Anoninimity good or bad?

[Cat Driver]

I'm not sure why I recall such things, but I have a pretty good memory. Just like I know you've posted your license number here too

Yes I did and it was directed at the former DGCA regarding the legal issues I was having with him and Transport Canada......to save anyone searching through the many posts I made regarding TCCA I had described the Former DGCA as a moral degenerate and invited him to have me served a writ to back up my opinion in court and just in case he forgot who I was I included my license number.

( He never had the writ served, weird huh? )

It is all recorded here somewhere so I am not posting anything that would create any problems for the owner of Avcanada.

Yeh, I guess I don't fear defending myself when I have the law on my side.

With those couple of bits of info, if I was as bad of a person as you think I am,

You have me all wrong, I consider you one of the more rational posters on Avcanada.

[Shiny Side Up]

I am not posting anything that would create any problems for the owner of Avcanada.

Its not him you should worry about creating trouble for. Two pieces of matched ID (your name and license#) could easily eventually be used to commit a whole host of frauds in your name. Especially when one might combine it with a few other pieces of information - stuff we've all probably said during the course of our internet shenanigans. Specifically linking one's self on several different websites often is somewhat more of a risk.

One might note that the Colonel, Gene or whomever he wants to be known by is somewhat wise to this, since there is a somewhat of a step removed to some of the identifying data. Though I think he's posted his EAA, COPA and AOPA member numbers before. A lapse in one's own security if you will, a larger pool of data to be fished easily enough.

Here's something interesting these days. The new vogue is to use extensive references on resumes from people who have no idea they're being referenced. Easy to do to help the log book padding I suppose. Really attractive for foreign pilots trying to get work here. I can only imagine if you work in tech support all day, you have some time to look for ways to make your resume appear more attractive.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[trey kule]

This was one of the most entertaining threads in awhile for me

Some of my favorites:

I'm willing to bet that this place would be far more civil if people were more honest about who they are on here.

I am willing to bet there would be almost no posts.

I also liked Cat's claiming he is not a KKK member....can a KKK person have their pants on fire for lying ? Do they even wear pants under their nighties? Personally I hate thread drift more than anything else.

There are many people here, and pretty much everyone I work with who know the name I post under. But practically, if one is posting on these types of forums they are subject to libellous attacks, and trying to respond to unfounded personal attacks is tedious. I can also understand why some others may not want to have their name publicly shared. God help them if they ever had a slip in this world..they would be torn apart by the hyenas who enjoy tearing individuals apart. I also understand the frustration of those who use their real names when they get attacked by the A people. It sort of justifies my thinking on this issue

It is a sad fact of life today, that when people feel they are "A" people (no way am I going to try and spell it....The spelling police are on full alert, I see), they think they can be purposely hurtful to others.


BTW...my very favourite was the post indicating some use this site as personal psychotherapy...I know I do.

[B52]

It's disappointing to see the moderator's "banning" the colonel
and then "shutting down" that thread.

My opinion, is that opinions are like rectums, everyone has one,
and it appears that because someone want's to play god,
with their power, and ban one poster that has done a deal for
Canadian Aviation.

I have not had the pleasure of flying with him but
few have his passion and desire to help others.
His constant posts I think, really drew a lot of readers.

Now off to Prune, to avoid the simple minded moderation
that makes me want to puke.

[North Shore]

Seeya!

[trey kule]

My opinion, is that opinions are like rectums, everyone has one,
and it appears that because someone want's to play god,
with their power, and ban one poster that has done a deal for
Canadian Aviation.

You should thank the moderators. I would respond to such a mature and respectful post by allowing you the opportunity to spend all your time on other sites.

On the other hand, your post is a perfect example of how rude people can be when they dont have to post their real name. There is power in being nameless in that simple decency can be thrown to the winds. The mods are people. Would you say this to them face to face?

Btw..you are not anonymous to them. If they really were god playing jerks , as you suggest, it might just affect your career, as this is a small world...

[Shiny Side Up]

There seem to be several assumptions that people are making here which aren't actually that correct.

First, people assume that if others knew who they really were they would behave better. In my experience, this doesn't stop people you encounter face to face, you know, within punching range, so I'm not sure why it would stop them on the internet. Mainly because for all of the bravado, most of us won't punch the rude people in the face anyways, so their behavior here isn't much different than it would be in person. The same people who would complain about the mods, would have no issues bitching out a police officer and the whole bit. I can think of a few current and former posters who are as irritating, in your face and socially inept here as they are in real life. People just can't hide who they really are, I suspect if anything an internet forum magnifies it, but doesn't change it.

After all, you only have to attend a real life larger "forum" of people to see this in action. Flying club meetings are always good for this same sort of entertainment, if you like your internets drama up close.

