Posted by Dinah on October 8, 2003, at 12:14:21
In reply to Required Name Change Disclosure » Dr. Bob, posted by Susan J on October 8, 2003, at 10:26:27
I think the main reason would be that occasionally posters have changed names because someone in their real life found their posting name and was reading the posts. For at least one poster that caused real life problems. I'm fortunate in that I trust the only two people who I would mind reading my posts know my posting name and this site, and have promised not to read. Others aren't so lucky.
Most managed to leave hints in their new posts, or state directly, who they used to be.
But to require that old and new posting names be placed in one place would make it impossible for someone to continue posting under the circumstances I described, since anyone who knew their old name would know their new.
And Dr. Bob logically pointed out that there was no way he could verify someone's purpose in changing names and so would have to rely on their word. So, this solution may not be perfect, but it's better than nothing.
A lot of times if you know someone well enough, no change of posting name will disguise their style. And a lot of people will voluntarily disclose their old name, even if they do it subtly or in posts. And at least we would be aware that we were talking to someone who used to be someone else.
poster:Dinah
thread:265977
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031008/msgs/266764.html