paco0909 - Posted - 12/04/2021:  10:05:02

I don’t log into the Hangout for trolls and unpleasantness from certain members. I suggest getting rid of “avatar” names in favor of everyone’s name. And require a verifiable email as well as an address. There is a lot of fakery going on and it detracts from the site in spite of the moderators’ hard work.

ChunoTheDog - Posted - 12/04/2021:  10:09:46

What kind of fakery is going on here in BHO?

Culloden - Posted - 12/04/2021:  10:44:28

Most people's names are listed under their avatar name when they post. I chose the avatar name Culloden because the Battle of Culloden Moor had a great significance to my family. I assume other people choose avatar names for the same reason. But, no one makes a person choose an avatar name, a person is free to post just using their name if they wish. Also, a person must have an email address when they sign up. So I am not sure where this query is coming from.
If you feel that we should not use avatar names then why do you have one?

Texasbanjo - Posted - 12/04/2021:  11:28:15

Any forum is going to have a few trolls now and then. We do our best to keep them out. A valid e-mail address is needed to join. Only the admin and the mods can see/access the e-mail address.
Many people who are not trolls do not wish to have their personal information available on the internet for a variety of reasons.

As long as someone is able to show a valid e-mail address and new/valid IP, they can join.

As far as posting a name, a person could post any name they wanted to, it wouldn't have to be a legitimate name, so that idea isn't necessarily one that would help in taking care of trolls, spammers.

If you're going to be on forums, you're probably going to have to put up with a few trolls that sign in, troll for a couple of posts and then get locked out. Just ignore them. We'll get to them as soon as we can.

Hedge Hog - Posted - 12/04/2021:  12:02:39

I was a moderator for 7 years on a board similar to this but on a completely different subject. It was amazing to see the extent some posters went to troll the board. What got me the most were the posters that logged on with several different accounts, then proceeded to argue with ... !! Themselves !! Most were easy to find, others were more sophisticated, but once you are paying attention everybody has a writing style that eventually comes through. I feel for ALL moderators, they are generally very fair, going above and beyond to be even handed with about everybody.

Paul MacPhee - Posted - 12/04/2021:  13:04:05

Compared to most places on the internet, there really aren't that many trolls here.

struggle_bus - Posted - 12/04/2021:  14:24:07

I'll gladly deal with trolls if it means not giving out my full name and home address.

mrphysics55 - Posted - 12/04/2021:  14:42:36

Amen

Old Hickory - Posted - 12/04/2021:  15:10:31

quote:

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Originally posted by Culloden

...no one makes a person choose an avatar name, a person is free to post just using their name if they wish. Also, a person must have an email address when they sign up. So I am not sure where this query is coming from.

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I believe his point is that no one is required to give or show their real name. So on the Hangout, people are free to use avatars only and hide their true identity. The name they give can be incomplete or not real. Likewise, their location doesn't have to be complete City/State or even real.

The email address required to sign up is not revealed to members.

I don't have strong feelings about this. Just saying what I think Clint is saying: The Hangout allows people to post under false identities.

overhere - Posted - 12/04/2021:  15:55:47

my real name is embarrassing its Fred Fudpucker...and people always tease me.

Silver_Falls - Posted - 12/04/2021:  16:49:14

How bout the gubmint tattooz a qr code to our forehead and we login with that

YellowSkyBlueSun - Posted - 12/05/2021:  07:23:45

Requiring a real name and a face photo on your profile is definitely a great solution to eliminating trolls, just look at Facebook and see how well it works.

stanleytone - Posted - 12/05/2021:  09:42:13

ive had my avatar since i joined. ive grown kinda attached to it.

Bill H - Posted - 12/05/2021:  10:46:06

I've met some darn nice people here, and made some friends over the years. There are few who can get a bit crochety and sure, there is an occasional creep, but as internet forums go, I think we do fairly well here. I have learned to back away from controversy and confrontation, but those situations have been few. Is there a specific situation you have encountered that has motivated you to call for changes?

Bill Rogers - Posted - 12/05/2021:  16:39:36

I’m sure Eric set up membership as it is with clearly thought out reasons. Frankly, there’s more reason than ever today for honest and honorable people to want their identity concealed.

Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 12/08/2021:  05:36:34

If it’s not broken, why fix it?
The number of trolls, weirdo’s, and off the wall BHO posts, appears to be less than the actual incidences of the same type of behavior encountered by the average person, when associating with the general population, as they go about their daily activities.
Those who find a post offensive or otherwise unpleasant are free to move along without contributing to the dialogue. In fact, life is simpler and much calmer by avoiding turmoil that tends to stir the pot.

FenderFred - Posted - 12/28/2021:  08:45:32

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

I’m sure Eric set up membership as it is with clearly thought out reasons. Frankly, there’s more reason than ever today for honest and honorable people to want their identity concealed.

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I agree Bill. I have witnessed folks being physically threatened on this forum. It never happened to me personally but it did reach a point where I felt the need to step away from the BHO for a number of years and created a new account on my return. Recent activity on the forum has got me thinking do I really want to subject myself to all that again.  Can't Eric step in and deal with this and sue the trolls. Sherry doesn't deserve to be attacked they way she has been of late.

Banjonewguy - Posted - 12/28/2021:  09:10:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by Culloden

Most people's names are listed under their avatar name when they post. I chose the avatar name Culloden because the Battle of Culloden Moor had a great significance to my family. I assume other people choose avatar names for the same reason. But, no one makes a person choose an avatar name, a person is free to post just using their name if they wish. Also, a person must have an email address when they sign up. So I am not sure where this query is coming from.

If you feel that we should not use avatar names then why do you have one?

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I visited the Culloden battlefield when I lived in Scotland. My ex-wife was, supposedly, in the Stuart lineage.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 01/07/2022:  17:41:46

Hid several posts heading down a troll track. No reason to leave them up.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/08/2022:  04:41:38

I went further than Bill l did. I deleted the troll's posts. No need to leave such drivel on the Hangout.