A suggested improvement for this forum

[David Spearritt]

Steve, you do an awesome job modding this forum. But one improvement I would like to see is an enforcement of people using their real names. I would like to know who is behind many of these "anonymous" posters. Klaus Heyne enforces it and its a great idea to keep honesty and integrity in the posts.

[Remoteness]

As you can see, I moved this post into its own thread.

First off, thank you for the kind shout out on my moderator abilities.

Secondly, I empathize with your concern with regard to the anonymity of many of our forum members.

Unless this is done to all the forums throughout this website it seems simply impossible to enforce. I shall bring this to the attention of Jules and all the moderators.

One thing I do when reading a post from a anonymous member is take what they say with a grain of salt.

I believe you are not the only member that would like to know who's behind many of these "secret agent" posters.

Perhaps for now, the folks that frequent this forum can make sure they include their real name or website in their signature.

What do the members at large have to say about this important matter.

[Audiop]

I think that the climate would be better if all had to sign their real names and business associations but still can't help feeling that one should have the right to anonymity.

All in all I think people's true colors shine thru with time, anonymous or not and as Steve wrote, add a suitable amount of salt until you kow the person better.

I always post my real name but I'm hesitant to give out personal info on the open net no matter what. It's a princip I have. OTOH I have no problem sharing more info off the record so to speak.. read that as in PM and mails to members I like and trust.


/Peter

[d_fu]

Well, I see that what I was about to post has practically all been said by Peter already...

Everyone's right to remain anonymous should be respected, IMHO. One should consider that a ban on anonymity would not only reveal your identity to other active members (some of whom a person might still not want to be personally known to, for all kinds of reasons). Any unregistered (or registered) lurker/visitor or even searchbot would have access to personal details, and that's something I certainly don't want to happen. Others may not mind, but a desire for some privacy vs. the intenet as a whole shouldn't be held against anyone in any way, methinks.

Steve, when you talk to Jules, maybe you could find out whether this form would support a system whereby one's identity is only revealed to trusted members, either those that one chooses personally and manually (similar to the "friends" network), or globally from a group of "trusted members", who choose to provide full details to you and/or Jules, and who will then be able to see each other's details when logged in. [EDIT: I see there is something of the kind, i.e. creating an "Album", where you can choose who can see it]

Those that still choose to remain anonymous should not be condemned, and be judged by their words and actions, and the technical competence they display, not by whether or not they wish to reveal their name, IMHO.

Daniel

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by David Spearritt

Steve, you do an awesome job modding this forum. But one improvement I would like to see is an enforcement of people using their real names. I would like to know who is behind many of these "anonymous" posters. Klaus Heyne enforces it and its a great idea to keep honesty and integrity in the posts.

Absolutely !!!

This is not some casual anonymous chat room and I really do not understand why some people feel like hiding behind the bush using anonymous identities with no information whatsoever ...within this highly specialised field and community. I do not see any reason for that and I would definitely like to know to whom I am talking and who is posting comments. Talking to some sbc234 (or hearing his comments on my topics or sharings ) is always a bit strange and embarassing for me.

I definitely agree with David and to require real posters' names (and some basic professional info) to be able to participate at this forum would be a real step up and would make this forum much more valuable !

No one is asking anyone to show his identity card, give his postal address etc. but to tell the name, approximate location, the professional background (hobbyist, theoretician, professional in certain field etc.), the link to the public website etc., should be within the essential politeness and respect towards the others ...

With the help of internet communication possibilities, we are here meeting as if in person - people deeply involved in this professional field, consulting problems, helping each other, sharing some interesting findings. Staying totally anonymous sounds slightly disrespectful and impolite to me ... Imagine you would meet someone or some people for a nice serious discussion - the first thing everybody would do is to introduce himself, this is the very first step for any communication. If someone would refuse that (within a meeting in person), it would look very very strange and it is very likely he would not be well accepted by the other people. Here we are meeting in the same way, just the technical means are slightly different. The rule: if you want to participate, then introduce yourself, should be the very first natural step and I do not agree with Daniel that a complete anonymity should be respected, at least not here ... Again - no one is asked about ANY sensitive personal information. Just a name (does it really hurt ?) and some basic info about your involvement in this musical/technical field ... This makes a lot of sense and would make these meetings and discussion much more interesting, sincere and enjoyable ...

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

This is not some casual anonymous chat room and I really do not understand why some people feel like hiding behind the bush using anonymous identities with no information whatsoever

Ivo, please don't forget that accessibility to this forum is not limited to registered members. Your website and full address are visible to any visitor and searchbot, and while you may not mind, others might not want that.

