AV property rights

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:54 am

I wandered over to a new forum over the weekend. I registered there with the AV "anastrophe" which seems to have raised eyebrows:

"(DoormanOne): Please inform me of your FG name before you post again. Any posts you make prior to this will result in a ban of your membership.

Is this instruction being made to all posters on (sitename)?

(DoormanOne): No just you in PM only... please send the continuation of this message to (DoormanTwo) I need to leave right this minute to take care of my (RelationOne).

(DoormanOne) has asked me to initiate a discussion with you. Do you know what it's about?

(DoormanTwo):There has been some concern from the mods about this post: (url provided)

I never had anything to do with FG, but by the sound of this post, some people seem to think by using the user name you have chosen, you are attempting to impersonate someone else.

Any comment on that?

I hadn't seen that thread - thank you.

(DoormanOne) wrote on it: "dont post as another AV if youre not that person. I'ts simple courtesy. There has to be some honor amongst posters!"

I did check the rules before I registered, and I didn't see any mention of such a restriction.

Names are surely forum-specific. If I'm Fidel on one board and Yeltsin on a second and Genghis on a third, I don't expect all three names to be reserved solely for my use on all three, much less on every forum on the planet.

Where do we go from here? I quite like being registered here as anastrophe. I'd be unhappy to link my posts here to any I might make on other forums, it's why I prefer to maintain different names. If you feel that people can reserve names in advance, and not take whatever's available, then that's a decision I was unaware of when I initially signed on at (sitename).

To be quite frank, I can't imagine that anyone at all on (sitename) is going to confuse me with a poster on another forum who already uses anastrophe as his AV. (PosterOne), for example, said as much on the thread you mentioned.

I'd quite like to keep the use of the AV on (sitename), and I'd quite like to maintain anonymity which seems to be a common ground for forum use in general."

Following which, without further comment, I've been banned, locked out, my IP address has been banned too and I can't view the site or fill in the contact form.

I'm not complaining, but I'd like to raise the point here in public to see if anyone has a view.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:05 am

I personally think it was a bit of a silly thing to do Spot, as you have already stated you have three other names you post under, why not use one of those??

Seeing as the other forum is full of mostly Gardeners you knew damn well we would recognise that name.

Although we soon realised it was an imposter. The real anastrophe has much more style!

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:15 am

You do have a very valid point of course, Spot.

You should be able to call yourself whatever you like on whichever forum you are on. However, maybe the people on that forum already know someone using the name you chose and find it confusing to find that you are not the person they thought you were!

They might also think that you were trying to stir up trouble and perhaps they are wary of anyone potentially causing any aggro on their site.

Whilst you are right in theory, perhaps you should, for politeness' sake, apologise and choose another name?

I don't know if I'm right, just guessing based on what you've said. However, if you want to be accepted onto your other forum, I guess now would be the time to step down and play nice, as standing up for your rights will only keep you banned, I'd imagine.

I know it goes against the grain, but sometimes we just have to bite our tongues!

Hope that helps!

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:18 am

Betty Boop wrote: Although we soon realised it was an imposter. The real anastrophe has much more style!Good lord Betty, as far as I recall I only posted two short sentences, and I can pack more style into two sentences than the real anastrophe (as you call him) could spirit up were he restricted to an empty diary the size of the Worcestershire Yellow Pages, if only because I can make my sentences run on a lot longer than he can without running out of breath.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:26 am

I think it was an ill-considered choice of names bearing in mind that 'anastrophe' is quite unique. You should NOT be surprised it raised some eyebrows spot. .....no intro...no joining in, just "found you". I gave you credit for more intelligence than that. Lets face it ...you knew where you were and what the 'people connection' is with FG.

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:30 am

Rapunzel wrote: ... maybe the people on that forum already know someone using the name you chose and find it confusing to find that you are not the person they thought you were!Perish the thought, Rapunzel. If it had crossed my mind that there could have been even the slightest risk of confusion, I wouldn't have dreamed of playing what would have been an extremely underhand, impolite and childish trick.

As for "They might also think that you were trying to stir up trouble"... who? me??

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:30 am

spot wrote: Good lord Betty, as far as I recall I only posted two short sentences, and I can pack more style into two sentences than the real anastrophe (as you call him) could spirit up were he restricted to an empty diary the size of the Worcestershire Yellow Pages, if only because I can make my sentences run on a lot longer than he can without running out of breath.

