Privacy, real names, and other thoughts

[Graham Butler]

I won’t be long winded and answer all of the questions because my opinion echoes almost all of the responses so far. If the name policy was thrown out it will be cutting the final Achilles heel of Stormtrack. We have been left hopping around on one leg after the first Achilles heel was cut……with the flood gates being open to any and all who think clouds are pretty. With the flood gates now open and ‘if’ the name policy is removed, in my opinion, the forum will fall flat on its face. Since the changes in ST began I have noticed a major decrease in the number of NWS, SPC, and veterans posting, which I can only assume is due to the increase of sludge/banter/bs. Stormtrack has been around in one form or another since the 1970s and, although I have only been on it since 2001, it pains me to see this potentially life ending move be considered.

Graham Butler

 

[Melissa Jablonski]

I say keep it like it is please. I had a stalker 20 years ago. If they want to find you they will find you no matter what you do. He is in jail no worries for me.
Melissa

 

[MatthewCarman]

I like the real names. I have been a member of to many sites that let people use whatever name they wanted and some of the names were inapropriate or names of other members by people wanting to start trouble. I think people with alias names will feel like posting more low quality posts than someone who uses his real name. I am for keeping the real names.

 

[Tarmo Tanilsoo]

1. I am OK with the policy. Keep the full names - they add credibility, and maybe also some self-discipline.

2. Last time I checked Chaser's B&Q was not visible for unregistered members, so if I wanted to post something visible just for ST community, I'd just post it at B&Q.

3. Only B&Q should be private, as it is right now. As long as that is hidden to unregistered folks, I see no need to make any other forums private.

4. While hiding Target Area from general public may help to keep the roads cleaner, I still think that hiding Target Area does more harm than good.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I won’t be long winded and answer all of the questions because my opinion echoes almost all of the responses so far. If the name policy was thrown out it will be cutting the final Achilles heel of Stormtrack. We have been left hopping around on one leg after the first Achilles heel was cut……with the flood gates being open to any and all who think clouds are pretty. With the flood gates now open and ‘if’ the name policy is removed, in my opinion, the forum will fall flat on its face. Since the changes in ST began I have noticed a major decrease in the number of NWS, SPC, and veterans posting, which I can only assume is due to the increase of sludge/banter/bs. Stormtrack has been around in one form or another since the 1970s and, although I have only been on it since 2001, it pains me to see this potentially life ending move be considered.

Graham Butler

I echo what Graham said here. Worded very well and to the point. If real names go, so does ST.

 

[Brandon Goforth]

4. While hiding Target Area from general public may help to keep the roads cleaner, I still think that hiding Target Area does more harm than good.

Just curious as to why? I think the target area should be secured personally.

 

[Aaron Strum]

I feel that the only one I can answer independently is number 4. 1-3 I feel I can best answer combined.

4. What are your feelings about Target Area being viewable by the public?
Like what some others stated I also would worry about liability, but joe six-pack could also stumble on SPC's website by chance or even just watch CNN (which today had a bit on VORTEX2 and also included the SPC rick factors for the country)

1-3.
Some have said that real names give some credibility and may prevent fake posts and what not. I believe that this may hold better on most forums but in this forum you already need to have an interest in storm chasing before joining, such as answering weather related questions which took me 4 times before I got one I could answer, as I have little experience and was never really exposed to the technical side of weather and technical terms (I was born in '88 and was a kid and don't remember much of what most of you considered the hay day of TWC), then also the short essay on you and your experiences in weather. Right there with those two things are deterrent to most people who really don't hold an interest. Which greatly reduces bad posts as the administration filters people who want to join. I also acknowledge that as I am not a storm chaser I may be a minority on this board and before joining this board didn't know there was such a social aspect of being a chaser (in the fact that every one seems to know every one, I thought it was less social then what it is). So yes then Real Names seem to be better.

But yet with the insurance and what not privacy issues do come to mind -- yet it seems that most of you "guys" have web sites and sell products to the general public and media outlets, and use real names there and your name will most likely be connected to your cashing web site which then makes the privacy issues here moot as they can still get that information. (Though I don't like the idea of employers, insurance, etc searing my name)

The only reason why I joined this forum was because after a number of Google searches since the past year time and again I was directed to this forum, and the people were knowledgeable and in some cases head of the local forecast offices. After I was approved I discovered the treasure chest of information relating to weather and just stuff that peaked my interest in B&C and the archives, I would say keep B&C and Vault privet as then only people who have a serious interest in weather will join with out seeing the more relaxed area.