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

No one is asking anyone to show his identity card, give his postal address etc. but to tell the name, approximate location, the professional background (hobbyist, theoretician, professional in certain field etc.), the link to the public website etc., should be within the essential politeness and respect towards the others ...

Imagine you're going to a party - would you carry around a big poster with your name, address, list of gear, etc.? Or would you prefer to choose to introduce yourself to people individually, e.g. people who are introduced to you by friends?
You are right, this is no anonymous chatroom. But then, it is not a closed group, either, and more public than some may feel comfortable with.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Since Brad Blackwood instituted this policy on his web board the amount of noise has gone down considerably. I like to know who I am communicating with. What is the reason that people cannot use their own names on a forum unless it is to hide that they are not who they claim to be. Non descript screen names, like ABC123, always make me think that the person has something to hide. I think we could really cut down the amount of noise on the forum if everyone had to post their real name.

Here is the statement from Brad's forum

Also, because we are striving to make this place better all the time, I am no longer allowing anyone to post under screen names - if a person is unwilling to put his/her first and last name under a post (or as their username or in their profile), it's not worthy for this forum and will be deleted. This is a professional forum, there are many on the internet that will allow all sorts of behavior, but here I expect us to act in a professional manner. Well, most of the time, anyway...

In rare instances where good reason can be given, I will allow a poster to continue posting under his screen name after giving me their real name.

FWIW and YMMV

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by d_fu

Ivo, please don't forget that accessibility to this forum is not limited to registered members. Your website and full address are visible to any visitor and searchbot, and while you may not mind, others might not want that.

If you make a website, you basically make it accessible on internet and you would definitely like if as many people as possible get know it ... No one is talking about writing a full address ...
Personally - if an "unregistered member" gets interested in the things I offer through my website (or it is found by search machines), I would not mind )) This is actually why the website was created ...

If you look at my websites (and probably at others' as well), there is no exact postal address, no credit card number etc. But people know who I am, where I am from (Europe or Antarctica), what is my field of interest and can contact me any time. This is the whole point ...

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

Since Brad Blackwood instituted this policy on his web board the amount of noise has gone down considerably. I like to know who I am communicating with. What is the reason that people cannot use their own names on a forum unless it is to hide that they are not who they claim to be. Non descript screen names, like ABC123, always make me think that the person has something to hide. I think we could rally cut down the amount of noise on the forum if everyone had to post their real name.

Here is the statement from Brad's forum

Also, because we are striving to make this place better all the time, I am no longer allowing anyone to post under screen names - if a person is unwilling to put his/her first and last name under a post (or as their username or in their profile), it's not worthy for this forum and will be deleted. This is a professional forum, there are many on the internet that will allow all sorts of behavior, but here I expect us to act in a professional manner. Well, most of the time, anyway...

In rare instances where good reason can be given, I will allow a poster to continue posting under his screen name after giving me their real name.

FWIW and YMMV

thumbsupthumbsup

Originally Posted by d_fu

Imagine you're going to a party - would you carry around a big poster with your name, address, list of gear, etc.? Or would you prefer to choose to introduce yourself to people individually, e.g. people who are introduced to you by friends?
You are right, this is no anonymous chatroom. But then, it is not a closed group, either, and more public than some may feel comfortable with.

This is not an entertaining party ... This is rather a "round table" or a conference or meeting people of similar profession or interests ... Before starting anything like this, the participants are usually introduced that everybody knows who the other is ... And also - unlike the meeting in person, here you cannot be introduced to the others - you cannot approach dfr5 with no info or contact whatsoever

In the beginning of any seminar, workshop, professional meeting etc., the first step always is that everybody introduces to the others ... (in the way he wants them to know him). Imagine that the members of this forum would all meet in person in some place - wouldn't the first step the organiser of such a meeting makes to ask everybody to introduce himself to the others before anything could start ? That would be of course highly interesting and essentia for all ... And if somebody new joins, people would definitely like to know who he is ...

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

If you make a website, you basically make it accessible on internet and you mostly like if as many people as possible get know it ... No one is talking about writing a full address ...

Even if the address is not on the website, it's fairly easy to find out...

Personally - if an "unregistered member" gets interested in the things I offer through my website (or it is found by search machines), I would not mind )) This is actually why the website was created ...

I don't come here to advertise...
But admittedly, it was nice to get to know you and to find out that we have had common friends...

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

This is not a party ... This is rather a "round table" or a conference ...

The analogy is correct, but from a bygone century... This is not a private place behind closed doors. If it's a conference, then it's a conference out in the open on a big market place, with a huge PA system broadcatsing every word of it to anyone in the vicinity.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by d_fu

The analogy is correct, but from a bygone century... This is not a private place behind closed doors. If it's a conference, then it's a conference out in the open on a big market place, with a huge PA system broadcatsing every word of it to anyone in the vicinity.

