CAUTION! This one is a bit of a rant.
As a lot of people may or may not know I really hate anonymous comments. I do allow them on this blog as do most other blogs but about every month I revisit that decision. On the one hand I don’t want to have to make people register in order to get their opinion posted. On the other hand I really find anonymous comments cowardice. I mean if you really feel strongly about your point then why not just put your name there with it? I always make a point of putting my full, real name on every one of my comments. If that means registering then I take the extra time to do that.
What really got me thinking about this again is the Dilbert cartoon below. Several months ago I had touched a button with some of the guys over at Marathon after calling them out on a few things. Stratus came into the conversation to throw more mud on the situation under the name of “Top Gun”. A little detective work and it was easy to see who was behind the comments.
More recently there was some back and forth on someone defending Citrix’s abysmal performance with their virtualization platform. The commenter? Man-Guy. What a stupid name.
So here’s a plea to all who post comments on the web. Let’s start using some real names. If you don’t want your full name out there because you’re falsely scared that someone might steal your identity just from that then just post your real first name. If you want to go one better then try even letting people know who you work for. Believe me, it helps the conversation and then people won’t just write you off.
I’ll probably revisit anonymous comments on my blog again soon. In the mean time , you’re still free to comment at any time you want and I never delete or moderate any comments other than obvious spam.
- Mike DiPetrillo
Here’s the Dilbert cartoon that got this whole rant started.
February 8th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I couldn't agree more. I think “cowardice” is giving the anonymous commenter's too much credit.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I don't mind Anonymous posting's as I hate to go through the hassle of registering,etc only to actually use an alter ego anyhow as I don't need my real email address available to anyone.
Alot does come down to your response to a post. If someone is going to flame the hell out of you, do you really think they are gonig to use any real information even if you do require registration?
If someone is posting a valid, concise response, then they probably would register, but typicalyl not use real names anyhow for privacy reasons.
I will typically use my nickname/hotmail when registering on boards, but never my real email address even when my real name is used.
February 8th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I can understand not using a real email address. Damn spam bots pick those up and run with them too often. Real names really don't make you any less secure though.
I do realize that those that are just there to disagree or flame won't use anything real. I guess we'll just keep putting them in the “spineless cowards” bucket.
Thanks for reading, Mark, and at least using some name.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
This is one of the reasons I really love the DISQUS comment system. Once you register on one site, it is good on all. Plus they support OpenID, Facebook and all the other major standards. Most people ALREADY have an account all set up and ready to go.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Disqus rocks!! Very glad I set it up.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
If you want people to post with an identity, but you don't want them to have to register Yet Again, why not support OpenID (http://openid.net/)?
February 10th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Thanks for the tip. I'm looking into how to integrate OpenID right now. Doesn't seem straight forward with Disqus since they go through Clickpass.com. I hope to have something up shortly. Sure would be nice.
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March 20th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Anonymous comments are fine with me as long as the comments are to the point and relevant to the post!
April 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am
You are absolutely right on this, thanks!
April 16th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Let’s start using some real names. If you don’t want your full name out there because you’re falsely scared that someone might steal your identity just from that then just post your real first name.
May 25th, 2009 at 12:42 am
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June 19th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
did you really say “touched a button?”
August 14th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Well dude i agree tooo.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
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