Good evening
I have been reading with interest with thread started by buggyite “More sniping in the history section (bits and bobs thread)” where the subject of forum anonymity has been discussed. I tried to post a reply but was unable to do so because the thread has been locked!
The topic of whether members should be forced to reveal their true identity is an interesting one which merits debate.
Prospective councillor NevClarke initially suggested it maybe time to open up the debate again but didn't think he was the right person to start it. One hour forty five minutes later, prospective councillor BarryRudd picked up the baton and stated “Anonymity must end on this forum.”
The response before the thread was locked:
Two members are strongly opposed to anonymity.
One member appears to be confused and changes his view with the wind. Firstly he's for anonymity, then he's against it and now he's for it. Some may say this is typical of a politician.
The majority of posters on this subject are against members revealing their true identities.
As many forum members have stated there is a very real danger in revealing your true identity on an open public discussion forum I decided to undertake some research work.
From a quick scan of recent Topic Starters it would appear there are only four forum members whose identity ( first name and surname) is revealed from their user name.
Of these four members one has indicated he would not be happy if his personal address was revealed, another member has made a recent post but has not specifically commented on this subject and another member has not posted recently.
The only forum member who appears to be very comfortable with being open about his identity is BarryRudd so I decided to do a quick internet search on him to see what information could be obtained and what dangers, if any, the information could pose.
The results of the search are as follows:
He doesn't live in Whaley Bridge.
His address is 8 *o**y **a* **y*n** c***h*** ***2 **A.
Middle name is **l***m
Date of Birth is 2*/*u**/1*5*
Telephone No.s 0***6 *5***3 and 0***5 8**9*8
email address **r**@**b*l**.co.uk
His car electronics business is *o***e*
He is an ex-professional soldier
He likes live music, the Purple Pakora, good beer and when drinking in Whaley can often be found in the Goyt Inn.
He originates from *r***o** Southeast London.
He is Chairman of Whaley Water Weekend
His dental records were compiled at 2 **e*n Dental Surgery, 2 **e* *a*k, *r***o**, *A* 4**.
There are numerous photo's. Here's just one example:
http://www.whaleybridge.com/2012/02/water-weekend-2012-fri-8-sat-9-sun-10-june/
It was my original intention to publish my findings in full but after listing the details I feel uncomfortable with showing them so I have concealed the exact details. Having said that, if anyone wanted the information they could find it very easily by searching themselves.
I assume Barry is comfortable with all this personal information being available on the internet but I must admit I was amazed at how much detail could be obtained within ten minutes. I don't know how accurate the information is but it's out there on the World Wide Web for all to see.
Barry is probably the only person who knows how accurate the results of the search are but this exercise has certainly reinforced my view that it is very foolhardy to reveal your identity on the internet and this is something I would recommend members don't do on this, or any other public forum.