What constitutes in real life information and what is the punishment?

[_Some Schmo]

This is all way overblow. I officially register my dissent and intention to complain about any ridiculous rule implementation by the new Politburo. Sorry. 

You know, I totally hear where you're coming from. In fact, I'm willing to bet that if this had come up as recently as a year ago, I'd have been chiming in right along side with you and others who are against this. I'll even go as far as to say that the issue isn't still really that easy for me, given my free speech leanings.

But here's the thing: what does allowing people to post RL information that they don't want posted buy us as a discussion board? I can't think of a single thing, other than some loose ideal about "free speech or die!!" Is it worth it? I don't think so. I'm all about prevention being better than cure, so why not just take the option off the table? I, like many people, like a minimum of rules, but that in no way makes me an anarchist. Some things are better off regulated (assuming they're regulated effectively). And this isn't some ambiguous, difficult to interpret rule here. It's pretty straightforward, from what I can see.

I just wanted to let you know that I can really relate to where you're coming from, and I thought about this issue quite a bit yesterday before posting my opinion. But I see only good things coming from this. Nobody's going to get banned, and everyone will feel a little bit safer. Win win.

...

by the way, on the first time warning thing, Scottie made some good points about newbies that I have to agree with. I'm still a little concerned about long time posters who aren't around these days and may return without knowing the new rule, but I doubt this rule is really going to affect that many people. It's not like it happens all that often. Zero times, however, would be nicer. I like what you've proposed, Shades.

[_Trevor]

I admit that sock puppets are problematic. But we allow them. And why do people use sock puppets? Well, a number of reasons. I know that I often use them to play different roles. The one that was revealed here was a mistake, and I used it to behave very badly, but in general I see sock puppets as recreational. That doesn't mean that I want you guys to know every identity I have ever assumed online. Frankly, I do not.

But if you see them as a "use at your own risk" kind of thing, I'm cool with that. I just find it a little funny that the board would allow people to use them, and then say, "by the way, if someone doesn't like the role you are playing, they are free to call you on being sock puppet "x"."

One of the reasons I left other places was the restrictions on sock puppets.

But as I said, I am cool if we do nothing at all about people revealing sock puppets. I would still feel fine participating here under such conditions. But it will make it harder for me to goof around.

[_Scottie]

I admit that sock puppets are problematic. But we allow them. And why do people use sock puppets? Well, a number of reasons. I know that I often use them to play different roles. The one that was revealed here was a mistake, and I used it to behave very badly, but in general I see sock puppets as recreational. That doesn't mean that I want you guys to know every identity I have ever assumed online. Frankly, I do not.

But if you see them as a "use at your own risk" kind of thing, I'm cool with that. I just find it a little funny that the board would allow people to use them, and then say, "by the way, if someone doesn't like the role you are playing, they are free to call you on being sock puppet "x"."

One of the reasons I left other places was the restrictions on sock puppets.

But as I said, I am cool if we do nothing at all about people revealing sock puppets. I would still feel fine participating here under such conditions. But it will make it harder for me to goof around.

Be a better sock puppet if you don't want people to call you on it.

[_Rambo]

Be a better sock puppet if you don't want people to call you on it.

This might shock everyone but I think Lord Anubis is Paul Osbornes sock puppet! Sorry for outing you Paul :(

[_Trevor]

Be a better sock puppet if you don't want people to call you on it.

Well, uh, yes, but I think the recent issue was not as simple as that exactly. I had ceased using that sock puppet a year ago.

[_Some Schmo]

Be a better sock puppet if you don't want people to call you on it.

This might shock everyone but I think Lord Anubis is Paul Osbornes sock puppet! Sorry for outing you Paul :(

I doubt there's anyone who doesn't suspect that, bud.

And for the record, sockpuppets =/= in real life information. Please do not add this pork to the new bill.

[_Trevor]

This might shock everyone but I think Lord Anubis is Paul Osbornes sock puppet! Sorry for outing you Paul :(

No!!!!!

I feel so dumb. I thought is was John Gee or Will Schryver. ;-)

[_Scottie]

And I think Baal = Nehor

[_beastie]

Maybe the sock-puppet issue deserves a separate discussion.

The one example that I think would be included under this new rule is if the poster normally posts with his/her real name, but also uses an anonymous sock-puppet. In that case, "outing" the sock-puppet would be the equivalent of sharing real-life information.

[_MCB]

The only repercussions I see with alternate internet identities is the Mormon thinking "as you were, so also shall you be for ever and forever" : My own attitude towards this is changing, and that attitude in itself is about people changing. It is good to challenge those stereotypes. Let things happen. It might be a bumpy road for a while, but....

As for if Trevor sent my little project on to some apologists to read, if he did that is OK, although my own paranoia when I realized that was a possibility was something else, I want them to read it eventually, so why not now?