Real Names

[John Beaman]

We need a serious discussion about Ed West's recent post on using real names instead of pseudonyms. This is, by far, the best Luftwaffe/Allied Board on the 'net, and we need to act like adults. There was a time when IDs needed to be shielded, but not anymore. I think this will cut down on spurrious postings and flame wars.

Also, some of the ID attachments and signatures are becoming silly.

So, let's have a nice discussion about this.

Thanks!

[JMSmith]

hi john,

i quite agree with you, real name are far better. ( this coming from sagindragin!) AKA JMSmith

[Pilot]

In general internet practice suggest nickname. This allow in many case better comunication. This board suggest using of real name. It is on everyone's choice how he will represent it self. Does real name help anything? Or make thing better? When I publish article I use real name.

[robert_schulte]

What is so wrong with real names, when even highly respected authors, who are members of this forum are using them?

Robert

[Andy Fletcher]

In general internet practice suggest nickname. This allow in many case better comunication. This board suggest using of real name. It is on everyone's choice how he will represent it self. Does real name help anything? Or make thing better? When I publish article I use real name.

Hi Pilot,

Just as a matter of interest why don't you publish articles using your nickname.

My own view is it doesn't really matter whether you use your real name or a nickname as it's the quality and nature of the post itself that matters. People will soon realise if someone is asking serious questions or just trying to cause trouble. If someone is just trying to start an argument then people can just avoid the discussion. There is nothing stopping people registering under false names anyway - if some one is posting as John Smith or Smith123 what's the difference, neither may bear any relation to their real name.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Pilot]

Dear Robert Schulte, there is no problem with real name. But before anybody state that who is adult he have to use real name I would like to turn some back in the moment of creation of this web protocols. Not very early when the DARPA had made internet but in the moment when the boards was make to make people life better. Have you note that when you register for account of log into the forum on one label is writen "username"? Not First name and Second name? Well we in real life don't have username, we have real name. But the best part of our life is label with username! Do you have girlffriend or wife? Or children. I have and I am sure that most here are family people. Also we have friends. And all of them call us by our nicknames or in interenet termiunology "user name". My daghter just learn to speak and he try to call me as my wife and it sound like Seyo... soon she will be year two. Creators of the php, asp, pearl and other servers protocols and forums think on this and in effort to make family and friendly atmosphere they are include you to register by your nick and this make one friendly internet comunity. Also this allow to anybody to present it's own personal mark. Is somebody is well educated researcher and ultimate person for Italian aviation it is normal if he register him self by nick "Folgore", "Veltro" or "Saggitario". Internet is the place of the wide freedom. If anybody like to register by it's real name he is free to do this. If anybody want to register in order to the internet rules and use nickname it is also good. And do you know that writting in BLOCK CAPITALS mean that you are scream and shout on somebody!? This mean that nickname [or username] Falcon is good and FALCON is not good. I am moderator for a many years and my first web site I have upload in year 2000. Also I am in contact and cooperation with people who are built in the development and design and I am informed about many of facts. Think what you want and do what you want. Anyway I will be on this board maximum one week and all of this is does not matter to me. Hope that boss of this place will allow me to say final goodbuy to all of you :) :) Srecko Bradic or Pilot or Rahan or Abdul Abdel Hamed el kacin or Public Enemy or Svecko Bradre or or or... you can call me as you want :) :)

[Ruy Horta]

USERNAME or LOGIN ID does not equal your signature, period...

It is IMHO the principle that some people find it very difficult to disclose their real names - as signatory, as login, or whatever - while they argue with people who do share their identity and in some cases their reputation.

In a way this is a debate about the very essence of TOCH!

IMHO respect starts with trust.

No name, shows a lack trust and often (leads to) a lack of respect.

I may differ from my fellow moderators on the general subject, that I am not against nicknames, but only if I know the men / women behind them. Once that's clear, you can have an even discourse.

I've started a public poll, I envite active members to participate.

