With the constant abuse of aliases to make posts which are either hurtful, totally idiotic and/or abusive, and the ever-increasing meta-threads going back and forth bitching about and/or defending the practice - it occurs to me that there is a really simple solution which can control the abuse of aliases without eliminating them.
UNfortunately, it would probably require a modification of the TER software - and thus I am not optimistic that it will happen. Still, perhaps Staff should consider it.
The simple solution: ALL posts under an alias should be moderated, irrespective of the moderation status of the member. The benefits are obvious. (Although the Moderators might need increased benefits as an incentive 
people bring up the same beefs over and over. My modest proposal is the "alias topic" only gets brought up on a quarterly basis, and NOT every other day! ENUFF about aliases!
-- Modified on 8/18/2005 9:05:13 AM
voice opinions and agree with other posters before considering all the consequences before posting.
What happens to providers that need to remain annonymous for good reasons while they warn other providers of a possible threat such as a physco hobbyist or LE?
How about the hobbyist that may want to post an embarrasing question or experience and remain annonymous?
What about providers that want to make a point to hobbyists without it potentially hurting their business.
There are many good reasons for the use of aliases and I'm sure that is why they are allowed to begin with.
Think about some of these kneejerk reactions before you post it. There is nothing wrong with opposing views when there is rationale behind them.
who take advantage of the priviledge. Do you thinkthis schmuck who uses the alias of hair club for men has any balls. I don't cause his only delight is giving me a jab thru an alias. I never respond to him cause it is OLD.
Peace out
BM
-- Modified on 8/18/2005 12:48:14 PM
I make no apologies for that type of alias. I just think that a better solution is needed because of the issues I mentioned earlier.
Trust me, I get my fair share of alias attacks also
To me this is the problem with society as a whole. There is no accountability for ones actions and as such we must govern a solution.
I cannot stand the mentality that "We the people" are unable to chose right from wrong, up from down, good thread/post from bad. Why can't you just ignore someone if you don't know their handle if you don't like the subject line.....why should anyone be moderated? I just don't understand everyones inability to enjoy this forum. Good bad or indifferent I think moderation is the LAST thing anyone needs........and I'm flammed as much as anyone here.
I am not suggesting that any TER member be placed on moderated status just for using an alias - merely that the alias posts be moderated. An unmoderated member using his (or her) true handle would remain unmoderated (unless they commit a transgression which warrants moderation).
Like you, I have no problem with anyone disagreeing with me, or even flaming me, if they do it using their real handle. I made the mistake of dignifying the post by NobodyCares with a response - last time I will respond to anything by an alias.
(And of course NobodyCares really does care - a lot! - about this issue, as he obviously has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.)
-- Modified on 8/18/2005 3:22:53 PM
Junior...Clark County (Nevada) School District is looking for a new superintendant. The outgoing guy perfected the art of throwing the accountability word around without it ever sticking to him. You're probably overqualified, but it pays well, and the Vegas ladies are really purdy, if you're interested. And Nevada ranks 43rd in the nation in education, so you'd be bound to be a hero.
hey there buddy long time no see.
Hey I've met with the Mayor of Las Vegas a couple times who knows!! Talk about a charecter...I think he maybe a member of TER!!
I'm booked for Sept. 20-23 see you then!!
Do you want to bring Oscar along for that drink? I'm not a gin drinker, but he's a hoot. Unfortunately, he has no clout with the schools.
You'll still need to help me with my excuse to get out of the house...my parents are visiting, and the 23rd is a family member's birthday.
Did anyone else notice that the ladies have been quiet of late?...
If I may briefly add a few words...
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal in lust for each other.Therefore, we need to have MORE SEX!
BTW,Anyone have extra theatre tickets tonight?
Now...Who can argue with that?
Cheers!
Jolly good show!
and since it's HOrNiEST Abe speaking, we can easily infer that he means MORE SAFE SEX!
Tally-Ho!
More head!...
