| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
Zan
Platinum Member
 Scotland
3213 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 12:09:51 PM
|
I may be wrong on this, but I seem to remember that it used to be, when you went into someone's profile on here you could see who they really were--i.e. their real name. That seemed like a good thing to me, because it meant only a person's user name was available on the open forum,and thus the internet generally, but members could know who they were "speaking " to, and no one was anonymous within the membership. This appears to have changed and now only the user name is on the profile.I'm sure Admin feels they have had a good reason to do this, but to me it seems a backward step allowing people to be anonymous and only known by their user names. What do other people think?
No criticism intended Admin ---just curious why it was changed.
|
    |
Edited by - Zan on 14 Apr 2009 12:12:32 PM
|
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
DenmoorStud
Gold Member
739 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 12:34:39 PM
|
| I agree Zan, and feel this is a valid point. If you are not prepared to stand by your posts, should you be posting. |
   
|
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
Tomos
Gold Member
Wales
940 Posts |
|
|
Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 1:13:37 PM
|
| They were removed after the names were used by a third party, not in connection with AL. |
    
Hampshire |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Kali
Bronze Member
England
73 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 1:14:48 PM
|
I totally agree.
Infact the only reason I used my horses nickname as my username was because my details were shown if anyone wanted to see who I am.
I think its really interesting to be able to place people and see how many and which horses they own etc.
Perhaps I'm just too nosy!!!
|
Alison |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 1:27:50 PM
|
Perhaps some people like to remain anonymous but I agree, it is nice to see profiles. Always a bit suspicious of people hiding behind a user name, never too sure who you are talking to. I seem to remember there was someone on here about 6 months ago or so who went by the name of Blue... something or other. They were an animal rescuer or something similar. They created havoc and were extremely rude to other forum users, but we never got to find out who they were really were, all a bit creepy if you ask me.
Nicky |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
gossy
Platinum Member
England
3639 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 3:03:19 PM
|
| I totally agree Zan,But i can see the other side also,Nicky she definately wasnt an animal/horse rescuer! |
   |
Edited by - gossy on 14 Apr 2009 3:08:14 PM |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Rui
AL Admin
6761 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 5:01:46 PM
|
As Vera stated, it was done for privacy reasons, to avoid undue access to the members real names.
We will be allowing users to choose whether they want their real name shown or not, soon. It will be turned off by default, so anyone wanting it displayed will have to explicitly set it, by editing its own user profile.
I understand the the reasons offered here, but even with the checks we usually do when accepting new members, there are no guarantees people are who they say they are. Of course, in a close community like this one, many members will know many others, so in that case real names can be useful. |
How to post flickr photos on AL | How to post photobucket pictures on AL | How to post facebook pictures on AL |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 6:05:14 PM
|
I remember even further back, when one member was extremely personally abusive, we never got to know her real name. I think the blue someone was also cass who was eventually prosecuted for animal cruelty.
As admin keeps a waiting list and new members cant post immediately, it should be relativley simple to try to establish the true identity of members before allowing posting priviliges. Who now does not have either a photo card driving licence or passport?
A scan / photocopy of either to be seen only by admin could verify as far as reasonably practical that members ARE who they say they are.
After which a condition of membership should be that if a complaint is made to admin / admin discovers an abusive post, they can publish the real name in the user profile, regardless of that abusive persons choice.
It may rein in some of those who feel it is ok to name call and critisise as they hide behind anonymity.
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
bridie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2395 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 6:06:17 PM
|
Hi Nicky.....do you not know who she was? PM me if you want to know.
As for removing peoples real names etc we need to remember that this forum is accessable to non members and others that would and have used our information for their own gains or agendas......I think Admin are just trying to keep us safe.
If you want to know who anyone is.....just ask, if they wont tell you dont bother with them, but as we all tend to know each other anyway there will usually always be someone who does know who they are.
Mandy xx |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
pat ww
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3459 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 6:13:00 PM
|
Some of us don't know, and there have been some dealers and wannabe dealers on here who come across ans genuine Arab lovers.
I for one would like to know - or be able to find out easliy - just who is who. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
marionpack
Gold Member
England
1073 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 6:26:04 PM
|
| I don't understand why somebody would want to keep their identity secret unless they have something to hide |
Berkshire
   
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
bridie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2395 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 6:37:41 PM
|
There are people who are members here who dont hide who they are....doesnt make them honest, kind or a good home!!!! They know we dont name & shame so keep getting away with their morally reprehensible dealings. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
DawnBrookes
Gold Member
United Kingdom
647 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 7:44:22 PM
|
well i am who it says on the tin 'cos this was the first time I had signed up to any kind of forum and didn't know anything about 'user names'
anyhow, will have to change it shortly due to now being separated from my cheating husband,not cos i have anything to hide!!
I agree. stand up and be counted. |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Zan
Platinum Member
Scotland
3213 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 7:55:15 PM
|
Originally posted by bridieAs for removing peoples real names etc we need to remember that this forum is accessable to non members and others that would and have used our information for their own gains or agendas......I think Admin are just trying to keep us safe.
Thanks to Admin for trying to keep us safe, but I don't understand how keeping everyone anonymous does that. I feel more secure knowing who is listening to me, and who I am talking to personally.
Bridie---under the old system, yes, non members had access to the forum, but only members had access to members' profiles. This is the best of both worlds as far as I can see---any "outsiders" see only the user names, but members know who each other are. |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 10:13:27 PM
|
We also knew were people lived ie the county.
Sometimes it is useful is the person wants help, If they live within easy reach then you would know if you could help or not.
And I am who I am
Pauline |
Pauline Higgs
Equine & Human Holistic Therapist
www.thegentlestouch.co.cc
www.endurancegbmidsouth.co.uk
Berkshire / Hampshire Border |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Helen Newton
Gold Member
England
692 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2009 : 10:50:23 PM
|
| Like Dawn, when I joined this forum I used my real name because I that's my name, why would I want to be anonymous? I'm sure there would be less mischief made if people weren't allowed to hide behind pseudonyms. If I want to make my views known, I shouldn't be ashamed to let people know that they are mine |
   |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Emagetic
Bronze Member
England
126 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2009 : 1:59:09 PM
|
I think admin have done the right thing in allowing us to choose if we display our personnal information or not. I don't have anything to hide but do welcome anything that can protect me and my details whilst on line. If I choose to share my information with other people then that is up to me and you too can make the same choice.
There are all sorts of weirdo's out there and yes some of them you may meet on line pretending to be your friend. So much information can be gained from the posts we make and the pictures we allow others to see and I do feel safer knowing that my personal info is not one click away. Again I have nothing to hide but do welcome extra security. Thank you admin for giving me this choice. |
     |
| Report to Moderator |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked 