Whether or not you use your real name is irrelevant. For the majority of people on the net, simply logging on gives hackers enough information to do darn near anything they want to you. But don't worry, most of them are more interested in crashing the White House web site or hacking into Microsoft than ruining your credit. No need to be paranoid.
Let's Use Real Names!
- Thread starter GSchiemer
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hi.
Emily, please notice that the thread you mention have some posts on April 1... :wink:
I am not paranoid about using my real name. In fact, my name and address is posted on the Internet if you know where to look. However, I disagree with credential and civil parts. I need to give you my resume and the phone number of my mother if you want my credential and be civil.
No offense to you, Mr. Greg Schiemer, but I had talked to a few "experts" on the field, and none of them is perfect (who does?).
Emily, please notice that the thread you mention have some posts on April 1... :wink:
I am not paranoid about using my real name. In fact, my name and address is posted on the Internet if you know where to look. However, I disagree with credential and civil parts. I need to give you my resume and the phone number of my mother if you want my credential and be civil.
No offense to you, Mr. Greg Schiemer, but I had talked to a few "experts" on the field, and none of them is perfect (who does?).
Personally, I don't see any reason to use real names. No one knows who you are anyway, and they only get to trust what you write by reading what you write - regardless of werid screen name or real name.
A name is a name is a name, but what you write tells everyone who you are.
A name is a name is a name, but what you write tells everyone who you are.
D.W.L.":1u1ccm8z said:Hi Greg,
I use to believe only real names should be used also, however, over the years I have come to believe otherwise. As mentioned "biogeek" is a good reference as is Jim {megadeath}, both excellent reef keepers and even Julian uses an alias when he posts.
Sometimes it does go to far, as seen by some of the names and avatars. I just dont bother with them myself.
On a side note, I have read most of your writings, back to when you asked Julian in Reef Notes, what you should do about all the growth from your soft corals.I thank you for all your contribution to the hobby, but dis-agree, only partially, with your views on tangs. But thats my opinion however and I have given up on the internet argument over them. And no, your tangs are not older than me.
Doug,
It's nice to see a name that I recognize! Your post illustrates my point. I wasn't going to respond to this post until I saw your name at the bottom. I immediately recognized you as someone that's been around for a long time, and I know to be a serious and dedicated aquarist. Given that, it's likely that I'll respond to questions from you and take your advice at face value. For example, if I asked a question about a particular "powerhead" and you told me it was a piece of junk, I'd believe you and not buy it. If "save_the_expos" responded, I would probably look for other opinions because I don't know the source of the information. It could be that "save_the_expos_ is a manufacturer's rep from a rival company.
We'll debate the "tang" issue another day.
Greg Schiemer
Ps: For "save_the_expos:" I'm not picking on you personally. I'm just using your "handle" to make my point. Not knowing anything about you, I couldn't make serious personal remarks even if I wanted to. For all I know, you're an eight-year old girl playing on her dad's computer and you've been in the hobby for two weeks.
GSchiemer":gimphpip said:
It seems to me that real names have nothing to do with what you are getting at. You want to respond and get advice from people that you recognize. That makes sense, and we all feel the same way.
It takes time to learn to trust individuals and, given time, you will learn to recognize people and trust people by their screen names. If you knew Doug as 'wacky boy', you would trust his advice just as much as you do by knowing him as Doug.
The name doesn't matter, your relationship with the poster does. We all have to double check what people write until we decide if we trust them or not. Even then it is often a good idea to double check because people we are not familliar with can have good ideas, good advice, or have thought of things the usual people we trust have not.