[Dénes Bernád]

I firmly support the use of real names on this research board. That's the least one can expect.

It often happens that someone asks a questions then signs the post as 'JohnDoe', or 'Adolf Galland', for example. Obviously, I don't bother spending time on answering such anonymous posts, if he/she doesn't even take responsibility of his/her own name...

[Peter D Evans]

I actually think that the use of sensible nicknames can work, as long as there is a section within the individual’s public profile where a real name can be added.

To play devils advocate, if a message board were to insist on the use of real names when members join, who can be sure that the individual uses their real name? It would just be as easy for me to have joined using Richard Smith, but does that make the questions or answers I post any more relevant than if I were to use my real name?

Cheers,

Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[sveahk]

Actually,I don't mind changing to my real name, it's not a big deal. My nickname was chosen at a time way back, when it was almost like a fashion to post a more or less cool pseudonym - "sveahk" means I'm from Sweden and hk means Hans Krensler, perhaps not a very inventive one, still it stuck...
So, a practical question Ruy, I just edit my User name and everything else stays the same...right?

Hans

[Ruy Horta]

Hans,

You can't edit your login id* as a member.

I think we should split this discussion in two parts:

signature
login idI'm still open minded about the actual login id, but would welcome (and invite) everyone to include his (or her) real name in his (or her) signature.

*as admin I can make any change, so it is no problem, just ask me to change it for you.

[Franek Grabowski]

Frankly, I am against forcing anybody to anything, but I am encouraging just anyone to use his/her real name. On the other hand I can understand if someone cannot do that, see the casus of Rabe Anton, who living in a wild country could not use his name under a risk of repressions. By the way, is there everything OK with him? Have not seen him here lately.
That said, I am not sure how should I vote.

[robert_schulte]

Hello Franek,
where have you been?
For all those, who don't know the case of Rabe Anton, could you please explain in short, why he can't post with his real name?
Best wishes
Robert

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

A friend of mine some time ago was refused permission to use his real name.

His first name is Allen, his last name is Cock.

so he was refused, not alowd to use the name as A.Cock.:)

We had a laugh about it and he now uses a false ID which was accepted with out question.

Not this site I hasten to add.

Alex

[Adam]

I don't thnk posting under your real name would change anything per se, however I think it would help new people to the forum better understand and identify people/authors/researchers to whom they could direct specific enquiries. Likewise IDs such as "Seaplanes", to use one example, are also okay as they help identify the particular area of interest/speciality of the member.

I do agree though that a forum such as this with its knowledge base and respected member list should impose some sort of ID standard (unless specific circumstances make such things impossible).

I only post under my christian name for no other reason than laziness, but would be quite happy to have my login ID changed to my full name: Adam Thompson

[Pawel Burchard]

And how do we verify one's is really a realname? :)

[Nick Beale]

Hello Franek,
where have you been?
For all those, who don't know the case of Rabe Anton, could you please explain in short, why he can't post with his real name?
Best wishes
Robert

I wouldn't like to comment on whether the USA is "a wild country" to live in (but compared to southwest England it probably is!) but as I understood it, Rabe had reasons related to his profession for not using his real name online.

[veltro]

I agree with Ruy that once the posts are signed with one's own name, the "login id" is of secondary relevance.

As in my case, my nickname has often became a part of my real name.

I do respect liberty, even more individual rights, but when one has to deal with others about "serious" matters (and I do believe history and research are both damn serious topics), a clear identity should be a must.

IMHO, of course...

[Matzos]

My question, whats in a name?
I see TOCH as a place where we can ask questions and hopefully obtain answers to them.
If the site was to change it's rules, what's to say that the name you submitted was your true name.
I for one would not leave the site if the rules were changed.
My nickname is used on a number of boards, but I will can change it if required to do so.

Matzos
aka
Mick Gladwin

[CJE]

"CJE" are my initials, part usuername, part real name (most of my friends call me CJE), reflecting my hesitating position on this subject.
Will leave it to the communauty to decide.

