IMPORTANT - ALL FUTURE POSTING TO BE UNDER REAL NAMES

[NickB]

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From next Monday posters will have to use their real names if they want to post on Seil Chat.


How will this be affect me ?

~ Those already posting under their real names will not be affected

~ Those posting under first name and a letter (like NickB or DonnieC) must either change to their full name or put it under their avatar (as I have under mine). I can do this for them if it is their preferred option.

~ Those posting under purely fictitious names have two choices:

1) PM me your real name and I will change your user name for you (only an Admin can do this). This will result in your real name appearing beside all your posts to date.

or, if you do not want to disclose your previous identity :

2) Register as a new poster under your real name - but remember, you will need to use a different email address. If you do this the posts prior to this will remain in the database under the old name, but all future posts will have to be under your real name. This way your previous identity remains a mystery.


Will there be any exceptions ?

Precisely one. Herby Dice. I think that it is a good idea for our trusted moderator to remain anonymous. He has however promised that Herby will only post when it concerns matters of moderation. With everyone using their real identities these occasions should be few and far between.


How will this be implemented ?

Quite simply. Any posts under fictitious identities made after midnight on Sunday will be consigned to limbo and a message sent to the poster's registered email advising them of the change of policy. Repeated attempts to post under a previous (fictitious) identity will result in a permanent ban for that username and email address.

Any attempts to circumvent this rule - particularly any attempts at impersonation - will result in an immediate ban and possible further action. If either myself or Herby believe anyone is trying to register or post under a false identity then they will be required to provide proof. In particular, anyone registering with a temporary or obviously phoney email address will be looked at very carefully. (In the long term I will probably add an address / phone number field to the registration form, but for now I would prefer to hope we can take this on trust).

All existing posts under previous identities will remain in the database unchanged.

There is already a core of people posting under their real names, so I don't anticipate this being anything other than good for the forum - though it has taken me a long time to arrive at this conclusion.


Is this up for discussion ?

No. Anyone with any questions can contact me by PM. This thread will remain sticky and locked until such time as the changeover is complete.

From next week Seil Chat will be real chat, with real people.

[NickB]

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This rule is now in force.