If what you are really getting at is that you would like consistency from board to board so people are more easily recognizable to you, I think you are fighting a losing battle.
again, i'd like to point out that just because something ends up in print, doesn't make it true.
also, yes, any hack can get to your box if you've left the way open. but, what i was thinking about relates more to my own personal experience.
back in 2001 i was approached by my political party to run for a seat (local gov't.). i decided to give a go, but made the mistake of leaving a "trail" - that is to say that i had used my real name on an email addy, which was linked to my (now defunct) webpage. well, that led to my email being broadcast on a bb (i was very new to the net), and the most hateful emails (yes, along with some of support) being sent to me. i actually ended up receiving two violent threats, and this was all because i wanted to serve my water district (?). i became a target, and i will NEVER do anything to lose that anonymity again.
on the level you're addressing, i can only say that i am on staff at a local aquarium, because i signed non-disclosure statements. considering at least one of the achievements by one of the aquarists i find this completely understandable.
now, i don't really know you, greg, from adam, but i've done one quick search and found someone at cornell u. could it be you? unless you're the one in hawthorne (right by LAX, which just happens to be where almost all the larger wholesalers are located). wouldn't it make you feel uncomfortable to know that someone has, for whatever reason, latched onto your name and knows things about you? what if that person decided to steal your identity to gain credit, use your credentials, etc.? personally, i do not like that feeling. also, i must confess to feeling a bit insulted by another comment made, re: what posts you may or may not respond to. i find it a wee bit elitist (although, through archaeologists i know exactly what you mean about civility...or was that someone else who made that point?). i'm interpreting you to say that, unless you know that such and thus person has whichever credentials, etc., you won't bother to respond or take them seriously. surely, i've gotten that wrong, haven't i? (and don't call me surely! LOULE!)
btw, my real (first) name IS latin, and greek, and in those languages its meaning is "seamaiden", "mermaid", or "siren". :mrgreen:
also, yes, any hack can get to your box if you've left the way open. but, what i was thinking about relates more to my own personal experience.
back in 2001 i was approached by my political party to run for a seat (local gov't.). i decided to give a go, but made the mistake of leaving a "trail" - that is to say that i had used my real name on an email addy, which was linked to my (now defunct) webpage. well, that led to my email being broadcast on a bb (i was very new to the net), and the most hateful emails (yes, along with some of support) being sent to me. i actually ended up receiving two violent threats, and this was all because i wanted to serve my water district (?). i became a target, and i will NEVER do anything to lose that anonymity again.
on the level you're addressing, i can only say that i am on staff at a local aquarium, because i signed non-disclosure statements. considering at least one of the achievements by one of the aquarists i find this completely understandable.
now, i don't really know you, greg, from adam, but i've done one quick search and found someone at cornell u. could it be you? unless you're the one in hawthorne (right by LAX, which just happens to be where almost all the larger wholesalers are located). wouldn't it make you feel uncomfortable to know that someone has, for whatever reason, latched onto your name and knows things about you? what if that person decided to steal your identity to gain credit, use your credentials, etc.? personally, i do not like that feeling. also, i must confess to feeling a bit insulted by another comment made, re: what posts you may or may not respond to. i find it a wee bit elitist (although, through archaeologists i know exactly what you mean about civility...or was that someone else who made that point?). i'm interpreting you to say that, unless you know that such and thus person has whichever credentials, etc., you won't bother to respond or take them seriously. surely, i've gotten that wrong, haven't i? (and don't call me surely! LOULE!)
btw, my real (first) name IS latin, and greek, and in those languages its meaning is "seamaiden", "mermaid", or "siren". :mrgreen:
i s'pose...BUT YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT FROM ME! there are actually two or three, i know of camarillo, then there's another to the south, and i've heard san pedro mentioned...
uuuhhh...mr. pea, do you know where cornell university is, by any chance? (only the radio telescope's in puerto rico.) get over here and get your noogie!
btw, i think po's got himself a pinkbelly coming. :lol:
uuuhhh...mr. pea, do you know where cornell university is, by any chance? (only the radio telescope's in puerto rico.) get over here and get your noogie!
btw, i think po's got himself a pinkbelly coming. :lol:
Ok, i've already said my thoughts, but I would like to add.
I am opposed to using real names.
I've read some pretty nasty arguments in the sump, and all it take is 1 person to take it a bit too personal.
