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Real Names?

#1
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3/11/09 at 2:27pm
  • Joined: September 1999
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Post Count: 694
Hi guys,

Just wondering if users are still supposed to have the real name as their user name. I am seeing more and more users with all kinds of typical goofy Internet names. I recall, I think, that at one time it was mandatory to have your real name listed. I always liked that as it gave the HTF more of a classy and legitimate feel to it.

Just curious.
Scott A. McGillivray
Vancouver, B.C.

Struggling Actor and Movie Nut!
(Check out my profile on IMDB!)http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1425496/
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#2
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3/11/09 at 2:42pm
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Post Count: 1,116

Re: Real Names?

I agree. Real names set this site apart from the typical forum.
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#3
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3/11/09 at 3:59pm
  • Joined: July 2000
  • Post Count: 2,633

Re: Real Names?

A couple years ago, Ron and Parker changed the "real-name" requirement (I believe because of having so many members and a limited number of ways to make a username out of John Smith). However, if someone chooses a username of DarthVader12, let's say, they're required to have their real first name (at least) underneath their username - although someone with a non-real-name username recently got rid of their first name underneath because they were tired of being called "David," so I don't know if that part's even required anymore.

I can't find the original thread announcing the change in a search, but this thread from mid-2006 discusses it.

I prefer the original requirement, as well, but Ron and Parker obviously felt the need to allow more flexibility with usernames so who am I to argue with them?
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#4
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3/11/09 at 4:05pm
  • Joined: February 1998
  • Location: New York City, Office space for rent - cheap!
  • Post Count: 19,344

Re: Real Names?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott_J
although someone with a non-real-name username recently got rid of their first name underneath because they were tired of being called "David," so I don't know if that part's even required anymore.
It is required, and if someone has managed to eliminate their real name, we'd like to hear about it. Please feel free to PM me (or any other staff member). All such reports are treated as confidential.

In the meantime, I'm going to start paying more attention to names; so if "David" is reading this, he might want to restore his real name before I come across one of his posts.
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Ativan calms me when I see the bills.
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#5
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3/17/09 at 2:06pm
  • Joined: July 1997
  • Post Count: 20,199

Re: Real Names?

Okay, let me step into this thread.

The member in question wrote me a personal email with frustrations
over the "real name" he was using in the forum. He asked for permission
to have that name changed for reasons that will remain personal.

This was an incident where a member contacted one of the forum
owners, and as an owner, made the call based on the circumstances.

For that reason, I found no reason to contact the Moderating team
about what had transpired. Michael Reuben was totally unaware of
what had happened.

Truth be, I did not think that this would have been a decision that
our members would be calling us out on the carpet on weeks later.

That being said, I understand how this looks to our members when
we have a very definitive rule in place that mandates real first names
be used on this forum.

For that reason, I am going to request that the member in question
have his original username restored and offer an apology to anyone
that felt slighted by a personal decision that I made.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
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#6
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3/17/09 at 4:08pm
  • Joined: June 2008
  • Location: California
  • Post Count: 701

Re: Real Names?

deleted by carab
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#7
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3/17/09 at 5:49pm
  • Joined: February 1998
  • Location: New York City, Office space for rent - cheap!
  • Post Count: 19,344

Re: Real Names?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carabimero
I would just like to point out, however, for the sake of an example, that a poster in this very thread, Scott J, has no real name under his screenname, just the word "member," and that's all I was asking for. If "Scott J" is, in fact, his real name, then why isn't it in the "real" name slot above "member"? Further, I could have made up a name to use when I registered, or used my middle name (which I wish I had done now) Truth is, there is more than one member I have seen in this forum that has no real name under their screenname (Mike HTF, for example), so why I have been singled out I am not quite sure.
For most of the history of HTF, members did not have two separate names. Users were required to sign up with at least a real first name. A membership under a name like "Carabimero" would have been rejected.

As the forum grew, it became increasingly difficult for new signups to find workable usernames. Accordingly, we created the current system where new members sign up with a separate username and real name. However, there are still thousands of members who signed up under the old system. Since members cannot edit their own names, those who joined before the current system cannot now add something in the "real name" field. If you look at the join date of anyone for whom that field is blank, you should find that the date is from 2006 or earlier.

(Note: Some people with earlier join dates do have "real names" listed. That's because they elected to change their username when the new system went into effect.)
Zoloft and Paxil and Buspar and Xanex, Depacon, Chronaphin, Ambien, Prozac,
Ativan calms me when I see the bills.
These are a few of my favorite pills.
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#8
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3/17/09 at 6:08pm
  • Joined: June 2008
  • Location: California
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Re: Real Names?

deleted by carab
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#9
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3/18/09 at 3:59pm
  • Joined: July 1997
  • Post Count: 20,199

Re: Real Names?

Scott,

I wanted to revisit this thread and apologize for the wording of
my post in case you felt that I was holding you personally responsible
for the general complaint, which I promise was not the case.

Thanks!
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
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#10
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3/18/09 at 4:28pm
  • Joined: September 1999
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Post Count: 694

Re: Real Names?

*whew!*

Thanks for the feedback Ron! I really, really appreciate it. I was kinda feeling like I ticked people off and that was really not my intention. I had no one person in mind at all when I started this.

It was just a general observation.

I have been a member here almost 10 years (Holy Crap...where did the time go!?) and I have a real love for the place and only want to see it stay strong and active.
Scott A. McGillivray
Vancouver, B.C.

Struggling Actor and Movie Nut!
(Check out my profile on IMDB!)http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1425496/
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#11
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3/22/09 at 4:29am
  • Joined: July 1997
  • Post Count: 20,199

Re: Real Names?

Scott,

Appreciate the kind words.

Where did those 10 years go?
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
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