Dipping into an article thread, I happened to note that the subject of anonymity had arisen.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=12886&page=0#223293

Is there a change in the wind on OLO - and would it affect participation rates?

Unless you take elaborate steps, you are not unfindable in any case. electronic trails are too pervasive, permanent and never too much trouble to check.

Expect lots of false assent in the future.

Graham's logs can easily be seized by people with less conspicuous devotion to anonymity.

Rusty

It doesn't really matter in terms of our Govt.From my experince ASIO and the AFP know exactly who you are if your comments spike their interest.

Many sites are now useing facebook as the intermediary for comments.This negates their legal exposure and puts the onus back on the poster.

Poirot thanks for the link.
I went in to exile for a time in that section of the site.
I no longer go there,I found a few contributors, rabid in a seeming hate of any thing to do with unions and the ALP.
I think we deceive our selves if we do not understand we can be found with little difficulty.
I warn, strongly, of two intrusions in to my life, from contributors, both linked, and to some extent from metaly unstable folk.
I am Allan Bell, unafraid to tell the world.
But think with care,self defence is called for.
Here is my considered idea.
On coming to any forum, we should prove who we are,my long ago registration , is forgotten but I think I gave union Labor 4 wheel driving and fishing as my interests.
We should remember, honest contributors are not the problem.
But too a very bad one can damage us all.
We should take this debate further.
Again I warn someone can torpedo us all.
I was a member off an anti work choices forum.
Mainstream unionist was my name there.
Idiots forced me to both warn of site damage and leave.
Comments included a lunatic offering a reward for the capture of Americas VS President.
In time that forum lost its free flowing ways due to the minority's.

I invite my fellow posters to contribute to Poirot thread.
And to understand some basics.
This site is privately owned, free speech costs money to harbor hence the advertising.
Like Kyle Sanderlands our on line home must not bring unpleasant headlines.
No other site works this well, see the one most refugees go to ,it is not working.
Too much moderation kills it.
We do not want to be the cowards corner,in respect to GYs comments in that link I agree.
I am combative, but some never grew up are forever School yard Bully's.
They are no easy task for GY to control.
Nothing in his comments challenges free speech, nothing said is not well said in my view.
The reality's of life are some fences must be built, some will vandalize any thing.
Self praise is no recommendation but some think verbal slamming is a victory to them.
It proves only some are not capable of rational debate.
Again thanks for the thread remember the costs of free speech is never without costs and that we walk on others property here.
Yet we are a family warts and all we return,I think we are well served by the rules of the forum.

clearly we take things..in context
from link

grayman said..""Qanda,..when the person you are arguing with
resorts to abuse..you know you've won.""

so lets keep this in mind
[heck we can all claim abuse..as a win]


but then

""And I agree with John McRobert,""[is this certified his TRUE name?]

""I think that the anonymity..on the web has become a curse.
It gets in the way..of sensible and honest/conversation.""

to this..i would disagree
if we knew who really was..behind the id
many would refuse..to even look at their words

[we got lots of govt trolls...would they be forced
into the same honesty/reveal;..or would they..have cheat mechanisms

to wit..its like media inquiries
it only helps out..those with adgendas..wanting secracy

but more fear
from our lord grayman

""I think OLO..is going to have to change..the model in that regard.""

well i for one..dont care either way
it will be fun..seeing how the elites get arround it

heck there is no annonimity..
[i had to show id..fill in details
just to get online]

graymen knows..my true name..and where i live
i only ever use my given names..never my fanmily name
and have used..the one name for many many years..

[others include
[plays on johan
johannine

but im fine being johan hendrick]

but am willing..to go the name change route
and formalise becomming..*one
under the family name under...

under the auspiciousness
[grace]..of god

the first people..have a name change routeen
as they develop..and grow their name changes
so its not as if the last name goes away

but any change..on whim or wind
is a name change that risks many resisting

in the main those..paid to blog

how about suss posters
needing to confirm their true id..only to moderator

if/WHEN..they loose the debait
[ie resort to name calling
rather than truthing..

[if you lied..
THEN..reveal your true id]