:wah: Don't think anastrophes going to be too pleased to read that!!

mmmm I think it would quite safe to say that you and anastrophe have your own individual styles.

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:38 am

Bez wrote: ... You should NOT be surprised it raised some eyebrows spot. .....no intro...no joining in, just "found you". I gave you credit for more intelligence than that.I only made the one visit before I was detained, Bez. In the interim, having visited and made my single exclamation of delight, I'd prepared an intro posting that would have turned Oscar Wilde himself green with envy at the elegant turn of phrase, the polished wit, the well-turned epithet; lost to history now, sadly, never to see the light of day, cut off in its prime. Joining in is an option denied me and I am (as you can see) forlorn.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:48 am

spot wrote: Perish the thought, Rapunzel. If it had crossed my mind that there could have been even the slightest risk of confusion, I wouldn't have dreamed of playing what would have been an extremely underhand, impolite and childish trick.

As for "They might also think that you were trying to stir up trouble"... who? me??

There was confusion. I was confused, certainly. So other people must have been also.

You may not have dreamed of "playing what would have been an extremely underhand, impolite and childish trick." but, sadly, thats how it came across.

Yes, you sir. You knew spoons were not allowed.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:59 am

What site is it?

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:06 am

Rapunzel wrote: Yes, you sir. You knew spoons were not allowed.But spooning's my only strong suit, Rapunzel. You're very cruel.

Peg, I'm not convinced that it would be appropriate for me to answer your question.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:22 am

in my opinion you knew it would cause trouble & confusion, if not in the short term then in the long term

had someone other than me signed up as buttercup i'd be asking what motivated them to do that

what motivated you to use the name anastrophe

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:31 am

spot wrote: But spooning's my only strong suit, Rapunzel. You're very cruel.

Peg, I'm not convinced that it would be appropriate for me to answer your question.

Lol! Men are strong in all suits.......and I'm lovely!

:wah:

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:36 am

Rapunzel wrote: Lol! Men are strong in all suits.......and I'm lovely!

:wah:

Hahaha very funny Rapunzel!!

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:39 am

chrisb84uk wrote: Hahaha very funny Rapunzel!!

;)

:wah:

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:43 am

I must say you have one great sense of humour Rapunzel!! :wah: Some of the stuff that you come up with is top quality, if slightly biased hahaha. :p

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:49 am

buttercup wrote: what motivated you to use the name anastropheIt was a spur of the moment jeu d'esprit, buttercup. I wanted to post a line, the forum demanded that I be registered to be allowed, and I had no desire to associate any posts I made there with my online persona at ForumGarden. I doubt whether I thought longer than five seconds before I banged in what seemed amusing at the time.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:57 am

From the outside looking in, I can certainly see why they felt the way they did when you used the name "anastrophe" . I feel a lot of them went there to escape the trouble here at FG and did not want it over there, not that anastrophe is a troublemaker, but it showed poor judgement.

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:03 am

Peg wrote: From the outside looking in, I can certainly see why they felt the way they did when you used the name "anastrophe" . I feel a lot of them went there to escape the trouble here at FG and did not want it over there, not that anastrophe is a troublemaker, but it showed poor judgement. :(You make it sound as though there were a vote, Peg. This was solely the decision of those with administrative rights, not of "a lot of them". As it happens, anastrophe is a posting member there in his own right and both administrators were aware of that when they banned me. I'm not sure that your argument's relevant to what happened, though I do take your point regarding my flawed judgement.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:07 am

i agree with peg that members have gone over to escape all the happenings here of late, if things here change maybe they will switch back maybe not

either way i dont see the point of adding any further fuel to the fire, it was a bad decision on your part spot & fortunately you did not make any posts, if a sudden influx of trouble starts at the new forum by new members using garden names in my opinion it will not only be childish, it will pathetic & sad

lets hope that is not the case & take this opportunity in true garden style to wish the new forum well :-6

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:07 am

spot wrote: You make it sound as though there were a vote, Peg. This was solely the decision of those with administrative rights, not of "a lot of them". As it happens, anastrophe is a posting member there in his own right and both administrators were aware of that when they banned me. I'm not sure that your argument's relevant to what happened, though I do take your point regarding my flawed judgement.

Hang on, the only reason the 'real' anastrophe posted is because he saw that someone had already registered with his AV, he was obviously concerned that we'd all think it was him and he wanted to make it clear that it wasn't.

