I have been getting a lot of complaints recently about alias abuse.  (Remember, I was against them and you guys out voted me)  In an effort to reduce the abuse, how about making them a VIP only feature? At least this way, only people who contribute to the site can abuse them

Jennifer Garner.LOL

we can't refuse?

If so...I'd be speechless.

Badabing!

What stops one person from creating multiple accounts creating the same effect?  I support your cause, but where there is a will, there is a way.

Having said that, I've got no qualms with making it VIP only. It's probably a good marketing tool for you Staff, and may keep some of the chronic/perpetual whining PC maggots from acting like Lucy in the Charlie Brown comics.

.      Allowing only VIP members the privilege of "alias'" usage would add further value to the status giving yet more impetus for the penurious or those reticent too review to make the effort. Having only those with a discernable vested interest would subsequently curtail a certain amount of "abuse".

Good idea.  Does this mean much of the abuse is coming from non VIPs?

Actually, I HIGHLY support your idea to limit aliases to VIP members...

"Membership Has Its Privileges"

From time to time - I have purchased a VIP membership, from time to time I have used the VIP for contributions to the reviews.... but in all instances I use the alias to protect the ladies I see from connection with my online persona....  I suspect that there are others who feel likewise...  Simlarly, there are some comments that I may make on the boards that may block my enjoyment of a lady at some future date... and we would not wish that to happen - and if this were the case, I would drop out - or perhaps that would be the goal.  

With respect to using my alias.... when we had the Philly meet & greet - I used my Bizzaro name... to intro myself - but still was somewhat reserved on my review name - although several know me by both.

This seems to be a business decision - more than a user decision - but I would not buy a membership just to use an alias.  Just my $0.02

to have PM's while using an alias to drop off into a default mailbox ?
This way if there is a question of intent, you can PM and say "hey what did you mean by that ?" Or if there is malintent the parties can then discuss it off the boards. Alot of issues that I have seen are factored by intent. I do not use alias's often but, I have a slew of them specially after that contest LOL and have recently been misunderstood about the intent of my comment made whilst using one.
tyvm,P.T.

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 7:04:22 AM

and this board would become a lot less interesting if providers couldn't give honest opinions or ask questions anonymously.

There are quite a few TER members who periodically can be VERY nasty.  Women as well as men.  It is not the alias which allows people to be nasty.  Most often it is the character of the poster or the chatter.  And chat is very different than posting.  If you required only VIPers to use aliases, chat usage would plummet.

This country claims it is a free society and we have the right of freedom of expression.  Not ALL words are allowed, and Staff has the right to ban people from these hallowed walls.  It has been done in the past and Staff should do it in the future.

I think that is a great idea.  You have my support.

That's a simple solution requiring only a line r two of programming code. Simple enough if Staff is going to implement "VIP only" requirements for using an alias.

its not such a bad idea, however I do see the ladies point.  But in all fairness I understand the dilemna that the staff has.  I'm sure there is something workable in all of this.

Or

Mods and admins just out the idiot aliases..

VIP aliases is awesome !!

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 8:15:12 AM

I'm no business genius but I cannot fathom the short sighted frugality of not purchasing a VIP membership when so much research and backchanneling opportunities are afforded by it. A popular FM talk show host in LA regularly boasts that women are universally "cheap". I believe you just totally vindicated his claim.

I am strongly opposed to the use of aliases & always have been.  There was a time when only a username was allowed...no secondary names (aliases).  When that was the case we had far less instances of abusive posts & far less flaming & innuendo.  

It think it's cogent to the issue to recall why a second name was wanted:  it was so that a member could write reviews without them being linked to his board personna.  OK....one name for the boards & one name for reviews---that was what the 'vote' was initially all about.  Repeat...ONE NAME for reviews & ONE NAME for the boards; two names maximum.  That much I have no objection to.  

