Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Rob Davis — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:54:56 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227848#227848"]

Rob Davis said:
I think that some will be discouraged from posting if they are forced to use their real names

Yes, but I was weighing that against Sarah Keir saying that anon posters put her off.

[/quote]

I was surprised by that from Sarah, I had never considered this as a reason to be put off posting, but I guess that's why it's worth asking the question!

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227848#227848"]

Well, it was an expert that raised the issue. And I can well imagine that if I was giving my time and help, I would prefer to have some sense of connection with the person I was helping, which I wouldn't with something like vetbl.locum!

[/quote]

In a perfect world I would prefer everyone to use their real name, but I am happy with pseudonyms if it encourages more posting. My feeling is that more would avoid posting if they had to use their real names than those who are put off posting because of pseudonyms, but I accept that I may be completely wrong....

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Miriam Lodewyks — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:12:33 GMT

I too feel more at ease using a pseudonym, not that I feel the need to hide anything, but just because I don’t like the idea of an employer or close colleague having access to my opinions. Remember that these forums are potentially a “one-way mirror” where you could stalk a person and judge them without their knowing.
Does that sound paranoid?
Perhaps because one of the biggest benefits of VS for me over the years has been when I’ve needed support with regards to employment issues...

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:12:08 GMT

[quote userid="2235" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227818#227818"]We have been here before.[/quote]

Rob Davis - yes, but it is one of those things that it is worth coming back to from time to time, because things change.

[quote userid="2235" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227818#227818"]I think that some will be discouraged from posting if they are forced to use their real names[/quote]

Yes, but I was weighing that against Sarah Keir saying that anon posters put her off.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227823#227823"]If you want the forums to be more courteous, moderate them so. [/quote]

It's always been difficult, that.

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227823#227823"]As far as experts wanting to reply to a name not a pseudonym - you'd need to ask them. I'm not sure it really matters?[/quote]

[quote userid="24356" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227832#227832"]I feel that what I’ve got now is a good compromise - you’ve got a small part of my identity, but my close competitors and colleagues won’t know that it’s me so I can post more freely. [/quote]

I think so too. What does everyone else think? Only one small detail is that anon usernames have to be unique, so someone else would need to be Elizabeth-1234 or something.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

vetbl.locum — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:45:46 GMT

On PPRune

There is a function to block posts from poster that you wish not to read

If you decide you want to read that post in a thread you can easily do so

RGds

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Elizabeth — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 07:01:10 GMT

I’ve been on here with my real name and practice showing, and definitely posted less. I feel that what I’ve got now is a good compromise - you’ve got a small part of my identity, but my close competitors and colleagues won’t know that it’s me so I can post more freely.
I would be quite happy to disclose who I am if any expert was giving me advice and wanted to know.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Dinu Catilina — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 20:59:37 GMT

Leave as it is. I would like to know everyone's real name but there are different levels of confidence and you risk loosing those who may be intimidated to post directly under their real name. Like Gillian said, moderate what is not appropriate regardless of who wrote it.

It can be very daunting to ask something in front of your peers, especially if you perceive some of them to be more experienced or informed. I remember my first journal club, Jebus, my nerves and the my thick accent made my presentation incomprehensible. Makes me laugh now remembering how everyone kept squinting their eyes trying to understand me.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:44:03 GMT

There are plenty of posters who are often discourteous under their real names. If you want the forums to be more courteous, moderate them so. Repeatedly telling someone their posts are rude, but then letting them keep posting because you find their arguments interesting or valid, is not encouraging a friendly discourse.

As far as experts wanting to reply to a name not a pseudonym - you'd need to ask them. I'm not sure it really matters?

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

bob lehner — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 16:33:11 GMT

Agree with Rob Davis above.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Rob Davis — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:38:21 GMT

We have been here before. I understand why some may choose a pseudonym and if it encourages people to contribute who would not otherwise do so then I consider it a good thing. When I have had occasion to have PM conversations with pseudononymous (is that a word?) posters, they have all happily revealed their identities in private. I think that some will be discouraged from posting if they are forced to use their real names, and it would be a real shame to discourage any posters in this current climate of reduced traffic on the forums.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:06:22 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227814#227814"]No plans to remove the anon login account, which I monitor. [/quote]

Misunderstood question - sorry.

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227814#227814"]We're talking about whether it should be obligatory to display your name in your own account details. [/quote]

No, I think folk should have the choice.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 13:58:24 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227812#227812"]I think the option to remain anonymous should be retained.[/quote]

No plans to remove the anon login account, which I monitor.

We're talking about whether it should be obligatory to display your name in your own account details.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Clive Ansell — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 13:56:55 GMT

I think the option to remain anonymous should be retained. I have used it myself before on the odd occasion.

There are times when one might not want, for very valid reasons, not to reveal their identity. Examples that spring to mind are employment and working conditions issues, whistle blowing or concerns regarding colleagues, or clinical cases where one may be embarrassed about asking a question.

I do think anonymous use should be monitored though, and any inappropriate use or abuse deleted.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:23:01 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227800#227800"]registration real names and contact details should be required[/quote]

they are!

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Bob Russell — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:21:54 GMT

I don't think anyone believes you should be asking for references but at registration real names and contact details should be required. These can be checked against the register if necessary.

It goes without saying that there may be an occasional impostor but if they are good enough to get away with it, they probably have a place here!!

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

vetbl.locum — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:05:21 GMT

sorry finger trouble meant to tick ' Things are fine..'

Rgds

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:00:48 GMT

vetbl.locum can you elaborate, please?

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:00:06 GMT

Beats I personally hand check every registration and do spot checks. I disallow ones that do not meet the criteria for membership, but it is not possible for me to know for absolute certain whether someone is who they claim to be. It's not really possible for any website to do that without getting people to send in paperwork, and I am not going to start doing that!

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Beats — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:54:47 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/29599/shall-we-abolish-anonymous-forum-names/227793#227793"]Bob, I think your answer should have been fine as is, rather than other![/quote]

I think Bob has chosen "other" because he is not sure that you know the identities of posters. i.e. that vetting that each poster is a vet is important to him, but him knowing which vet they are when they are posting is less important.

Should that be the case, I would agree with Bob that registration to use the site being robust does change things a bit. I have used a real name before on VIN for instance (not that I think there was a choice). I don't currently use VIN, but the chances of encountering a future employer there was low, posts being seen by one of my work colleagues on it extremely low, and the chance of a non-vet client finding a post I made there was close to 0%. Ditto when I've been enrolled on paid-for courses with an online discussion element and limited individual participants.

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:34:56 GMT

Looks like the poll wasn't working and your vote didn't register, Bob (and anyone else who voted in the last few minutes). I have reset it. Bob, I think your answer should have been fine as is, rather than other!

RE: Shall we abolish anonymous forum names?

Bob Russell — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:29:09 GMT

Don't care. None of my business whether posters use their real names or not. I get a feel for their position, politics, opinions etc very quickly. I judge on those!

I would expect you as the VS site owner to know the real identity of all members. This ensures they should be allowed on and I dare say lets you identify anyone causing trouble or finding themselves in trouble.

Hence the "other" vote!