Anoninimity good or bad?

[Cat Driver]

The thread about the Colonel had some comments about using an assumed name on these aviation forums.

Reading the forum rules there is no requirement to post under an assumed name therefore one may use their real name if one chooses to.

Some posters feel that using their real name will be detrimental to their present employment as pilots.

I never found that to be a problem, in fact quite the contrary as by using my real name on Pprune it was beneficial to my employment as a pilot and in fact to this day it has been beneficial as the positives far outweigh the negatives with regard to the success of my flying business.

Here is a recent example of the benefit of free advertising on the internet posted on Pprune just a couple of weeks ago.

. was the only guy I met in my flying carrier who could properly teach landings. Before you stone me on this forum, realize, that I am not saying that he is the only guy who can teach landings properly. I only said he is the only guy I met in my 10000 hrs of flying who could do it. Thanks to him I can relieve the suffering of many post-traumatic-airline-training-department-disorders.
Airline instructor, unless he she has a previous instructing background, is just trained to recognise somebody's mistakes, but is not equipped with the tools of how to fix them. Airline instructor was not even trained to give instrument rating or a licence. Just renew it.airline instructor can only give a type rating to pilots, who are supposed to know how to fly. And now we get the co pilots with 150 hrs total (60 hrs actual flight time). Coming in. They don't even have a license to take their mother up in a Cessna on a nice Sunday afternoon. And these guys are the future instructor pool. So that is the reason we have all these "arrivals". Of course everybody makes mistakes sometime and that is normal. But to many airline guys the last 50 feet of flight is a mystery even more compounded by the educationally non-equipped training departments. So they know only firm landing as opposed to long greaser. Not too many seem to know you can still land nicely right at the touch down zone.
Who is gonna cast the first stone?

Pprune worked for me for the simple reason that was where my advanced flight training business was located.

I can understand that many people would prefer to remain anonymous on these forums, however for me it has been beneficial using my real name as it was free advertising and reading negative comments posted by anonymous posters has never cost me any loss of clients.

Oh, by the way I am not completely retired as the corporation I am presently with owns an airplane and we are in the process of buying a Bell 206 which I plan on flying.

[CID]

Anonymity is not "good" or "bad". Anonymity is simply the way this forum is structured. We just need to work within the established constraints. What is often troublesome is when contributors don't respect the spirit in which a forum is created and/or try to expose persons who chose to remain anonymous.

Some make a conscious choice to reveal their identity but often refuse to accept the consequences. For example, if I have the opinion that such a person's statements are incorrect, there is often a severe backlash and claims that I have sullied their reputation. Cat Driver, you yourself have stated that you are at a disadvantage when you engage an anonymous poster. That's not my fault, it's all on you.

It's odd that you state that your reputation hasn't suffered but when you are up against the wall, your common defense has been to try to "out" whoever disagrees with you. To what end? My guess is to try to personally discredit that person.

This is an anonymous forum. For better or worse, it just "IS". Nobody is obligated to identify themselves and anyone who attempts to identify others just because you don't agree is simply vile.

[iflyforpie]

I'm willing to bet that this place would be far more civil if people were more honest about who they are on here. There are degrees of anonymity here.... and while I don't put my real name on the boards, I also don't try to hide either. Anyone with the search function can find out where I live, what I do, what company I work for, and who I worked for in the past. My real name is just a PM away.

What is interesting though, is how many people I've identified on here who are trying to stay anonymous. Unless you stick to offering ambiguous postings without relating any personal experiences.... in which case the veracity of that posting comes into question.... you will be found. Same goes with troll accounts and such..... people have a fingerprint in their writing that is difficult to disguise.... from grammar and composition to the same premises and opinions. Aviation is a very small place.

[Illya Kuryakin]

I think it's unconsinable that a person with as much knowledge as some have here, can be kicked off the sight because others take offence. There is nothing said, anywhere, by anyone, that won't offend someone, somewhere.
Frankly, I think this whole industry blows goats. It pays the bills, and is better than working for a living, but OMG, what a bunch of whiny jam tarts!
Illya

[azimuthaviation]

Anoninimity?

how do you even pronounce that?

[Illya Kuryakin]

Anoninimity?

how do you even pronounce that?

After about six captain Morgan and Cokes, it'll slide right of the tongue.
Illya

[pdw]

Anoninimity?

how do you even pronounce that?

