Getting more friendly on the FOG

[nickao]

There aren't many forums really left on the internet. While they are nice for archiving purposes, they are snail mail compared to other social forms of communication. Forums are kind of 5 minutes ago. I hope this one lasts because it is one of the few remaining good ones, albeit loaded with more debate and divisiveness at times than I am looking for.

My name is Scott.

?

There are more forums on the net than anytime in history and the number has never decreased, only increased. There are over 110,000 in the US right now.

 

[Paul G]

My name is Paul as my screen name suggests. I avoid the use of full name mainly for security/privacy purposes, never know who trolls the net looking for theft targets and a bunch of tools would be a nice days work for some local crack head.

 

[Scott B.]

There aren't many forums really left on the internet. While they are nice for archiving purposes, they are snail mail compared to other social forms of communication. Forums are kind of 5 minutes ago. I hope this one lasts because it is one of the few remaining good ones, albeit loaded with more debate and divisiveness at times than I am looking for.

My name is Scott.

?

There are more forums on the net than anytime in history and the number has never decreased, only increased. There are over 110,000 in the US right now.

I guess I should have been more specific. Forums in the tools and applications realm seem to be on the decline. If anyone knows of a good one that has grown in the past 5 years and remained a positive environment, please post up as I would like to see what that looks like.

When in doubt, I check what Google has to say. Here's a graph that shows their observations on usage:
https://www.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=forums

 

[live4ever]

My name is Paul as my screen name suggests. I avoid the use of full name mainly for security/privacy purposes, never know who trolls the net looking for theft targets and a bunch of tools would be a nice days work for some local crack head.

This.  Now also imagine that even your first name is fairly unique for your area, and IMHO there's a pretty good reason to stay anonymous, as much as you may want to connect with your forum-mates on a more friendly level.

 

[Mort]

Please do not allow the mention of politics, ice cream flavours or guns distract anyone from what this thread is about.

Peter

I have many friends with opposite opinions about guns and politics, but any man who likes Rocky Road is no friend of mine.

Scott

 

[grbmds]

I agree that it would be nice if the FOG could remain a friendly place to ask questions and get good answers as well as help out those who seek advice.

Randy

 

[Steve-Rice]

I don't worry about using my real name because if you google it, you'll find 100 Steve Rice's and none of them are me.

I enjoy many of the nicknames and avatars people use on the forum as many have a lot of personality and it just makes the forum more fun for me.

I have to agree that what is said and the way it is worded speaks volumes about an individual. It is unfortunate that from time to time someone takes something said way too seriously, but for the most part, I genuinely enjoy the FOG and I think we have a very interesting group of members. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I'm just fine with that.

Steve

 

[kevin clifford]

Kevin, from down in Clearwater, Florida. West coast, right in the middle of the state.  Whatever you call yourself on the internet, so be it. We don't all agree on God, guns, politics or whatever, but we all have common ground in a love for woodworking.

 

[Cochese]

I had a bad experience a few years ago where someone took my name and looked up where I lived and made threats against my family, all because of college football. So I can identify with those who would rather go with an alias, particularly when there are thousands of tools involved.

That said, the name on my birth certificate is Christopher, but no one calls me that. It's Chris, or to my friends I am Cochese. Have been for twenty plus years, ever since the Beastie Boys video for Sabotage was dropped. It's as much my identity as my given name is. If you see me on YouTube, I am The 144 Workshop, just because it provides a little more cushion of anonymity. But I do not have a signature nor do I have them enabled.

 

[semenza]

    I think using ones real name whether it be first, last, etc. certainly is going to have a varying comfort level for everyone.

    However the general concept and sentiment of this topic gets a BIG  [thumbs up]

Seth

 

[rst]

;Hi, my name is Steve...and I am an addict...Festool that is, oh and any quality tool that gives me excellent results without a bunch of time, fussing and fiddling.  RST are my initials but anyone calling me by my first given (no one seems to know why, you don't get to pick your family) name shall be forever refered to as dummy

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

My name is Ian and I alter the stickers that used to come with tools and also the extending rules that say "Festool Fan" on them.

My understanding is a Festoolian is someone who really likes Festool stuff. Well I certainly do...

 

[sancho57]

My screen name is Jobsworth, because well Im a jobsworth. I have a festool shrine in my shop, every year I have and sponsor a pilgrimage to my shrine to celebrate my festools people come from all over to join with me in celebrating with food and song....

However, mid year next year, my shrine will be moving to the states where a new holy shrine will be created and celebrated by all.

Now I wish I know how to use these bloody tools....

 

[bkharman]

My screen name is Jobsworth, because well Im a jobsworth. I have a festool shrine in my shop, every year I have and sponsor a pilgrimage to my shrine to celebrate my festools people come from all over to join with me in celebrating with food and song....

However, mid year next year, my shrine will be moving to the states where a new holy shrine will be created and celebrated by all.

Now I wish I know how to use these bloody tools....

Jobby...

Do you know what part of the country you are coming to next year?

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[peter halle]

While the use of real names is optional here it is indeed far more personable to know a person's first name when responding either to a post or to a PM.  A first name only doesn't really give away that much personal information in my opinion.  [2cents]

Peter

 

[sancho57]

My screen name is Jobsworth, because well Im a jobsworth. I have a festool shrine in my shop, every year I have and sponsor a pilgrimage to my shrine to celebrate my festools people come from all over to join with me in celebrating with food and song....

However, mid year next year, my shrine will be moving to the states where a new holy shrine will be created and celebrated by all.

Now I wish I know how to use these bloody tools....

Jobby...

Do you know what part of the country you are coming to next year?

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

yeppers, Ill be heading back home to SoCal

 

[bump]

whilst in principle i don't necessarily disagree with the sentiment of using "real" names, for some it is a matter of practicality to remain anonymous.
i guess for most people working professionally in the woodworking or building industry then it can be a complete boon with regard to getting work and networking professionally; however there are some people (myself included) that have an interest in a personal capacity however wish to remain anonymous for other reasons.
i keep total anonymity on the  internet, no photos of myself or family, no blogs, no social networks etc that could ever tie to me or where i live to being identified. this is not because i am famous or even infamous in any way. i am not a bad guy up to nasty things, i am not shy nor am i looking to rant at anyone or about anything.
professionally my work has brought me into contact with people i would rather not know where to find me either on purpose or by accident.
names are arbitrary anyway, they are merely a label with which to address others. there would be no guarantee the name given would be a "real" one anyhoo.
i think respectfulness and kindness come from the individual whether their name is a given one or chosen one.
i have no problem in using a traditional given name or offering a gender, however it will not necessarily be what i was deemed to be at birth and if "forced" to do so would make one up anyway.

Rick...

=8-D

 

[Wittler1507]

Excellent idea......

Stu,  North Yorkshire