OOPS....I seemed to have lost my hat?
Nice proposal... but keep in mind that the more you inflate your lower head the more your upper head shrinks!
I don't think that's the explanation. I have a feeling that the handful of guys around here with shrunken upper heads don't get the lower one inflated very often.
and before anyone gets any ideas, none of these aliases are mine. Trouble I have with what you propose is first of all it assumes everyone is in agreement with you. Sorry but I'm not big on censorship in any form. We make the decision on what we read here, what we come here to read and discuss. None of us are forced to read the post. If none of us click on the topics they offenders will get the idea. I find some of the whiners here more offensive than some of the topics that I skip over
You cannot often tell the nature of a post or whether it was posted under an Alias without opening it. Once you do, I agree you can ignore the rest of the posts under that Alias.
Some members that use the same alias all the time contribute to the board in a positive way, why they use an alias is anyone's guess but they have the right to do so.
As we know, others use an alias to hide when posting a nasty response or to start an attack thread.
Since the moderators know the true identity of those using an alias, they have the ability to put that member on moderated status when using an alias or his/her true TER handle.
So the solution is already in place and it is up to the moderator to decide how to deal with the issue. While some believe that no one should be moderated, that is not the TER policy and in fact some members are on moderated status for "breaking the rules."
-- Modified on 8/18/2005 3:40:56 PM
holy crap, do you people realize this is the 5th fucking topic on the first page about this censorship issue.
I would hope we all are capable of deciding for ourselves what we are here for and "not" all of us are here for the same thing. Guess what if all of you whiners got what you're asking for these boards would be a fucking ghost town. Who the fuck appointed some of you people the TER authority on what is appropriate here. When did you start assuming you should be my voice and when did I send you my proxy? I'll make my own decisions on what I look to take away from my membership experience here and I don't need to be part of a lynch mob to prove my credibility or my contribution to TER.
If the rules are broken we have more than enough moderators to handle it. Give this fucking whining a break
There are members that feel that anyone that uses an alias to attack is a gutless coward, I share that view. There are those that do not agree with the view that I approve of. Calling people that disagree with you whiners, to me, sheds some light on what you are as a person. And quite frankly, I don't like what I see. Accept the fact that people will disagree with you and move on. No need to call them names, as you did all through your post.
to say you don't like the use of some aliases "thats fucking whining"
I dont like the use of some aliases and in particular the cowardly ones. That doesnt change a damned thing, TER allows it so complain to Staff or learn to live with it.
stand the losers that cry out for censorship and moderation. The ones that badger Thirsty are even more egregious and patently pathetic.
question is why? Does Hyabby's post strike at the essence of what you are as a person?
-- Modified on 8/18/2005 4:12:55 PM
those who disagree with me and post under their true handles make cogent arguments, citing free speech and censorship concerns, while those who disagree with me and post under an alias say, basically, SHUT THE HELL UP!
Is there some message in that? Hmmmmmm
"As we know, others use an alias to hide when posting a nasty response or to start an attack thread." That's the general consensus upon which we all seem to agree. If we can get something done about it is another.
I don't think there is a person on this board that gets attacked by aliases more than I do. I share the same opinion as you do of the use of the alias, it's cowardly. However there are too many good reasons some people need to use them for me to agree with the censorship you suggest.
A provider may have had a bad experience with a hobbyist or LE and want to warn other providers while remaining annonymous,your suggestion has merit to remove the pain in the ass but now has
potentially put other providers at risk because of the time delay of moderation. Its important that we ask ourselves what is truly the best for all concerned and not our own self interests.
Well since you think your the one who get's flamed the most by alias's I didn't want to let you down. : )
As a provider, you are the only one that has responeded without an alias and expressed your thoughts and feelings!!!! More powere to you, babe!!!!!
Who we need for this job is someone like Walter Conkrite.
I guess that rules out Smelly.
Here now the news!
The TER mods are already underworked and overpaid. 
See my post above regarding the state of this board.
thirsty