[Kjetil Aakra]

I think this site would benefit considerably from making real names mandatory, with exceptions possible where needed, of course.

I regard this as a very serious and professional forum, but I must admit it detracts somewhat from this impression when you see posts made by someone having the strangest nicknames, especially as these post often are veyr good and informative.

There are many whortwhile and excellent threads here and many knowøledgeable persons share the fruits of their research - why not do so and disucss under your full name?

A possible solution would be to allow nicknames, but with a strong suggestion to use your real name and at the very least ask posters to add it as a signature at the end of the post.

Just my opinion,

Kjetil Aakra!

[JG53_Volto]

A possible solution would be to allow nicknames, but with a strong suggestion to use your real name and at the very least ask posters to add it as a signature at the end of the post.

I agree 100%

Alessandro

[Red Baroness]

I'm on the fence regarding this.

I prefer to use my nickname, as it was given to me by a very good friend whose uncle served with Rommel in the DAK, and it's a badge of honour for me to use it.

But I always include my real name in the signature line, out of courtesy and politeness to all the members of this board, so you know who to curse at when I mess up. *laughs*

I think one can put a limit on signatures, so they do not get out of hand , a character limit, and a limit on images to be used - a specific pixel size and whatnot. That is what I do on the forum I manage for my comic strip.

Regards,

[DrunkEwok]

I'll admit I used my nickname for this forum out of habit. It originated from the shop I am currently stationed at in Belgium from some inside jokes, so it does have some meaning. If I could change it to my real name I would, but instead of bugging the admin over it, I figure I would just put my name at the end of what I post. I am genuinely interested in history and I had not intentions of creating issues in the forums over nicknames. Even though I do not think I am the cause, having a non-history related nickname that is different in its self I'm sure creates questions in some people's minds.

i think on a professional and mature level that I have seen here int he forums real names are a good idea and would create a better social/co-researcher realtionship among everyone. At the sametime for personal security reasons I do not feel should be required to use them. It's just your first name but it is a personal opinion, and belief in self security.

[Richard T. Eger]

This may bowl over many that know me, but I do support the use of pseudonyms on TOCH!. The reason for this turn of events is the recent dialog regarding Ed West first deciding to wait until an eBay auction was over to list the auction, then, under the weight of relentless badgering, changing his mind and going back to the way he used to do it. Poor "Nemo" was mercilessly attacked by people who, indeed, gave their names. Now, what if "Nemo" just happened to be one of our brethren who happened to support the initial change? Would he then be castigated by all as a pariah? What if he were an author? Would we start a boycott of his books?

No, I'm afraid this forum needs to allow the use of pseudonyms so that those that just happen to disagree with the disagreeable majority might be able to do so without being castrated by that majority. It wasn't a kindly discussion, but a public lynching.

Regards,
Richard

[Kjetil Aakra]

I see your point Richard, and perhaps it is best to leave it optional, but I would like to see a strong suggestion on the register pages that real names should be used, at least in the signature.

Kjetil Aakra

[edwest]

As in the case of all human endeavors, the internet is the best and worst of human behavior and all shades in between. The anonymous and unseen can shout obscenities in your web forum and disappear. They can be in Malaysia while you are in the US. Criminals and con artists abound. Along with the immature and the bored.

On balance, it appears I've gotten more good than bad. How many of us here are ever likely to meet face to face or even have a phone call together? It seems most will not. Everyone I know looks at me a little oddly whenever I bring up the subject of the Luftwaffe and most have no interest in it. Should I write a book, I doubt few outside the specialist community would read it, with perhaps a few copies ending up in the hands of the curious among the public. And then another person might join these ranks.


Best regards to all,
Ed

[Richard T. Eger]

Ed, I certainly agree that the Internet can bring out the best and worst in us. And, certainly, being able to hide behind a pseudonym allows pot shooting in the safety of that anonymity. However, in this particular case, Nemo conducted himself as a complete gentleman, even though he never divulged his name. For those that wish to flame, we have both the webmaster's infrequently used warnings and delete key, as well as those more responsible within the forum to call down such behavior.

