Real names on the forum?

MMMiles! · May 13th, 2006, 17:35

This was an idea proposed by Brian McIlmoyle recently, although several people have suggested it over the years - I'm interested to get some feedback from everyone:

How would you like to see real names used instead of anonymous aliases on this forum? Personally, while I enjoy using my user tag, it makes alot of sense to me to use my real name instead - after all, we have to do deals and go to games where real names are much more practical than just call signs. Plus I'm tired of people calling me John (Hojo is fine though, although I prefer Miles).

The anonymity thing is a two-way street though. I'm not sure if people would like to have their real name posted on this site, although at the same time the anonymous nature of forums encourage stupid posts and flamers, who would be less likely to do what they do if they couldn't hide behind an anonymous username.

I see a few possible ways of doing this: Either full names used as your username, or a callsign followed by your name underneath, or your full name required to signup, but only visible in your profile. There are other options, of course - if you have another idea, suggest it.

BawBag · May 13th, 2006, 17:41

Well, personally.. I always though our call signs are nick names that people gave each other like how I got mine.. and I call Stalker, Stalker out in public.. But I am weird.

Also, my first name is Robert.. I'm sure theres ALOT of Roberts on this forum..

MMMiles! · May 13th, 2006, 17:44

Cripes I wasn't even done posting the poll by the time you got a reply in. So, you could keep your callsign, say, but also post your real name? We'd use both on the forum, for instance.

Hortons Heros · May 13th, 2006, 17:44

Running meet and greets it's really weird to say "here's Killer Scorpion his real name is Cris." I would be for it. Helps get rid of the people who act differently online then in person too. Less jerks.

^Hyperion^ · May 13th, 2006, 17:46

I think it's a good idea to keep the callsign but add the real name just below it. We call other people with their callsign in game but outside the field , it would be great to know the real name and get more personnal with the persone you're talking with

Freedom Fighter · May 13th, 2006, 18:04

I think it is a terrible idea Miles. Reason? I don't want some perfect stranger using my first/last name to get my address and break into my home to get guns. I give my address out to people whom I do business with, but other than that, perfect strangers have no need for personal information.

PS - Yes I'm aware details can be easy to dig up, but I don't want it readily available all the same.

yanhchan · May 13th, 2006, 18:04

I have a unique asian name, and I've yet to bump into another asian with a similar name. Yan H Chan haha. I do want people using their real names.

MMMiles! · May 13th, 2006, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freedom Fighter

I think it is a terrible idea Miles. Reason? I don't want some perfect stranger using my first/last name to get my address and break into my home to get guns. I give my address out to people whom I do business with, but other than that, perfect strangers have no need for personal information.

PS - Yes I'm aware details can be easy to dig up, but I don't want it readily available all the same.

Then maybe just putting "Alex K." would suffice? That would keep it private, but at least give people a real name to put on you when necessary (at the field, for a transaction).

Neverhood · May 13th, 2006, 18:13

Would it be possible to impliment a buddy system? So instead of everyone being able to see your name you can select who you want to be privy to that information. That makes the most sense to me.

Jixton · May 13th, 2006, 18:13

I think it's a good idea to put your real FIRSTname in your profile or below your nickname. But just the firstname to avoid stuff like Freedom Fighter said.

But i get used to my nickname so i dont bother being called a name i can reconise in all the action on the field.

Jixton (Marc)

SockMonkey · May 13th, 2006, 18:14

FF has an intresting point it could be used to look up your name address and such, but chances are the people you play with would be able to get that info anyhow. I think being able to be called out on all the tough guy shit that goes on when you can hide your identity would quickly come to an end for the most part especialy after some one shows at thier door to "continue" the conversation outside... I guess it makes people accountable for the way they act online.

Freedom Fighter · May 13th, 2006, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestJohn

Then maybe just putting "Alex K." would suffice? That would keep it private, but at least give people a real name to put on you when necessary (at the field, for a transaction).

Well, it may be too late for me, so I don't personally care too much. Some people may have a big issue with it though. I had something to suggest but Phoenix just got bit by our hampster Cornelius so I'm a little distracted at the moment. When, or if I remember my great idea I'll let you know.

PS - Would we then not have to verify the real names? Such as with age.

quikstrike · May 13th, 2006, 18:36

I think it'd be fine with in the profile the first name be listed if they so choose that option.

So if people want to know thier name, they can check the profile, and only will they see it if the person so chooses.

Meh I don't care too much, hello, my names Chad :O

The Saint · May 13th, 2006, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by SockMonkey

FF has an intresting point it could be used to look up your name address and such, but chances are the people you play with would be able to get that info anyhow.

I'd be more worried about people who I don't play with, people aren't exactly shy about the content of their arsenal here on ASC, real steel or otherwise. If anyone with an account here can get your real name and perform a physical address lookup, then who's to say thieves won't ever use ASC like a shopping list? The only thing deterring such an abuse would be how gun owners here repeatedly declare their willingness to shoot intruders.

Quote:

I think being able to be called out on all the tough guy shit that goes on when you can hide your identity would quickly come to an end for the most part especialy after some one shows at thier door to "continue" the conversation outside... I guess it makes people accountable for the way they act online.

I think we as a community need to have a serious self-evaluation if we need to deter tough guy shitism via the possibility of someone you've talked smack to online visiting your home...

