Anonymous postings
Yet another muse about anonymous postings. This comes in response to both a desire to do something different with the site and a question from Greg Hancock, who like many others is getting a little peeved with the ease that anonymouses can snipe from the bushes and PO the rest of the site. Pleading guilty to having a liberal policy about comments it is realised that such a policy is not pleasing to some.
The answer is to transfer to another platform where comments have to be accompanied by an email address. This email address should not be displayed but known only to me. You don't give it up you don't get to play. The real alternative would be to switch on the 'users only' switch to read the site and that is far too private. We at the BR like comments but bear with us as we tighten them up a bit.
BTW if you are really interested in the next phase of the BR checkout this beta site and submit comments and explore the work so far. The difference in this site is that when comments are submitted you will asked to submit a name and email address. The details will be confidential, the name chosen will be shown and all that this will do is PO the anonymousers who hide behind anons. Just to restate you can still be anonymous but youo must provide an email address. Even this can be a pseudonym as yahoo and google mail can be faked.
32 comments:
Too bad. It will put an end to any "inside" leaks being shared. I guess the few eccentrics that dominate the blog will get their way but will be left to devour each other. Maybe that will not be a bad thing in the end. The Burd Report turns into another local outlet for the usual letter writers to have their perceived moment of fame.
Interesting perspective,I see no insider leaks here, nothing worthy od a brown envelope and even if I understand you corectly this will stop because the moderator and moderator alone knows the email of an anonymouse. The email will be a pseudonym as well. It doesn't take much to make up a fake emial.
but... will you be satisfied with more anonymity along that line?
Fortunately it is not me you have to satisfy - it's the other readers who demand that anons be more accountable. I will provide anonynimity all you have to do is name yourself and provide an email address that will not be revealed. What's the sweat the globe and mail demands this
With respect for all you do 'accountability' isn't the issue, Ben. Nobody wants to know the name, address and phone number of who we're discoursing with. What we (or at least I) want to know is that the person I'm addressing is the same person addressing me, that's all. The whole problem need not be solved by starting all over again. All that's needed is a blue-type Google name. Any comparison between me using Merklin Muffley -because there's only one Merklin Muffley in Google blue- and the assortment of anonymouses, be there one or one hundred we don't know, is simply wrong headed.
Interesting, I wonder if this change will increase the personally liability of the moderator in the future regarding the contents of what is posted?
Ben said "having a liberal policy about comments it is realised that such a policy is not pleasing to some."
Anyone wishing to read and comment on your fine blog should certainly be prepared for some reactions that may ruffle, if they have taken note of the general demeanor here. If they find that objectionable, they need to find a more sedate setting for their discourse where they frown on ripples in the pond.
Seriously, "not pleasing to some"?
What is the mission of your blog? I'm not even thinking that "pandering to fairweather frolickers" or "basking in the admiration of likemindedness" is included, ...is it?
I sure hope some of the posters take the time to check out the new site. It's quite something, and likely took Mr. Burd a whole whack of time to put together.
As an added incentive, there's new material there too.
Even a technophobe like me could figure it out in a few minutes.
What is the mission of your blog? I'm not even thinking that "pandering to fairweather frolickers" or "basking in the admiration of likemindedness" is included, ...is it?
Not knowing nor caring which of the anons asked this question the mission of this online edition is to satisfy my need to be published. If people derive pleasure or a reaction is evoked then what I have published must be effective.
Other than providing a different perspective on issues there is no mission statement and if that offends some of the stakeholders let them wallow in jargon.
perfect... just as this anon had hoped. So, with no preset expectations, why bother with the anon issue - just keep doing what you are and nuts to those who hinge on identities; it's all about the message, not the messenger.
With the impending demise of the "anonymous" tag I fear the Burd Report will lose many of the opinions of those who are reluctant to be frank in expressing their views for fear of upsetting employers, family, so-called friends or even enemies. It will be a far duller publication.
Sure there are a few Merklins and Wallies who don't give damn what others may think of them, but not everyone is prepared to spill their guts all over the internet.
Anyway, I don't see why some of your contributors are so upset with anonymous comments. Most aren't inerested in a dialogue anyway, just seeing their own opinions online.
