The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource

Larry Whitlow Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 175 Martinez, California California USA Gender:	Names Apr 19^th, 2013 at 12:23am Just curious. Why is it mandatory to use real names on this forum? Also, what happens when someone uses a phoney[font=Arial] name (like "Chuck Stronghold" or something). How do you know if a real name is used? Again, just curious. [/font]
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Ron Sardo

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Re: Names
Reply #1 - Apr 19^th, 2013 at 8:08am

I don't really consider this topic "Site Help" but I'll answer it anyway.

I've been on forums that were riddled with arguments, flames and strife. Something that is easy to do when hiding behind an alias. I don't know about you, but I dislike wasting my time with such nonsense. Using real names keeps people civil.

If someone is asking to join and they use a fake name I reject their application. If I find someone that has signed up using a fake name they immediately get banned.

If someone changes their name, I immediately ban them and wait to hear from them with "Hey Why Am I Banned!" At this point I explain that they agreed to use their real name on this forum and changing their user name is a violation of the registration agreement they accepted when they signed up. 99% of them agree to go back to their real name the other 1% finds another forum to visit.

Some names are harder to find if they are fake, but I'd say 98% are really easy to validate.

I know I sound a bit hard-nosed when it comes to this. But the fruits of my efforts are that Woodturners Resource is one of the friendliest forum on the internet. (I like to think we are THE friendliest forum, so please don't burst my bubble)

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Len Layman WR Addict Offline What have I got into?? Posts: 3,118 Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Gender: PM 3520b Jet 1220	Re: Names Reply #2 - Apr 19^th, 2013 at 8:34pm Ron, I agree. I wondered about that when I first joined. But support the idea 100%. Because of it I feel my friends here are who they are, and that makes it all more real, more "family". Len
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Chris Neilan WR Addict Offline OUCH! Posts: 999 Waterford Connecticut USA Gender: Powermatic 3520 Delta 46-460 Shopsmith 10 ER Shopsmith Mark V Shopsmith Mark 7 Powerpro	Re: Names Reply #3 - Apr 19^th, 2013 at 10:04pm Well stated. I wish my local newspaper required real names on their web site. People say the most outlandish things when they hide behind an alias. If you're going to say something have the b#lls to stick your name to it.
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Ron Sardo

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Re: Names
Reply #4 - Apr 20^th, 2013 at 7:36am

I should mention, this forum is 11+ years old. When it was first started we allowed alias. In 2009 we made it mandatory for new users to use their real name and requested existing users to change to their real name.

Also, there have been occasions where an old thread (pre-2009) are revived by members and show user names that do not comply with newer with the newer rules.

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« Last Edit: Apr 20^th, 2013 at 9:25am by Ron Sardo »

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Scott Wheeler

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Re: Names
Reply #5 - Apr 20^th, 2013 at 9:49am

Well said Ron, I belong to two other forums (Unrelated to Woodturning) and one doesn’t require to users to post their real name. The flaming is amazing I hardly ever post there, like you said they hide behind and alias and get like wild animals looking for meat. The other maintains a level of civility and friendliness similar to WR, although I still believe WR is the Best!

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Larry Whitlow Active Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 175 Martinez, California California USA Gender:	Re: Names Reply #6 - Apr 21^st, 2013 at 8:34pm Thanks. I thought maybe there was some security issue having to do with scammers or something. I think the friendliness and positivity shown on this forum are fantastic. Now that you explain it, the reason for the policy seems obvious.
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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: Names Reply #7 - Apr 21^st, 2013 at 10:07pm Well, it does help to pick out the spammers and scammers when they go to register.
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Ron Sardo

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Re: Names
Reply #8 - Apr 22^nd, 2013 at 10:22am

A few years back we would get better than 50 spammers/scammers a day. It was a real chore to keep up with refusing access to these people. I have since installed software that uses an international database of the usernames, IPs and emails to track and automatically delete these lowlifes before we even see them.

Now we are down to 5 or so a week, Big Difference!

I've noticed in the last 4-6 weeks the spammers are getting more sophisticated and using real sounding names. Fortunately they are still easy to spot as long as we keep our eyes open.

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Guy Bratt WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 940 Richmond Michigan USA Gender: Robust American Beauty Rikon 70-100	Re: Names Reply #9 - Apr 24^th, 2013 at 11:22am I wonder what your thoughts first were when my name popped up? I wonder sometimes if I'm taken serious when my address on Big Hand goes along with it.
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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,674 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Names Reply #10 - Apr 24^th, 2013 at 11:58am I've learned not to assume anything when it comes to names I know a guy whose last name is Shi_lipz
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Cliff De Witt WR Addict Offline Posts: 940 DeSoto, TX Texas USA Gender:	Re: Names Reply #11 - Apr 25^th, 2013 at 9:26am Ron Sardo wrote on Apr 24^th, 2013 at 11:58am: I've learned not to assume anything when it comes to names I know a guy whose last name is Shi_lipz Or Robo Hippy, I always wondered about that, Grandfathered?
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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,674 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Names Reply #12 - Apr 25^th, 2013 at 9:38am Yup
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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: Names Reply #13 - Apr 25^th, 2013 at 11:23am And better known by that than his real name.
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Cliff De Witt WR Addict Offline Posts: 940 DeSoto, TX Texas USA Gender:	Re: Names Reply #14 - Apr 25^th, 2013 at 1:12pm JimQuarles wrote on Apr 25^th, 2013 at 11:23am: And better known by that than his real name. that is a slippery slope because there are many names that I am better known as than Cliff, most of them would cause problems like Mr. Hunsucker had.
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