It's 'A n o n y m i t y' (sounds like: A - non - nim - mity)

[single_swine_herder]

I think it's unconsinable that a person with as much knowledge as some have here, can be kicked off the sight because others take offence. There is nothing said, anywhere, by anyone, that won't offend someone, somewhere.
Frankly, I think this whole industry blows goats. It pays the bills, and is better than working for a living, but OMG, what a bunch of whiny jam tarts!
Illya

"Blows goats?"

You've got it all backwards Ilya .... I thought the goats were to blow us.

[DonutHole]

only eeen russia

[JBI]

When I started frequenting this forum in 2000/2001 as a newbie, I liked the anonymous nature of the forum as you could find out lots of 'inside' information on small operators and airlines. Who may be hiring, what the culture was like, how long the ramp time was, when new planes were arriving etc. In addition, you could have some good internet discussions and arguments about various topics. Some were more civilized than others, but most were entertaining.

I've since stopped being anonymous - my identity is pretty easy to determine from what I post. But it does limit what I'm willing to write on a privately owned public forum. Because the board is essentially a 'publisher' they have a right to limit who they'll let post on their site. There was a legal online forum message board that got sued because of the posts of some it's anonymous members.

My opinion would be that due to some of the ridiculous trolling posts of some posters (not a reference to anyone in particular), you get a lot less informative posts than you used to. When someone is responding to every second post to push their agenda or use the board as an alternative to useful psychotherapy, it really discourages other posters with relevant information or new posters looking for information.

I don't really think that non-anonymous posting will change that, perhaps people posting mature, relevant and productive posts .... haha who am I kidding, this is the internet Carry-on.

[Pop n Fresh]

I go online to read valuable knowledge but I like to have a laugh also. I have seen people flip out because they interpreted something I wrote in a way I never intended it. I have skimmed other people's posts and was upset or angry because I read it wrong. I prefer that if someone gets cranky they don't easily look up my phone number. Granted a chit chat would usually fix things because I tend to be more eloquent verbally. I have spoke to CatDriver on the phone so my amityville is not completely intact.

[Meatservo]

I told all my friends that I don't post here and sometimes pretend that I don't know what they are talking about when I hear people discussing things they read on AvCanada. It's too late to do anything about it now.

[Nark]

My union's message board forces you to use your name. Doesn't make it any less entertaining.

I don't say anything on this forum that I wouldn't say to you face to face. Not being a fixture in Canadian aviation, does give me anonymity in a sense, but I don't hide who I am on any other forum I frequent either.

I once ran into a dude who knew me from this forum. (We were at a crew hotel/bar in a major US city)
He didn't agree with everything I loudly boast about, but he also didn't punch me in the face either. It amazing the conversations and good people you can meet.

[Rockie]

The vast majority of people posting here are polite and use this board for the purpose it was intended. If real names were required it would no doubt improve the manners of some, but it would also reduce the membership to around six people.

Anonymity on the internet is never a bad thing and should be the default position of everyone. Google your name and rejoice if nothing comes up....

[timel]

If you are not for hire, put your name if you want everyone to know you.

The fact is that some people, anonymous or not need to learn respect to others, aviation is a wide topic, and people shouting out loud about their great experience are usually the ones that are less comfortable in difficult times.

Sometimes, just take a brake and step back a bit... Introspection?


Anonymity is important, especially in commercial Aviation.
I get a huge amount of knowledge on that forum due to that and that is why I keep visiting.

[hoptwoit]

http://youtu.be/bZ1KDf3O-qU?t=9s

[flyinthebug]

When I started frequenting this forum in 2000/2001 as a newbie, I liked the anonymous nature of the forum as you could find out lots of 'inside' information on small operators and airlines. Who may be hiring, what the culture was like, how long the ramp time was, when new planes were arriving etc. In addition, you could have some good internet discussions and arguments about various topics. Some were more civilized than others, but most were entertaining.

I've since stopped being anonymous - my identity is pretty easy to determine from what I post. But it does limit what I'm willing to write on a privately owned public forum. Because the board is essentially a 'publisher' they have a right to limit who they'll let post on their site. There was a legal online forum message board that got sued because of the posts of some it's anonymous members.

