| Pages in topic: < [1 2 3 4 5 6 7] > | Why do people who have been on Proz for over 10 years continue to hide behind silly screen names? Thread poster: Michael Beijer
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Kay Denney 
France
Local time: 00:18
French to English
| stalking victim | Mar 1, 2016 |
This subject has come up before and I'll say the same thing as before: as a former victim of a seriously creepy stalker, I refuse to do anything on Internet that requires me to put my real name out for anyone to find with a quick Google search.
I similarly refuse to use a photo in which I might be identified. I thoroughly enjoy being able to discuss translation matters here without anyone ever making any comments on my appearance, or hitting on me.
For the record, I o... See more This subject has come up before and I'll say the same thing as before: as a former victim of a seriously creepy stalker, I refuse to do anything on Internet that requires me to put my real name out for anyone to find with a quick Google search.
I similarly refuse to use a photo in which I might be identified. I thoroughly enjoy being able to discuss translation matters here without anyone ever making any comments on my appearance, or hitting on me.
For the record, I only come here for a bit of a chat, I don't use Proz to seek out clients. I might one day, in which case I might just buy membership and add a photo with a logo or something. My "name" does already reflect my take on translation, and puns my primary specialist subject, so I think it's plenty pro enough.
So if you find it insulting, I'm very sorry. My physical safety takes priority.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 09:46 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 00:18
English to German
| Verified identity? | Mar 1, 2016 |
I thought the "verified identity" badge already existed (and I never managed to get one, as I always use a short form of my first name that isn't on my credit card or other official paperwork). Or was this abolished at some point while I wasn't paying attention?
| | | | Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:18
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Ricki Farn wrote:
I thought the "verified identity" badge already existed (and I never managed to get one, as I always use a short form of my first name that isn't on my credit card or other official paperwork). Or was this abolished at some point while I wasn't paying attention?
Not sure. Just noticed that esperantisto has the "verified identity" ✓, and he/she isn't using his/her real name. You might want to check with support, as I suspect it would be possible to get the little tick too.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 11:42 GMT]
| | | | | An anonymous forum? | Mar 1, 2016 |
Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
While I agree that there are many good reasons to leave it the way it is, and am also a strong proponent of personal freedom, etc., I do wonder if a new hybrid approach might work. How about introducing a new system, whereby site users could opt in to get some kind of Verified Identity badge? Yes, I know, yet another badge. A facility to verify our identities already exists, of course, but that's just for Proz itself to know we are actually who we say we are. We, as users, have no access to this information.
My proposed Verified Human Badge would allow users to effectively say: I am in fact the person I say I am, and this is my actual, real name: XXX. If sold this way, as sth extra you can do to appear more professional, maybe people would buy into it. This way, those who would prefer to remain anonymous could continue to do so, while a hopefully growing number of people would start to morph into real humans. Everybody happy.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 09:33 GMT]
Or how about requiring real names/ID for certain forums, but then adding an "anonymous" forum, in which all posters write under pseudonyms? The disadvantage to using real names is that we all are putting our professional reputation on the line each time we post. In general, my guess is that many posters make an effort to portray themselves and their business in the best way possible, and purposefully do not bring up certain issues on the forums. There have been at least a couple of instances where I would have loved to have posted a complaint or business issue, but decided not to because of a fear that my post would be seen by the client involved and/or damage my reputation. I don't think I'm alone.
An anonymous forum, if managed properly, could be a great place for us to vent, plan, or ask advice for issues that are too embarrassing/sensitive to post publicly. Obviously the moderators would have to watch closely to make sure confidentiality is not being broken, but my feeling is that most would treat such a forum well and with respect
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| The real badge person already exists | Mar 1, 2016 |
Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
While I agree that there are many good reasons to leave it the way it is, and am also a strong proponent of personal freedom, etc., I do wonder if a new hybrid approach might work. How about introducing a new system, whereby site users could opt in to get some kind of Verified Identity badge? Yes, I know, yet another badge. A facility to verify our identities already exists, of course, but that's just for Proz itself to know we are actually who we say we are. We, as users, have no access to this information.
My proposed Verified Human Badge would allow users to effectively say: I am in fact the person I say I am, and this is my actual, real name: XXX. If sold this way, as sth extra you can do to appear more professional, maybe people would buy into it. This way, those who would prefer to remain anonymous could continue to do so, while a hopefully growing number of people would start to morph into real humans. Everybody happy.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 09:33 GMT]
If you meet other Proz members irl they can "verify" your identity and you'll get a little tick that says "verified member".
Yes, you do have access to that information about other users.
Your name idea is ludicrous. There are lots of practical reasons for not putting your name and location together in the same place on the internet. And then there's just personal preference.
Whose name do you want to know and why do you want to know it?
| | | | | Why not openly register as moonlighter? | Mar 1, 2016 |
Among registering as freelancer, outsourcer, interpreter and translator etc. Proz should also introduce the opportunity to openly register as moonlighter. This would help to see who we help by answering Kudoz questions and who spoils the "best" rates. Badge could be a black mask then.
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Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
How about introducing a new system, whereby site users could opt in to get some kind of Verified Identity badge? Yes, I know, yet another badge. A facility to verify our identities already exists, of course, but that's just for Proz itself to know we are actually who we say we are.
