I was just thinking about that, incidentally. How much less regularly-named we are at b.org than we used to be in our previous incarnations. Since TT encouraged it, we tended toward the name-sounding names, even for pseudonyms.

I didn’t know this when I was registering, btw. Trudy told me about it at the LA F2F, and that was, like, a year after I registered. Looking at Cindy’s list of psueds, I’m guessing more than just me didn’t know the real name "tradition.” It’s a dandy thing, and I would have gone that way had I known. If it’s a desired thing, perhaps put a sentence in the FAQ and the reg page? Something like:

“Buffistas first coalesced at Salon’s Table Talk.Table Talk encouraged people to use their real names in creating a sense of community, and we’ve carried that tradition over to our board. Not everyone uses their real name, but you are encouraged to do so.”

I thought Lurkers = Pete, although it wasn’t making 100% sense (also keeping in mind that all I’ve had time to read since Sat. AM is F2F, Press, Beep Me, COMM, and this.), thought Victor = ferrets, had no idea about robots, and thank you for explaining why you changed your name, Frankenbudda.

The way we've done impulsive gestures in the past has generally been someone coming up with an idea, then quietly circulating and organizing it backchannel. I kind of prefer that, because we're not handing out anything in an Official Board Capacity; it's just people surprising their friends with cool stuff.

The problem with this is that not everyone finds out about it backchannel. I think I've heard of only one of the impulsive gesture type things beforehand. When I do hear about them after the fact, I wish I would have had a chance to contribute.

What Sue said.

I'm fine with (well, not totally fine, but mostly OK) people putting something in Press or wherever saying, "we're buying this person this thing for this reason, if you want to contribute, here's the paypal address." I'm less fine with having a fund the way people were discussing it. Too official.

You can't surprise someone if you put something in Press. The only way to surprise someone is to use email or AIM or whatever.

It seems to me that generally how it works is, someone gets an idea to do something nice, and then they just email the people in their address book about it. Hard to do a surprise any other way, but it does mean that it's only the idea-haver's immediate circle that gets the email.

Java, if there is indeed a Buffista--or even a Salon--tradition of using one's real name, I clearly missed the memo, as did many others. I don't think there needs to be a FAQ about it.

signed,
We Named the Cat Burrell

Maybe we can make an all points bulletin to collect email addies for a Buffista info list? And when one registers from here on in, they can opt-in to be on the list, whether or not they make their email public?

That way, someone can email a stompy and say, "I'd like to send Jesse a gift basket for being the keeper of the board funds" and a stompy can send the email out?

Or is that too complex and weird? I know it'll be a pain in the ass to collect emails, and would take some time to put it all together.

Deena has most of the information on people.

I do have a large number of e-mail addresses, though certainly not everyone, and a lot of people's likes, dislikes and allergies as well.

t PSA

Anyone who has not yet been included in the buffista database who would like to be, please e-mail me at my profile address and I will be glad to send you the information.

t /PSA

Allyson, the APB sounds like a good solution.

Deena, would that be a hassel for you to do?

That sounds like a great idea to me, Allyson.