Second, its the internet, everyone could be an imposter. Go on any MMORPG which stands for Many Men Online Role Playing as Girls. One could use any online handle, say its your real name and pretend to be an airline pilot, a crop duster, a new student, whatever. Actually I'll confess that I actually pose as the last one sometimes in real life, which is all sorts of amusing. But I digress. Who knows, maybe "Cat Driver" is a 14 year old who's impersonating his grandfather. Trey Kule could be a bored housewife. Who really knows? I've never seen any of these people. I've never seen any of them first hand fly an airplane - And I learned long ago that people can talk a pretty convincing game that way where you might be fooled. It would be pretty easy to impersonate the Colonel, just get some links of pictures and research his post history - anyone for that matter who has an extensive facebook page or online presense.

With all that in mind, lastly, its the internet. I suppose its a reflection of life, and like life, don't take it too seriously, you're not going to get out of it alive.

[timel]

MMORPG

Haha best acronym ever!

[CID]

If I were to want anonymity when interacting with strangers I would join the KKK.

So....what are you saying? You're a racist but you can't deal with the anonymity? Here's the thing. Beyond the obvious big hole in the logic of your statement, you are implying that in dealing with strangers, any strangers, we should all be open and honest about our identities. Ever heard of phone scams? How about identify theft? How about extortion? When you go to the ATM to extract some money and the dude behind you in line asks your name and phone number and address do you gladly provide those details and go on your merry way?

Cat Driver, you treat your decision to reveal your identity on an anonymous forum as some brave gesture that somehow legitimizes your statements here. It doesn't. It just indicates that you don't feel the need to protect your identity on a forum where nobody is obligated to do the same. Call it brave, I call it unwise.

[Liquid Charlie]

I'm thinking after reading this thread that maybe everyone should treat their identity like a password and change it weekly or even daily --

[CpnCrunch]

Ironically, there are a bunch of people at Cat Driver's airport who have a habit of making up ridiculous lies about people if you say anything that they disagree with. I made the mistake of giving my avcanada identity to one of them, and it caused me some problems later. I'm now careful not to PM my name to anyone who comes across as a potential nutbar, or even someone who disagrees with me. I don't even work in aviation, so I can imagine that if you work in the industry it would be a good idea to be careful. There are a few really nutty people out there and they can cause you severe problems!

[Shiny Side Up]

There are a few really nutty people out there and they can cause you severe problems!

No doubt. I could name a few, but I won't. I recall one former avcanada poster whom in real life started a letter writing crusade whom I was told by a TC inspector had flooded their office with 100+ complaints about every and any pilot within a 100 miles. I found out since I, my students, the school, the airport, and almost everyone I knew that flies airplanes were mentioned in some of these alleged CARs violations. Some of the "violations" that were mentioned apparently used avcanada a a source of proof.

Fortunately in that instance saner minds prevailed, but I'd shudder to think if they hadn't. Its bad enough to defend one self from the occasional accusation of CARs violations one gets, never mind to have someone examining everything you might say like some kind of thought police here to bring real grief against you.

[complexintentions]

Where/when did the Colonel get banned? Haven't been keeping up.

[Pop n Fresh]

If you think using your real name here is a good idea you must not be farmiliar with this.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=79032&hilit=Twin+otter+Delivery

What in the bloody blue mullet happened there? Oh wait, I see what happened there. An anonymous guy gave the guy who used his real name a ton of grief. Metric tonne even.

[Liquid Charlie]

I think that if one is on a forum, face book and any of the social media of the day - it seems that people - especially the newer generations have very few issues throwing it out there - there will always be trolls and there will always be gangsters -- taking a few minor hits or insults on a forum is nothing compared to having your details and account hacked on some supposedly secure site such as paypal -- google yourself -- most of us have done this -- there will be very few of us who have been surfing for a while who will not have at least a small foot print -- if you are worried about protecting your identity better get off the digital highway, turn in your smart phone and disable wifi on your tablets -- after what happened at the Olympics I can't believe anyone uses public wifi - think about that next time you are sitting in horny tims - users here are not the problem it's the fact that registration requires the information that could hurt you --I believe this site has been hacked before - not much detail required for registration but enough for the bad guys to start something --

[loopa]

Bang on.

If my civil posting style and content is enough to set someone off that they do not want to hire me, then odds are I wouldn't be happy working with/for them either.

[Pop n Fresh]

Are you really anonymous online?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.2803572

[Rockie]

Anonymity online is like locking your car door. It won't slow down the professional thief who wants your car but it at least keeps the dimwitted and bored troublemakers from rifling your glove compartment and tearing up your upholstery.