy problems is very negligible. Think about the exposure that I have out there, vis a vis a forums poster (not to sound conceited about it).
Gee, I'm not making a good argument for it, am I :-S
What I'm trying to say, I think, is that even with all this heaposh*te that has rained down on me, there's also been such immense benefits to being "public" online. For me, I've made so many amazing friends - not just 'in the biz' but consumers and coffee lovers too. And I know of so many other connections people have made because they are known online, and known by their name, even if their nickname is Beatles645.
I also feel quite strongly that if you are a strong opinionated person (I definitely fall into that category) and want (or do) express that opinion in online venues, doing so from behind an anonymous face is very, very weak. I'll be honest - I see it as a coward's way.
I do not mean or imply that everyone keeping an anonymous persona online is a coward. Not at all. I'm specifically talking about people who feel the need to argue, debate, criticise, and challenge opinions and thoughts. Again, I guess that would be me. I have never assumed an anonymous persona online in my entire time using the Internet, going back to 1994, and I've always had one mantra for anything I write - don't write anything you're afraid to say to a person's face. Part of that mantra is don't hide while shouting out your ideals or crazy thoughts by using an anonymous persona.
Sigh. Again, I don't think I'm making a very good argument here, huh ;) Well, it is very late, I'm just off a very disapointing design and coding day, and really should be going to bed... but first.
I would hate to see someone who is more paranoid than I not able to join a forum because of strict rules...
Nothings going to change for the forums in the foreseeable future vis a vis real names - that's why it is voluntary.... with one exception. Once the new website launches, we may institute a rule change for the Buy and Sell forum. I think real identities there are a must. I haven't heard of too many "burns" because of that forum and all the deals that have been made over the years, but if someone's buying (or selling, or looking to buy), I think using a real identity is important.
Just one last thought. I do take privacy extremely seriously with this website, always have. I can't tell you how many times I've refused, even under threats of lawsuits, to NOT DISCLOSE any member's private information. I have been offered pretty large sums of money for our mailing list addresses. I've been offered other large sums for our entire membership directory. When I talk large, I'm talking enough to buy a house (well, maybe a 1 bedroom condo... in Surrey). They don't even get a thought - they are turned down.
I mention this just to let you know that any plans in the future for this website that ask for things like using one's real name will be balanced with everyone's need or want for privacy and even anonymity when using this website.
brentling Senior Member Joined: 25 Sep 2002 Posts: 881 Location: By the beach in Auckland, NZ - turn right you can't miss me Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: wega, fiorenzato Grinder: Growing collection of... Drip: yes people call me that... Roaster: collection building...
Posted Mon Feb 25, 2008, 1:19pm Subject: Re: A non-mandatory Real Names policy on CoffeeGeek
Mark,
When I say some anonymity is required, I do qualify that with the knowledge that you know my "real" identity, and more so know more than one way to contact me.
On that basis "anonymity" is cool - as long as the moderators etc can contact the person
Complete anonymity I do agree is not really the go on a forum like this, after all who would have guessed that AndyS was a cover for Fidel?
As for why people are cautious as to there identity, location? being in a situation where that is important to me, I get it, but if anyone really wants to know, they can check "offline". As long as that check / balance is in place then the rule of no anonymous posting can be maintained, while those that need anonymity can retain it.
In the end on other forums where the real identity thing has come up, my request for a little less identity than required has never been a problem, I guess mainly because I am upfront to the moderators about it, and maintain that if someone needs to get hold of me, moderators can pass requests through etc...
Posted Mon Feb 25, 2008, 11:11pm Subject: Re: A non-mandatory Real Names policy on CoffeeGeek
I certainly would like to comply with this. Since I have labeled things and even some documents with my initials for many years I view my initials almost as much a part of my identy as my full name so I am going to have to work into this thing gradually. I figured out how to put my signiture at the bottom of the page.
One thought I have about this is that it would be good if those who are changing their log-in IDs to also include their old IDs for a while intill the new ones are internalized. I notice some are doing this.
Posted Tue Feb 26, 2008, 5:26am Subject: Re: A non-mandatory Real Names policy on CoffeeGeek
While Mark and some of the others here are going "all the way" and changing their usernames, a good alternative is simply to put your name in your signature or on your profile page. You don't have to go all the way with this guys. If your attached to your username as some here seem to be, keep it. It’s no big deal; just don't be afraid to put your name in your signature.
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