What is wrong with The Firing Line

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Well, I enjoy "handles". Back in the early days of CB, I was a coin collector/dealer, so I used "Double Eagle"--as in $20 gold piece.

I moved out here to "America's Outback", and "Desertrat" seemed appropriate. However, that's not an uncommon "handle" at some Sites. Since I'm a .30-'06 afficionado, I sometimes use "Desertrat06"...

I saw Rich' "Hi, Guys!" on tex.guns and came over. Since this seemed like a serious Site, intended for grownups, I didn't think a "handle" or nickname was needed. No le hace. I don't have any personal data on this computer, anyway--and I really doubt that any hostile idiot will come to Terlingua, looking for me.

But a nickname coupled with no personal data in "Profile" means more privacy--which is justifiably important to many.

I really enjoy the imagination of some of the nicknames. Many are quite clever. I grant that if somebody showed up with the nickname of "KungFu Killer", I'd call it an argument to raise the minimum age of Internet access to, say, 14. :)

I just figure folks oughta do what they're comfortable with...

Regards, Art



[This message has been edited by Art Eatman (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
Mark...

It is not what is in a name, but what lies behind one's character. If posts were generated by someone using the name "Jesus Christ", and this person spoke of evil and violence, we'd all know that we were probably not reading the words of our Lord. On the other hand, if posts were generated by "The Devil", but he lured us into his words with great foresight and spirituality, would we believe him either?

The point is, names are not necessary in this or any other type of public internet forum. It's what the person says (or writes) that is important.

Moreover, everyone knows that "Paul Revere" is my real name...just read some of my posts. They conjure up thoughts of a patriot riding across country warning his countrymen of a coming...
 
I go by my last name, I was trying to think of something cool, and I had just bought a Bushmaster, but that sounded kind of weird, you know. So I guess that I don't have much imagination.

If the post is something personal like a get well for a sick member, I always sign my full name.

Other than that I think that Correia is a cool last name. Pronounced Korea. :) Well I like it at least.

If somebody wants to go by a different name, then I can respect that. I know most of the people who have posted on this discussion by their personalities.

When we had the Utah get together, I couldn't even remember Cacea and Tank Girls real names, but I knew them by their TFL names.

Bookie, your not dating yourself, my Dad was a trucker, and they where still using CB handles about ten years ago when he stopped. Now if you want an interesting handle, he was the "Portugese Man-o-War".
 
Mark,
Welcome to TFL. A screen name is just that. Don't let it turn you off. I've only been a member here for a month or less so I don't speak with the same experience as others, but I can say that after seeing and searching other firearm related fourums TFL is far and away the best. Can't begin to tell you how much I've learned in just a short time. The program here lets you share, learn and discuss. I encourage you to hang out awhile. You'll see why this forum is diffrent than the others. The folks here are the best. BTW, I do close each of my post with my real name. It's my choice and I do it. There's nothing wrong with folks who choose not to. Their input is just as valid :)

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Tom Whitman
SSgt, USAF

[This message has been edited by AF Shooter (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
Well Dr.Rob is a nickname I've had for nearly half my life so I think I'll stick with it. The only true thing about nicknames is that you never choose your own. Like my other nickname.. Ponyboy (its an outsiders thing) you can figure out how you know a total stranger by what they call you. IE if someone calls me Dr.Rob I either know them from a LONG time back.. or from on-line.. if they call me Ponyboy I know they are friends of my poker buddies.

So if Dr.Rob offends you I'm sorry.. I don't claim to be a doc or even an expert in the fild of firearms but i do have a lot of experience and am very opinionated. Most of the "experts" around here have 1 thing in common.. they are willing to keep learning.

So stick around and enjoy yourself, you might learn something new or (gasp) actually have fun.

Welcome to TFL,

Dr.Rob
 
Not ticked off, but I consider it a strange comment.

I am more concerned with the validity of the poster's information than I am with his alias.

I surf MANY message boards, including obscure on-line newspaper sites as well and TIME magazine and MSNBC TV. All of them allow whatever name you want and invariably, the vast majority are aliases. Most have a profile you can fill out and put your detailed information there if you wish, as well as an email address. This board is no different.

