Author Topic: Getting more friendly on the FOG (Read 31855 times)

Peter Parfitt · « **on:** October 25, 2016, 01:37 PM »

Hi Everyone

One of the things that attracts some people to the internet is the way that they can go about their business with almost total anonymity and this can be really useful for shy people, bad guys or people who want to pop up and have a rage from time to time.

I fully respect those people who want to use a non de plume for their forum ID. I appreciate that using a last name might, in some cases, be rather awkward but I think that it would make the FOG a friendlier and more welcoming place if we either signed off with our first names after each post or at the very least put our first names in our signature area. That way, when replying to or referring to someone, we can use a first name and I would hope that this would remind us to be respectful - it would not restrict critical comment nor would it turn the FOG into something different from what it is now.

If you agree with me then please reply using your first name and add it to your signature block. If you disagree then you do not need to worry - just carry on the way that you are - you will not lose any respect or credibility whichever way you want this to go.

Peter

Roseland · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2016, 01:55 PM »

I agree. I also think it's helpful when folks say where they live to a reasonable degree of accuracy; there may be times when a member wants to PM another who lives nearby for a get together. My username, Roseland, is where I live in Cornwall.

Andrew

bobfog · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2016, 02:11 PM »

Personally Peter, I think the forum is already a bit too vanilla and doesn't need any further pleasantries.

We're not allowed to discuss politics, religion, gun ownership, etc in the name of it not being appropriate for a powertool forum. However, there are plenty of other equally or more specialist forums on the internet that manage to allow lively off-topic discussion of current affairs in a constructive manner without knee-jerk reactions to blanket silence the issues.

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2016, 02:38 PM »

Quote from: bobfog on October 25, 2016, 02:11 PM

Personally Peter, I think the forum is already a bit too vanilla and doesn't need any further pleasantries.

We're not allowed to discuss politics, religion, gun ownership, etc in the name of it not being appropriate for a powertool forum. However, there are plenty of other equally or more specialist forums on the internet that manage to allow lively off-topic discussion of current affairs in a constructive manner without knee-jerk reactions to blanket silence the issues.

I'm voting to continue the prohibition of discussion of gun ownership on religious grounds.

My name is Michael and I approved this message.

Jesse Cloud · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2016, 03:40 PM »

I saw a spot-on post on Facebook "There's nothing better than an election to trim down your friends list."

In that spirit, I'm glad we don't do politics, religion, etc. I've seen it kill several other forums that I enjoyed.

Nonetheless, Jesse is my real first name - my grandpa's too.

Peter Parfitt · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2016, 03:48 PM »

Please do not allow the mention of politics, ice cream flavours or guns distract anyone from what this thread is about.

I have been shot at, met several politicians and love Purbeck Honeycomb Hash but all I was asking was for people to be a bit more open and friendly.

As I said, if it is not for you then fine.

Peter

bkharman · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2016, 03:53 PM »

Great post Peter... I expect a video of it someday soon!! ;^).

I think most know, but my first name is Bryan as I sign off all of my posts this way.

As usual, I don't agree with Bobfog and his ways but to each their own.

If you weren't raised to be a pleasant person, in REAL life, then I suspect it won't be the same on this or any other forum.

I have made a fair number of friends (and enemies) on this forum and of course Peter you are on that list!

Thanks for trying to bring a spot of civility to the FOG...

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bdiemer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2016, 03:55 PM »

Hi Peter
Barry

GarryMartin · « **Reply #8 on:** October 25, 2016, 03:58 PM »

Hi Peter.

I'm Garry Martin in real life too...

Garry

DrD · « **Reply #9 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:02 PM »

Wow Peter, I too have been shot at (more than once), love good old-fashion Butter Brickle ice cream, am a Southerner directly related to Robert E Lee, an evangelical, a conservative, a model railroader, and would like nothing better than for this board to be a friendly place of discussion and exchanges ALL related to woodworking for no other reason that it is the ownership and use of Festool woodworking tools which brings us here in the first place. So I totally support your premise.

Don Goodman, proud resident of the State of Mississippi

Brian Livingstone · « **Reply #10 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:03 PM »

Hi Peter,

What a nice post ! I agree, I think we should all use our real names. Also, I find some of these "avatars ?" quite dysfunctional, and a tiny bit disturbing.

Thank you for bringing up the "call to civility".

Brian

Wooden Skye · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:06 PM »

I have my name in my signature, I do so because I think no matter what a persons avatar may be, knowing that persons name makes it more of a community.

Tinker · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:08 PM »

I sign with my last name only. There have been three stages to my name thru out my lifetime. The three stages are intermingled so that i sometimes have to stop and think about how long the peson has known me.

