Comments on: I’m considering a blog policy change

By: ENUMBROMO

ENUMBROMO — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:35:36 +0000

Excellent web pages Successes and prosperity to you!

By: jeeztheadmin

jeeztheadmin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:34:14 +0000

Formerly Mike from Canmore. Never lived in Canmore. Just one of my favourte characters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_from_Canmore. I liked it for a couple of reasons; When I read tech analysis, sometimes I feel like the village idiot (in a fun way – I’m not afraid to laugh at myself) but I thought Village Idiot was too overt. In addition, “Mike from Canmore” was orginally “Mike from Coquitlam” which near where I now live..

I do feel stupid about my earlier quote on the other thread about driving through Canmore. Nevertheless. I did just drive through Canmore. It’s beautiful up here in the Canadian Rockies.

By: Mike xxxxxxx

Mike xxxxxxx — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:33:19 +0000

Re your ‘full names’ comment policy : Fair enough, it’s your call. In my case, it could cause problems. I am a committee member of a local branch of the Royal Society. Unlike the RS Head Office in London, I consider it important to be seen to be impartial when acting on behalf of the RS. I therefore keep my personal views on “global warming” separate from my RS involvement. But my full name, if attached to a personal comment that showed a particular view on “global warming”, could be recognised and my personal view could then be attributed incorrectly to the RS.

I suspect that there are many others who would have similar problems, so a system like jeeztheadmin’s suggestion could be best.

In any case, your website is brilliant, so keep it going no matter what.

By: poetSam

poetSam — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:00:28 +0000

SmartDogs,

That “LOL!” was a cheap shot. Forgive?

By: poetSam

poetSam — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:40:43 +0000

“If its not worth putting your name on, its not worth saying.” SmartDogs

LOL!

By: SmartDogs

SmartDogs — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:07:03 +0000

I think requiring real names is an excellent idea. I own and/or moderate a half dozen or so email groups and the volumes of spam, trolling and other general nastiness has decreased exponentially since I went to a strict ‘real name / real location’ rule.

If its not worth putting your name on, its not worth saying.

By: garron

garron — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:32:40 +0000

Just want to put my vote in for jeeztheadmin’s moderation solution.

Also want to voice agreement with posted concerns of some becoming targeted if their real name becomes known. I’m a real nobody and can give as good as I get but, many don’t have the time or inclination. As has been noted, there could be real political and professional consequences for some.

In terms of community policing and moderation, other structures such as yahoo groups or vBulletin forums may provide better tools. However, for me, the comments to your post here are very much a part of the sharing and camaraderie surrounding and supporting your blog.

By: Jim Clarke

Jim Clarke — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:29:15 +0000

When I first started commenting (doing battle with the likes of Dano 10 years ago) I went by jerel. Then I realized that I would not be able to take credit for my words when they turned out to be proven correct. I started using my real name and have never regretted it.

What kind of a country do we live in if government and/or university employees are afraid to express an opinion in a scientific debate? Stand behind your words and let’s shine the light on the neo-Nazis that want to control your speech. When you give in to these out-of-control authoritarians, you empower them!

By: Jeff Alberts

Jeff Alberts — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:09:11 +0000

James S: “And as to why I do it my belief is that if it happens it will happen and I may as well try and get it working efficiently.”

An efficiently working pile of rubbish is still a pile of rubbish. Find another line of work.

By: Dana H.

Dana H. — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:36:48 +0000

I post semi-anonymously simply for privacy reasons — to protect myself against weirdos, spammers, and identity thieves. I use my real first name, but only my last initial. Those who know me can know that the comments came from me; by not using my full name, those who wish me ill are less likely to bother me.

If I were to use my full first and last name, then I fear that simply by googling, a person could learn more about me than I wish to share with the world. (I have no problem with submitting an email address that does not get published.)

By: Nathan Stone

Nathan Stone — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:05:48 +0000

Excellent blog, I love it and read it every day. I fully support a decision to require actual identities to post comments. I rarely take time to comment on blogs because of a busy schedule, so I can appreciate the sacrifice of your personal time in moderating the blog. As for the ones who don’t want to be identified because of fear of repurcussions from the alarmists, I can only say it’s time to grow a pair and saddle up. Putting one’s personal interest above the pursuit of the truth is what got us into this looming catastrophe in the first place.

Nathan Stone
Hendersonville, TN

By: legoless

legoless — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:47:51 +0000

Well it’s your choice, but I don’t think most of your readers will be pleased with your decision.

By: Bern Bray

Bern Bray — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:57:43 +0000

(Formerly superDBA) Fair enough. On my infrequent trips off the sidelines, it was only a conservative’s general desire for privacy that caused me to use a nom de plume.

By: Jeff B.

Jeff B. — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:55:26 +0000

I use my first name, last initial only because my name is unique enough that it would be easy to find in a Google search. I worry that some highly-programmed HR director or bureaucrat would do a search, not agree with something I said, and then that would impact a future opportunity. And of course like so many commenters here, I don’t abuse the privilege.

At the same time, I believe that outright anonymity is a refuge of cowards. And there are so many on the web making awful comments and hiding behind pseudonyms. I would prefer a balance, or a registration scheme to posting full names. But as many have noted, it’s your blog Anthony. Your rules.

Either way, it’s a fantastic blog, clean, and well maintained and generally free from the terrible trolls, and I will continue reading.

REPLY: Making and keeping it that way is a huge amount of work. That is the issue.

By: Michael Ronayne

Michael Ronayne — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:18:46 +0000

Anthony,

I just setup an account in WordPress without creating a BLOG. I can now post without having to enter my Email account. I admit this would be a problem for some people who would be subject to reprisals but it would discourage a lot of the junk postings. Too bad you are no longer displaying avatars, I uploads a (vary bad) picture of myself.

Mike

REPLY: I’m aware of this reg process, it doesn’t do much for this situation though