Some aliases are whimsical, some have deeper meanings, and some are just that - an alias because they don't want to use their real name. That doesn't mean they have a darker purpose, it's just that society contains some REAL weirdos (present company excepted ;) ).

Here's three threads referring to aliases that might give you a deeper insight. They are all from this board, and while I haven't read them through completely, I think you'll find the paranoia level is uncommonly low.
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33853 How/why your screen name
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33970 Part II
http://www.thefiringline.com:8080/forums/showthread.php?threadid=33971 Part III


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The New World Order has a Third Reich odor.

[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
Screen name = username for me. Everywhere I go online, my username is the same.

But, you can call me Bud if you want. If the TFL registration form had a place for real name I would have given it. I always respond to TFL emails with my real name.

I don't think of it as a screen name. It's my username and everyplace you run into it, it's probably me.
 
First I think screen names can either give you a thin mask, or provide an insight to a person. Most people pick their screen names based on an experience, hobby,etc. Mine is the name of a motorcycle I have.

Now as far as a mask... I would question that. In the computer world people are pretty worried about computer hacks but "people" hacks are equally dangerous. Given someone's email address you can start to get more and more information on people. For example my email address is lrsmith@Umich.edu. A quick Domain search shows that umich.edu is for the University of Michigan. The have a web-fied directory so now you have my full name, department I work for, job title, etc. From there you can leap to more informaiton. Well hawkgt is a bike, and it looks like I live in the Michigan area, so call some bike shops, pretend to be me, ask what credit card I have on file, saying I want to use a new one..... This can get really scary and keep you awake at night.

Also there are people who make a living tracking/obtaining information like this, and they usually pride themselve on getting access to private/restricted things like medical records, etc.

Now-at-days a lot of information is there for the taking and it getting harder and harder to "hide" such things. For anyone who has a retirment account ( 401k, IRA ) check you next statement. Some have your birthday, SSN, etc on it. Imagine the damage if someone stole that and pretended to be you. Those retirement companies usually rely on you SSN as proof of who you are.

ANyway Longer than I meant, sorry for the bandwith.

Len Smith, aka Hawkgt


[This message has been edited by hawkgt (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
This is an open forum. The internet is NOT a secure place to post information, especially about an unpopular topic. Most people use screen names for the same reason you lock your door when you leave or why you encourage your pretty wife,daughter,girl friend to not give out her address to strangers. On a more philosophical basis, what is in a name? Does the fact that I use my nickname detract from the points I choose to make? In similar fashion, does the color of my skin detract from the points I choose to make? Neither of those traits plays any relevance to the information presented. How can you tell if a person using his/her name is not still a 9 year old up past bed time?? The most important part of TFL is the information that is presented to us. The name which brings that info is meaningless.

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"Liberty is never unalienable; it must be redeemed regularly with the blood of patriots or it always vanishes."
-R.A. Heinlein
 
This Forum, like so many others, is public.

We have over 5000 Members and God-only-knows how many lurkers and drifters.

I am well aware that my screen name will not stop a determined effort to find out who I actually am. Indeed, many on this Forum know my actual name, and that is fine. However, I think a screen name will probably slow down the majority of critters surfing for trouble.

LawDog
 
Joseph, I miss "Gwinnydapooh" myself. She has always had something interesting to say! ;)

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"I don't believe in individualism, Peter. I don't believe that any one man is any one thing which everybody else can't be. I believe that we are all equal and interchangeable."--Ellsworth Toohey
 
If you really want to know to know who I am think its all in my profile. I don't like giving my full first name, cuz it isn't a common names, but if you look a little, it isn't that hard to figure it out. Just do a little clicking. You can find out a lot about me, because I put a lot of it on the web. If anyone wants to stalk me/follow me around, I make it pretty easy. I like chink, because that what my friends call me and I refer to myself as chink. But the people here are cool enough to look past my un-PCness. This site is about content not who you are. I don't care if you are a 50 year old convicted murder on Death Row. If you can answer my questions honestly and help me with my problems if all good.