When i was a kid all the way til I first, second or third time I was 39, my family, close friends and sometimes not so close, have all known me as "Tink" Those who first knew me from school and until forever, have all called me "Tinker"

And then I met a very proper young lady who insisted on calling me "Vayne" All who have known me since that fatefull day have, after teaching my lady the proper pronunciation, have called me "Wayne"

I am really not so particular how my name is pronounced just so long as I am not called late for dinner.

When I was still in high school, my mother was working for a contractor who happened to have been friends from a time before I was in kindergarten. I had been offered the use of his truck to get something for Mom. When I went to the office to get the truck, my mom had told me her boss was a very proper type person and that i should, even tho i knew it was ok to take the truck, go into his office to ask for permission and to tell him the purpose for which i needed the truck.

I walked into the main entrance and greeted Mom. Mom dialed Mr. Boss and informed him that "Mr. Tinker is here and he would like to speak with you."

Mr boss spoke over the intercom and suggested to "Ask Mr. Tinker to have a seat for a few minutes while I finish talking with Mr. Soandso." After a few minutes I hear, "Could you please ask Mr. Tinker to come in."

My mom then said, "Mr. Tinker, Mr. boss is ready to speak with you. You may go in now."

As i walked into the man's office, he looked up with a big smile, stood up to shake hands and said, "Welll Tinkie, how are you and what can I do for you?" I nearly split my drawers trying not to laugh.

Tinker (you can look below to find my whole name. Just don't call me "Tinkie." or "Late for Dinner")

Dovetail65 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:27 PM »

I prefer Dovetail or dovetail65. I actually feel a nickname is more personal on a forum than a first name, it definitely more unique.. Otherwise we have 25 Jim's, Jim S, Jim J , Jim T, etc etc.. This was the reason I started using dovetail65 in the first place.

Now across 4 forums I am dovetail65. If I used my first name it would be much more difficult for people to track across one let alone 4 forums. Yes I could sign my first name and use my handle as the forum name, but people are far more likely to remember a post when a handle is signed rather than a common name.

You get my first name in PM's and emails, the guys that have been here since Matthew days know my name, as it is in some posts. I prefer people not use my name in the posts at all and use dovetail. It's as friendly as a first name in my opinion, even more so.

RKA · « **Reply #14 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:46 PM »

I agree Peter. I use the screen name used in many other forums over the past 15+ years. I've bumped into people I've known from other places, and so, I prefer to keep it when possible. Not long after I first posted here and received a warm welcome from Seth, I quickly got the impression that this site was a little different and most were on a first name basis. I've added it to my sig since then. So for whatever it's worth, your observations mirror mine.

tony_sheehan · « **Reply #15 on:** October 25, 2016, 04:55 PM »

"I have made a fair number of friends (and enemies) on this forum and of course Peter you are on that list!"

The former rather than latter list, I trust?!!! 😊

Good on ya, Peter!

Alex · « **Reply #16 on:** October 25, 2016, 05:04 PM »

I think it makes no difference if you use your real name on a forum or a nickname. With a few exceptions, 99% of the participants will never meet in real life and to others, your personality will be nothing more than pixels on the screen.

The words you use towards other people on the forum will be what define your personality to them, and the tag you use will only serve to link one post to another. It will make no difference if that tag is Jimmy Johnson from the UK or blartiflap79 from planet Earth.

My first name is Alex and I never have a problem to tell people on the internet my first name. Though this is the only forum where I use it, on others I use a nickname. But I have serious objections against using my full identity, because it can be abused for so many things, identity theft, phishing, bullying, stalking, the list goes on and on. And don't forget, something you put on the net never gets erased. You could say something silly one day, and be slapped around the ears with it 30 years later.

Scott Burt · « **Reply #17 on:** October 25, 2016, 05:23 PM »

There aren't many forums really left on the internet. While they are nice for archiving purposes, they are snail mail compared to other social forms of communication. Forums are kind of 5 minutes ago. I hope this one lasts because it is one of the few remaining good ones, albeit loaded with more debate and divisiveness at times than I am looking for.

My name is Scott.

Zacharytanner · « **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2016, 05:54 PM »

I use to be on here daily and post quite frequently but a while back the tone changed on this forum. FOG was once my Favorite place to be but a few rude members changed that and now I only drop by once in a while and rarely post.
Peter P. You are one of my favorites and I love your insight and videos!

Best
Frank

Xoncention · « **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2016, 06:18 PM »

Quote from: Alex on October 25, 2016, 05:04 PM

The words you use towards other people on the forum will be what define your personality to them, and the tag you use will only serve to link one post to another. It will make no difference if that tag is Jimmy Johnson from the UK or blartiflap79 from planet Earth.

