changes that TER is making in reference to linking Username used in the review section and Registered Monikers used on the Discussion Boards.This is a copy of my posting to STAFF on the Suggestions and Policy Board:Although you think you are doing everybody a favor by making our TER username the same as our registered name, what you have done is made it impossible for us to post reviews anonymously versus our registered monikers used on the TER boards.I present my reviews of providers under certain conditions.1. With the complete consent of the provider.2. After the provider has approved an email version of the review that I am going to submit.3. With the knowledge that nobody can link my review to me or to the provider.As you can see, I haven't posted very many reviews.  It's not because I'm lazy and don't like to write, as evidenced by my frequency on the discussion boards.  It's becuase the providers I see do not wish to be reviewed.I communicate with my moniker with an assortment of people on and off this site.  As you know there can be some rather heated dicusssions, with feelings sometime hurt.  We assume that everybody is of a good heart, and functioning within a healthy state of mind.  But in reality, we know that, that isn't the real world.  There are individuals that do not take critisism well and they want to retaliate in the form of violence.  A form of violence that if they can't personaly get to me, they will attempt to get to someone I care about.  I feel is is a mistake if somebody can link right into the people I see privately.  It opens up those people to retaliation, that they shouldn't be exposed to.I would wish STAFF would reconsider this recent change on the Discussion Boards, to link Usernames on the Review Site versus, the Registered Names on the Discussion Boards.With that in mind, if this is not corrected I have no choice but to quit TER.Respectfully,GandalfAny comments from you folks?  I know that if I quit it won't break everybodys heart only a few, but I think TER is making a dangerous mistake in respect to privacy and security.JMHOG.

If you want to post anonymously on the boards, can you go to the website, not login to TER,and register as someone else on the boards?

I agree! eom

Gandalf,Although I personally happen to both post & review with the same moniker, I think you've raised a very valid issue of concern for those like yourself who use more than one persona.I'll admit it is a bit more convenient to check a poster's reviews this way for those that are curious, but speaking for myself, I don't feel it to be really important let alone necessary.  The only problem I found with the previous system was that sometimes one name was used for posting & a different one for the private messsaging system.  To my mind changing that alone would have been sufficient.  And although I've never used the system for this purpose, if for any reason I wanted see Gandalf's reviews I could have asked for the information that way...& he would have had the choice to respond or not. As in any arena, changes are meant to improve but sometimes bring new problems at the same time.  Perhaps that is the case in this instance.  I don't know what the thoughts were in implementing this new procedure...perhaps a further explaation from Staff/Admin might enlighten us all.

One handle would be for reviews and one handle would be for posting to the boards.  The two handles could be the same if the member chose.  If they were different nobody (except Staff, of course) would know that the same individual was behind both handles.I understand the concern for personal privacy and agree.  I don't post reviews so I don't have that problem.  However, I think it is important to recognize that there is a second problem -- board security.I personally know a provider who has recently been arrested.  She says this board was used to gather information in the investigation leading to her arrest.  I believe that LE posted ISO requests as well as reading posts and reviews.It is totally irresponsible for anyone to post anything that would help LE get past a provider's screening procedure.  It is totally irresponsible to give that information via private message or e-mail to someone you don't personally know.It is also totally irresponsible to post anything specific about a provider's location -- although that is mostly because there are a lot of bad people out there.  LE can get her location from the phone company if she advertises a phone number.LE knows about and uses this board.  I think the issue of board security is real and some degree of control over who can post and with what handles also helps protect those we care about.--modified by Mathesar at Thu, May 24, 2001, 12:41:42

I much prefer the old system. There are already "rumors" about LE using the TBD board on San Diego to entrap several providers [Nb: TBD on San Diego appears to be down for ~4days]. I would rather retain the old system that limits what potential malefactors could do with this information, should it fall in the wrong hands.

I am a provider--and with the new changes---I registered under--three different handles--although as of yet don't know if I'll be able to use all three.  I personally thought the change was positive--but than maybe I haven't realized the totality of them yet.  I found it interesting that several of the ISO posting were made by guys who have never submitted a review.  Could this be LE.....TER your attempts to upgrade is appreciated

I can see your concern.We will add a feature to allow to to post a message under an alias that is not the same as anyone's registered username. If you choose to post under an alias, there will be not link to reviews. This will be completed today.I do have a couple questions. 1. Should the aliases that are used also be reserved so that not one else can post using the same alias as you, or should the choice of an alias not be restricted to something that someone else may be using as an alias?2. Should a little "Alias" icon appear when someone is posting under and alias.Please remember that this site is a product of what works for the members of the site. Features are never set in stone. We are alway willing to change things to make the site more usable.

Noble name, O Maid Marion!!

After reading the efforts you go through before submitting a review, I'm even more impressed than before with your concern for others and character as an individual.  I'm sure an acceptable solution can be developed to address the valid issues that you raise.  Quitting the board is not an option, however, because from a strictly selfish POV, we cannot afford to lose someone of your caliber.Regards,G2

Personally, I love that feature and after I renewed my VIP membership for the first time in over six months I was very impressed with all the improvements that have happened since.