In the particular discussion, I don't recall that anyone used profanity nor acted in a flaming manner. However, there was a great degree of emotion involved and the peer pressure applied to Nemo was enormous and, in my mind, unwarranted. It was essentially posed in terms of one has to be a lout to disagree with so many people piled up on one side.

So, here I believe was a case where anonymity was served well.

Regards,
Richard

[John Vasco]

This may bowl over many that know me, but I do support the use of pseudonyms on TOCH!. The reason for this turn of events is the recent dialog regarding Ed West first deciding to wait until an eBay auction was over to list the auction, then, under the weight of relentless badgering, changing his mind and going back to the way he used to do it. Poor "Nemo" was mercilessly attacked by people who, indeed, gave their names. Now, what if "Nemo" just happened to be one of our brethren who happened to support the initial change? Would he then be castigated by all as a pariah? What if he were an author? Would we start a boycott of his books?

No, I'm afraid this forum needs to allow the use of pseudonyms so that those that just happen to disagree with the disagreeable majority might be able to do so without being castrated by that majority. It wasn't a kindly discussion, but a public lynching.

Regards,
Richard

Richard,

I have to disagree with you about the treatment of 'Nemo'. Go to post 78 of the discussion you are talking about, see what he posted, and read the rest of the posts. Nemo was shit-stirring and making ill-founded allegations, and I called him out about it. And, I wasn't the only one to take him to task. Basically, he got all that he deserved in that thread. Had he posted the same under a real name, whoever he was, he would have got the same.

I dislike being classed in what you term a 'diagreeable majority'. Nemo posted certain allegations that were without foundation, and in at least one instance posted what I consider to be a slur against me. If anyone does that, then I will defend myself, whoever they may be, anonymous or real-name poster. Go read the thread again, Richard. It wasn't a public lynching, but a vigorous discussion where someone was challenged on some of the points he made.

[peter.werry]

Although I use my nickname earned over the last 25 years, my real name Peter Werry is indicated in my member profile.

[waghorn41]

Hmm, new here and I just registered my username which I'm known by on other forums. It is also a tribute to my two uncles, RAF fighter pilots killed within 6 months of each other in 1941. keeping the memory alive. But hey, I'm Ian Pursey and ex-RAF to those who want to know.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Some people have legitimate reasons for wanting privacy. It also possible to spot faster the immature, trolls, and the light weights by their choice of nickname.

[Ruy Horta]

I don't want to force people to use their real names.

However I have now turned membership moderation on in attempt to curb the latest spam attack.

[dna9656]

Being a new guy here I'm somewhat reluctant to be expressing my opinion when nobody even know me (although 17 of you have read my "new guy" post) but I will anyway!
Nick names could be shown under an avatar or actual picture of the poster. Real names could be posted in the profiles and show user names on the posts; it could be totally optional or as the moderators/owners, their lawyers, or membership decide.

[Nokose]

I've looked at these postings for a while but never considered posting on it until Carl Schwamberger's post#32. Just about anyone can get a email box and post a false name so I don't see that as helping by posting real names. As far as my name I have provided it in PM's to other members. For anyone wondering "Nokose" is Native American Creek meaning "Bear". I'm part Creek and so I use that as an online name. So I don't see real names being effective except to register to join the forum.

[Maximowitz]

I'm happy either way, whatever is easiest for Ruy and the Moderators.

Regards,

Paul Andrews

[jeanba]

My real name is quite long to write / spell so I always had nicknames in my real life, "jeanba" being one of the most frequent.
So I use "jeanba" in all forums.

[kaki3152]

I use a nickaname plus the first two USAAF 15th AF P-51 groups,works for me

Carlos Herrera

[young knobby]

I use the knickname given to me by my brother, who died of a heart attack in front of me. That is the only reason I use it. I use this nickname on other Forums, but would be more than happy to use my real name on this Forum if that is what is required of me.