But somewhere along the way the issue became convoluted & soon people began using all sorts of aliases.  That's where my objections kick in.  I know alises can be fun to a lot of people & not everyone uses them for anything other than humor.  But those who misuse them do a lot of harm & create unnecessary drama.  I fail to see why anyone with something to say can't stand behind their words by standing up & being counted.  If someone doesn't want to be linked to what they've said then perhaps it shouldn't have been said in the first place.  In other words show some balls.  

I think it's in practice been a bad idea & IMO a failed experiment.  And limiting aliases to VIPs doesn't seem like a solution to me...if abuse isn't OK by anyone else it shouldn't be OK for VIPs either.    

Every problem we have is the solution to a previous problem.  How bad is the current "abuse" and is fixing it worth the problems it will cause?  The comments above about legitimate use of aliases are good ones.
 People who want to abuse things will find a way.  If you drive away providers and are still stuck with tricksters is not the solution worse than the problem?
How about leaving things the way they are for 3 months and check in again?
Beret

keep them for everyone, sometime you have to say things have to be said but don't want to use a respectable username, everyone contributes to TER who posts

I, with a few scattered exceptions, for the most part use only one review name, and one board name (separate).  I try not to be abusive ?  and have been called everything from a tireless maggot (lol, I still like that one) to Puny Brain BizzaroDodo (actually becoming fond of that one as well).  But as stated, I have actually appeared in public and informed people of my persona name.  How many on this thread can state that they have done that - I do not mean in a chat room - I mean in a restaurant - with real people present....

without paying i can still..

read my reviews all the time
read other reviews (if i take 2 seconds and update something on my profile)
get listed in site reviews directory section
get listed in the provider reviews
post my availability on the message board
participate in discussions

the only thing i can't do is get messages from those who can't follow the very clear contact directions on my website and i'm not hurting for that business. i find that by elimating these types of clients (those that can't follow basic contact/etiquete instructions) i almost never have no shows/problem clients anymore.

i have seven other places i need to check msgs up toe 2-3 time DAILY btwn voicemail / email   btwn work, personal, university and the yahoo group i moderate.   don't have time for the BS.

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 10:39:04 AM

With chat there is too much danger of real-time drama that can occur when aliases are permitted. As was evidenced with the unfortunate situation that occured with Miki and Michelle back in December. Had aliases not been permitted the incident may not have occured.

Also, I'd suggest only VIPs and providers allowed in chat. This would eliminate somebody just simply signing up with a fake account and entering chat.

The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few. I would suggest you buy the lifetime membership and be done with it. A provider could easily afford to do that. That is my opinion, it sucks not knowing who I am doesn't it? I personally like greywolf's idea best, and include trustno20's idea of no aliases in chat allowed at all. That way the least mature, can't make the rest of us miserable. Yes, I am a paying member here.

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 11:16:56 AM

contributing openly and honestly....  and this may come as a shock to you  but some other provider's actually have a life outside of this.

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 11:23:20 AM

You might be honest, but you are far from open if you post under an alias, that's a fact. Some people tend to misbehave and not follow the rules when under an alias, do you disagree? You could easily afford to buy your membership and then you can keep plying your wares under your alias, correct?
So what's your REAL issue? The money? If not, then Staff's idea is a good one and I would bet it carries the majority vote. Let's put it to a vote, and let the majority rule.

Most that use aliases are misfits and idiots ! It will definitely stop 90 % of the idiots posting under them

and attack other paying members on my local board. they've been outed and maybe moderated for a day or two but keep their status because they're paying or writing reviews.  

I agree with doing away with the aliases...or at least limiting them. I hate to say this, but to do this the right way, the way one becomes a VIP might also have to be reviewed and changed. Accountability seems to be the issue here. I don't know that just writing a review should guarantee VIP status. I will probably be in the minority on that.

Yes, make them have to be a VIP to post and then charge them an extra , say $50, for every alias they use.

