[Anonymous]

NOTE: You must be logged in to be able to place your vote above.

Something that is always a problem on message boards is the username that a member chooses. In many cases, such as ours, this is not a real big problem because we generally get to know who is who on here. However, this is not always the case.

On this particular message board, there is no reason for anyone to hide from anyone since we pretty much know everyone or at least most of us participate at the same track(s).

Anyway, the point of this message is this: Should we require everyone to use their real full name for their username?

As an example, when I sign on in a non-administrative state, my username is "Mopar93". Just about everyone knows who that is by now, but some may not. Should my username be "Maurice Randall" instead? How about everyone else's username?

It's easy for me to change everyone's username. I can also require it for new members.

After all, this message board is on more of a personal level than many other message boards you'll find on the internet. Add your vote here and let everyone know what you think.

-Maurice

[markmantyla]

Is it possible to have both? maybe a handle in quotes next to the name. I know people like the governor sometime only post their handle on some other boards. maybe this would make it easier for a casual person or a fan that comes on to make the connection. just a thought.

[Anonymous]

Also, everyone is allowed to have just one member account here. However, there can be exceptions to this as well as an exception to the username.

One example is with myself. When I log in using the name "Administrator", this username will not change, it will always be "Administrator". The main reason is because someone else might take over the job of adminstrator.

Another example is with Bill Lackey. He has one account with his real name "Bill Lackey". But he also has another account with the username "superpro". When he needs to leave a message related to the Superpro series, he can sign in accordingly. Otherwise, he can sign in using his real name.

There can also be others with the same need, it's simply a matter of requesting it. First you would have to have an account here with your real name (or handle if we keep it the way it is) and then you could send a private message to "Administrator" with a request for a second account. No problem.

-Maurice

[Anonymous]

[Frenchracing]

I don't see the need for it being posted for public review, but the administrator can set it up so when people register they have to give their real name AND user name, that way if things get out of hand the administrator can verify who they were really talking to at the time...but it's not posted for all to see.

We don't really care either way though...whatever you think works best. We are who we are, no hiding it. LOL

[angel]

We had trouble on one message board with advertisers registering as legit users (you never know if people are really using their real info) and then sneaking in advertising or junk and also somehow being able to email real users as if they knew us. Like saying "Hi Jim!" The administrator had to put limits on the board - no pictures, etc., nothing but text, and of course closer monitoring of messages before they are posted, and then just suggesting that people just sign their posting if they want to.

[Anonymous]

[Mrs. T2]

I guess I don't understand why anyone would have to post their real name on our discussion board. I can just as easily type in "Candy" as I can "Cindy" if you know what I mean. Just because there are people that don't agree with some things doesn't mean they should be censored. It's their right as Americans to remain private if they choose.
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[Bardenracing42]

The only reason I feel a need for real names is so I can know who is posting and/or I'm responding too. When a new member joins, for example, I would like to know who he/she is so I don't feel like they are total strangers. I like the idea of having both, but understand Cindy's point on privacy. I would suggest maybe after 30 days on the board, someone can have their real name removed if they wish. That way, we could get to know our new neighbors, and at the same time observe that privacy.

[Champ2x36]

I like the idea of using real names, or both name and nickname. I've got nothing to hide! I usually sign my posts with my first name anyway, and my name is in my sig!

Ed
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[61SSracer]

MOpar,

Why don't you leave everyone with there screen names as they are. That gives people their own identity ! But under their screen name where the information is for their location and such--have their Real name listed there ! That way you still have nicknames and such for screen names and people also know who they are talking to !

The problem with Mr. Barden's idea of listing names for 30 days, is that if a new person comes to the board, then they wouldn't know the names of anyone that has been here for more than 30 days !

Chuck (aka) SHAGGY

[couchracer]

I like the idea of using both. If a person see's the need to get on here and toss thier 2 cents against the wall .. put your real name on it. It's not a matter of 'privacy' .. It's a matter of 'credibility'.

Keep up the good work Maurice.


s/ Bill Davenport

[Anonymous]

As for the privacy debate, I think many of you have already discovered how secure this particular message board is. We keep the nonsense out. No internet scammers here.

Also, nobody from the outside can get your email address. When you choose in your profile to make your email address available to the public, it doesn't really make it publicy viewable. What that does is it allows a registered user here the ability to send you an email. When doing so, the email is sent through the message board, so your email address is still protected unless you choose to reply to the sender. You would do so at your own choosing because it would be someone you know.

I've just recently made the "memberlist" available here. If you're logged in, you'll see a link at the top of the page for it. You can't view it unless you're logged in. Even if someone not registered knew the link to the memberlist, it still won't display for them.

There are a number of things I did to this message board software to aid in security and privacy. Normally, these boards will show at the bottom of the main index page who is currently logged in, who the most recent registered member is, and some other stuff. That info is missing from this board because I programmed it out.

Many message boards around the internet using this same software allow anonymous users to post messages. We don't, you must be registered. I also make it very, very tough to get registered here. Yesterday, I went one step further with this. New registrations must be approved by me before they are allowed. It is up to me to activate the account. The user will have to identify (to me) who they are and why they want to sign up for this board before I will allow them to participate. Legitimate people don't have a problem with that. They understand and appreciate this.

Having your real name posted with your messages won't invade anyone's privacy. It's just your name. It's not your email address, phone number, social security number, age, mailing address, or anything else. It's just your name. It's for the benefit of all those who participate here.

-Maurice

[Mrs. T2]

If we get scammers here on this site, Maurice you're doing an excellent job at keeping them out However, this debate about real names and usernames is silly. We have much more serious things to take care of. Some people do not want to their identity to be known because they don't share the views as everyone else. That is their right. Unfortunately some people have been treated poorly by others simply because they have a different opinion than some others. I don't care who the people are that choose not to list their real names because I have my own beliefs and believe in my beliefs, no matter who posts what with what name. Don't get me wrong, I understand why some want this done, but I don't understand why it needs to be done. The whole need for real names so I can know who is posting and/or I'm responding too isn't enough, because obviously they have no problem being addressed by the screen name/nickname they have made. The reason I choose Mrs. T2 is because so many people call me that (among other names )!!!

Seriously, let's start addressing more important issues.
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Don't Sing It, Just Bring It!

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[MissyB77]

I think we should have the option of having our real names in our profile and/or in parthencies under our user name. I also think it should be required that the administrator knows who everyone is incase they get out of hand on the website.
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~Missy B.~