Barriers To Genealogy In The Future

[smudwhisk]

But each to their own.

Yes each to their own.  That's your choice, as will be Guy's in using his full name.  If people wish to use their real name I don't have any issue, I just choose not to.  However, those of us who don't shouldn't be criticised for not doing so but Guy seems to have a bee in his bonnet about this as its not the first time he's raised the subject on Rootschat.

[DavidG02]

When I first posted here I used my full name. I changed it more because of a preference to be known by a first name rather than last. A fairly good guess by looking at my surname interests would give my name.

I have had this discussion with another poster. It was pointed out that using the SA BDM facility run by SAGHS that my sons name and my ex wifes name are available if you know where to look. I have myself used this facility to find information on side branches - more to complete a line than any desire to know ''all about them''

I do recognize the ease with which someone can use my info to create an identity for themselves. My only comment would be caveat emptor I am comfortable enough that the risk/reward of playing on this wonderful thing called the internet can be managed

Haha like smudwhisk I am more annoyed by spam than identity theft

One thing I can say is that sites like Facebook wont be barriers to the future as everything is on there and I mean everything. And how grandma is going to explain those booty shots to her great grandchildren one can only guess

[DavidG02]

But each to their own.

Yes each to their own.  That's your choice, as will be Guy's in using his full name.  If people wish to use their real name I don't have any issue, I just choose not to.  However, those of us who don't shouldn't be criticised for not doing so but Guy seems to have a bee in his bonnet about this as its not the first time he's raised the subject on Rootschat.

To be fair to Guy he is consistent. He has a position and he has used it to benefit us as amateur genealogists , so I give him a tick

Also Guys name is his business - in a business sense- if his name is out there people will contact him because of past associations- and good luck to him for that.

Should he be less strident? Possibly , but I tend to let it go at times

[smudwhisk]

I agree Guy is consistent.  I just wish he would be quite so forceful with his opinions on certain things. 

Even if people legally had to use their real names online, I can guarantee that the scammers and fraudsters would find a way to avoid this (no system is absolutely fullproof), and therefore that removes the alleged reasoning behind people always using their real names - namely you could guarantee you knew who you were dealing with.

[KGarrad]

In England & Wales you have the right to call yourself anything you like, as long as there is no intention to deceive or defraud.

So, why should online use of names be any different?

[smudwhisk]

Exacly, which is why I can't quite undertand why Guy has such a bee in his bonnet on the subject.

[ThrelfallYorky]

If one has a job or profession that is somewhat in the Public Eye, as well as an unusual name,I see it as perfectly acceptable to use a pseudonym. Or simply use one if one prefers to do so. Why on earth should perfectly polite, well-mannered users of sites have to use their accurate name?

[Guy Etchells]

But each to their own.

Yes each to their own.  That's your choice, as will be Guy's in using his full name.  If people wish to use their real name I don't have any issue, I just choose not to.  However, those of us who don't shouldn't be criticised for not doing so but Guy seems to have a bee in his bonnet about this as its not the first time he's raised the subject on Rootschat.

To be fair to Guy he is consistent. He has a position and he has used it to benefit us as amateur genealogists , so I give him a tick

Also Guys name is his business - in a business sense- if his name is out there people will contact him because of past associations- and good luck to him for that.

Should he be less strident? Possibly , but I tend to let it go at times

No my name is not my business, my business has its own name and only carries my name on it's website to comply with UK business law.

Cheers
Guy

[Guy Etchells]

I agree Guy is consistent.  I just wish he would be quite so forceful with his opinions on certain things. 

Even if people legally had to use their real names online, I can guarantee that the scammers and fraudsters would find a way to avoid this (no system is absolutely fullproof), and therefore that removes the alleged reasoning behind people always using their real names - namely you could guarantee you knew who you were dealing with.

I don't doubt scammers and fraudsters would find there way round such a requirement.
However that is not the point.

First, as a child I was always taught that it was polite to introduce myself to people on meeting them. If I cannot even trust people to know my name why should they put their trust in me?

Second, If someone offers their name to me and I respond by giving them a false name I insult them, as I am saying they cannot be trusted with my name.

Third, in situations where secrecy and cover ups is the norm. People are not alarmed to discover secrecy or cover ups. That allows those who are less than honest to thrive as people do not find secrecy and deception out of the ordinary.

Fourth, if I use my real name on forums and in correspondence people can hold me to account. If I libel someone they can take action against me.

Fifth, I cannot take one view on one forum and the opposite view on another forum as people would quickly point out the discrepancies.

There are five reasons why I use my real name online the main one being I trust each and every member of this forum with my name, by doing so I make myself accountable for my words. I cannot write something then disclaim it somewhere else, as it has my name on it. To some people that does not matter to me it does.

If I write something embarrassing I have to live with the knowledge that everyone can see what I have written and therefore take me to task over it, today or in the future.

Cheers
Guy