Anonymous or Not?

[GoldShield]

Aside: Bill, pardon me. I felt that this topic deserved a separate thread to encourage the discussion to more from less appropriate areas, even if it started there. G/S

What do you visitors to this board think? Should Bill (AKA w.com) keep this board anonymous or shall he require complete disclosure of all those posting?

(Leigh) "standish" (Posted elsewhere: Field Completion Date, on: 6/28/2004 at 2:18pm)
I, for one, would have a much higher regard for those who identify themselves, either with a recognizable screen name, associated e-mail address, or, by outright stating who they are. "Anonymous" may be necessary in a different country. In this one, I like to know with whom I'm dealing and respect those who are "stand-up guys" (or women).

Leigh,
I lov' yah, but, I do not agree with you. I am sure this question (ano/nymous) is worth discussing by itself. I am sure that we will find a variety of reasons given for leaving this board the way it is, veiled, leaving most people posting as anonymous as they choose to be. Hell, it might even be worth starting an anonymous poll; what do you think, Bill?

I congratuate Bill for having removed the daggers from his original board without removing the zest from this one. We are all big guys and gals here, right? So we wrassle a little bit! We should be able to take it, right? But, what I do I know (No need to answer, LouS)?

Closing thought: I know you to be world-wise person, Leigh, but I am perplexed by your: "'Anonymous' may be necessary in a different country." Why do we need secret ballots even in the greatest country on earth, the USA, during elections? This board is appropriately anonymous for the same reason.

People are people. I agree with Bill who just posted: "Anonymous is sometimes a good thing."

[Wethersfield.com]

The beauty of this forum is you must register to post so all e-mail and IP addresses are logged at the time of registration. Yes, I have the opportunity to cross check e-mail addresses but 60% of the time you can not identify the person. (example: [e-mail]) What I’ve tried to do is eliminate multiple user names with the same e-mail address which prevents people from posting under multiple names. This has worked pretty well.

Leigh, as you know, during the registration process the applicant has the option of revealing his e-mail address, some do and most don’t. Sorry, but I will not make it mandatory for a user to post his/her real name or give access to the names database.

I could tell you this “Goldshield, LouS, IronMan, Mrs.B, oldetowne, tooold, daveh, hello and many of the frequent posters” are all different people but that’s as far as I’ll go. Anonymous is sometimes a good thing.

[oldetowne]

I would not post here were it not for the anonymity factor, and not because I am ashamed of anything I say or do or because I take a different position in person in public.

[phuffs]

My 2 cents - personally, I put more credence in statements coming from someone who is willing to identify themselves (I think most people can decipher who I am from my postings), but I still believe that on a forum such as this, anonymity is fine as well, keeping in mind that I would always consider the source, so to speak. Spiderman wears a mask but he is still a good guy. I tend to avoid political confrontation and leave that type of thing to the experts, but I do enjoy reading all of the back and forth dialogue. I also feel that open discussion among allies and adversaries is one way to get things accomplished in society. Keep posting !!

[standish]

I would argue that secret ballots pertain to an election and are, thus, justified by the need to ensure an unbiased outcome. However, an opinion forum, wherein paticipants employ the gentle art of persuasion and rhetoric with a desired outcome and the hope of influencing others to that effect, is another matter. I would like to know who says what they do (and, perhaps, by knowing so, why).

I hold a special respect for people who stand up for something and personally stand behind their positions. What motive could one have for anonymity, other than economic or employment concerns?

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

standish said:

...What motive could one have for anonymity, other than economic or employment concerns?

Leigh, I think I understand what GoldShield is getting at here and it goes to the heart of your question and it has nothing to do with "unbiased" outcomes: fear of retribution - in whatever form it might take. Why else the classical, (anonymous) "Suggestion Box"? Ken

[IronMan]

Leigh, creative screen names are the way to go. Who cares whom what name your debating with as long as the conversation is civil and if it’s not you can just walk away. Remember this is a way for people to voice their opinions without being persecuted by the masses. I know you’re an intelligent man so you’ll be able to decipher the posters agenda(s).

[MrsB]

Well, this is interesting. Personally I felt that when I signed on with my screen name that folks could figure it out if they really wanted too and call me on it. I really am a MrsB. I, like Leigh, feel that knowing someone helps understand where they are coming from. But that should be an option to those that sign on. When we write editorials to the paper or call in a radio show we say who we are in different ways. In the paper we give our whole name and town sometimes if relevant our job. On the radio we give our first name and town. The part I don’t like about the whole internet forum thing is that it is INSTANT!! If I don’t like what you say and I have had a crappy day and you’re my last straw…well sometimes some folks get a little hot. The anonymity thing helps us all stand in line and nod and smile at Bliss the next day and keep the nice nice. Instant is not always good. Email can be taken sarcastically when serious and vice versa.
Better to speak your mind and debate the issues with out having the added feeling that you would be uncomfortable to have this same conversation in front of the creamery with an audience.

There are a few things I try never to do, I never say those are ugly pants when I am in a store because my mama always told me there may be someone thinking they look great in the mirror behind you and I rarely judge a persons worth on how much they agree with me. But that last one is tempting and I would rather not know who you are … for sure… because sometimes y’all piss me off.

See you around neighbors!
Mrs B