I dont really think that this will change that much, most of the really annoying people who consistantly post are not anonymous anyways.

Those who point out that it was always possible to hide anonymous posts don't seem to take the additional noise into account. The problem is not only the anonymous post itself, but also the followups. Others have already pointed out that this leads to broken threads and posts without a context.

Disabling anonymous posts is a good thing, because it leads to the following (among other things):

- The need to register can prevent knee-jerk troll posts
- With accounts in place, it is possible to ban or block people who can't seem to behave

Those concerned about their privacy should perhaps look into what their browser is actually sending to the server. I bet Blue's server logs shows plenty more than a lot of people realize... Also, it is extremely easy to be anonymous. Just sign up for a free e-mail address somewhere and use an obscure nick. No one will know who you are, if this is what you want.

So the privacy argument against disabling anonymous posts has little or no merit in my opinion.

So, to conclude, anonymous trolls were not just a problem in themselves, but also the noise the created when people responded. Getting rid of this is a good thing, and if trolling starts getting out of hand again, banning people is perfectly all right, if they have done enough "damage".

Edit: Typo.
This comment was edited on Aug 26, 10:17.

"A bit of a brouhaha arose yesterday after the decision was made to remove the ability to add anonymous posts to our forums."

Hey I don't mind...

He he... I've yet to let loose the dogs of war.

-----

"My mountain teacher speaks, pleased at this brief insight, telling me that every person of every race and every partaker of every outlook has a way that is judged by that person as right."

"Suddenly I see the obvious, which for so long has eluded me. Lasting fulfillment can only come from setting goals that do not lose their luster with time. I must perceive and select changeless values to serve as the basis for my personal goals."

Shhhh, don't encourage him!

Liking the little rascal, but not missing him much ;P,
Ray

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am thankful for all the cranky folks on Usenet, who keep us humble every single day by reminding us that we suck. -Jeff Green

Ha ha...

Doing other things, really. Over at Blue's News there wasn't much discussion to comment on when ever I showed up every now and then.

But, you know, I might start reading Blue's News again. I mean, now that trolls have to register, there won't be many senseless arguments.

-----

"My mountain teacher speaks, pleased at this brief insight, telling me that every person of every race and every partaker of every outlook has a way that is judged by that person as right."

"Suddenly I see the obvious, which for so long has eluded me. Lasting fulfillment can only come from setting goals that do not lose their luster with time. I must perceive and select changeless values to serve as the basis for my personal goals."

Ok, where the hell have you been?


-TPFKAS2S

"These are the people who torture pets, and grow up to become child molesters and cannibals."

It doesn't matter how much you don't like them, that is still nonsense.

-----

"My mountain teacher speaks, pleased at this brief insight, telling me that every person of every race and every partaker of every outlook has a way that is judged by that person as right."

"Suddenly I see the obvious, which for so long has eluded me. Lasting fulfillment can only come from setting goals that do not lose their luster with time. I must perceive and select changeless values to serve as the basis for my personal goals."

For a while now as the S/N ratio has tipped way over into the noise category I have been wondering why Blue's (and other similar sites) have not moved to some form of the widely available, free, slashcode.

Community self moderation and a large variety of forum browsing methods would not only virtually eliminate the troll problem for most readers, but ensure that the trolls can still have their fun (albeit only amongst the other trolls). And then the occasional intelligent AC response can still be moderated up out of the gutter of trolldom to be seen by others.

I don't really think that most the shacknews news items are filled trolling as much as they are a thread to "hang out" and talk about whatever, more like the off topic section of a forum if you know what I mean.

But that doesn't mean that they can't take over just because anonymous posts are banned

That's true, but at least now a person can learn the idiot's names and choose not to read their drivel. If you look at yesterday's OOTB you will see that there are already a couple of trolling geniuses who taught themselves how to register. Oh well, I know who they are now and wont be wasting my time with them.

Btw, don't confuse Tony!! with Tony!!! - see the difference? Tony!!! (three exclamation marks) is a fellow UT fanatic while Tony!! is a shut-in troll still waiting for his nuts to drop (no offense).


*** As usual, I could be wrong. But really, what are the odds of that happening twice? ***
This comment was edited on Aug 21, 22:15.

Like most other intelligent posts so far, I agree that the trolls were out of hand. But that doesn't mean that they can't take over just because anonymous posts are banned - just look at all the registered trolls at Shacknews - that is way out of control ! 4400+ Comments at the moment on today's First Post - I don't know how Steve, Maarten and Loony can deal with that much trolling...

Halelujah. Nice to see that something's finally been done about this... I agree with several other posters in that it's almost painful to read these (or any) boards as most "conversations" tend to degenerate into name-calling and whining.

A wonderful bit of news.

m19

Thanks Blue! I've had your site as my homepage since the early nineties (STOMPED sucked IMHO), and the only thing I have ever avoided were the forums. I wanted to participate, but the worthless ramble meant that conversation was impossible. Now I may interact with my favorite website on the Internet.

Wow, miss a day and something always happens. Thanks, Blue- the forums are a more civil place now.

The only way to deal with them is to herd them into camps...

The only way to deal with them is to treat them like juvenile animals (think puppies or kittens) and ignore troll behaviour and reward good behaviour (like reasoned argument) appropriately.

Don't feed the Trolls is good advice as is
Ignore it all 2 year olds do that



Anvil

Seems like a strange decision considering I added the option to show or not show anon posts depending on your preference. Now the decision is simply made for you.

- Bagpuss
http://www.chatbear.com/
Get your own free messageboard today (just like this one!)

well maybe not just like this one....




Anvil

Good show, Blue & Crew.

I've figured for a while now that most of the posts worth reading had a name attached, so you've made my reading that much easier.

I may not always make the brightest, most insightful comments (I'm usually on my way to the end of a 12-pack when I get to BN!! : ) but I, like so many folks who make good comments, have no problem attaching my virtual name to what I say

Thanks,

Gunz

The malicious trolls will just use phony email addresses.

They are the TKers of forums - psychologically damaged kiddies who simply can't enjoy themselves unless they are ensuring others AREN'T enjoying themselves. These are the people who torture pets, and grow up to become child molesters and cannibals. They are the people who go to Stile Project to see the autopsy photos.

The only way to deal with them is to herd them into camps...

-tAE-

I feel special now.