Real Name

[Tyler]

I'll admit to it, I hate calling people by their usernames when I know their name (and they publicly want to share it). It adds that "personal feeling", and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling :cowboy:

But, if we all start go on a first-name basis, and its not our usernames. How will new members know who's who? I think maybe a profile field "Real Name" can do a lot of good, or at least in my humble opinion :)

[SoftWareRevue]

But then you'd be Tyler Tyler. :crazy:

[writespeak]

That's an idea. But will newbies be confused? Tyler, I think they can figure it out if people use real names, Tyler, in response to posts by those posters. I think they'll figure out from this post that you're...Tyler. ;)

OK, you're not the best example. But at WHT, I knew the real names of the 3 Leaders long before I became a mod, from observing when other people used their names. It doesn't take much to figure out my real name, and a lot of members put their real names in their sigs or use them in their usernames.

Tyler,I think the system works as it is, Tyler, but it would be good to hear what newbies think, Tyler. ;)

Lois

[Tyler]

Too much Tylerin' goin' on in here :crazy:

Yuh, it can take a minute. But why make 'em work when it can be right in their face? :D

[writespeak]

Too much Tylerin' goin' on in here :crazy:

Quit Tylerin' and Tyler the staff room, OK? And when you're finished that, can you Tyler the files on Dennis' desk? Thanks! :coffeed:

Yuh, it can take a minute. But why make 'em work when it can be right in their face? :D

Because work is fun. :guitar:

Think about the hundreds of people you know. How many of them were you introduced to? Did you learn people's names from seeing nametags? A few, yes, but with most of them, you learned their names by hearing other people use them. That works here too. :)

It isn't much work. Those who like having their real name used either make it easy to see. Some others are known enough that they'll be referred to by their real names lots, like that Dennis guy. This way works for me. :)

I'd like to hear what people who don't know us think about this.

Lois

[westcan]

I just learned tyler's name 45 minutes ago.

[Mikey]

My real name is Steve Cooperman.

[Aussie Bob]

If I know someone'e first name, I'll use that, over their forum username. It does add a personal touch, although I realise it could confuse some folks.

[Aussie Bob]

Speaking of real names over usernames, on the net I go by 'Aussie Bob', and have done for years now. When I email folks, the 'Aussie Bob' is in the email sig.

I was emailing a local company and they got to know me by 'Aussie Bob', in our emails back and forth for about 2 weeks. I then went into their offices for an appointment, and said, "Rob Walker to see . . ." and the girl just looks at me saying we don't have any appointment for that person.

I then said, oh, it could be under 'Aussie Bob'. Sure enough it was. :D :doh:

[Jan]

That could pose some problems if you make an effort to pursue it. Because you know them by name privately, doesn't give you the right to address them as such on a public forum. That is different if they place their name after a post, or it is included in their signature.

I remember once being hauled over the coals by someone because I used his first name in a thread where he was trolling, sure I knew his name from tickets exchanged, but it was also fairly common knowledge that it was his name. However, he called me out on it in a thread, saying I had no right to post his name because of ticket privacy. I didn't have to worry though as a few chimed in and said it was known what his name is. He was just a tad annoyed because I had pulled him into line a bit ;)

So I would use it with caution if I were you. When in doubt, ask first if you may. :angel:

[writespeak]

Because you know them by name privately, doesn't give you the right to address them as such on a public forum.

I agree completely. :) I'm careful not to use people's real names online if I know them unless I know that their names are already used in the forum. At WHT, one of the people I've met never uses his real name in the forum, so whenever I refer to him in a post, I use only his username.

OTOH, if I've learned someone's real name by seeing other people use it, or if it's in the sig, it's already out there.

Lois

[Floris]

My name is Floris


(hi floris)

and I am a forumaholic

(group claps)

[SoftWareRevue]

Well, we have the option to show our real name in our profile. So, it'll prolly be okee dokee to call people their real name that have chosen that option.

Of course, if their user name is their real name; what does that make their real name? Unreal? :crazy:

[SoftWareRevue]

. . . and I am a forumaholic . . .heh . . . I know someone that brought that domain just a few days ago. :transform

[Jimerson]

I don't understand why first name being disclosed is such a big issue. Although I personally will never give mine out. Don't tell them Tyler.

-Jim

[Jamesc]

You guys can call me by my real name if you wish.

Unless its the weekend then call me Sarah;)

[Darth]

You guys can call me by my real name if you wish.

Unless its the weekend then call me Sarah;)


:out:

[Matthew]

I am Matthew and anyone can call me Matthew (my name) or Matthew (my username) :)

[DavidL]

Momma told me not to say my real name in public forums.

-Dave