Grim Fandango · May 13th, 2006, 18:52

I like Hyperions idea, put the name under the callsign, plus I don't know about adding my full name, maybe just my first name.

Also if you do implement this, that means we can finally find out just exactly how many "seans" there are on ASC.

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View Poll Results: Would you like to see real names used on this forum?
Definitely. Being anonymous doesn't help the community - we should be using real names.	29	7.97%
Yes, but only show it in my profile, or under my username - I want to keep my callsign!	105	28.85%
Yes, but only as an option - I'll post my real name if I feel comfortable sharing it publicly.	106	29.12%
Not really, but I'd go along with it.	32	8.79%
No, definitely not.	51	14.01%
Yes, but only my first name and initial of my last	41	11.26%
Voters: 364. You may not vote on this poll

May 13th, 2006, 17:35	#1
MMMiles! Part man, part machine Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario	Real names on the forum? This was an idea proposed by Brian McIlmoyle recently, although several people have suggested it over the years - I'm interested to get some feedback from everyone: How would you like to see real names used instead of anonymous aliases on this forum? Personally, while I enjoy using my user tag, it makes alot of sense to me to use my real name instead - after all, we have to do deals and go to games where real names are much more practical than just call signs. Plus I'm tired of people calling me John (Hojo is fine though, although I prefer Miles). The anonymity thing is a two-way street though. I'm not sure if people would like to have their real name posted on this site, although at the same time the anonymous nature of forums encourage stupid posts and flamers, who would be less likely to do what they do if they couldn't hide behind an anonymous username. I see a few possible ways of doing this: Either full names used as your username, or a callsign followed by your name underneath, or your full name required to signup, but only visible in your profile. There are other options, of course - if you have another idea, suggest it.

May 13th, 2006, 17:44	#4
Hortons Heros Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Prince George BC	Running meet and greets it's really weird to say "here's Killer Scorpion his real name is Cris." I would be for it. Helps get rid of the people who act differently online then in person too. Less jerks. __________________ age verifier for Prince George, Mackenzie, Quesnel, Fort st James and northren BC http://pgairsoft.goodforum.net/index.forum

May 13th, 2006, 17:41	#2
BawBag Trader rating Join Date: Sep 2004	Well, personally.. I always though our call signs are nick names that people gave each other like how I got mine.. and I call Stalker, Stalker out in public.. But I am weird. Also, my first name is Robert.. I'm sure theres ALOT of Roberts on this forum..

May 13th, 2006, 17:46	#5
^Hyperion^ Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal , Quebec	I think it's a good idea to keep the callsign but add the real name just below it. We call other people with their callsign in game but outside the field , it would be great to know the real name and get more personnal with the persone you're talking with __________________

May 13th, 2006, 18:04	#6
Freedom Fighter Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mississauga, ON	I think it is a terrible idea Miles. Reason? I don't want some perfect stranger using my first/last name to get my address and break into my home to get guns. I give my address out to people whom I do business with, but other than that, perfect strangers have no need for personal information. PS - Yes I'm aware details can be easy to dig up, but I don't want it readily available all the same. __________________ Few individuals would view themselves as barbarous, no, instead they view themselves in a different light, a distorted reality that justifies who they are and what they have done.

May 13th, 2006, 18:04	#7
yanhchan Trader rating Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scarborough/Richmond Hill ON	I have a unique asian name, and I've yet to bump into another asian with a similar name. Yan H Chan haha. I do want people using their real names. __________________ YANHCHAN'S AIRSMITHING: AEG repair/Tune up/Upgrades V2/V3 mechboxes, rewiring/reconnecting. Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country ~John F. Kennedy

May 13th, 2006, 18:13	#9
Neverhood Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winnipeg	Would it be possible to impliment a buddy system? So instead of everyone being able to see your name you can select who you want to be privy to that information. That makes the most sense to me. __________________

May 13th, 2006, 18:13	#10
Jixton Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Saint-Calixte QC	I think it's a good idea to put your real FIRSTname in your profile or below your nickname. But just the firstname to avoid stuff like Freedom Fighter said. But i get used to my nickname so i dont bother being called a name i can reconise in all the action on the field. Jixton (Marc)

May 13th, 2006, 18:14	#11
SockMonkey Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Vancouver	FF has an intresting point it could be used to look up your name address and such, but chances are the people you play with would be able to get that info anyhow. I think being able to be called out on all the tough guy shit that goes on when you can hide your identity would quickly come to an end for the most part especialy after some one shows at thier door to "continue" the conversation outside... I guess it makes people accountable for the way they act online. __________________ You know, there's like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bo staff.

May 13th, 2006, 18:36	#13
quikstrike Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brantford, Ontario, Canada	I think it'd be fine with in the profile the first name be listed if they so choose that option. So if people want to know thier name, they can check the profile, and only will they see it if the person so chooses. Meh I don't care too much, hello, my names Chad :O __________________ FAQ-SEARCH *Ontario Airsoft WWII Reenactors* 101st Easy Company

May 13th, 2006, 18:52	#15
Grim Fandango Trader rating Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario	I like Hyperions idea, put the name under the callsign, plus I don't know about adding my full name, maybe just my first name. Also if you do implement this, that means we can finally find out just exactly how many "seans" there are on ASC.

Real names on the forum?

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