Besides being cowards and no-goodnics, people that use an alias areprobably to cheap to shell out the extra $, so that would drastically reduce them.

But then, opinions are like a'holes, we all have them...

Just my opinion...
B

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 12:55:08 PM

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 12:54:16 PM

The benefit of this forum is that it is open and that you do not need to pay. I get that if you are going to get and use the "fantasy" information contained inside, you should pay for that, but...

If you are going to take away the opportunity for non-paying people to contribute in an anonymous way, you will likely cut out a significant portion of the board’s participation.

So either cut it out completely and finish the idea that this is some sort of noble board and make it for those that choose to pay to participate.

Or leave it so it is an open, free to participate, forum and monitor or freeze out the abusers.

Also, if you are so sensitive to get upset over a board on a "hobby" site, especially from someone hiding behind a different fake name, then you need to get yourself checked.

The rules are pretty specific and if they were enforced, this wouldn’t even be an issue.


-- Modified on 2/15/2006 1:30:12 PM

when you let the dogs out?

LOL

Go get em, boys.

Just my opinion...
B

“Please do not post messages that are simply mean, or meant to cause trouble for trouble's sake.”

 That quote is directly from the rules posted atop this page.
That said; whether it be a “user-name” or an alias a sense of decorum and respect should be practiced by all. This is a community of people practicing a very intimate act/relationship in a very casual way. This being so it is a natural breeding ground for petty social politics. A simple innocuous post seen only as entertaining or enlightening in the macrocosm could embarrass, betray, impugn or indict in the microcosm. IE: Outside of the local regional community no one knows any particular favorites or ATF provider that a “username” frequents. Within the local community things can be quite the opposite.  The use of an alias can allow a contribution to a discussion without causing possible negative fallout to the poster or their associates from other intimate local associations.

  I admit with a certain amount of shame of sometimes “slumming” at other adult discussion sites. Most all of these other sites do not avail the “alias” feature and consequently the discussions are at best short, dry and VERY banal. Although temptingly easy to abuse for the cowardly and characterless; aliases offer an increased anonymity which IMO infinitely ads to the positive energy of the TER boards.  

My take is to allow everyone, not just VIPs, to post under aliases. Perhaps non-VIPs should be limited to two names and VIPs to 5(including username).  That would protect people's anonymity, leave a little room for creativity but limit the uncontrollable and occasionally hurtful situation that currently exists.

You are cracking me up here!  LOL
the part that caught my attention in your post is those who don't follow instructions!  So damned true!  You would think that they would read and comprehend simple instruction on a webpage... I am like you, not interested in someone who can't follow instructions.  Thanks for laugh!
Kat

... but I do agree with the 'aliases for VIP members only' rule.  The biggest reason is that for many VIP members (and providers, as well), they primarily use an alias when posting, and are well-known by it (vs their actual username).  It would only make sense for them to be able to use it in chat also...

I also like the 'VIP members only in chat' idea.  Beefing up the benefits for VIP membership is a good idea in general.  Anybody who is really serious about the hobby (from either side of the fence) should not have a problem with VIP membership.

number of reviews in their profile.

It is sooo easy to have fun with it.

If someone needs to hide for serious privacy issues, then that could be granted by the moderator.

In this instance - the piles were thrown at me, who uses an alias to better separate my op-ed from my reviews - protects the innocent whoever they may be....

-- Modified on 2/15/2006 6:44:15 PM

I would define the problem more clearly, then
enact a rule that mods can enforce.

Please forgive us for not noticing your royal tiara, your highness!

And yes, I agree, you should save that $20 bucks to buy some Listerine,... you sure need to wash that mouth

I'll not allow financial problems stop you from posting here, you are my dope, my only source of pure halluciantion, I love you Bizzaro, we will work it out,... we will make it till the end ... I know we can

I do believe that during your "slumming period" you were BANNED from 2 well known boards. That’s the reason you post here so much. You were a TROLL and you got found out.

