Shirl wrote:
Shirl:
That's a little extreme, IMO ... I don't think a person should have to
use their real name to be taken seriously. Some people aren't
comfortable using their real names, and in many instances, with just
cause. I think it's more important how people conduct themselves than
whether or not they use their real names ... but ... to each, his own.

Andrew Sarangan wrote:
You do have a point because legitimate posts also come from anonymous
posters. But if you browse the topics, nearly all inflammatory posts
come from people whose names are fake, and people with real names have
rarely made such posts, although there are exceptions.

I agree with that.

Anonymity is
critical in some newsgroups, such as abuse, drugs etc.. In aviation
there might be an occasional need for anonymity, to discuss accidents
or similar things. But for just plain shooting the breeze, as we often
do in this group, I don't see anonymity as a basic requirement.

I don't see either as a "requirement", I just don't judge anyone's
credibility *or lack of credibility* solely on whether or not they use
their real name to post ,,, whether it's to shoot the breeze or to
discuss something substantial. But again, that's JMO.

I've been posting on the pilot forums using my own name for about 10
years. Two things immediately come to mind;

The first was when someone made a HUGE deal about the fact that it
didn't matter a hoot whether or not I used my own name or not since
neither I or anyone else could prove I was in fact Dudley Henriques.

The second incident involved someone who claimed I couldn't be Dudley
Henriques because he knew Dudley Henriques and I wasn't him.
On this incident, my wife answered him asking him to PLEASE send the
real Dudley Henriques home at once because the one she had been living
with for 42 years hated to do yard work.

--
Dudley Henriques