Hi all,

I would like to make a request that all messages posted to this forum be signed by the poster's full name (as he or she wishes to be known on the forum), just like a letter.

Many memebers of this forum are old friends and know each other well just from their e-mail address, but I and many newcomers do not. If we want this forum to grow in membership, it should appeal to the largest number of people. I believe it would help if all users posted their full names.

Thanks and best in collecting,

Bill Bengen

I agree,I recognise most e-mail adress' but getting old sucks. (alzheimers)

I believe my suggestion would have greater force if endorsed publicly by our forum managers. Tom and Dan, any reaction? Thanks, Bill Bengen

Philosophically, I agree with posting full names, but I get a little uneasy because of the intrusive nature of the internet in general. Searching the web for my name brings up any little thing I have ever posted on any board or any place anyone has ever mentioned my name. Not that it's a bad thing for any specific reason, I just like a little anonymity from people I don't know. Again, it's not this board I'm hiding from, just those strange people who like to cause mischief because it gives them power. A bit paranoid, I know, but these days...

- Jack

and I forget that the techno-slugs can look it all up...... Oh well - probably too late for me but save yourself Jack

Henry Moses

If you are on face book they gotcha any way

My name is listed in my sign on.

And Jack, a little paranoia can be a good thing.

Jon.

Thanks for not just telling me I'm nuts. I don't do Facebook. Why would I want to introduce myself to the whole world? No thanks ... for me, I'll stay tucked down in my little cave here in Southern California, surrounded by my antique tractors, Rosemary's animals, and of course, my gum cards and wrappers. Oh yah, then there's my antique toys, cap guns, Saturday Evening Posts, tools, etc., etc. Maybe I am nuts! - Jack

Bill,
I don't mind signing my name to my posts when I remember to. The problem is that I don't always remember to. I'm used to may e-mails automatically having my signature inserted at the end, so it's not second nature as it might be with some.

Lance Fittro

Isn't the name on the left sufficient?

Steve

We have wrestled with this issue on the sports side too. A lot of folks don't want to show up in Google or other searches so won't put their full names. We don't mandate names in posts over there, unless it's a controversial, argumentative or derogatory type thread, but it is mandatory for contact info and a day time phone number to be on file with the moderator (me). That is not an option. I have denied a few handfuls of folks because of it too. Also, our s/w over there helps the security situation quite a bit so we don't get too many trolls. One thing you can do to show your name but not come up in searches is put some symbol in for a letter or two..such as "L*eon L$uckey" Good luck and happy collecting.

I suggest encouraging it, but keeping it optional. Using the full names can be risky for people who keep their collections at home, or any unsecured environment. I keep my collection in a very secure situation, AWAY from my home and office, for this very reason. You may roll your eyes, but I rather not roll the dice. I know a guy who inherited his uncle's super rare collection, wrote an article about it, and was broken into and had the collection of cards stolen (and nothing else taken) within the month. It is unwise for people to discuss/ advertise their valuables on the same world wide web that also provides mapquest/ treasure map directions on how to find them.

Like they say, you're not being paranoid if they really are out to get you...

But, like Leon, find it hard to mandate it. Just like the BB side, if anyone's being defamatory or difficult, they should stand behind their words with their full name. We don't have quite the census here that they do, so it doesn't happen near as often here. The bad thing about here though is that Network54 has VERY limited tools for userid maintenance--actually NO userid maintenance tools that I have other than IP Block and that works about 20% of the time. So.....unless there's an overwhelming surge to have everyone put their full name every time, I'd like to keep it going the same way. If you want to put your full name in, feel free to do so.