[wingspan33]

I have to read Joe's above post but I wanted to get my ideas down before I forgot them. BTW - I appreciate our ability to share our thoughts. Knowing we are all taking to "real" people IS relevant - in the Trial BOD forum area at the least.

My Ideas -

People can register with the US Hawks Forum with any "name" they want. But let's say that there is a "vetting" process. After being vetted the real person user could be added to a "hidden" registry of XXUsername = Actual Person Smith.

If there is some kind of misbehavior, the Moderator could communicate (via personal email account?) with the actual person. In a worse case scenario, they could still be banned or put on "probation". Unknown members who acted inappropriately, however, could be more quickly/seriously sanctioned - including banning.

In the vetting process a forum user may also elect to remain anonymous.

And here's where a difference between "known members" and "not-so-well-known members" could be indicated -

A known and confirmed (vetted) US Hawks Forum/US Hawks HG Association member would be identified in their Avatar/UserName area with a "code".

Let's say "Okay Joe" is how a known party would be identified.

"Any Joe" is how an unknown/unconfirmed/anonymous member would be identified.

There could be some system where "Any Joe" members could be positively encouraged to add their "true identities" into the (hidden) registry. Let's say known members could give unknown members a symbol. That involves positive recognition from the community and could get the Unknown User to become Known.

There could also be some form of slight "prestige" linked with "Known" members. Not sure what that might be yet, but you get the idea. Kind of like "+karma" on that other forum site or the 3 Star *** system on another. But these "prestige" points would be connected with the user's status as being "Known" - not with post content "points".

Optional Identifiers could be -

Local (known member)

Passin' Thru (unknown member)

or . . .

Friend (known member)

Stranger (unknown member)

.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Great thoughts and considerations Joe and Scott!!!



Just as a data point (and without intending any commentary), here's a list of our current highest posters (people with over 100 posts on the forum) sorted in order of most posts (you can see this on the Members page):

bobk
JoeF
billcummings
Free
SamKellner
eagle
RickMasters
wingspan33
DarthVader
RobinHastings
FromDayOne
miguel

There are 12 names in that list. Six of them use their real name (sometimes with a last name initial) and six don't. So this sample is pretty evenly split in our use of real names. Of the 5 Trial Board members, all but one use a personally identifiable name.

To clarify the current policy, I've been allowing any names (within reason) to post. But if someone viciously attacks someone else (and this is admittedly a judgement call on my part), I request a confirmation via telephone call to increase my confidence that at least I know who they are in real life. If they fail to provide that confirmation, I restrict them to the Free Speech Zone. At this time, the user known as "Nobody" is in that status.

Finally, one model that I've liked is a network of people who vouch for the identities of other people. I have personally met every single Trial Board member, so I can vouch for your identities to the other Trial Board members who you may not have met. We could use a system of people vouching for each other to create known identities without having to use our real names. I can say that I know who Wingspan33 is because I've met him in person and talk to him on the phone. That gives him a degree of accountability even though he doesn't use his real name.

[wingspan33]

. . . I can say that I know who Wingspan33 is because I've met him in person and talk to him on the phone. That gives him a degree of accountability even though he doesn't use his real name.

You mean my real identity as J D Rockefeller doesn't help?

[Bob Kuczewski]

You mean my real identity as J D Rockefeller doesn't help?

This topic hasn't moved in almost a year exactly. So my laugh here is long overdue:            

By the way, I just discovered how to allow us to use spaces in our user names. So "SamKellner" could now be "Sam Kellner". I haven't activated it yet because I thought it might best be done in conjunction with moving toward real names.

Since we haven't discussed this in a year, I'm wondering if it's a dead subject or if it's possible to revive it. Any thoughts?

[SamKellner]

Hawks,

I'm in favor of real names and respect opinion and individuals who are willing to let us know who they are. I'm sure, to monitor this is a chore so as we grow, might be relaxed later.

The benefits of knowing that so many of the pioneer/legends have joined US Hawks and share this forum might be lost without full name identifiers.

If BobK needs help, maybe we could form a task force to share the responsibility. We don't want anyone to hijack the forum like JackA did.

Wow, and also in favor of allowing spaces in user name. I've had all the practice I need typing my name with no space and no caps

Further, the auto log-in would be nice, but if it is an increased risk to forum security, I will continue to tolerate logging on each visit.

Let's not forget who we have to thank for this forum and the all HG Assn., BobK.

[Bill Cummings]

My post from a while back at "The Oz Report."

If I remember, it was Graeme that advanced the text about not being able to attack an anonymous person.

Galileo Galilei did not publish anonymously. His book comparing two theories about the Earth being the center of the Universe to a different theory of the planets orbiting our sun (Copernican system and the Ptolemaic system) ran counter to the beliefs of those in power.
Galileo was found to be, “vehemently suspect of heresy,” so he was confined to house arrest, his previous writings were banned and also any future writings.

During my research for this post I came across this: Galileo's fiercest detractor, Cesare Cremonini, when presented with an opportunity to view the truth, refused to look through Galileo’s telescope. All at once the name Graeme Henderson leapt into my mind….
I also discovered that when I laugh so hard that I blow spittle on the computer screen it reveals a multitude of mini rainbows.

Concerned Guys, ridgeliftguys1, remaining anonymous is an idea that might even pass muster with Bob K. at this point in time.
It is quite possible that the demand to know who an anonymous person is will be made by someone that wants to attack the person when the text can’t be.
Facts are facts being anonymous will not change that.
The monopoly power will always strive to hold power and leave nowhere else to turn.
If the monopoly can hold intimidation over your head do you think they will not do it?

Galileo must have been too stupid to realize this even while spending the rest of his life under house arrest.

A little anonymity would still have had the earth going around the Sun and Galileo going around town.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Good discussion, gentlemen. And an excellent expose of both sides of the coin there Bill.   

Here's my motion, but I welcome some tailoring if I've missed something:

  I move that the US Hawks modify it's Forum to allow for spaces in names.  
  I further move that we encourage people to use their real names, but not require it.  
  I further move that the Administrator (me) shall add spaces to user names as requested.  
  I further move that the Administrator (me) change the user name "bobk" to "Bob Kuczewski".  

Do I hear a second or any friendly amendments?

[SamKellner]

I   second   Bob's motion

[Bill Cummings]

Good discussion, gentlemen. And an excellent expose of both sides of the coin there Bill.   

Here's my motion, but I welcome some tailoring if I've missed something:

  I move that the US Hawks modify it's Forum to allow for spaces in names.  
  I further move that we encourage people to use their real names, but not require it.  
  I further move that the Administrator (me) shall add spaces to user names as requested.  
  I further move that the Administrator (me) change the user name "bobk" to "Bob Kuczewski".  

Do I hear a second or any friendly amendments?

  YES  

[Bob Kuczewski]

Thanks Bill.

I vote     YES     as well.