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:12 am

SnoozeControl wrote: I think you have a wicked sense of humor, Spotty.:wah:I reap what I sow, Snooze, and that is my tragedy. In different threads, of course, I reap what others sow, and then it's theirs. Life online is a succession of pendulum swings, though ForumGarden has more than a touch of the House of Usher in its makeup.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:14 am

Names are usually unique to an individual. In the real world, more than one name is required to identify an individual. Hence - John? John who?

In the cyber world, single names are chosen such that they are unique to the individual and to all extents and purposes, the cyber name identifies that person. The name becomes associated with that person.

As we move around the Internet, we also identify a name with a certain user, even though we may never have seen that person. So, where we tend to use more than one forum, etc. we will associate a name with an individual. The more unique the name, the more it is associated with that person. To all extents and purposes, my own username is unique, and I tend to stick with it so people from different forums can identify me with it. Perhaps if I joined a forum where I wanted to separate my identity from other forums, I would use a different username. I think it bodes badly if I need to do this. Why should I want to keep my identity from one forum secret from another?

Technically, you are correct in that any name is open to be used in any forum. Overall, however, the users of forums will identify certain usernames with individual users.

I would view it as common decency to back down rather than upset a forum of users. I always have the choice of going elsewhere if I don't like the forum or its users. If they don't want me, I am unlikely to get on well in the forum anyway. Common sense applies. Ultimately, you are nicking someone else's name that they have thought up for themselves. That just shows lack of individuality, although it can be taken as the highest form of flattery.

Nonetheless, I have grown attached to my own username and I would be a trifle upset to find someone using it elsewhere, more so if it turned out that they were actually trying to impersonate me. I would be forced, perhaps, to issue a statement to dispel any confusion.

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:17 am

Betty Boop wrote: Hang on, the only reason the 'real' anastrophe posted is because he saw that someone had already registered with his AV, he was obviously concerned that we'd all think it was him and he wanted to make it clear that it wasn't.I obviously can't go back and check, Betty, but my recollection of anastrophe's post there was that he registered not to clear up any misunderstanding regarding the use of the AV but to comment on his taking steps to change things here. Regarding your earlier post, Fidel Yeltsin and Genghis are not AVs of mine on other boards, I instanced them conditionally to make a point; I've never used them elsewhere.

Post by **spot** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:38 am

OpenMind wrote: I have grown attached to my own username and I would be a trifle upset to find someone using it elsewhere, more so if it turned out that they were actually trying to impersonate me. I would be forced, perhaps, to issue a statement to dispel any confusion.The reason we have identity codes issued by organizations is exactly that our names are by their nature not unique, OpenMind. I was issued with one at birth which still appears as a key on various databases, a second at the age of 16, a third which expires every ten years and is distributed internationally, a fourth which I received only at the age of 35 and those are just government identifiers - goodness knows how many banks and retail outlets know me by other references but to each I'm a unique cypher. My name, on the other hand, is shared by many people. If the day ever arrives when my officially issued unique identifier is obligatory on any internet forum, I'll retire to private life and read books instead. Meanwhile I quite enjoy the opportunity to vary my style without readers cross-linking forums to discover more about me (though I acknowledge that this anonymity currently doesn't extend to the State Surveillance branches of several of the countries across which I post).

The first fifty Google hits on 'vbulletin openmind -"open mind"' shows registered users of the AV OpenMind on WebHost Automation Community, Shell LiveWIRE, ScriptLance, DHTML Menu Board, Ubuntu, Websleuths, Bad Astronomy and Universe Today, Eudora, Tech Support Guy, YCG Business, HELM and AWBS, Catholic Community, MyADSL, Sax on the Web, Anatomy Review, ValueMD Medical Schools... either you're astonishingly prolific, or "I would be a trifle upset to find someone using [my own username] elsewhere" is somewhat uninformed.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:40 am

spot wrote: I obviously can't go back and check, Betty, but my recollection of anastrophe's post there was that he registered not to clear up any misunderstanding regarding the use of the AV but to comment on his taking steps to change things here. Regarding your earlier post, Fidel Yeltsin and Genghis are not AVs of mine on other boards, I instanced them conditionally to make a point; I've never used them elsewhere.
I'd be interested in knowing what these steps are to change things here.

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:22 am

Peg wrote: I'd be interested in knowing what these steps are to change things here.

