People in DC rely upon discretion/privacy so they can control their image. No way would this board function as it does if everyone were uniquely identifiable.

Anonymous wrote:Yes but if you have an ID there is always (usually) a name change option. You could change your name for posting in an embarrassing place and then return to your usual name where you could carry on talking about your Harvard Phd which sits framed on the wall behind your seat...etc

Or you could just be "anonymous" like it is right now. Easy peasy.

Yes but if you have an ID there is always (usually) a name change option. You could change your name for posting in an embarrassing place and then return to your usual name where you could carry on talking about your Harvard Phd which sits framed on the wall behind your seat...etc

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would also make it even easier to identify people in real life. For example, based on postings in different forums one might glean that user RU12 has a poodle, a sick toddler, a kid at x school and a cheating husband. It would be really easy for her friends and neighbors to put two and two together.

But see, that's the thing. People "don't" want to be identified. They already do that on Facebook and other social media.

That was PP's point. If all of my messages are linked to my ID, and you can tell that I asked about borrowing leave at the Justice Department, admissions at CCBC, recommendations for a vet for newly rescued Cavapoo, and looking for a Volvo mechanic near Bethesda, you could easily tell that I also asked about hemorrhoids. Nobody wants that.

It's a fallacy that removing the anonymous feature of the board would make it more civil.

Facebook flame wars being a case in point.

I rather like it

don't have to think up silly user name and yet another password

can just jump in when ever I want and read and post,

Anonymous wrote:It would also make it even easier to identify people in real life. For example, based on postings in different forums one might glean that user RU12 has a poodle, a sick toddler, a kid at x school and a cheating husband. It would be really easy for her friends and neighbors to put two and two together.

But see, that's the thing. People "don't" want to be identified. They already do that on Facebook and other social media.

I think the anonymous option (and the fact that most people use it) may keep DCUM more civil in some ways. It prevents people from holding grudges, taking sides, bullying individual members, etc., because no one knows if that person you're currently chatting pleasantly with about where to buy a new bed frame is the same person you flamed (or who flamed you) about whether it's okay to use disposable dishes on Thanksgiving.

It would also make it even easier to identify people in real life. For example, based on postings in different forums one might glean that user RU12 has a poodle, a sick toddler, a kid at x school and a cheating husband. It would be really easy for her friends and neighbors to put two and two together.

It's so easy to participate. Don't you have 4million logins and passwords to things and don't bother to dig them out sometimes? I know I do.

I would never bother to log in to help you with an appetizer question or chime in about your MIL and I think this board would slow down a lot.

Anonymous wrote:I always thought a section of the board only for people with accounts would be interesting. (I've been in many boards where everyone had accounts.).

There was one for a time along while ago, and it wasn't interesting at all. No one posted there.

It comes up regularly (I am actually a little surprised that a quick look at the FAQ didn't turn up a response) but the search function isn't great.

Short answer is that there are pluses and minuses to having an anonymous board and jeff and most of the people here have concluded that the pluses outweigh the minuses.

I always thought a section of the board only for people with accounts would be interesting. (I've been in many boards where everyone had accounts.).

I'm sure this has been asked but wondering why the option to post anonymously? I would think we would all be a little nicer and considerate and it would eliminate trolls and double posters no?

Just wondering why its like that.