Anonymity on the board?

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

I don't even know or care if Barry Sloate is a real name or a pseudonym for Jimmy Cheeseburger. Either way, I know where he stands vis-a-vis his Net54 personality.

It's actually an alias for Barry Goat.

[T206Collector]

:d

Originally Posted by calvindog

it's actually an alias for barry goat.

lol!

[barrysloate]

T206 Collector (and I do know your real name): I like to know who is on the other side of the keyboard. That is important to me. These are real people I am interacting with, and many of them I know from my years in the business. It would embarrass me if I were communicating anonymously with someone and then discovered I had known him for a long time. And I like to know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. It may not be important to you, but I like to know. It's a personal matter with each poster whether or not he wants to know who's out there, and not something to be dismissed with a blanket statement.

[T206Collector]

There may be a genuine business reason to know -- and many Net54'ers like to meet up at Nationals and shows and pizza parties just for fun. To each his own.

My only point is that I don't know if Chris Counts is a real name or not -- and save for checking his driver's license or passport we may never really know. In the context of a guy you've never met and will never meet, can you explain why knowing his real name versus a made up name makes a difference?

[Jewish-collector]

A great part of the enjoyment of this hobby for me personally is meeting other collectors, dealers, etc,.... However, I do respect T206's decision not to want to.

[Jantz]

Originally Posted by calvindog

It's actually an alias for Barry Goat.

Now I'm really confused. I thought his real name was Barry Sloth!

Sorry Barry, I just had to. Ole Reginald sure like to jab at you for some reason.

Jantz - aka Jantz

[Peter_Spaeth]

Calvindog, who the hell are you anyway? Imagine hiding behind a name like that.

[ChrisStufflestreet]

Sorry, Leon...but I'm hiding behind my User ID. So there.

[smtjoy]

I agree with what Bill said far above. I like to know who I am dealing with.

I also think anyone using the BST should be known, much bigger difference than just posting.

[barrysloate]

Jantz- I've heard that one before, since I was a kid. Hey, you have to have a sense of humor. They also call me Sloateman.

Anonymity is fine in the entirely card related threads we have. But once the personal insults start flying, and the history of the board is that they will fly pretty regularly, you need to identify yourself or stay out of the fray.

It's important for me to put my name out there because I take full responsibility for what I say. Whether I deliver a pearl of wisdom or another idiotic post, I want the board to know who said it. I don't like when people make brash statements yet remain unknown.

[Rich Klein]

If you wish to be anonymous and contribute to a discussion about T-206 backs or what was your 1st pre-war card; etc -- then by all means your name need not be mentioned.

On the other hand, if you get involved in a controversial thread; and you start attacking someone; then it is a basic human right that you are able to face your opponent. Not providing a name, is not valid in that case.

I do understand some reasons for wanting to remain anonymous and thus; perhaps the better solution is to contact Leon IN ADVANCE of a post and explain WHY you wish to remain so. And frankly, ID theft is not a good enough reason at that point. There are so many more efficient ways for your ID to be stolen, the restaurant example is one, and frankly anytime you use an ATM could be another if a skimmer was set up there,....

Regards
Rich