It is impossible to call back a comment once it is made, albeit a well thought out one, or a rude disparaging one. Whatever is said in public is just that. If you use your real name, or some other reference, in the mind of those offended by a comment, those who use their real names are in essence more vulnerable sociologically than those behind a handle - that is not easily traced and used towards identity theft.

Dovetail65 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2016, 06:39 PM »

Quote from: Scott Burt on October 25, 2016, 05:23 PM

There aren't many forums really left on the internet. While they are nice for archiving purposes, they are snail mail compared to other social forms of communication. Forums are kind of 5 minutes ago. I hope this one lasts because it is one of the few remaining good ones, albeit loaded with more debate and divisiveness at times than I am looking for.

My name is Scott.

?

There are more forums on the net than anytime in history and the number has never decreased, only increased. There are over 110,000 in the US right now.

Paul G · « **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2016, 07:24 PM »

My name is Paul as my screen name suggests. I avoid the use of full name mainly for security/privacy purposes, never know who trolls the net looking for theft targets and a bunch of tools would be a nice days work for some local crack head.

Scott Burt · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2016, 07:28 PM »

Quote from: Dovetail65 on October 25, 2016, 06:39 PM

Quote from: Scott Burt on October 25, 2016, 05:23 PM
There aren't many forums really left on the internet. While they are nice for archiving purposes, they are snail mail compared to other social forms of communication. Forums are kind of 5 minutes ago. I hope this one lasts because it is one of the few remaining good ones, albeit loaded with more debate and divisiveness at times than I am looking for.

My name is Scott.

?

There are more forums on the net than anytime in history and the number has never decreased, only increased. There are over 110,000 in the US right now.

I guess I should have been more specific. Forums in the tools and applications realm seem to be on the decline. If anyone knows of a good one that has grown in the past 5 years and remained a positive environment, please post up as I would like to see what that looks like.

When in doubt, I check what Google has to say. Here's a graph that shows their observations on usage:

https://www.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=forums

live4ever · « **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2016, 07:32 PM »

Quote from: Paul G on October 25, 2016, 07:24 PM

My name is Paul as my screen name suggests. I avoid the use of full name mainly for security/privacy purposes, never know who trolls the net looking for theft targets and a bunch of tools would be a nice days work for some local crack head.

This. Now also imagine that even your first name is fairly unique for your area, and IMHO there's a pretty good reason to stay anonymous, as much as you may want to connect with your forum-mates on a more friendly level.

Mort · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2016, 09:07 PM »

Quote from: Peter Parfitt on October 25, 2016, 03:48 PM

Please do not allow the mention of politics, ice cream flavours or guns distract anyone from what this thread is about.

Peter

I have many friends with opposite opinions about guns and politics, but any man who likes Rocky Road is no friend of mine.

Scott

grbmds · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2016, 09:10 PM »

I agree that it would be nice if the FOG could remain a friendly place to ask questions and get good answers as well as help out those who seek advice.

Randy

Steve-Rice · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2016, 10:05 PM »

I don't worry about using my real name because if you google it, you'll find 100 Steve Rice's and none of them are me.

I enjoy many of the nicknames and avatars people use on the forum as many have a lot of personality and it just makes the forum more fun for me.

I have to agree that what is said and the way it is worded speaks volumes about an individual. It is unfortunate that from time to time someone takes something said way too seriously, but for the most part, I genuinely enjoy the FOG and I think we have a very interesting group of members. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I'm just fine with that.

Steve

Kevin C. · « **Reply #27 on:** October 25, 2016, 11:00 PM »

Kevin, from down in Clearwater, Florida. West coast, right in the middle of the state. Whatever you call yourself on the internet, so be it. We don't all agree on God, guns, politics or whatever, but we all have common ground in a love for woodworking.

Cochese · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2016, 01:14 AM »

I had a bad experience a few years ago where someone took my name and looked up where I lived and made threats against my family, all because of college football. So I can identify with those who would rather go with an alias, particularly when there are thousands of tools involved.

That said, the name on my birth certificate is Christopher, but no one calls me that. It's Chris, or to my friends I am Cochese. Have been for twenty plus years, ever since the Beastie Boys video for Sabotage was dropped. It's as much my identity as my given name is. If you see me on YouTube, I am The 144 Workshop, just because it provides a little more cushion of anonymity. But I do not have a signature nor do I have them enabled.

SRSemenza · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2016, 05:26 PM »

I think using ones real name whether it be first, last, etc. certainly is going to have a varying comfort level for everyone.

However the general concept and sentiment of this topic gets a BIG

Seth