Bench-Talk

 We've recently had some potential members turned away due to our policy on names.  As you know, currently we wish everyone to use their full name.  We feel it fosters a good environment for discussion. 

That said, there is another side to that coin as well.  The internet houses a lot of information for a very long time in search engines and some people have a concern about that.  For any number of reasons something you said once paints a picture of you that may not be accurate, but it's out there in cyberspace forever.  For this reason, and for privacy reasons some people prefer to use nicknames rather than their real names in forums.  

Our question to you, the members of Bench-Talk, is do you feel we should allow nicknames (aliases) or should things stay the way they are.  If the policy was to be changed any current members would be allowed to change their names as well.

Vote in the poll and be sure to voice your opinions for or against changing the policy here.  The poll will be live for 15 days.  After that time you may not vote.  As they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often:)  Actually, you're limited to one vote.

Many may feel I am being a "poop" by INSISTING on names.  My biggest point of agitation is the use of "handles".  They do nothing to hide people from anyone who wants to go to the effort ot searching back on their thread.  ANd they contribute to the further isolation of responsibility.  If a person has not got the Balls to sign their name to what they are writing, it is not worthy of reading.  If you will look at ANY of the bulletinboards or chat rooms that allow handles, the people who get teh most respect and to wo others turn are those who have enough belief in themselves to put their own name on what they write. 

If you cannot sign it w/ your own signature, don't waste my or your time writing it. 

 I would agree with David, I don't like the nick name sites either. Seems like alot of people post stuff that I don't think they would if they had to post it with their name on it.....I voted NO.....Leon

I refuse to answer those on the other board when the poster has used a nickname and I check and see they don't accept e-mails or private messages. It will be the same way here as far as I'm concerned. You use a nick name and you'll get no response from me. If "they" want to track you down "they" can with or without your use of a real name.

I agree with all that have responded so far and voted not to allow "nicknames" or "handles"....I feel that Ryan and Stan's present policy promotes a more civil atmosphere for dicussion and makes a person think about what he "posts" if he/she shows the ownership of his words by using their real name.......however,that being said, is there anything orther than honesty that would prevent anyone from using an "alias" instead of a "nickname"? how do you really know if the "poster" is in fact "John Doe","Pinky Lee Dinky" or the real Hope Carleton?.....;>)

Ryan,....this is another opportunity to thank you and Stan for work you put into this site....asking the regular "users" how they feel about the operating policies of the site reflects your efforts to please ....Thanks again!

-The real Hope 

Flame away. I have my abestos on.

I think you poll will be skewed as only those who are members can vote. These members have already signed up with their full names. I think that pool of voters will be biased towards no nicknames.

I would rather be MikeR or MRicklefs. Just my preference. Doesn't bother me to use my full name either.

Some people still think the black helicopters are coming and that therewas another shooter on the grassy knoll, these are the same ones that will not use their full name on the internet.

If you want to remain a small group and possibly limit some good input then keep the requirement. It does keep things more civilized.

Merry Christmas,

Mike

There I did it.  MikeR

Stan/Ryan please delete that username if you like.

Mike Ricklefs

PS. I did not vote again.

 I have a real pet peeve about people posting under stupid and sometimes vulger internet handles. I'm voting no to handles. I often choose to not answer questions if a poster claims to be "NickThe *****" or some such. There is actually a poster on BR.COM that uses that handle.

 Shelley

   Like Mike points out, the results of the poll are going to be skewed.

   Having people use their real names will certainly limit the number of people that register here..no doubt about that. For whatever reason, some like the anonimity that posting under a 'handle' provides. Some are paranoid..some just don't like their names used anywhere for whatever reason. I find it pretty interesting that there are at times a good number of people viewing as 'guests' but few of them log in and/or post.

   One of the Drag Race sites I visit regularly changed their format to requiring real names. The traffic slowed down by over 80% but the posts are more civil and informative.

   I vote for:  Real Names. No Games.

Did you mean "OR" if they accept emails and private messages?

Can't the same this work here? Nickname is OK but with a verified email or some type of contact information.

Poll or no poll in the end it is Stan's decision.

 Mike Ricklefs

I have been posting on the internet for at least 12 years under my  VMTHTR handle.  I'm not changing.

Mike Paluda

 "I think you poll will be skewed as only those who are members can vote. These members have already signed up with their full names. I think that pool of voters will be biased towards no nicknames."

 Thanks Mike, point taken.  Anyone that wishes to express an opinion on this that can't vote or doesn't want to vote can email us at support@bench-talk.com

Ryan, I see nothing wrong with a vote that reflects the wishes of the members of any group or organization.  Is it "skewed", I think not.  It is representative of the membership opinion.  Larry Cribbs

According to the Poll results 95% are against 'NICKNAMES'  yet when I try to enter the CHAT room

it now ask for a 'NICKNAME' to enter.  What's going on?????

Gary.

Don't read anything into that.  That is demo chat software we are running and it says that by default.  We just purchased a license for that software so as soon as I get the key I can unlock it so more than 5 or 6 can use it at once.

Update:  License applied.  Should be room for everyone from here on out.