Why on Earth do you need to know I am actually Chris S and not Amanda G?
| | | | Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:18
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Georgie Scott wrote: Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
While I agree that there are many good reasons to leave it the way it is, and am also a strong proponent of personal freedom, etc., I do wonder if a new hybrid approach might work. How about introducing a new system, whereby site users could opt in to get some kind of Verified Identity badge? Yes, I know, yet another badge. A facility to verify our identities already exists, of course, but that's just for Proz itself to know we are actually who we say we are. We, as users, have no access to this information.
My proposed Verified Human Badge would allow users to effectively say: I am in fact the person I say I am, and this is my actual, real name: XXX. If sold this way, as sth extra you can do to appear more professional, maybe people would buy into it. This way, those who would prefer to remain anonymous could continue to do so, while a hopefully growing number of people would start to morph into real humans. Everybody happy.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 09:33 GMT] If you meet other Proz members irl they can "verify" your identity and you'll get a little tick that says "verified member". Yes, you do have access to that information about other users. Your name idea is ludicrous. There are lots of practical reasons for not putting your name and location together in the same place on the internet. And then there's just personal preference. Whose name do you want to know and why do you want to know it?
There are a number of people in my language pair who provide no info about their actual identity on their profile, and yet constantly criticise other users. This doesn't seem right. They are allowed to endlessly criticise others, and yet we don't get to know who they are. If their colleagues at least knew who they really were, I suspect they would behave themselves a little better. The fact that they are allowed to hide behind screen names gives them freedom to act in ways they probably wouldn't dare in real life.
There is nothing ludicrous about wanting to discuss this and perhaps try to meet in the middle. As I said, some form of optional badge might be an option. It obviously doesn't bother you, but it bothers me, and it bothers others, so please let those who care about this discuss it in peace.
Michael
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Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:18
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | You can't be serious | Mar 1, 2016 |
Chris S wrote: Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
How about introducing a new system, whereby site users could opt in to get some kind of Verified Identity badge? Yes, I know, yet another badge. A facility to verify our identities already exists, of course, but that's just for Proz itself to know we are actually who we say we are. Why on Earth do you need to know I am actually Chris S and not Amanda G?
Because we are both human beings, and I think it is disrespectful to play games with people, all in the name of personal freedom. If you want total freedom to masquerade as a completely different person, log into a singles chatroom.
"Our chat rooms are free. Pick a free chat room, choose a chat name and you're in. You don't even need to register. It couldn't be any easier." (https://www.justchat.co.uk/chat/ )
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Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
Just noticed that esperantisto has the "verified identity" ✓, and he/she isn't using his/her real name. You might want to check with support, as I suspect it would be possible to get the little tick too.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 10:35 GMT]
Identy is verified by staff, they know the real name of the person who is not dispalyed publicly.
| | | | Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:18
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | @whoever just created a fake profile, just to send me that private message: | Mar 1, 2016 |
Thanks. Real classy.
| | | | | Games? How about self-defence? | Mar 1, 2016 |
Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
Because we are both human beings, and I think it is disrespectful to play games with people, all in the name of personal freedom. If you want total freedom to masquerade as a completely different person, log into a singles chatroom.
But this is a chat room.
And I come here to chat.
I don't hide my real name in my profile but I don't use it on the forum precisely because I am a professional.
I used to, but then I got fed up with giving correct answers on KudoZ only to have them ridiculed by idiots. And that stays on Google forever.
[Edited at 2016-03-01 11:47 GMT]
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Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:18
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER | being ridiculed by idiots vs being ridiculed by anonymous idiots | Mar 1, 2016 |
Chris S wrote: Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
Because we are both human beings, and I think it is disrespectful to play games with people, all in the name of personal freedom. If you want total freedom to masquerade as a completely different person, log into a singles chatroom.
But this is a chat room. And I come here to chat. I don't hide my real name in my profile but I don't use it on the forum precisely because I am a professional. I used to, but then I got fed up with giving correct answers on KudoZ only to have them ridiculed by idiots. And that stays on Google forever. [Edited at 2016-03-01 11:47 GMT]
That last part is familiar, expect when I'm ridiculed by idiots in the KudoZ Arena, they are usually anonymous idiots. 
Michael
| | | | Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 00:18
English to German
Georgie Scott wrote:
Whose name do you want to know and why do you want to know it?
I was just going to joke I could try to chat you up based on your attractive profile picture, then I got a spam message via ProZ that was clearly aimed at lonely men. So stalker prevention might be an issue?
(Self-identified little old lady here, no need to get out the barbed wire )
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Michael J.W. Beijer wrote:
There is nothing ludicrous about wanting to discuss this and perhaps try to meet in the middle. As I said, some form of optional badge might be an option. It obviously doesn't bother you, but it bothers me, and it bothers others, so please let those who care about this discuss it in peace.
Michael
Do you want a discussion or just to talk with people that agree with you?
Your idea is ludicrous.
I didn't use my "real name" on here for 6 years and happily conducted a professional life.
As it happens, I didn't use my "real name" in the beginning for the same reason my family has always been ex-directory. Safety.
That in itself is reason enough for your idea to be ludicrous.
But more importantly, it's up to other people how they conduct their lives.
For some, this is akin to a chat room. And they seem to be happily earning a living despite that. Some people tell jokes, some are sarcastic and some people even post pictures of their children. But it doesn't stop the site being a great way to relax and gain valuable insight and peer support.
There is an opt-in feature already - you just write your real name in the user name box. Google takes care of the rest.
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