I could not agree more with the first Anon poster. Those sentiments are so accurate. Now all it will be is the same 4-5 people dominating with their bickering, ranting back and forth as they always do with their usual smug self importance.
To limit the Burd Report like this is so sad. I for one cannot trust anyone with my name or I would be out of a job just like that!
Well their will be plenty of space for Deb O, Merklin, Wally, Armchair QB to attack but it will obviously be just attacking eachother.
RIP Burd Report :(
It's almost impossible to imagine how far the Anonymous contingent is off the mark on this.
NO ONE IS ASKING YOU TO IDENYIFY YOURSELVES.
Get it? NO ONE.
All you are being asked to do is what you should have done in the first place, what you should do on every board and in every chat room you visit: Get a handle. A phony name. A nom-de-web different from every other nom-de-web so the rest of us aren't shadow boxing with 16 different people all calling themselves 'anonymous'.
What in gawds name is all this claptrap about giving up your identity or losing your job or I duuno- getting deported maybe.
Merlkin Muffley is NOT my real name. It's the name I took (sort of) from Peter Sellers' President of the United States in 'Dr. Strangelove' -the man who said to the Russian ambassador and Gen. Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott) as they wrestled around on the floor while the bombers headed for Moscow: "Gentlemen! This is The War Room! You can't fight in here!".
Find a character you like. Open a Google account it's free. See if the name you've chosen as yours and yours only (and blind to everyone else) is taken or is available. Use your imagination. No one is going to hunt you down and blackmail you over the stolen sweet corn or hound you to save the drowning in Pakistan. The only thing that will change around here is the footing. It'll become a little more equal, that's all.
Geez....is that too much to ask?
the suggestion has been made before and I'll make it again, one should consider posting ALL comments without identification of any kind, thus removing the stigma of "oh not her/him again" from some good posts and some bad ones as well. It would be strictly about the discussion and not about the contributors.
Of course, some contributors want it to be about them so that would be avoided to the benefit of everything this blog is about.
It's worth a think-on-it, I think.
Yet another anonymous said:
"the suggestion has been made before and I'll make it again, one should consider posting ALL comments without identification of any kind, thus removing the stigma of "oh not her/him again"
Isn't that the same methodology the University of Western Ontario recently used on one of its football team when one player was found to be using drugs? In other words -punish everybody, banish football.
Maybe it worked well in Grade 5 when the threat of keeping the whole class in after school unless they handed over the gum-chewer for appropriate punishment scared the livin' bejesus out of everybody but I like to think maybe we've moved beyond that.
Or maybe we haven't.
if you run for council, or the hills, you've got my vote there Merklin. You want something or somebody to aim at, guess it helps to have a target - oops, there's that reference to violence again; hope G Hancock doesn't get all bent outa shape. Anyway, I'm with you on this, I guess. It's just gonna take a minute or two to get used to it. Already suffering withdrawal from my comfy anonymous tree-fort, signing off as anonymous...for the last time, maybe
To Merlkin Muffley:
Your name may have been associated with Dr. Strangelove, but it also has an interesting derivation:
"merkin = slang for female pubic area or pudendum; muff = a woman's pubic area or genitalia, or specifically, the pubic hair/fur/wig for the female crotch" (see: http://www.filmsite.org/drst.html)
Many of our anonymous posters seem to be afflicted with American Tea Party thinking: that is, they don't listen and they don't let the facts get in the way of their idiot conclusions.
How many times do we have to explain to them they just have to pick an identity and register it privately to make posts.
They will still be anonymous to the readers, but by having their own handle we can tell them apart.
I know Merk has already tried to explain this to no avail, maybe this time it will take. Or maybe not, we'll wait and see.
this 'identification of sorts' issue is useful if you intend on having a dialogue, debate or some sort of interaction with individuals. My question is, "Does the Burd Report present itself as a place for that concept or is it geared more towards commenting on issues, regardless of the source of the comments?" It seems to me that the banter gets really personal when this 'one on one' thing is the primary function, superceding the open commenting forum that generates much more in the way of good points and counterpoints.
