What if?

[MoJo]

What if we could no longer hide behind screen names when we post? Would some of the contentious and derogatory posters go elsewhere if they had to sign their posts with name and city? What if all on this board would put your real name and city on your profile? Would this help keep down the trash talking? We don't have a bunch of it right now but, it seems there are more and more of these posts lately. What say you?

Me,

I am Morris Jones I live in Vidor, Texas and I approve of this post.

[tomtexan]

I'm good with that. I would have no problem doing so if it came to that point.

[WildBill]

What if we could no longer hide behind screen names when we post? Would some of the contentious and derogatory posters go elsewhere if they had to sign their posts with name and city? What if all on this board would put your real name and city on your profile? Would this help keep down the trash talking? We don't have a bunch of it right now but, it seems there are more and more of these posts lately. What say you?

Me,

I am Morris Jones I live in Vidor, Texas and I approve of this post.

It most definitely would cut down on the trash talking. Some people are comfortable posting their personal information on an internet forum. I am not.

[MoJo]

Well, requiring full name and address when signing up, even if kept confidential, would make the troublemakers think twice.

[WildBill]

Well, requiring full name and address when signing up, even if kept confidential, would make the troublemakers think twice.

I am fine with that. At least on this forum, where I know and trust the owner.

[The Annoyed Man]

What if we could no longer hide behind screen names when we post? Would some of the contentious and derogatory posters go elsewhere if they had to sign their posts with name and city? What if all on this board would put your real name and city on your profile? Would this help keep down the trash talking? We don't have a bunch of it right now but, it seems there are more and more of these posts lately. What say you?

Me,

I am Morris Jones I live in Vidor, Texas and I approve of this post.

Well, that explains the "MoJo!" I always just assumed it was "mojo" as in, "I got my mojo workin'."

I already have my real city in my profile, but there is a reason why I don't use my real name on the public board. I have no problem using my real name in PMs with other members, and I've met plenty members face to face and have no problem giving my name, or even inviting them to my house. I'm not trying to hide behind anonymity for my choice of words or the urgent or confrontational nature of my posts. My problem is that I have posted lots of pictures of various of my guns. I don't want some anonymous viewer to look at the pictures, look at my name and city, figure out where I live, and come over and try to steal my stuff. I just now did that on Google, and I came up as the second listing on the first page. To make it worse, that second listing is one of my business listings, and the business address happens to also be my home address, so it's too easy. I'd rather not make it any easier. It's not that I don't trust the members of this board, it's that I don't trust the non-members......if that makes sense to anyone. If someone who is a member in good standing wants to know my personal information, send me a PM and I'll gladly PM it back to them.

Well, requiring full name and address when signing up, even if kept confidential, would make the troublemakers think twice.

I am fine with that. At least on this forum, where I know and trust the owner.

Ditto. Charles knows where I live.

[WildBill]

What if we could no longer hide behind screen names when we post? Would some of the contentious and derogatory posters go elsewhere if they had to sign their posts with name and city? What if all on this board would put your real name and city on your profile? Would this help keep down the trash talking? We don't have a bunch of it right now but, it seems there are more and more of these posts lately. What say you?

Me,

I am Morris Jones I live in Vidor, Texas and I approve of this post.

Well, that explains the "MoJo!" I always just assumed it was "mojo" as in, "I got my mojo workin'."

I thought the same thing! I was looking for Mojo to post some of his Delta Blues on youtube.

[Teamless]

I have never posted anything as "Teamless" that I wouldn't post as "Rick Cole", so for me, it wouldn't change a thing, but for others, I totally agree, when there are no ramifications of your actions, you can post whatever you want.

[CC Italian]

if that makes sense to anyone. If someone who is a member in good standing wants to know my personal information, and I'll gladly PM it back to them.

Same here TAM, I have had several conversations with forum members through a PM and have met other forum members at the range but since my contract at work basically says I have to maintain good public standing (which many jobs have these days, not just local government jobs) I try to always keep out of the trash talking and really don’t want my name surfacing on a public forum just incase someone has it out for me.

It might seem silly but I know a lot of people who are out of work these days and would take my job in a heartbeat! Can you really blame them? Having a good job and keeping it is getting harder these days and when I have people depending on my income I watch what I say on a public forum. Plus it is just proper etiquette. I really do try to treat others how I want to be treated. Having a discussion with constructive criticism is fine by me just leave me out of the low blows on this forum, just my opinion.

[WildBill]

if that makes sense to anyone. If someone who is a member in good standing wants to know my personal information, and I'll gladly PM it back to them.

Same here TAM, I have had several conversations with forum members through a PM and have met other forum members at the range but since my contract at work basically says I have to maintain good public standing (which many jobs have these days, not just local government jobs) I try to always keep out of the trash talking and really don’t want my name surfacing on a public forum just incase someone has it out for me.

It might seem silly but I know a lot of people who are out of work these days and would take my job in a heartbeat! Can you really blame them? Having a good job and keeping it is getting harder these days and when I have people depending on my income I watch what I say on a public forum. Plus it is just proper etiquette. I really do try to treat others how I want to be treated. Having a discussion with constructive criticism is fine by me just leave me out of the low blows on this forum, just my opinion.

That is a good point. I have heard that many employers and lawyers will search for internet posts on Facebook, LinkedIn and other public forums to gather information on prospective employees, clients, etc.

[CC Italian]

They do! One more reason I don't have Facebook! Nobody needs to see my personal info. Restricted or not. My family and close friends are only a few minutes or phone call away. If I were a business man or owner I could justify a Facebook account to help connect with others but I see no need. I am in my early 30s and I am one of the few people I know in my age group who does not have a Facebook account. Plus if I was on Facebook I would have less time to talk to you guys!

[Heartland Patriot]

Well, requiring full name and address when signing up, even if kept confidential, would make the troublemakers think twice.

I am okay with this. But, as TAM pointed out, using your real information COULD leave you open to be a crime victim.

[Hola Gato]

I am okay with this. But, as TAM pointed out, using your real information COULD leave you open to be a crime victim.

Or unemployed.

[Jumping Frog]

Since I always assume that anything I say on the internet will be there forever, there two additional reasons I prefer anonymity.

First, I have worked for a company in the past where having it become known that I was a gun enthusiast created substantial HR difficulties for me. I have no idea what job opportunity might arise sometime down the road. I keep a low digital profile because what does not exist cannot be used against me.

Second, if I am ever in a self defense incident, I don't want some attorney combing through some 15,000 posts in this and other forums to find messages to excerpt out of context so as to damage me. A second example of keeping a low digital profile because what does not exist cannot be used against me.

I would also note that I have met and gotten to know numerous people from various forums in the real world, and am fine with that, since I do not regard the people I've met as threats to points one and two, above. I would also note that I do not need being forced to post using my real name to act in a polite fashion.

[ajwakeboarder]

While I agree it might help on a lot of forums, most people who trash talk have a High School Mentality. Hopefully if they are on this forum they have grown out of that. Especially if they already have a CHL. I do my best to be polite even when people don't know me. I have my real city on here, but I really don't want my full name to be out on the internet where anyone can see it. The only website it is on is facebook, and i have that restricted.
Allan