Yes, that's why not being anonymous would naturally make everybody to communicate in rather decent and more serious way

And what more: if I was here as an anonymous, I would have never met lot of nice friends, many of them even in person and it is always very inspiring (I would have also never met them if THEY are anonymous ..)

And back to this forum: if someone makes a particular statement here, how could the others value it, if they have no idea whether he is some hobbyist, someone just theoretically interested in the subject or a seasoned experienced professional ?? (or just someone making some blabla, or a competitor merchant)

If Steve Remote or Benjamin Maas or David Spearitt or Rich Mays etc etc etc say something, I immediately know how to perceive this information ... If big_ear34 says something about some mic, preamp, makes other comments, it is a bit tricky to take something from it ... since I have no idea about that person's background etc. So the information is of much less value (and could be also of a deceiving value sometimes)

[Ozpeter]

Giving out personal information in a public place on the internet just isn't a realistic requirement. I don't use my own name anywhere on the net. I do use the same unreal name on all the forums I participate in, so anyone who 'knows' me in one will 'know' me in another, and such reputation as I might have is therefore carried through.

If the forums could be read only by members and were locked against search bots (like some are), perhaps there could be a case made for publication of names, but even then personally I'd think twice, especially when posts might relate to stuff I have and where I might be on certain occasions. That step would of course radically change the nature of these forums, not necessarily for the better. A forum tends only to work when there's a certain critical mass of participating members. Make it too much a closed club and it could end up a dead club.

I don't find it too hard to work out who here knows of what they speak and those who don't. However, it's surprising what you can learn from inexperienced amateurs with a bit of intelligence and the ability to think laterally.

Call me paranoid, but look at my address on Google Street View and you'll see a black hole, provided on my request by those nice Google people. Too much information.

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Yes, that's why not being anonymous would naturally make everybody to communicate in rather decent and more serious way

Not necessarily. It might make some people choose to say less or even nothing at all anymore. Not all, but some of that may be a loss.

And back to this forum: if someone makes a particular statement here, how could the others value it, if they have no idea whether he is some hobbyist, someone just theoretically interested in the subject or a seasoned experienced professional ??

Does it really matter? I'd rather get new ideas or inspirations from an enthusiastic hobbyist or semi-pro than the same old concepts from an overly-seasoned professional (DISCLAIMER: I am NOT referring to anyone in particular, not even alluding to anyone. Of course I very much respect and value seasoned professionals' views and experiences, and I will specifically refer to e.g. Plush here. All I'm trying to say is that competence is not exclusively a matter of being a "seasoned professional", even if it helps..). And it's fairly easy to detect in conversation whether someone knows his gear or not even without the name and career details

Again, I very much agree with Peter's comments. An attitude of "I've got nothing to hide" is somewhat naive on the internet and elsewhere these days...

[Lemonsqueezer]

Whats to stop someone using a made up name?

I could have very different views to my employer. If I used my real name and expressed those views publicly it could possibly cause problems for me.

That was an example.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by d_fu

An attitude of "I've got nothing to hide" is somewhat naive on the internet and elsewhere these days...

Thinking about it as much as I can, I personally have really nothing to hide (in my professional life) - except some drops in some tracks that occasionally escaped my attention

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Lemonsqueezer

Whats to stop someone using a made up name?

This is not even a question of a real/unreal name - but mainly of giving some information about yourself to the others - that can be for example found in your profile (which for instance in your case is blank )

[Lemonsqueezer]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

This is not even a question of a real/unreal name - but mainly of giving some information about yourself to the others - that can be for example found in your profile (which for instance in your case is blank )

I am 6' tall with orange hair

What would you like me to put in my signature?

[David Spearritt]

I think it was the Sun CEO once said, "You have no privacy, get over it". What can a search-bot do with just a name? Outline a worst case scenario for me.

While it is apparent there are people here working for audio companies who don't want to reveal themselves because they may hold different views to their employer, it is also very useful for all of us, and the integrity of the message, that a product endorsement or enthusiastic post is coming from the heart and not from the marketing department.

There is so much deception on the net now, we don't need more of it.

Klaus Heyne's forum is one of the most respected on the net, because he doesn't allow anonymous posts and he doesn't allow hearsay. It is quite simply the definitive source of microphone information of absolute integrity.

[huub]

I do wish everyone would use their real name, but I accept this is the internet, and we just have to accept we have to filter the crap from the usable information (that's just how the internet is.. Same thing with news sites and wikipedia and such)..

I do realize gearslutz is hyper 'googleable', and I sometimes do not post certain experiences and/or opinions, because it's so easy to google certain words and find these experiences and or opinions, with my name attached, wich sometimes can look a little unprofessional..

