Request to Message Board users

[Gordon Kumpuris]

First please don't flame me as I'm not trying to start something here. I would just like to put out a polite request to you guys and gals to use a real first and last name instead of a nickname. I've been using this board and previous boards for like 10 + years and there are regular posters on this board who in the real world I'm sure I know but who I have no idea who they are on the message board. Case in point..... Who is Lupe? is that a real name? I'm guessing I know this person but I can't tell. Same goes for KAYAKAN, Cliff, RomanLa, Landcruiser, LaLayle, iyak, obie, panicman, painterbob, paddledog etc etc etc etc. It is annoying to reply to a message and not know if you are talking to someone you know or don't know. If you are afraid of your privacy.......please. There are dozens of ways someone could get your name elsewhere if they wanted to. I'd suggest that you don't post your email address here, physical address or phone number unless you disguise it someway. That said I've done all of the above many times and damn it I've not had one single stalker!!! Again, not trying to start a controversy.....I'm just making a polite request for what it's worth.

[jermdog]

my name is inigo montoya. You killed my father. prepare to die.

[Lupe]

Hey Gordon (if that's your real name),[\end sarcasm font]

Here's a top secret, magical, internet trick just for the ACC message board...

If you want to know who I am, click on the special, secret, magical profile button below my post and low and behold, you can read my name there, as well as all sorts of other boring, statistical information about my posting activity on the board.

Or, you know, you could also always pm or email me and ask... Those magical buttons (PM and email) are also located below my posts. :)

Cheers

[eubie]

This is Tim Eubanks (eubie). Man, Gordo, this may get ugly, sorry DVB (sorry Lupe). Yes, Lupe (don't want to out you here), Gordon is his real name. You two have met or at least been in the same room, shame real names aren't used here. I'm with Gordon, aka Buttload, on this issue. Surely the Board has talked about this.

[Jim Krueger]

I agree with Gordon here, on several occasions I've felt pretty goofy as I grappled with understanding to whom I was addressing correspondence. I know, code names are one more idiom of the current century, but outside of our individual smaller groups of friends, it seems rather awkward. For myself, I do well to remember peoples' given names when introduced, much less their 'nick names' later on.

Best Regards
Jim

[powrachute_pilot]

Well, I wouldn't mind changing my username (it would make it easier for me to match names, faces, usernames) but couldn't find an easy way to do it. Can you post the step by step tutorial or does one have to sign up with a new username??

[CapnTom]

Since I can't even get my "fake"name posted in BLUE
after being a member of the ACC for OVER a year... Here is my worthless 2-cents.
I devulged my real identidy in my signature.
As you can see ,I have a rather long last name.
CapnTom is just easier for all of us.
Oh rats... I hope you are not F.B.I.
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Gotta Go....

[Gordon Kumpuris]

Lupe, Nowwww I know who you are and all this time I figured you for some dude who likes the GuadaLupe River. Me thinks I'm not alone on this issue. thanks for showing me the profile button though. I had not noticed that TINY link!! I stand by my request. And Tim I had forgotten about your nickname. Sorry.

[Lupe]

Well, Gordon, what I would suggest is the same thing I suggested at the summer board meeting: the message board software allows users to store their name (and other info) in their profile. This information CAN be required, but it does not need to be (it's NOT required to be displayed right now). To me, this offers the best of both worlds: real, full names can be checked using the profile button (which can only be accessed by other registered users who are logged in), but we also can use our nicknames/user names. Captain Aleve should be Captain Aleve. DeBo should be DeBo. And I personally want to stay Lupe which is my nickname and has been my posting name on this and many other boards.

I personally (and I think I am not alone on this) do NOT want to use my full name as a log on which would make my every post easily accessible by googling my name. I'm glad you and apparently many others don't have privacy issues or concerns, but I do, and so I really only want to go so far in putting my full name on the world wide web in that way. I am happy to share my name only with other registered users which is what I do, and I think this is a happy medium. I hope you'll consider this as an option that would satisfy those on both sides of this issue.

Paul (and any others interested): it's easy to add your name to your profile: when logged in just go to User Control Panel (link should be at upper left) and then Edit Profile. I'll email Scott (the webmaster) and check with him about changing user names, but I think unless the webmaster changes it for you, you would have to create a new login. I'll see if I can get an answer for you posted here.

Cheers
[(and yes, Lupe is short for both the River GuadaLUPE as well as the Saint GuadaLUPE and is a popular nickname for girls named Guadalupe in Mexico). Those who paddle with me also know LUPE is across the back of my helmet (pink with purple flames) to also help folks know who I am.]

[powrachute_pilot]

I went ahead and added my name to the profile but I believe you're right...there is no way to change your username without having to create a new login.

[David Mac]

Maybe you've never had a stalker GK, but I know others who have. Sometimes it's random people, other times it's a vindictive ex-.

I myself have had issues with an ex- with an obsession, though it hasn't been an issue for a while now.

It's not always strangers people want to hide from. Using a pseudonym on-line with no pesonal data attached may not keep people from finding out who you are but it does keep them from being able to simply google your name.

[Dr. Steve Yaney]

Mine is a super secret

[RichardL]

I agree with Lupe on all of this, I even have a personal friend other than her, that possess that nickname. Some of you may know him as Joe Tarver

[Prairie Tater]

I don't know, Gordon. A couple of years ago on the previous board, someone was dissing those who were using their real names saying they were boring and lacked creativeness. I kind of agreed with this, so I tried to switch from my real name to something a little more humorous. Found out I'd have to start from square one to make the change. Not long after that, the new board came along and everyone had to start from scratch. Decided to change my username at that time. Don't want to start over again. Afterall, I'm just about to get my second ball.

Prater

[Cowper]

Someone wondered about past ACC Board discussions on this issue. Yes, there have been many; as a result, the Message Board guidelines include this:

We encourage, but do not require, that you show your name and the location where you live. This may be shown in your profile or signature, or by alternate methods such as use of the Signature Block or a link to your own website. If you prefer to remain anonymous, we respect that decision, but we still encourage you to at least show the place where you live, or at least a general location (e.g., “NW Arkansas”) because this will help other posters provide the best possible responses to any questions you may ask.

I think this is a good as it can get. Gordon has done a good job of expressing why some of us like to use our real names, and would like to see more users doing that. He's included a polite request that more do so. Others have pointed out some of the cons; and then, there's still old fashioned personal preference. I think the current policy is the best we can do - "encourage, but do not require..." Personal choice - what in interesting and wonderful solution!