Wow, I am impressed with TER for so willing to listen to members comments and concerns, plus actions to address the issue.  Well done!  

here!here! Gandalf.  You hit it on the head.Registered names only on the boards is a good idea, eliminating some of the anonymity on the site is not.

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I don't get it. Your usernames are anonymous already. So are you further trying to protect the anonymity of your anonymous name. If you are using your anonymous name in real life doesn't the defeat the purpose of an anonymous name. I'm just a newbie to this hobby, but I think TER is doing a great job and this is the best improvement yet.

Staff, as for your first question, it would make sense to restrict the use of an alias. If not, we can never be sure messages posted by the same alias are from the same person (if we ever can.) When someone signs up, they can be asked for a username and a message board alias, which will then be restricted to that user only, with the same password. If no alias is entered, the username is used. There could be a way for someone to add an alias later if they so would like, through the account manager pages. Should it be possible to change the alias at any time? I am not sure. A change can always be done by registering again anyway, so maybe it is more economic to allow a change.As for the alias icon, I do not think that is such a good idea. It will break some of the anonymity issues that have been brought up. Thank you for your work on improving this site.

ChernyLet me explain it to you since your a newbie.  This has nothing to do with maintaining my private life anonymity.  It has to do with the anonymity of my Discussion Board Life, and my TER Review Life.  Two distinctly different worlds.My username that I use for the purpose of posting Reviews is not the same one that I use for posting on the Discussion Boards, like this one. I do not want my reviews to be identified with by anybody on the Discussion Boards.  The reason for this is that the Discussion Boards are an open forum.  That means anybody can, and I mean anybody can see what I post.  Hypothetical Scenero:I post one of my patented flames of law enforcement trying to get information on the board by posting some lame ass In Search Of Request.  Similar to the one on the LA Board right now by VUV. "Who's the Best Ever", or some S**t like that.Now let's say LE takes it personal, and wants to target me or any of the providers that I am currently seeing.  They have my Discussion Board Name, all they have to do is find me in the Review Section of TER.  Now they know how to get at me or one of my providers.  Right?  Wrong!  My review name is different from my posting name.  They can't find me.  All they can do is pound salt, and since it's Thursday they can throw alittle pepper in it.With the new system having the same Registered Review name and Discussion Board name:All they have to do is list a response to one of my posts, and in the upper right hand corner is my name with a direct link to all the reviews I've written.Now who's pounding salt?  Nobody, but Buba's pounding my ass in jail, and I hope to God he's going to be a decent enough chap, to use alittle boy butter, and offer a freindly little reach-around.I hope this makes you understand what I'm talking about.  It has nothing to do with my private life or private identity.Happy hobbying and read the reviews before you go out and play.Sincerly,The resident Fire ChiefG.

OK, I believe that we have solved the problem. There is now an alias system built into the discussion board software. You can create aliases to post under. The aliases are reserved for use by only you. You one else will be able to post under them. If we still need to tune it a bit, just let us know.You should not create multiple usernames and switch between then. The practice of switching usernames may result in your username being locked because it may appear that you are trying to hack into the system.Please let us know what you think.

Staff,Thank you, this seems like an excellent feature, now if I could only post on the LA Board without getting "The Page Cannot Be Displayed" error message after I hit the submit button.Thanks againGandalf--modified by Gandalf at Thu, May 24, 2001, 23:39:53

Does it post your message even though you get the page?

nor does it display the original style posting box, with Name, Password, E-Mail, Subject, and Feeling.The posting box shows, Name with alias option, automaticaly displays my e-mail address witch I don't want revealed, subject and feeling.G.

I'm willing to bet that even registered names -- who always post under those names -- still on occasion, depending on the thread, will post anonymously under a screename made up on the fly for that particular moment in time.  I don't think (unless I misread you down below) that allowing one "alias" per user will help this.  It's possible to want to put out a certain idea or response and NOT be identified with it, and the reasons are not necessarily negative -- not a flame or disinformation.  Sometimes, a screen "persona" has developed in a certain way, and the poster is reluctant to put forth an idea that he or she thinks will go against their on-line "personality" -- but still wants to say it, and hear a response.  Imagine a shy person at a party who usually doesn't talk much, but is suddenly itching to cut loose with a loud and bold comment, or even a macho type, who wants to ask a question that could reveal him as more vulnerable than he likes to appear.  A one-time only screename gives those individuals the safety to ask their questions or leave their responses.  It's also true that lurkers who don't feel comfortable with an identifiable presence were also able under the original system to contribute ideas and comments.  Those people too, may just stop adding to the mix.  It seems to me this board has allowed an amazingly open forum for the discussion of issues most of us would not and could not talk about with anybody else.  I hope my concerns are unfounded, but there's a real possibility that the range of topics and the range of responses is going to be narrowed, to everyone's loss.  Not to the mention the freewheeling humor that has also been a major attraction of this board.  I've been a paying VIP member since the beginning, but I have to agree with G -- I too will stop participating under the new system, which no longer supports my own version of what constitutes online discretion.  Not much of a loss to the board, granted, but to me, most definitely.