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Martian · 01-11-2010, 11:28 AM

In reading what I said above, I realized that part of my thought process might be a bit unclear. I will therefore elaborate.

TFP is a discussion forum. We all gather here to share ideas and thoughts. If there's nothing to discuss, the community is effectively dead.

Anonymous posting allows members to bring up topics that, for various reasons, they may be uncomfortable having tied to their username. It might be out of embarrassment or it could be to avoid stigma or preconceptions. Regardless, it gives members freedom to share thoughts, ideas or problems that they might not otherwise be able to.

Some members seem to think that anonymous posting detracts from the community. I think it's a bit alarmist to jump to that conclusion, but I can see their point; if the feature is abused, it will lessen the overall TFP community. If you want an example of what a fully anonymized forum looks like, /b/ is a good place to start.

However, there is a key point being missed there. The anonymous function was implemented by the forum staff, and continues to be available so long as they choose to make it so. Furthermore, certain members of the forum staff (may be all of them, or just admins -- I'm not certain) are quickly and easily able to determine who is actually making the anonymous posts. They generally choose not to do so as long as the feature is used as intended, but if it's abused for trolling or other nefarious purposes, it will not protect you.

As of right now, the anonymous posting feature enriches the community, by giving us a wider variety of topics to discuss. This includes some of the more risque topics, but the feature isn't tied exclusively to that. If it's abused to the point where it instead detracts from the community, it'll be removed.

I don't know that I've ever posted anonymously, aside from when we were testing it out. My dull and verbose writing style would most likely give me away regardless. Even still, I like knowing that I have the option available to me, if ever there's something I'm not comfortable sharing in my usual way.

01-11-2010, 11:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	In reading what I said above, I realized that part of my thought process might be a bit unclear. I will therefore elaborate. TFP is a discussion forum. We all gather here to share ideas and thoughts. If there's nothing to discuss, the community is effectively dead. Anonymous posting allows members to bring up topics that, for various reasons, they may be uncomfortable having tied to their username. It might be out of embarrassment or it could be to avoid stigma or preconceptions. Regardless, it gives members freedom to share thoughts, ideas or problems that they might not otherwise be able to. Some members seem to think that anonymous posting detracts from the community. I think it's a bit alarmist to jump to that conclusion, but I can see their point; if the feature is abused, it will lessen the overall TFP community. If you want an example of what a fully anonymized forum looks like, /b/ is a good place to start. However, there is a key point being missed there. The anonymous function was implemented by the forum staff, and continues to be available so long as they choose to make it so. Furthermore, certain members of the forum staff (may be all of them, or just admins -- I'm not certain) are quickly and easily able to determine who is actually making the anonymous posts. They generally choose not to do so as long as the feature is used as intended, but if it's abused for trolling or other nefarious purposes, it will not protect you. As of right now, the anonymous posting feature enriches the community, by giving us a wider variety of topics to discuss. This includes some of the more risque topics, but the feature isn't tied exclusively to that. If it's abused to the point where it instead detracts from the community, it'll be removed. I don't know that I've ever posted anonymously, aside from when we were testing it out. My dull and verbose writing style would most likely give me away regardless. Even still, I like knowing that I have the option available to me, if ever there's something I'm not comfortable sharing in my usual way. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame