This site with its articles, briefs and interchange is my favorite on the Internet. I have not problem signing my name to what I say.

But, please keep in mind that not all of us are very high on the ladder of computer knowledge. If you want me to register, keep it simple. I was unable to post messages for a while, because of something that was done a while back, now I am very glad to be able to post again.

and thanks to all of the members who have answered my questions.

Ted Miles.

ted_miles@NPS.gov

I am inclined to vote for option B

As a Network Administrator, the last thing I need is another password to remember and loose. As the owner of the East Broad Top Information Mailing List, I do require users to be registered, but that is primarily an anti-spam measure (one that works very well) and user do not need a password.
their addresses are verified when they post and that is it.

As an irregular visitor to this board, unless I use on of my 'universal' passwords I am garunteed to forget what it is from one visit to another. Not a big problem for me, more so for others with less computer savy. I post only about once every two months and on very specific topics on which I have built up a knowledgebase. Other such posters would likely be repelled by the neccesity to register before answering someone's question.

By removing posts that to not have the real name and address, it will not take those users long to either go away or give in if they cannot succesfully post.

In summary, don't go to C unless it is necessary, and whether it is necessary is a judgement call.

The East Broad Top Railroad Homepage
colemanc@infinet.com

>>But, please keep in mind that not all of us
are very high on the ladder of computer
knowledge. If you want me to register, keep
it simple. I was unable to post messages for
a while, because of something that was done
a while back, now I am very glad to be able
to post again.<<

You're right, the last thing we need is a signon process which is difficult or time consuming.

I wish peer pressure was enough to shame or force people into using real names. The internet brings out the worst in some people who feel empowered by making anonymous and negative comments about other people and other programs. If they are too fightened of their own shadows to use their real names instead of childish stuff like MrSpike and RustyRail, then why should I take them seriously?

I know I have sounded like a broken record on this subject before, but rail museums have a very strong need to professionalize and get into the mainstream, and the use of handles and dumb screen names on a professional forum just cheapens the process for all of us.

--Malcolm



grinnellglacier@yahoo.com

> want, and if something bad gets posted it
> doesn't get removed until one of the
> moderators (me or Erik, and soon Brian) sees
> it or is told about it.

Brian? Did I miss something? ;)

mrwowak@yahoo.com

> Brian? Did I miss something? ;)

Yeah, you've been drafted. Did you see Enemy at the Gate?


Railway Preservation News
hkading@rypn.org

> Did you see Enemy
> at the Gate?

Actually, no, I didn't.

Honestly, if you wanted one more set of eyes on here I'd do it, but somehow I don't think you need me. Plus I run Chaski Railfan WWWBoard by a somewhat looser set of standards..

In some ways, I see my board as a lounge, compared the the Interchange being a conference room. More serious discussion happens here, more relaxing B.S. goes on over there.

Chaski Railfan WWWBoard
mrwowak@yahoo.com

I like option B the best.

I prefer a screen name to protect my privacy from spammers and harassers. You could have them register and build a member profile that only the moderators can read- a lot like Delphi forums uses. You would have the power to boot them if they got too nasty.

best regards.
R. E. Marks

> I like option B the best.

> I prefer a screen name to protect my privacy
> from spammers and harassers. You could have
> them register and build a member profile
> that only the moderators can read- a lot
> like Delphi forums uses. You would have the
> power to boot them if they got too nasty.

> best regards.
> R. E. Marks
Forgot to put my E-mail
steamer4040*earthlink.net

> Actually, no, I didn't.

Well, in Enemy at the Gate, the Russina soldiers were sent into combat, only one out of two had a rifle, they had virtually no training, and when they went up against heavily fortified German positions they were slaughtered, and when they retreated their own officers shot them for cowardice. Sort of like being moderator.....

The Brian I was referring to originally was Brian Hebert, our Timetable administrator. But, we'd be happy to have you if you're interested. I'll hold the rifle.

Railway Preservation News
hkading@rypn.org

> But, we'd be happy to have you if you're
> interested. I'll hold the rifle.

Well if you think it would help I'd be glad to do it. If you think it will just cause more trouble, with one more "interpretation" of the rules and such, then I'm not going to make you give me a password. Fair enough?


Chaski Railfan WWWBoard
mrwowak@yahoo.com

I don't mind the anonymous posts but fear that some are not by the "usual" anonymous person. (Not that someone could not usurp anyone's name and e-mail address and post away.)

I know that some anonymous posts are done by people in the RR profession and do not want to use their real names for various reasons, including fear of employer reprisals. It allows them to express opinions that do not necessarily reflect their employer's aspirations.

I do hope that you do NOT require an e-mail address to be included in each post. My e-mail address got picked up by someone that then put it on a CD and sold that CD to too many people. I started getting multiple e-mails (I refuse to call it "SPAM", because "SPAM" is the Hormel spiced ham food product and I like it!) from groups that hate "everything" and each began with the subject line: "Here is the information that you requested about "... and then whatever ethnic/religious/sex/lifestyle/etc. they hated or were promoting. My e-mail is through my employer and those subject lines showed up on the opening screen for all (including customers) to see whenever I started the program. Since my employer changed my e-mail address I have not received 1 unsolicited e-mail. Thus, I WILL NOT include my e-mail address, EVER. I will guard it like my bank account number.

If someone else uses my name to post and I see it I will refute it and ask that it be deleted, all on the open public forum.

I would not mind having to "register" in order to post, but I hope that "cookies" are not a part of the verification of the registrant. (Don't get me started on "cookies". Unless they are chocolate chip.)

Charles T. McCullough