It would eliminate someone registering just to flame.

We could, but there is a lot of work involved modifying the send routine to use aliases.   We would also have to modify the sending routines so when the owner of the alias replies, he can do so in the same alias that was emailed (or it blows his identity).  Unless there was a huge demand I would not do it.

-- Staff

...meaningful posts, it would also be a hindrance on those ladies who may have something they would like to say of importance-- like say an update on a bad client; or one of the normal guys, or a newbie with a question they are embarrassed to ask exposed-- they would need an alias too-- and since they've done no wrong, they should not be denied, they should be allowed a fair chance to either make us laugh with funny names and posts, or piss us off!

me personally, I've only a few other names-- and all of them clearly let you know who I am, are sort of humorous and only vary so that people can sort of catch the idea of my post before reading it...

I say-- limit the amount of alias names one can have at one time... and then also, just the same, limit the times they can post under a different alias in one post... either prefix it in the site so they cannot go over the use of one alias, like make it so they cannot post a post in a second alias when attempting to, or, moderators keep track and if they abuse these terms, stop them from posting...

Dani

Yes I was "Banned" from "1" ONE board for standing my ground with a provider who followed me from discussion too discussion revisiting her disparaging diatribe against me. THAT board is noted by many to be EXTREMELY sycophantic to the ladies and therefore moderated me for the audacity of politely standing up to the provider’s defamatory attacks. I errantly promulgated my indignation to that particular site’s moderation of me here and was justifiably banned from that board.

 As far as for any other site? I can still access any and all and contribute unfettered.

 HDH?? Hmmmmm; is that an acronym for High Dollar Ho'?

P.S. I'm too tall to be a "TROLL"


-- Modified on 2/16/2006 8:58:24 AM

we did go to Dennys and Voila... there sits the Real Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes..........

and they actually were on TER all along... wouldn't that be special?

There are a lot of different types of abuse, but this might eliminate at least one kind.  Lately, I suspect some particularly volatile threads have had mulitple posts by the same guy using different names, which is clearly against the TER rules.

I'm guessing the large number of posters and aliases in use these days makes it impossible for GND to keep an eye on this and to also have a life.  That's where a software lock might be useful.  Of couse, it doesn't prevent someone from being a jerk if he/she chooses to be one.  It just means that the "jerk" in question can't act like three other people are supporting him.

Plus, it seems to me that GND keeps a lower profile on the boards than she did in the past, so newer members might not know enough not to incur her wrath until its too late.  Take note newbies and anyone else who can't play nice.  LOL.

As for mulitple alias as a VIP only feature, I don't think it will help the abuse problem, just make people pay for the privilege.  


-- Modified on 2/17/2006 1:08:36 PM

Notice I do not stand behind an alias for this rebuttal?

This is a classic example of why aliases should be banned from TER. Or at least, allowed for only VIP's.

You make no point but insist on atacking a respected poster.

This is a personall attack. Nothing more.

Shame on you!

give him his next mission on TER, and then watch the recorder blow up in his face. ROFLMAO! Katie would just say, "Oh, Tom, I told you not to listen to that machine. It's against our religion."

Hugs,
Ciara

It takes a little time and effort to create a new account, which might discourage some people, but, as you wrote, where there is a will, there is a way. And some people have a very strong will.

This has always been my contention—that, without aliases, we would end up with the kind of pablum that appears on other sites.

If a person abuses the alias feature, he/she should be moderated. It's easy to deal with. Rather than take away the alias privileges of everyone, monitor the people who cause the trouble.

-- Modified on 2/17/2006 6:25:41 AM

We mods need to keep an eye out for alias abuse and deal with it appropriately.

Oh wait.... you can tell who I am, can't you? Nevermind.

Right now, I just have to keep an eye out for posts by people using more than one handle per thread, and I know I miss some.

If I catch someone doing it, I moderate them, so I can better keep an eye on their posts for a while.