Can I go off on something else that bugs me about this place? If you don't want to hear/read it ship the rest of this post
People here don't have a sense of humor. I realize guns are a serious matter, but I think we all need to lighten up. I know someone has brought it up in the past. (like a week ago) But I'll say it again. I am not a serious person in real life. I am only serious around firearms,high voltage stuff and when I try high performace driving in my not so high performace car, cuz those things will kill you if you screw around. I would like to be myself here, but don't want to deal with the flames for trying to be funny. Ok I'm done

Don
What through me off about Gwinnydapooh was the 'dapooh' part. Maybe Asian chicks are into Winnie da Pooh and I think the made me assume 'chick'. Either waym, she did have a lot of good things to say.

Chink (G Y Chang)


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It ain't mah fault. did I do dat? http://yellowman.virtualave.net/

[This message has been edited by chink (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
For those of you who don't know Mark, he was the manager of Compu$erve's Firearms Forum, a great site and my first place of learning.

Mark has always been very good at posing questions to provoke thought and response. How many of you have actually questioned and thought about the practice of pseudonyms? I avoid the practice because I thought it was just a "cutsey-poo" carry over from CB.
 
Well, I have used either Jim V or Jim V. (with a following period) as a screen name ever since I first started on line and needed a screen name. Not being the brighest bulb ;) in the string, I stuck with my first name and last initial. I would think that there are at least a few other Jim V's here at TFL. Since I got to the name first, the other Jim V's that want to post have to use another name or things would be real confusing. FWIW


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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
Mr. Freburg-While I am not offended or angered by your question, I do not understand why you would want to give up any personal information to the world. It's hard enough to keep your personal information secure. I, for one, have a very personal connection with my screen name and use it everywhere on the net. I really don't need to know your name unless absolutely necessary. I like it that way. To me, trust is built on character, not names, titles, degrees, or other nonsense. When and if I feel comfortable enough to give my personal information to another web user I will do so. Never before. I have dealt with many TFLers on personal and business matters. Most of them know my name, where I live, what I do, my family's name, etc. and vice-versa. I trust that they will respect my privacy as I do theirs. I have acquainted myself with lots of other shooters in the Northwest that I would have otherwise never had the opportunity to meet. All because of TFL. Hopefully, someday, there will be an Oregon TFL shoot and BBQ to further build our friendships. You, along with all other TFLers, would be invited. So, I urge you to look beyond aliases and look more closely at character. Now, do you know where I can get a Barrett M82A1 for around $500?

Steve

[This message has been edited by aztec777 (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
Mr. X: That's three.

I use my real name, and always have, except over at "The Potomac Institute", where I use a handle because I've been banished for pointing out that the host is a lunatic. ;)

Figure I'm already on enough lists at this point, that anonymity is silly.



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Sic semper tyrannis!
 
Mark, it's all a matter of your comfort level. I have befriended one other member here. We met purely by chance at an area gun shop, when TFL came up in conversation. He later mailed me an invite to go shoot. I already felt comfortable from having met before. So, it was no big deal.
But, I would have to agree with the concensus that it shouldn't matter. There are some extremely knowledgable people here:
Gale McMillan, Gabe Suarez, and Tom Burczinski(sp?), to name a few. Just because they're comfortable using their names doesn't mean I expect others to do likewise. There is a lot of great input from others w/
aliases: 7thFleet and 4V50Gary, in particular. Dont't judge them by their "covers". :)

[This message has been edited by VictorLouis (edited April 12, 2000).]
 
Don, they think you're a woman? Most assume I'm a man. I think we should have our names in pink and blue to avoid confusion. :D

I heard so many people saying, "Don't use your real name on the Internet." that it scared me at first. My real name pops up now and then, but now I figure it's no big deal. However, my real name is a little unique so if you know me, you'd definately KNOW it was me... know what I mean? :D

Anyway, some around here know my name, some use it, I no longer care. If trouble's looking for you, it's going to find you, screen name or not. ;)

Oh... my dog's real name is Nipper the Blue-eyed Mutt.
 
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