That said; there is a reason why I hang out here daily (cough*loser*cough ) ..

I do have some people that have 25 opinions per day, but are obviously untalented amateurs on my ignore list (no frequent visitors of the remote forum though)

huub

[audio ergo sum]

What is real about a "real" name in the first place?

Ivo Sedlacek, is that you? ivo sedlacek : Vita

My policy in real live and in the internet is to only give out my real identity to people I know and in places I know who is in charge.

I enjoy the anonymity, because it means more freedom to express views independent of your customers, employers etc. views.

And enforcing real names makes ONLY sense, if you do an identity check. Or I will post from tomorrow under the name of Shakespeare. That was also not a real name...

If you "real" people don't want to talk to the "ghosts", then you are free to ignore us.

The rules and nettiquette apply to all equally, anonymous or not.

I do give my real identity to people in PM, once I feel they deserve my trust.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Lemonsqueezer

I am 6' tall with orange hair

What would you like me to put in my signature?

I mean the the section "about me" in your GS profile. Rather than your hair, people may be interested about your professional field, your website etc.

[Lemonsqueezer]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

I mean the the section "about me" in your GS profile. Rather than your hair, people may be interested about your professional field, your website etc.

And if I don't have a website and are not a professional?

My understanding, was that this wasn't part of the criteria for forum membership.

[audio ergo sum]

Originally Posted by David Spearritt

I think it was the Sun CEO once said, "You have no privacy, get over it". What can a search-bot do with just a name? Outline a worst case scenario for me.
...

Robbers get to know not only your equipment list but also your habits, your time of absence from home if you talk about it in forums etc.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by audio ergo sum

What is real about a "real" name in the first place?

Ivo Sedlacek, is that you? ivo sedlacek : Vita

I am not that much interested in your name but about your profession, background and services, I would be interested to know since you entered here and started expressing some views and giving statements ...

About that link: first, I have links to MY websites mentioned below and second, we must admit that very few names are that unique that no one else have them ... so I do not see much point in your question ...

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by audio ergo sum

Robbers get to know not only your equipment list but also your habits, your time of absence form home if you talk about it in forums etc.

Sounds already a bit funny to me ... Unless you are invisible and closed in your underground bunker for years, it is MUCH easier for robbers to see you coming out, carrying things, doing your (recording etc.) job etc. People who do this kind of job are locally known anyway (plus they have to make active advertising, offers etc.), otherwise they would have no job ... so I don't see any point in what you say ...

[David Spearritt]

Originally Posted by audio ergo sum

Robbers get to know not only your equipment list but also your habits, your time of absence form home if you talk about it in forums etc.

This is what insurance and CCTV and alarms are for.

Most "robbers" know where the loot is, whether its a bank or a mic serviceman's workshop or a manufacturers shop. I would imagine there are many more productive ways to seek out loot than going through the thousands of GS messages and nominal gear lists. These eq lists are probably fake as well! Wouldn't you look like a dill turning up at some address and there's nothing there.

[ISedlacek]

Anyway, maybe I overlooked "my "trusted members" idea/area" which was already mentioned where people could get know the others more in detail, should they mutually agree ... This sounds like very useful idea ... apart from suggesting to remove the complete anonymity from the forum

[Audiop]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

I mean the the section "about me" in your GS profile. Rather than your hair, people may be interested about your professional field, your website etc.

But Ivo, those are the things that you get to know about people after some time on a board, anonymous or not. :-)

I have also made friends on the net even though I'm always anonymous. This has led to new friends and both musical and technological colaborations.

I also agree what several allready has said about "amateurs vs. pro's".. sometimes to much faith is put into things that comes from the mouth or fingers of a pro.

Good arguments and science stands on their own feets. If "you" don't know when to sit up and listen you simply need to educate yourself more.. and then I mean basics so that you can think for yourself and draw conclusions yourself without someone saying it's this way or that way.

I have met many professionals in various fields (technological, medicine), often supposedly leaders in their nisch (university teachers, professors),
which I have taught and corrected regarding things they really should allready grasp.. and I'm not a pro..yet!


/Peter

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by audio ergo sum

I enjoy the anonymity, because it means more freedom to express views independent of your customers, employers etc. views.
(...)
The rules and nettiquette apply to all equally, anonymous or not.
(...)
I do give my real identity to people in PM, once I feel they deserve my trust.

While I don't agree with all of your views, I feel I/we should respect the wish to remain anonymous (although I have a suspicion... )
There is an ignore list, should the need arise...

[joelpatterson]

If anyone is reluctant to attach their real name to the content of their posts... I think that alone speaks VOLUMES.