maybe we could add a sentence saying that we* may ask you to change your username if we deem it confusing?
This alone would probably be enough, IMO. Unless you want to note the specific confusions (with another poster or a celebrity).
It's not like she blew me off. She just left with another guy, that's all.
Riley ,'Conversations with Dead People'
Bureaucracy 2: Like Sartre, Only Longer
A thread to discuss naming threads, board policy, new thread suggestions, and anything else that has to do with board administration and maintenance. Guaranteed to include lively debate and polls. Natter discouraged, but not deleted.
Current Stompy Feet: ita, Jon B, DXMachina, P.M. Marcontell, Liese S., amych
Fred Pete - Apr 07, 2004 6:19:42 am PDT #9366 of 10005
Ann, that's a ferret.
shrift - Apr 07, 2004 6:37:37 am PDT #9367 of 10005
"You can't put a price on the joy of not giving a shit." -Zenkitty
But it is your real name.
One of these days, I should change it legally.
That'd really make my family look at me sideways...
DavidS - Apr 07, 2004 6:48:03 am PDT #9368 of 10005
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
We tend to have a more conversational tone and write things like, "What Scrappy said." I was finding it kind of awkward to phrase a post in response to "Mxplx*, The Grand High Minister of What Scrappy Said" without cutting and pasting.
I think this issue will be self-correcting in-thread. Basically, if somebody hangs around long enough to be part of the conversation they'll clue into the culture, or acquire a shorter nickname, or change when they see how people address each other.
"Can I call you Mx?"
"Mix mentioned upthread..." etc.
Lyra Jane - Apr 07, 2004 6:48:53 am PDT #9369 of 10005
Up with the sun
I have no problem with the database.
I also have no problem with not having one, as I agree it's likelytobe of limited usefulness.
IOW: Party on, dudes, nothing to add here.
Consuela - Apr 07, 2004 6:58:56 am PDT #9370 of 10005
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
I see the issues, and I have to admit that a look at Gus' list was enough to take me aback. It's one thing to know that active posters are only about 20% of the board population, but it's another thing entirely to see the proof.
I hereby rescind my request, but I do want a list of board members available to registered board members, so I can find Cindy or ita or DX when I need to email them, instead of searching through random threads.
Dana - Apr 07, 2004 7:00:42 am PDT #9371 of 10005
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
It's one thing to know that active posters are only about 20% of the board population, but it's another thing entirely to see the proof.
That actually brings up a point I hadn't thought of, and if someone made it already, I missed it.
If I were a lurker, and I liked being a lurker, and I only registered so the board could keep track of what I read, this list would freak me the hell out.
amych - Apr 07, 2004 7:05:27 am PDT #9372 of 10005
Now let us crush something soft and watch it fountain blood. That is a girlish thing to want to do, yes?
I do want a list of board members available to registered board members, so I can find Cindy or ita or DX when I need to email them, instead of searching through random threads.
Agreed. Or even better (both easier to use if, say, I need to reach suela, and less likely to trigger here's-the-whole-list-of-us feelings) a profile search, which I think (?) shouldn't have the load issues of a full search.
victor infante - Apr 07, 2004 7:06:00 am PDT #9373 of 10005
To understand what happened at the diner, we shall use Mr. Papaya! This is upsetting because he's the friendliest of fruits.
If I were a lurker, and I liked being a lurker, and I only registered so the board could keep track of what I read, this list would freak me the hell out.
Well, maybe. But then again, how the heck does it tell anyone anything besides that a name is taken. Very few people use their full names here, and those of us who do do so because we don't mind people knowing who we are.
Astarte - Apr 07, 2004 7:07:02 am PDT #9374 of 10005
Not having has never been the thing I've regretted most in my life. Not trying is.
I mentioned it over on BBaBB, but I don't know if the discussion came over here.
I think it's a significant change for lurkers, and I'm not sure that the benefit will be strong enough to counter that.
Dana - Apr 07, 2004 7:11:47 am PDT #9375 of 10005
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
But then again, how the heck does it tell anyone anything besides that a name is taken.
I think it's more a question of feelings than anything concrete. I just think that people who like being invisible might suddenly feel like they're being dragged into the light, which is kind of alarming.
I mentioned it over on BBaBB, but I don't know if the discussion came over here.
Thanks. I'll go reread.