What say you, Benjamin?
I am having trouble with a couple of points being raised here:
1 - what is the issue with providing a "unique handle"? It is still anonymous, but at least enables you to differentiate between the various comments / discussions underway.
2 - the tone from the Anonymous section is fascinating to me, it is filled with antagonizing statements and personal attacks. My personal view is that there is one or two very active Anon posters, which I am basing on style of writing and the related elements in their messages.
All these people are focused on, and subsequently managing to achieve is pulling everyone away from the great discussions and debates that otherwise were moving forward on here and causing too much focus on the Anon not Anon issue.
Might I suggest something: ignore them.
Let's continue the discussion without acknowledging them, they are frankly making it too bloody difficulty to keep track / make sense of the trail of conversation.
A unique identifier / handle is just as Anonymous as posting anonymously. For instance, Ben, nor anyone else, has any ability to identify me other then as Armchair QB, I feel a good degree of anonymity on here, yet I am able to track my own participation as well as the comments from others made about anything I have stated quite easily.
The point of being anonymous included being anonymous to Mr Burd also.
The comment that implies only anonymous posters did personal attacks is laughable.
"Anonymous said...
The comment that implies only anonymous posters did personal attacks is laughable"
Fine. Point taken. But at least when a personal attack is made by somebody with a Google I.D. everybody has some idea of which poster made it and how the thread in which it was made evolved so as to lead to a personal attack.
(BTW: Are you the 'anonymous' that keeps comparing Mother Theresa to Adolph Hitler? If so, I'd like to discuss the issue with you. If not, I'll try asking everybody else that uses 'anonymous' but in the meantime -or at least until you get somebody to show you how to obtain a Google I.D. and because you're one of them, I'll just have to believe that you think Mother Theresa and Adolph Hitler were working toward the same goal.)
Anonymous - under the current setup, you can have a screen name, and the BR does not know who you are. Before continuing your complaints, why don't you work to understand the technology, as your concern frankly doesnt hold water.
I'm a former 'anonymous' (although would only post once in a blue moon) trying my new handle for the first time.
I totally understand all the difficulties in keeping one anonymous post separated from the next, so I'm in.
Nice handle too, Jimbob. Perhaps you could tell others, step by step, just what was required of you to do this. As well, are you comfortable privacy wise? What, if any, are your concerns? Do you feel (ugh!) 'empowered' by your new identity? As telephone booths disappear from the urban landscape where do you change costumes from 'anonymous' to JimBobEarl?
Please. Help lead others from the darkness of group anonymity to the shining light of individuality.
Well, I had to create a gmail email account, then sign up using that new, 100% anonymous email account below this comment box where it says 'No Google Account? Sign up here'.
Then I filled out the form using only my JimBobEarl handle and my JimBobEarl Gmail address, and quick as you can say 'Wally Keeler is one interesting dude...' I was done.
Total time: 5 minutes probably.
I trust our Dear Moderator will now abandon any notion of abolishing the Long Form BurdReport. Thousands of people from all walks of life depend on The Burd Report for accurate accounting of the nation's affairs.
JimBobEarl has conclusively proven that registering an anonymous Google identity is simple, effective -and relieves pain associated with not knowing who you're talking to within minutes. Doctors recommend Google Identity 10-to-one over No Name brands of so-called remedies!
Actually, Jerry Ford probably would have had my vote if it weren't for the nagging question of the Nixon pardon....
is that "Jerry" or "Gerry"?
I think Mr. Burd should not publish or penalize the commentators when rude and/or personal.
There are three regular commentators who are fulfilling more than their share. They should use the regular email or telephone.
New people could enjoy themselves better and also have the right to express themselves.
If this is contested, I heard a new blog will serve the readers better, this time without those musketeers.
My blog my rules and since i don't know who you are i don't feel bad about being rude to you.
Post your name, write your blog and then feel free to set the rules. And if a new blog comes along how will it keep the musketeers out?
Good luck content rules and the readers will follow that not the owner's personality or favour
OK, it's a rude blog, I was suggesting people presenting arguments and show intelligence, rather than pushing each other in a factory. OK with me. I'll surf elsewhere.
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