Consider making forename mandatory in signatures

[JRBarrett 3,074]

One problem is that when accessing the forums using Safari with the mobile theme (as I am doing now), we can't see the signatures in any case.

 

I'm in favor of simply letting people add their actual name - or not - in their posts as they see fit. Forums like PMDG (where real names are mandatory) being an exception of course.

 

As someone else pointed out, some forenames are so common that using them might not really help. I'm one of at least three "Jims" posting on this thread for instance...

[Ray Proudfoot 8,958]

You are still missing the point. Does AVSIM actually know what our full names are?

 

I'm not AvSim. How would I know? Garbage in - garbage out perhaps? :rolleyes:

[n4gix 4,947]

EDIT: Given the median age of our membership here, I would have thought most would be providing their names anyway. I mean, what 60 something year old uses a moniker like NG5IX????

Assuming that is an oblique reference to me, the answer is really quite simple. My "username" is absolutely unique, as the FCC issued me that "name" and guarantee that no one else can legally have that "name," at least while I'm still alive...

 

Of course anyone else could use N4GIX as their username elsewhere on on the World Wide Wasteland, but what would they gain by that? :ph34r:

[mgh 89]

 

 

I'm not AvSim. How would I know? Garbage in - garbage out perhaps? :rolleyes:

 

Don't you think you have found out before requiring us to use our names?

[Ray Proudfoot 8,958]

Gerry, I don't understand your question. But it doesn't matter as I won't be posting on this topic again.

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

 

 

Assuming that is an oblique reference to me, the answer is really quite simple.

 

All in good fun Bill.

[CrownCityMisfits 58]

To be blunt, I hate this idea, and I would stop using this forum if it became mandatory to use my real name. I also don't appreciate the implication that I am "hiding" for "whatever reason" by feeling this way. 

 

And how would you know if my real mane is James, Aaron, or Bladder? (2 of those are real  )

 

Will I be forced to use a real photo of my face in my avatar as well?

 

Honestly, I can't think of a practical reason to enforce a rule like this. Can anyone name one?

 

I've been a user of online forums for 15 years, and have never been required to use my "real" name as my username. Not once. Unless you count the time I was lectured in PM by the creator of FS Launcher for not using my real name in his forum. He stated unequivocally that it was "rude and impolite" not to sign a post with your real name. I just don't get it.

 

No disrespect intended here, but I feel like this needs to be mentioned - it seems a bit like this is the oldtimers pushing back against modern digital communication, being uncomfortable talking to anonymous users. If you want this to be an exclusive club for a more mature audience, just come out and say so. I'm 41 with a wife and kid. Do I make the cut?

 

Bottom line, I think user behavior should be the focus. The name is irrelevant, in my opinion, and should not be subject to scrutiny unless inherently offensive.

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

Ray asked a question. His question does not imply an AVSIM rule or rule change. On the AVSIM Forums, we do not require you to use your name. Some forum owners, such as PMDG, do require you to use names that presumably they can match up against their customer base when / if necessary. We are not going to change the rules in any of the forums. Forum "owners" are free to do so if they wish. I want to ensure that people are not confusing Ray's request with any intention on our part. We don't want to see a question be interpreted as "it's a fact" and a lot of people with their hair on fire running around here (which I suspect is starting to happen gauging from a few of responses here so far).

[Propane 16]

Although I rarely post, I just want to say I fully agree with BladderBoy. To be honest, I don't find it makes a post more 'friendly' when someone I don't know the slightest thing about feels the need to be on a first name basis with me . But that might be a cultural thing.

 

Just thought BladderBoy gave a nice example of another point of view on this matter.

[CrownCityMisfits 58]

Ray asked a question. His question does not imply an AVSIM rule or rule change. On the AVSIM Forums, we do not require you to use your name. 

 

I totally understand Tom, but sometimes a loaded question will garner an emotional response... as I have proven.

 

I truly appreciate all you and the community contribute with this website.

 

Cheers,

 

Aaron 

[tttocs 301]

Respectfully, it sure seems like many are reacting to something that Ray hasn't even proposed.  Read his original posting again.  He's not asking for some kind of identification system of verified full and accurate legal names, it just bugs him having to use awkward sounding handles.  He doesn't seem to really care if MGH is really Gerry, or BladderBoy is really Aaron.  He's just more comfortable calling you Gerry and Aaron rather than MGH or BladderBoy.  Nothing sinister there and frankly I agree with his preference, though I'm not in favor of making it mandatory.

 

That said, I'd point out to Ray that there have actually been many discussions on the PMDG forums about the full name requirement, and many have expressed their displeasure about it.

 

Scott

[ubersu 78]

You can't spell 'DJ'?

 

DJ

[Poppet 710]

 

 

Will I be forced to use a real photo of my face in my avatar as well?

 

I knew it !!  Your not Emmet the lego man at all are you?  you'l have to get up very early in the morning to fool this Poppet

[n4gix 4,947]

To be honest, I don't find it makes a post more 'friendly' when someone I don't know the slightest thing about feels the need to be on a first name basis with me . But that might be a cultural thing.

Just call me "Mr. Tibbs."

 

Fifty bonus points if you can correctly identify the cultural reference. :Big Grin:

[CrownCityMisfits 58]

I knew it !!  Your not Emmet the lego man at all are you?  you'l have to get up very early in the morning to fool this Poppet

 

 

If I could bend my plastic arms I would clap for that comment!