Questions about the new 'no anonymity' rule

[PentlandPirate II]

I know that on this community website it is not a democracy but I'm curious about the thinking behind the new rule. I'm not disagreeing that it will be the rule, for fear of being banned again and locked out, but I just have an enquiring nature. Why do you need my real name?

I don't mind revealing my true name, but I can't see how this rule can work. You can look me up in the phone book, but I'm ex-directory. You can email me and I'll reply I'm whoever I want to be. You can phone me if I give you a landline number and I'll answer it with whatever name I wish.

One of the fundamental principles of the community website was that it would allow people to be anonymous. Such anonymity in the past has allowed some very important local issues to be aired, which might otherwise have gone unmentioned due to concerns of intimidation or alienation in the community.

I'm not sure that the comments which are currently on the forum would have been any different if the posters had had to write their comments knowing that their real name was being revealed, except in cases where there was a real fear that telling the truth or expressing their genuine feelings could cause them to be subjected to bullying, threats, intimidation and unease in the community.

Wasn't a website sued because it revealed information about an individual, enough for some nutcase to track them down and murder them?

[Gavin Rae]

Clearly i don't get all of this ! And I suspect others may not either ?

Perhaps 'Nick Bowles' might like to outline clearly how we 'PM' him ?

I've tried tonight and my e mail has bounced

Some help with this would be gratefully received

Last post from Snoman !!!! Before change !!!! ......

[MonaLott]

Herby, how can you possibly justify being the only one on here who isn't out there in the open? And please don't just blame Nick. Lead from the front, please. Moderate like a court judge, name out there. Otherwise it's a joke. OK it's Nick's bat and ba' but it's surely up to you to decide your own representation in an apparent age of transparency.
Nick, I suspect that the site will continue at low ebb for purposes of info exchange but with negligible debate, controversy and interest. Sad. You have argued so well in the past for anonymity but consistency in anything nowadays is regrettably hard to find!

[NickB]

Why do you need my real name?

Firstly, let me say that duplicating the title of another post exactly - as you did before I edited it - is designed to be deliberately misleading and will not be tolerated, particularly when that post is deliberately stickied and locked to prevent this sort of whinging and carping.

Secondly, it really is none of your business why I have decided to make this the rule. However -

~ quite a few people on Seil over the years have indicated that they would be much happier to participate if it was not anonymous.

~ people have been vilified and attacked from time to time under cover of anonymity. People have posted things they would not dare post under their real name.

And thirdly - I am personally fed up with being attacked by anonymous cowards when all I tried to do was provide a forum.

Discussion of this matter is closed. Particularly to you. I suggest you do not attempt to sign on as someone you are not.

[NickB]

Herby, how can you possibly justify being the only one on here who isn't out there in the open? And please don't just blame Nick. Lead from the front, please. Moderate like a court judge, name out there. Otherwise it's a joke. OK it's Nick's bat and ba' but it's surely up to you to decide your own representation in an apparent age of transparency.
Nick, I suspect that the site will continue at low ebb for purposes of info exchange but with negligible debate, controversy and interest. Sad. You have argued so well in the past for anonymity but consistency in anything nowadays is regrettably hard to find!

It's not up for discussion Mona, OK ?

I'm not having my moderator open to attack. I've had my head above the parapet for some time, but I think having the moderator out in the open is unfair. The alternative is having no-one to arbitrate but me, and I am well aware of your thoughts on that.

I think that over the long term this forum will do better under the new regime. I am sorry if you feel unable to participate under your own name.

[NickB]

Clearly i don't get all of this ! And I suspect others may not either ?

Perhaps 'Nick Bowles' might like to outline clearly how we 'PM' him ?

Hi Snoman,

To send me a PM click on the 'PM' button under any of my posts. This one for example.

A message window will come up with my user name already filled in.

Fill in subject and message as usual and click submit. That's all there is to it.

[PentlandPirate II]

I suggest you do not attempt to sign on as someone you are not

I'm about the only person apart from you who has ever shown their real face on this site. I've re-registered using my real name which is verified by my real email address (although the system does not allow me to register on the same email address as my current PP identity.

Love and kisses

Innes Newton

PS. Can we have a "love in" section on Seil Chat, for Community healing? You and I must get together sometime. Did we go to Aberdeen Uni at the same time?

[NickB]

Did we go to Aberdeen Uni at the same time?

1970 - 1974

[spiderman]

A victory for the Green Goblins. Turn off the dark.

[PentlandPirate II]

Did we go to Aberdeen Uni at the same time?

1970 - 1974

Shame, just missed you. I started there in 1975

[Bill McDicken]

Do I detect panic in PentlandPirate II's post?

[NickB]

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So far the response to the 'Seil Chat, Real Chat, Real People' initiative seems pretty favourable, with people happy to convert and some old faces re-appearing.

[Kathy Bowles]

I think this new approach to the site will be much more interesting and attract lots more people.

[jimcee]

Time will tell, but I would dispute the suggestion that making identity compulsory will result in a flood of new participants.
The postings are read by a large number of people who have no intention of actually contributing, and the thought of actually appending their name, so that any reader actually knows their true identity, if they decided to take the plunge, would be a complete no-no.

However, I could be wrong, and there might be the odd self publicist (like those with political leanings) who would revel in the publicity, but I would suggest that they are already on board.

[NickB]

Time will tell, but I would dispute the suggestion that making identity compulsory will result in a flood of new participants.
The postings are read by a large number of people who have no intention of actually contributing, and the thought of actually appending their name, so that any reader actually knows their true identity, if they decided to take the plunge, would be a complete no-no.

However, I could be wrong, and there might be the odd self publicist (like those with political leanings) who would revel in the publicity, but I would suggest that they are already on board.

Jim, which option do you prefer, to change your user name to your real name or to have me append your real name below your avatar? (Currently the question mark).

Time will tell what effect, if any, the new regime has on the volume, content and tone of the forum.

[jimcee]

In answer to the above request for information - please can I have my real name above my avatar as a halo, rather than below as a noose.
Also a supplementary question - on opting for the Reply option and being asked for a User name, do I give the new Official one , and still keep the original password?

[NickB]

In answer to the above request for information - please can I have my real name above my avatar as a halo, rather than below as a noose.
Also a supplementary question - on opting for the Reply option and being asked for a User name, do I give the new Official one , and still keep the original password?

I've amended your avatar Jim.

Your user name is still jimcee, password is unchanged.

[PentlandPirate II]

Can we all have nice bold, light blue names like you and your brother Tim Bowles? I thought it was only you and the moderator that had their name showing differently but now even the moderator Herby Dice has lost his posh bold, light blue name.

[NickB]

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????

Bit of a pointless last post, Pirate.

Nine minutes to Real Chat.

[NickB]

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Well, five minutes to go . . . . no rush of new registrations.