Where is this new forum at? Is it an off- shoot of this forum?

chrisb84uk · Post by **chrisb84uk** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:31 am

Peg wrote: I'd be interested in knowing what these steps are to change things here.

Hmmm indeed. It is a shame that things have gotten out of control lately. Let's all hope that we can get back to the happy place that FG once was. :-6

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:35 am

im not sure if it would be appropriate to post the link maxi as that may be seen as advertizing or trying to steal members ect

admin - hello - what's the situation with this type of thing?

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:38 am

buttercup wrote: im not sure if it would be appropriate to post the link maxi as that may be seen as advertizing or trying to steal members ect

admin - hello - what's the situation with this type of thing?

How does everyone know it?

LOL @ Snooze Control

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:41 am

no snooze i dont

when i started my forum i invited my friends, when any friends of mine start a forum i'd be hurt if they dident ask me along, wether i joined or not is irrelevant

i dont feel forum garden owns me so how can i be stolen?

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:49 am

Peg wrote: I'd be interested in knowing what these steps are to change things here.

How did you find out Peg? Did you?:-2

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:54 am

Maxi_Uno wrote: How does everyone know it?

LOL @ Snooze Control

the group of people who know about it have all been friends for a long time, its not known by everyone

the forum has 35 members, hardly devestating to the garden which has around 4,000 lets get some perspective here

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:57 am

buttercup wrote: the group of people who know about it have all been friends for a long time, its not known by everyone

the forum has 35 members, hardly devestating to the garden which has around 4,000 lets get some perspective here

excuse me? LOL

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:00 am

i have no problem giving you the link maxi - its not a secret but as you have seen it can be viewed as stealing by some

no offense meant there snooze, im sure others feel that way as well

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:16 am

spot wrote: I obviously can't go back and check, Betty, but my recollection of anastrophe's post there was that he registered not to clear up any misunderstanding regarding the use of the AV but to comment on his taking steps to change things here. Regarding your earlier post, Fidel Yeltsin and Genghis are not AVs of mine on other boards, I instanced them conditionally to make a point; I've never used them elsewhere.

See those wonderful names you just made up! So why use anothers AV

Can we not just drop the whole thing, this is going to end up another nasty thread.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:35 am

chrisb84uk wrote: I must say you have one great sense of humour Rapunzel!! Some of the stuff that you come up with is top quality, if slightly biased hahaha.

Glad you like my GSOH, Chris.

But biased? Warped certainly! :wah:

Biased how? :sneaky: :p

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:37 am

buttercup wrote: i have no problem giving you the link maxi - its not a secret but as you have seen it can be viewed as stealing by some

no offense meant there snooze, im sure others feel that way as well

:-3How did everyone else find out?:sneaky:

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:53 am

Maxi_Uno wrote: :-3How did everyone else find out?:sneaky:

The link has been posted on this forum, go look for it if you're that curious.

Can you put the wooden spoon away now please.

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:57 am

Betty Boop wrote: The link has been posted on this forum, go look for it if you're that curious.

Can you put the wooden spoon away now please.

Where? (it's a big forum):)

Post by **Betty Boop** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:00 am

Maxi_Uno wrote: Where? (it's a big forum):)

I can't find it right now, maybe it's been deleted??

I've got a school run to do so will have a look later.

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:01 am

Betty Boop wrote: I can't find it right now, maybe it's been deleted??

I've got a school run to do so will have a look later.

are you a member?:)

Maxi_Uno · Post by **Maxi_Uno** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:17 am

SnoozeControl wrote: I think everyone in here is a member but me. Oh, and Spot of course.

Oh.....I was about to ask you.

I guess I'm not either.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:27 am

1. Not everyone here is a member of the aforementioned forum

2. As I said before, Spot was ill advised to use 'anastrophe' as his Av (& he knows it)

3. There is absolutely NO reason why belonging to multiple forums should cause bad feeling .....grow up people

4. Please show respect to Tombstone & Anastrophe who have worked hard to make FG the fantastic place it is and return FG to the vibrant place for discussion, fun and friendship that It once was and can continue to be if people would just grow up, respect each other and be responsible for their words and actions

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:29 am

SnoozeControl wrote: I think everyone in here is a member but me. Oh, and Spot of course.

& 3, 965 other forum garden members :rolleyes:

if you need to see it p.m snowman, he's admin