Why can't posters use their own names?
 

If this has been previously discussed, I'm sorry! I don't understand why everyone has to post as "guest" instead of using their normal TOTV names. I find the new format very confusing.

Can anyone explain the benefit to me?

People were getting some pretty vicious PMs in the last political forum. By only using guest, you may think you know who is posting, but it may just leave enough doubt that a PM won't occur.

Personally, I'm with you. This way is very confusing. Maybe if each guest's number showed as well it would help. At least then there would be a clue that someone had posted previously in a thread.

The political forum was suspended previously because of the vitriol that spilled over into the regular forum and because of many vicious Private Messages between combatants.

It is our hope that this anonymous format will be prophylactic.

To avoid confusion, please be sure to click on "Quote Post" when you wish to reply to a specific post. This will put your reply below a highlighted version of the post to which you wish to respond. Failure to do so will guarantee a confusing and chaotic thread.

The new policy of everyone posting as Guest reminds me of Topix, where people use fake names to make evil comments about others. If people are anomoyous, they are more likely to be abusive and insulting.

The opposite has proven true on this Political Forum. Some posters thrive on confrontation whether they are anonymous or not.

This is a political forum, not a "firing range". Moderators WILL DELETE rude and personal attacks.

MODERATOR

I am new to the political forum - wasn't around for the old one and would like to see names used rather than guest because in this short time I've learned there is a particular poster that is pretty out there and would appreciate the opportunity to ignore said person's post. Can't do that until I start reading the babble. I will certainly get through this and appreciate this forum, but would appreciate a way to be more selective in what I waste my time on.

:popcorn: test

Under the old political format, there was a link to alert the moderators to a personal attack. The moderators spent all their time responding to posters being reported for personal attacks, of which there were many.

IMO the political forum would not be back if the names and personal attack alert had not been removed.

I fully support the anonymous 'Guest" designation for posters - there is no need to shoot a messenger - just try to aim straight and shoot the message when you disagree with any post.

Few use their real names anyway.

Without screen names, I find it almost impossible to stay engaged on a thread here. It's like reading one poster talking to himself in his other personalities having the same name, "Guest".

That is exactly what's been going on with the KOOK who slanders TOTV posters on Topix. He argues with himself under his other personalities' screen names.

This "Guest" format here is a turnoff.

I think over time you will get the feel of a lot of posters by their message and delivery. Quoting a post is a big help also.

I don't think so. One poster with whom I often agree posts very l-o-n-g posts, and so whenever I see a long post that gets a long-post reply, I exit stage left….can't figure out who's talking.

If you quote a post you will see there is a number next to the guest. As far as I can tell, we are all assigned a different number. It really would be helpful if this number were shown next to guest. That way, we'd at least have some idea if someone is in fact arguing with themselves or someone is just adding to a previous comment, etc.

This is just plain silly (and confusing) to have everyone post under the same name.

Reminds me of some of those whacked out progressive daycare centers where everyone is hyper-sensitive to offending the child's developing sense of self. (psycho-babble nonsense!)

First and last post here.

Don't go, I really enjoy your posts.

Why can't posters use their own names?
 

Pretty well sums up my feelings.

If the software and the operating system can handle it I would vote for a separate unser name for use in the political forum only. It could be compiled at the opt in stage of signing on.
No PM capability. I would like to see the edit capability as I often times need it.

But I agree, I find it difficult, not impossible to follow a thread and some sort of feel for who is participating.

Or something like that.

This is why I like to be able to edit........and one would keep their regular screen name for the other forums

I can see on Tapatalk that P-B sent this.

how about if everyone uses a different font?

People, you are responding to a post, not a person.

If you quote the post to which you respond, how can that be confusing?

Those complaining about the anonymous posting appear to crave confrontation with a specific individual. That is exactly how these things get nasty.

If you cannot let the ideas speak for themselves, the Political Forum will not survive.

MODERATOR

If posters cannot 'speak' to the posts rather than the poster - they should not be commenting in this forum!

The confusing part is that a poster can reply multiple times to his own post. This is what happens on Topix ... one person having a conversation with himself. But I'm certainly willing to give it a go. Thank you for bringing the Political Forum back.

If posters find Topix so objectionable, here's a suggestion, don't go there.

All guests on this thread are right. Unfortunately a few in the past ended up hurting the majority.

ONE SUGGESTION TO THE MODERATORS IS THAT IF THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT BY USING USERNAMES SOME WILL PM DIRECTLY TO THOSE TEY DISAGREE THEN INSTEAD OF REFERRING ALL AS GUESTS SIMPLY DISENABLE THE PM FEATURE. IF A POSTER SENDS ONE NASTY REPLY DISENABLE THAT POSTER FROM THIS FORUM.

There are members here who have good chemistry and they play well off one another so why spoil that.

What I find frustrating is that the only time the political forum appears is when I initially sign on. So if I leave it I have to sign on again to locate it????

Good point. You do know that 99% of the posters on TOPIX also post here, or at least lurk !!!

No, we don't "crave confrontation with a specific individual". In regular conversation on this board or anywhere, we're used to knowing with whom we are speaking, even it the person bears a screen name.

It's impossible to tell whether it's ONE person who agrees/disagrees with us, or ten.

It's nice to know when a consensus is forming or changing as a result of the debate at hand. It's interesting to see if anyone actually comes around to your point of view or can at least find some common ground.

Give it up. The moderator has spoken. The complainers are going to get the political forum shut down after only a week.

Actually I believe the moderator has said this will be watched to see how it goes and if the guest thing isn't working alternatives will be considered.

I'm wondering who is posting and signing as MODERATOR.

I find the no edit feature more troubling. Not Sure I understand the problem in editing.

Put it into your 'bookmarks'/'favorites' - makes it easy to locate. Are you not always signed into TOTV or do you sign in each time you access the site. I remain signed in unless some computer update or cookie monster deletes my password for the site.

Don't see anything in the above post that says alternatives will be considered. The alternative is posting on the regular forum which allows names.

If your post stands on its own, why are you identifying yourself? Perhaps to avoid confusion?

If someone want to post and agree with herself that is fine. Heck maybe even a devil's advocate who will post and then disagree with her own post. That would be fun. Really isn't this political forum just to have fun with politics. No one expects their wisdom with change anyone's opinion. Go ahead and point out my idiocies, I won't change my mind. you're no different. So enjoy the back and forth and don't get too nasty

NOT MODERATOR

Open minded, heh ?

This is a great post. I don't think anyone ever changes their point of view due to what is posted regardless of names being displayed. Of course, maybe I wrote that post and are just patting myself on the back. Only the "guest" knows for sure.

The poster "Guest" is very prolific, though he/she seems extremely confused and conflicted.