If someone is a VIP member and uses an alias to post on discussion boards, he should be able receive TER mail sent to that alias, without having to reveal his TER name. The small yellow envelope should appear in his postings, and when someone sends a message, it should go to the VIP member's mailbox. Conversely, he should be able to send/reply using his alias. If you are worried about abuse, how about allowing ONE primary alias that works this way. And while you're at it, make that the default when posting! Thanks in advance.
Not a good idea--it's bad enough that someone can post on the public boards using an alias that is a variation of the name used by a regular poster (2k1 vs. 2k 1, see thread below) now you would allow someone to do the same thing behind their back in a private message. The message would not be seen by the offended party. How about this--I'll send PM's using "link meister" as my primary alias--you don't think I could do some damage? You're opening a can of worms.
-- Modified on 12/16/2001 7:01:06 PM
I see your concern. How about if the system put "(alias)" next to the sender name in a message, so it would remind you to be aware.
What, someone needs to "protect" their anonymous member name with an anonymous alias? Makes no sense. The use, I mean abuse, of the alias function has had a negative effect on the boards--I'd hate to see it spread to the PM's.
-- Modified on 12/16/2001 11:48:56 PM
The reason for the alias is so you don't have to expose all your reviews every time you post.
Why is that a concern? Are you embarrassed by your reviews? Your reviews are posted under an anonymous name so who cares?
http://theeroticreview.com/MsgBoard/ViewMsgBody.asp?BoardID=4&Messageid=479
http://theeroticreview.com/MsgBoard/ViewMsgBody.asp?BoardID=4&Messageid=481
http://theeroticreview.com/MsgBoard/ViewMsgBody.asp?BoardID=4&Messageid=482
http://theeroticreview.com/MsgBoard/ViewMsgBody.asp?BoardID=4&Messageid=483
-- Modified on 12/16/2001 9:18:32 PM
Well, that was very dramatic (read sarcasm)--I suggest then that every member have 2 names, one for writing/reading reviews and one (and only one) for the discussion boards. There should be no link to the discussion board poster's reviews. The PM would work for both names. My main beef is that posters on the discussion boards can post under any name they fancy and are not held accountable--the same would happen with the PM's. So, to conclude each member has 2, and only 2, names and non-members have only one--NO ALIASES.
And Linkdude--speak for yourself, no need to always hide behind the "links".
-- Modified on 12/16/2001 9:37:01 PM
I like your suggestion!
-- Modified on 12/25/2001 12:20:42 AM
I was having lunch several weeks ago with 3 more members of
TER. One of the subjects that came up was just this, and none of the other members liked the use of aliases.
I countered with ... the use of aliases is not really of any concern, it is the MIS-use of aliases that plagues us.
I see only one real positive use of aliases, that being giving a well known member the ability to make a positive contribution to a conversation without disclosing what his actual identity is.
For instance...
there are two really hot\controversial subjects wher I could see this being used positively and I am sure there are more...
Seeing TS\TV providers and BBFS with providers.
Let's say you are someone with experience in either or both of these areas, wouldn't you like to contribute without giving away your true TER identity?
Conversely I can also see that if X has seen TS\TV providers or has BBFS with providers I would probably want to stay clear of ladies he has seen.
It is a two edged sword, but can be used for good and bad.
Perhaps the best would be to limit aliases to no more than 3
Original (Reviews), and two others. giving the option of which to post under but only alowing pm's using the original alias.
Plus it would be nice to have persons who abuse aliases lose the ability to use them.
And I like your idea of non-members only being allowed one username. Though they could create another account to hide that way.
just my 2 cents
You raise some interesting points as always LM. I, however, still stick to my earlier views. I figure that the scenarios you suggest would occur rarely. Therefore giving EVERYONE a chance to mess around with another available alias does not seem warranted. I could see in those extreme cases where a member/poster could ask TER for another alias. Any posts under that additional alias would be subject to moderation before being posted to avoid misuse. Comments from Staff? GND? anyone?
I had to really think about this one. As I see it there are two issues:
1. Technical Problem:
If you remember private messaging came out way before the new message board software. The alias was added even later then that. Unfortunately they are completely incompatible. The whole private messaging area would need to be rewritten to support aliases.
2. Abuse:
Just as we have seen in the message boards, people do abuse the alias system. I believe people would not just use the aliases in response to messages, but as way to Spam and cause problems.
What do you think?
-- Staff
...I will restate (and agree with Staff) that the use of alias's in PM's could cause a lot of trouble. And again there should be some limits to the use of alias's on the boards. Enough said.
-- Modified on 1/1/2002 7:36:37 PM