I know there is some understanding that you need to take everything with a grain of salt :wink: (pardon the pun)
I post on an international email group that most people use their real names. Yes, everyone knows each other but it's a small group.
I feel that in larger groups like this, you need to keep a certain animosity.
I am opposed to using real names.
I've read some pretty nasty arguments in the sump, and all it take is 1 person to take it a bit too personal.
I know there is some understanding that you need to take everything with a grain of salt :wink: (pardon the pun)
I post on an international email group that most people use their real names. Yes, everyone knows each other but it's a small group.
I feel that in larger groups like this, you need to keep a certain animosity.
LFS42":30x7xq8q said:I'm probable the only one with a dictionary next to them as they type.
I seriously doubt it - I thank every word processing program I own daily for spellcheck (and merriam-webster online gets a thumbs up too).
I just was wondering if you had been in any particularly nasty BB wars lately
If not, you could always stop by the sump and mention something involving politics or religion (then duck :wink: ).
Kevin
I don't remember when signing up that this was an experts forum or for that matter a friends of Greg Schiemer forum. If somebody asks what do you think about ACME powerheads and I've bought four and they've all failed I shouldn't say so? Because of my handle or because I could be an 8 yr old girl? I thought the point of this message board was so several people could express opinions and then the poster/reader could make up their own mind. If I post such a question I figure the more intelligent responses the better informed I will be. You could be a 80 year old escaped mental patient posting as Greg Scheimer. Welcome to the internet!
Since you apparently invented the aquarium you probably have more contacts in the industry than I do, who's to say you're not "on the take"? I can assure you I haven't sold an aquarium related thing in my life. How can i prove that? would you like to see a pay stub? The only equipment issue I've responded to is to say I like my Remora Pro. If you think someone's a commercial schill check their post history it will be blatantly obvious. Please provide a list of all Greg Schiemer approved posters so we can all disregard the average hobbyist who has chosen a different field of work. Again I have never presented my opinion as anything but that -an opinion. Judging by your whopping 49 posts (many relating to wacky screen names) I hope people aren't holding their breath waiting for a response from yourself or someone of your "pedigree" to respond. No- I'm not a marine biologist. No-I don't play one on TV. But please I've read a lot and i think I can comment on equipment I've personally owned or things that are common knowledge on a public board.
Erik
I must say I agree with Greg on this point. For a simplistic reason, it tends to curb the flame wars (at least a little) .. if "one" is replying to a post by "Kermit_the_frog" then it's too easy (at least for me anyway) to be more abrupt. A fault on my part, sure, but I just find it different talking to a real name (i.e. person) rather than a "joke" name.
Perhaps it's a "fault" that being of fishnet many years ago imbues upon us?
Saying that, I always thought Greg was a screen name
YMMV
Perhaps it's a "fault" that being of fishnet many years ago imbues upon us?
Saying that, I always thought Greg was a screen name
YMMV
I don't traditionally use my real name on boards, especially ones where I'm new. I do use my real name in my email address, so some of you may eventially know what it is. If you ever played any of the old Mind Games at Discovery Online, you would know me from there. 8)
Erik,
A good number of people agree with you - don't get so angry you can't recognize that. Greg explained that he meant nothing personal against you - he just used your screenname as an example (he could just as easily have used mine).
If you don't wish to take/believe anything Greg posts, so be it. He has the same option for you (and has explained his reasoning without being particularly strident or angry).
Remember, we're discussing screennames here - something that more than a few folks have several of, so it's really not something that should get people hot under the collar...
Kevin
A good number of people agree with you - don't get so angry you can't recognize that. Greg explained that he meant nothing personal against you - he just used your screenname as an example (he could just as easily have used mine).
If you don't wish to take/believe anything Greg posts, so be it. He has the same option for you (and has explained his reasoning without being particularly strident or angry).
Remember, we're discussing screennames here - something that more than a few folks have several of, so it's really not something that should get people hot under the collar...
Kevin
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