[Dénes Bernád]

Often, I don't bother to reply, let alone to do research, on behalf of a person using an alias on the forum.

[Ruy Horta]

In the end I prefer choice.

First of all you'll never know for certain if a name is genuine or not.

Second I can understand if someone wants to use something else for a login name.

Third even if you use a nickname to login, your real name can be known or even used in a signature.

Finally there will always be people who don't feel comfortable sharing their name in a public forum.

I think that behavior is far more important than the name you choose to go under. Of course one should not be surprised that the name you go under can effect your acceptance within the TOCH! community.

In the end TOCH! is foremost a community driven place and that's good thing, IMHO.

[RodM]

I tend to agree with Ruy.

To me the quality of and validity of facts/ideas in a post are more important than the identity of the poster.

It is up to the readers to determine these values.

Of course, behaviour on the board is a seperate issue that is generally independant of identity in most cases.

Cheers

Rod

[RangerJimK]

A slightly different POV, if you will...

First off, I would never call myself a "historian", per se (particularly on this web site!), except insofar as it pertains to my interests.

What I am is an artist in the midst of transitioning from traditional forms of art to computer graphics. I am also a poet and occasional writer (published offline as well as online).

Yes - I use a pseudonym online, not to protect my privacy [sidebar: my email addy is - I believe - viewable, and since I've used the same internet name (jimkirk2) since the beginning of the internet, anyone who is interested can google me...), but because "RangerJimK" is how I log onto Computer Graphics boards as well as on FB (although I'm "RangerJim.Kirk" there: http://tinyurl.com/yzpla2x ).

Why am I here? Because, as an artist, I demand accuracy in whatever I do - poetry, stories or art - and in the short time I've been here, I have been highly impressed with the scholarship demonstrated here (or at least on the "Luftwaffe and Allied" forums - haven't checked the others yet).

I've been doing a bit of research on the He 111 recently and have come up with some interesting information on the torpedo and Fi-103 launching variants and the hardware used to carry them.

Now, as I believe that I've mentioned somewhere, I'm both a former US Army Intelligence Analyst and a former US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. I either have or can get access to information about WW II Luftwaffe and Allied dropped ordnance and fuzing.

But if anyone doesn't care to use me as a possible source, well all I can say is "Tut mir leid, dass", eh? ;)

Jim

[John Beaman]

Hi Jim:

Isn't using Army Intelligence and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician the same context sort of an oxymoron? :)

Just teasing. Thanks for offering your services. Hopefully, someone will take advange of it.

John

[RangerJimK]

Hi Jim:

Isn't using Army Intelligence and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician the same context sort of an oxymoron? :)

Just teasing. Thanks for offering your services. Hopefully, someone will take advange of it.

John

Ahhh...

Well John, here's the way it went:

[OT warning on ;)]

I went to Vietnam as a young Ranger qualified Infantry Lieutenant in Dec '67. Came back a year later (I was in & around Saigon during Tet '68...) with a couple of gongs and a serious determination to go into a safer line of work than running through rice paddies while people shot at me, eh? :D

So I volunteered for Bomb Disposal. :shock: A few years later, I "fell into bad company," (as the saying goes ;) ) and was recruited into Military Intelligence. :rolleyes:

Me, I was hoping for an assignment in Technical Intelligence, but wound up as an all-source analyst with a primary specialty of Photo Analyst.

Ah, but I had fun and came out of my military service with all of my fingers and toes in the proper place and a decent amount of my intelligence intact, eh? :D

[/OT Warning off]

Yes, well... As I said, at this time, I'm interested in the air war in the west (Battle of Britain and all that, you know?), but if I show a certain aircraft in a scene, that aircraft - Allied or Axis - will have the proper aircraft codes for that make and mod and the proper unit for the time frame.

And, while I have a real world example of a computer graphics model which I recently purchased, I shall post my queries about markings and ordnance in the proper forums.

Jim