A Plea: People Posting Confidentially

[DEA]

Hi there.

I have looked in on some threads in this forum in which the OP was posting under a different username in order to preserve some sense of confidentiality when discussing issues that they do not want to have associated with their "main" persona here. I have also seen, in some threads, that subsequent posters sometimes guess as to that person's main persona in the thread itself.

I would ask you to please not do this, even if you are sure that you know who the poster usually posts as on these boards.

They have a reason for wanting to remain as anonymous as possible when discussing these issues. It is not a puzzle or challenge for the readers. Your guessing at their "true" identity in the public realm of a thread here, even if you are right, does not make you smart. It means that you are betraying that person's wish for some distance.

There are enough threats to privacy online. Please do not be another one.

As a disclaimer, I have only ever posted on these boards as the username you see beside this post. I have not been "outed" in a thread in the way that I am describing here. I just feel for the people whose privacy has been invaded by other people outing them. It could have very real ramifications in their lives. Please keep that in mind, and be sensitive to it. If you must satisfy your curiosity, a Private Message would keep the person's identity, well, private, just like they intended. Keep in mind, though, that if they do not confirm or deny your suspicions, it is because they still want to maintain the separation between the main persona they use here and the problem that they wish to discuss with people who are, in the main, helpful and thoughtful.

Please do not cause more problems by directing attention to the real person behind the problem. Thank you for your consideration.

 

[lillygator]

they aren't all that private.....the mods know.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree that it is nice to respect a person's privacy as much as possible. However, I think that that it's not likely to happen on the Internet.

 

[SC Minnie]

I don't understand how posters can keep up with others posters so much. There are only a few on here that I remember and that's only because they generally post about the same things over and over.

 

[diznygirl]

I'm running with the theory that some high school/college class is getting their homework done on the DIS.

 

[FireDancer]

I have a different plea. If you have something so private you don't want your already obscure online persona associated with it the Internet is probably not the right place to put it.

Just sayin'

 

[Buckalew11]

I like your post. I agree with it. If someone has a problem and comes to talk about it and ask for help, just help instead of guessing.

I've never posted with a different identity but my family has faced a situation that I could have posted about and, well, it'd give people a whole lot to talk about for days...weeks even, lol. But the situation is too touchy and I know the right answers already. But the thought of having people try to guess it was me when I came for help is disturbing to me.
I guess I've been here long enough to know what would happen. :/

 

[ilovemk76]

If you post the same details yesterday under your "official" name and then today under your "hiding" name how do you expect it to be annoymous?

If your marriage is in trouble go to a counselor or see the Dr. who prescribed the meds. Nobody here can really help you.

A better plea it too keep your private life.... private.... on the internet.

 

[undertheradar]

I have a different plea. If you have something so private you don't want your already obscure online persona associated with it the Internet is probably not the right place to put it.

Just sayin'

 

[Robinrs]

What?? And give the DIS sleuths nothing to do????

I agree, asking for very personal advice on any internet board opens you up to judgement, insult and ridicule. It's a choice we make. But amongst all that stupidity lies some truly good people with great advice and ideas 90% of the time. Unfortunately we usually only pay attention to the naysayers.

You need to put on the FULL ARMOR to deal anonymously... and remember nobody really knows you. They may think they do but they don't. And in the end, they don't matter.

 

[Robinrs]

they aren't all that private.....the mods know.

True, but they DON'T out them.

 

[CurlyGirl]

they aren't all that private.....the mods know.

So what? I don't see the mods outing them.

 

[DWGal210]

I have a different plea. If you have something so private you don't want your already obscure online persona associated with it the Internet is probably not the right place to put it.

Just sayin'

I agree!!!

 

[RitaE]

I have to agree with FireDancer.

My other thought is that a good portion of the alias names here aren't done for confidentiality, they are done because the 3 years of posting behind the first user name looks bad in terms of the current crises.

Such as

Grand Floridian
Grand Floridian
12 day Disney Cruise
AKL Villas

then all sudden

"Any advice? I need to file bankruptcy."

See it over and over here.

 

[ols386]

If you post the same details yesterday under your "official" name and then today under your "hiding" name how do you expect it to be annoymous?

If your marriage is in trouble go to a counselor or see the Dr. who prescribed the meds. Nobody here can really help you.

A better plea it too keep your private life.... private.... on the internet.

How about if you think you know who the anonymous poster really is, you show respect and keep quiet about it. You only show your true colors when you "deliberately" out them.

 

[Allison]

I have a different plea. If you have something so private you don't want your already obscure online persona associated with it the Internet is probably not the right place to put it.

Just sayin'

Agreed.

Plus, I just don't get the point of threads like this.

 

[tlbwriter]

My other thought is that a good portion of the alias names here aren't done for confidentiality, they are done because the 3 years of posting behind the first user name looks bad in terms of the current crises.

Such as

Grand Floridian
Grand Floridian
12 day Disney Cruise
AKL Villas

then all sudden

"Any advice? I need to file bankruptcy."

See it over and over here.

I agree, I think this happens sometimes. And in that case, I don't personally think there's anything wrong with saying "If you're the poster I think you are, I know you've taken an expensive trip lately, and I remember seeing another expensive upcoming trip in your sig, so here's my advice based on that info." But that's not always the case, and I do think it's wrong to explicitly "out" someone when their previous posts don't impact the current situation, just to show that you can do it.

 

[crashbb]

So what? I don't see the mods outing them.

I also don't see any mods telling people not to out them (this thread was not started by a mod, for example).

 

[ols386]

I also don't see any mods telling people not to out them (this thread was not started by a mod, for example).

I would think it's just common decency to NOT call someone out who is trying to remain anonymous. Do we need to be told that?

 

[pacrosby]

I also don't see any mods telling people not to out them (this thread was not started by a mod, for example).

wow...we've got some interesting people on here.

Some of the responses here make it clear why this place can be such a train wreck.