My opinion would be that due to some of the ridiculous trolling posts of some posters (not a reference to anyone in particular), you get a lot less informative posts than you used to. When someone is responding to every second post to push their agenda or use the board as an alternative to useful psychotherapy, it really discourages other posters with relevant information or new posters looking for information.

I don't really think that non-anonymous posting will change that, perhaps people posting mature, relevant and productive posts .... haha who am I kidding, this is the internet Carry-on.

+1
Same story for me (same time line too). I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Adam Oke]

I've been hired more than a couple times because of the boards. It's free networking for me. That being said, I also only post (say) things that I would say in person. If my civil posting style and content is enough to set someone off that they do not want to hire me, then odds are I wouldn't be happy working with/for them either. For some that do not understand the repercussions of the internet, then anonymity is in their best interest in this industry. I'm on forums that require real names, and believe me, they are just as colourful as the anonymous ones! Play (post) like a normal human being should, and there is no reason to hide.

PS. Anyone looking for a ferry pilot? I've got some down time until February!

[Big Pistons Forever]

As was stated above it is possible to figure out who anyone who posts regularly is, especially for those living in the same area. I still feel an anonymous handle is useful to thwart google searches and other easy ways to invade privacy. That been said I feel I have been a victim of a personal attack that could have potentially professionally disadvantage me by an Avcanada poster who I beleive didn't feel I was sufficiently respectfull of his skygodly powers.

[jump154]

One downside of anonymity is that when a fellow board poster knocks on one's trailer window at Oshkosh, you then get very embarrassed at introducing them to your wife as "Beefitarian"........

On the other hand, I have found it something useful to hide behind when I've done something stupid or embarrassing. But then, the people who are important know who I am

All in all, one's own choice. I'm on both kinds of forum, still post as if everyone is in the same room watching me. Main benefit was being able to hide from my ex-wife!

[pdw]

Selective anonymity seems to be getting the vote (sometimes good ... sometimes bad).

[Cat Driver]

If I were to want anonymity when interacting with strangers I would join the KKK.

[Shiny Side Up]

This seems to be a frequent topic on this forum, and I'm ont sure why so many people are wound up about it. If you don't like that some may be anonymous, then put them all on your foe list. As pointed out, there are various levels of anonymityand people are free to choose the level that they are comfortable with. Its never made a difference if I know someone or not, or can place a face to the online tag. People say reasonable things or they don't.

I will confess that I use "SSU" as somewhat of a pen name occasionally here, in a mild attempt to relieve frustration, but also to give something interesting to read. If you don't like it, add me to your foe list. It won't hurt my feelings. Please no more hate mail though, its a pain sorting through avcanada's mailbox feature, since I usually can't remember who I pay attention to and who I don't.

Either way, users of any internet type forum should be somewhat mindful to maintain a bit of anonymity for this reason:

I still feel an anonymous handle is useful to thwart google searches and other easy ways to invade privacy.

Beyond invasion of your own privacy, there are a lot of ways to use info gleaned from a website like this if one is of such ill motivation. I would really avoid using real names or giving out specific information that isn't already publicly available. Tying a name to a license number is particularly bad. As are a few other things I've seen people do here. Its an internet forum, in the big scheme of things your credibility and how you percieve yourself as brave are significantly less important than protecting yourself.

[Cat Driver]

Its an internet forum, in the big scheme of things your credibility and how you percieve yourself as brave are significantly less important than protecting yourself.

For me bravery has nothing to do with it, as I have previously stated I use my real name because when I was flying for a living I posted a lot on Pprune because I found it to be an excellent source of exposure for my company and I never ever had any issues with identifying who I was.

If my flying business had been in Canada maybe I would not have used my real name.

[Shiny Side Up]

In the end it doesn't matter what your reasons for doing so are. Though, if I wanted to I know I could find the posts where you've equated your fearlessness to the fact you post your name online. Think about the idea that I can do that. I'm not sure why I recall such things, but I have a pretty good memory. Just like I know you've posted your license number here too.

With those couple of bits of info, if I was as bad of a person as you think I am, one could cause you a substantial amount of grief. Fortunately for the world I'm not that industrious of an evil person.

There is, however, industrious bad people out there. Personally, I try to make it hard for them. Avcanada, after all, isn't the only website I frequent, one doesn't want it to be easy to manufacture a larger composite identity.