Anonymous Advice

[Joe]

I was watching the news the other day when those guys in the freshwater bass boat went into the drink off Westerly because they forgot the plug and thought to myself, "I bet one of those guys doles out fishing advice someplace on the net under a fake name."

One of the founding tenets of internet culture is that it should be a diverse and democratic system - a medium where you do not need credentials to participate. In principle that's a good thing. But for a while, I've had serious reservations about the rise of message boards as a primary source, and the quality of, and the motivation behind, the answers to the various questions that are put forth.

Why do we need anonymity? What if there was a message board where you had to use your real name to participate?

[jim sylvester]

well stated joe,

thats why I use my real name

Also, when you meet guys from the site, and you introduce yourself, they dion't have to say what your site name is.

Makes one more thing less complicated

[likwid]

freshwater bass boat -> ocean
butter knife -> gun fight

[NIB]

Makes No difference to Me.
I do think alot of the BS an Flaming would be easily cut in half.
lots of the folks here like urself are well know public people.
many here know me also I have put my name up here before.
Here I'll do it again.Tony G. I would have used it as my original handle but it was taken.Whats in a Name.I know more about some folks here An I could not tell ya there name.There are people who's names I know i would like to forget..

[spence]

Originally Posted by NIB

Here I'll do it again.Tony G.

Tony, could you provide your last name and address so I know where to go to find the plug you promised for the charity display



I use my name as well. While I'll say some wacky things at times I'm not afraid of defending my statements...or admitting error.

-spence

[RIJIMMY]

I dont post my name because I spend too much time out here while I am at work!

[Sea Dangles]

Sometimes even the best laid plans can go wrong.I think regardless of whether we use our name or not on the site there would still be flames.Lots of people aren't hiding behind a pseudonym but rather the monitor.I've had people ask me why I'm so opinionated on the site but not in person.Well,when I see someone at a show or fishing the conversation doesn't go much beyond"what's up" or some other small talk.On the other hand issues are brought up on the board that invoke passion and debate.Kinda makes the world go around.

[JFigliuolo]

I have been using internet groups since way back when usenet was cool... well not exactly cool, but you get the idea. Always used my real name. Good tennets to follow are not to say anything online you wouldn't say to someons face. I don't necessarily mind the anonymity, except when people hide behind there screen name.

[Joe]

I think the login could be made secure. It would be a way to distinguish the site from the others, and it would lend a credibility that is lacking.

[Joe]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

Sometimes even the best laid plans can go wrong.

No they don't.
The best laid plans always achieve their objectives.

[Steve K]

It is like everything else, know your source or get a second opinion. How many times do people give advice on a message board when they have no real experience with what they are taking about? They might have read on a another message board that this or that is the right rod for the canal, for example, tell someone on this board and never have fished the place. I have seen it many times but I don't think that using someone's real name will change anything. You have to spend a decent amount of time on a message board to find out who is credible and who is not.

[ThrowingTimber]

I do a lot of bs'in and joking around on the boards etc.. its my nature I love to laugh.

But if its a fishing related question and I have some insight on the issue I give an honest opinion that I have tried or have in practice myself.

[wheresmy50]

On the first fishing message board I signed up for, Ty was taken. I don't have any other names, so I needed to think of something. I'm only a member of 2 boards, and just kept the handle.

I agree with Jim Sylvester though, I don't like nicknames, and hate having to explain who I am and my handle. Some guys their handle is their nickname, and it's annoying having to explain that for me it isn't.

I'll happily change my handle here to Ty just to make you happy Joe. As long as you give me a discount on my next order.

[ScottC]

This is a great point, we have serious problems on the Car forum I sponsor. There are too many people who have never turned a wrench, but just regurgitate information that they read somehwere, and quite a few times end up giveing bad advice that ends up blowing up peoples cars!. I will have to say that this place, as far as boating knowlege is great compared to what I am used to seeing elsewhere.

[Sea Dangles]

Originally Posted by Joe

No they don't.
The best laid plans always achieve their objectives.

More cool-aid perhaps but this is the real world not some multi-level marketing pep talk.That's why many great men,teams ,and countries have fallen.In the real world we try our hardest and that's not enough sometimes.

[likwid]

The bass boat in the ocean part is still making me laugh.

[bart]

bart= bartolini......anything i say online i'd say to someone's face

[piemma]

PIEMMA Paul Iemma

[ScottC]

Originally Posted by likwid

The bass boat in the ocean part is still making me laugh.

I am willing to bet every guy on this board has the same look on our faces when we saw that boat on the news hahaha

[spence]

And in the interest of full disclosure, I've lived most of my life in Iowa so please take any saltwater advice I give with a grain of salt

-spence

[Rockport24]

When I first joined all the fishing boards, I had no idea that I would enjoy them so much and actually WANT people to know my name.
I was very skeptical of internet communities and did not think I would really even post anything, now I am hooked and I would rather change my screen name to my real name. Which is Matt T. by the way.

[likwid]

Originally Posted by ScottC

I am willing to bet every guy on this board has the same look on our faces when we saw that boat on the news hahaha

My father always has the best reaction to those people.
A long drawn out sigh and walks away.

And Joe, you have my CC# want more do you want?!

[Raven]

but then again

some names people just naturally mis -speak, replace with a variation

find hard to remember .....or just plain get it wrong all your life!

and hells bells you didnt choose the damn thing....your parents did!

so i am known as Raven - the one from Ocean Beach or the ob1

and so i have become ravenob1 to indentify me from all other "ravens"

[Mugz]

I got the nickname Mugs way back when.........some people I know don't even know what my first name is and I've known them for years!!!!!
It's Scott by the way....

[tynan19]

Tynan is my sons name. Mine is Casey for those who don't know.

[LeCounts1099]

That silly bass-boat party story has nothing to do with this Board/ community! Beyond being smarter than that!... I for one would much rather fish from shore, than go out on a small/ uncomfortable/ inappropriate Ocean boat regardless! (& I bet most here agree!)

Your other point though Joe is a great one, but is a Thread/ topic of it's own! (i.e., credibility on the 'Net). Steve K. here -- but there was another here already when I recently found this place! (But my handle does bring back fond memories!-- if you were there too you know! )

Really am from Manhattan-- but those who know me, know I fish more than work!

[JohnR]

The moral of this story - don't always believe what you read on the Internet. Use the Internet (and this board) to look things up, inspire your thought process, and to meet other people.

The "annonymity" of the Internet is much like anything else when large members of public congregate. If you are taking the train to work and here annonymous in the next ailse taking about the next big stock or something, do you believe them? Do you research it? Or do you blindly go out and drop 10K on that hot stock tip?

The best exchange of ideas and knowledge is still between persons, face to face. The internet and in my opinion how this site works, allows people to meet and develop relationships about FISHING...

And like most things in life, you get out of it what you put in...

[piemma]

Originally Posted by bart

bart= bartolini......anything i say online i'd say to someone's face

...and in the past you cannot believe how much trouble that has gotten me into...just ask JohnR

[Back Beach]

What John said. Don't believe what you read online unless you know the author, don't take anything too seriously As far as screen names, Back Beach in my real first and last name. My parents are Rocky and Sandy.

[ThrowingTimber]

Vic M was taken by a nerd who kept askin questions about which rod and reel for what...

Didnt want to get mistaken for him.

Everyone usually just calls me Vic tho.