 

[Graham Butler]

The only reason why I joined this forum was because after a number of Google searches since the past year time and again I was directed to this forum, and the people were knowledgeable and in some cases head of the local forecast offices. After I was approved I discovered the treasure chest of information relating to weather and just stuff that peaked my interest in B&C and the archives, I would say keep B&C and Vault privet as then only people who have a serious interest in weather will join with out seeing the more relaxed area.

Google can still see the posts in certain areas of the forum and would still recognize that it is a Storm Chaser forum.....you would just have to sign up if you wanted to yourself post. Also, you say that there were head of the local forecast offices answering your questions. If, and I sure as hell hope not, the name rule is gone these guys (and gals) will fade into the distance and not longer be here to answer your questions

Graham Butler

 

[Aaron Strum]

Google can still see the posts in certain areas of the forum and would still recognize that it is a Storm Chaser forum.....you would just have to sign up if you wanted to yourself post. Also, you say that there were head of the local forecast offices answering your questions. If, and I sure as hell hope not, the name rule is gone these guys (and gals) will fade into the distance and not longer be here to answer your questions

Graham Butler

Appears I wasn't clear in what I was trying to say. Sorry.

What I was trying to say is that I joined purely because of the subject matter of the forum, and that people who join with out seeing or knowing of a "general chat" area would tend to be more prone to join just to talk about the subject in this weather then just to post in the "general chat area", think of it like this you sign up or join something expecting to know all that you are getting, then some things get added on for no extra cost.

I know google will identity it as a storm chasing web site and that in some places you just need to join to post, I was just giving my support at keeping B&G and the Vault to the permission level they are it (members are only able to see it)

Like I said later down in the post, In the end I do see some practical reasons for the name policy (be it Jdoe, John Doe, or the like) and would support it. I just disagree with some of the view points that if we allowed fake names (beyond the "don't ask don't tell") that an EF-5 will level this place. As you already need to have some weather knowledge to join (took me 4 times to answer a weather related question correctly) and also prove you have an interest. Maybe if this forum didn't require the question and the essay I would be more prone to agree with the other side. But in the end I will agree that the name policy should stay.

I hope that cleared everything up.

 

[Austin Funderburgh]

1. How do you currently feel about our real names policy? Do you have concerns about it?

2. Do you have concerns about what the general public reads (or might read someday) in your posts?

3. Do you see any need for making some areas of Stormtrack private? Which ones?

4. What are your feelings about Target Area being viewable by the public?

Just thought I'd pipe in with a new guy's opinion.

1. I'm with the overwhelming concensus that agrees that the real name policy is great as is.

2. Not at this time.

3. See #4.

4. As Connor mentioned, the FCST threads are a great resource for anybody learning the ropes of chasing and forecasting in general. I've read through most of the FCST threads of this year (and a few big events from years past), even the events that I haven't chased, and have gained valuable knowledge from them. However, I would not be opposed to the FCST and NOW threads being restricted to member viewing as I could have just as easily joined a few months ago. I don't think the post storm reports and discussions need to be restricted though (in terms of viewing).

 

[Matt Sellers]

1. How do you currently feel about our real names policy? Do you have concerns about it?

2. Do you have concerns about what the general public reads (or might read someday) in your posts?

3. Do you see any need for making some areas of Stormtrack private? Which ones?

4. What are your feelings about Target Area being viewable by the public?

1. Keep that policy. I have no concerns about it - I think it's great that this forum requires real names (as the vast majority of online forums do not)... and as others have posted before, this adds an aspect of personal accountability for one's posts that tends to self-police itself, for the most part.

2. No.

3-4. B&G should remain private. I think Target Area should remain public. Joe Blow with his case of beer isn't likely to visit this site, nor 'chase' more than 5 miles away from home; but the EM in his county might be interested in ST and what we're saying about severe weather prospects for his local area. The EM might not be a chaser, nor have any 'social' interest in ST... but he/she shouldn't be forced to register simply to view the Target Area thread.

 

[Jim Saueressig]

I think Target Area should remain public. Joe Blow with his case of beer isn't likely to visit this site, nor 'chase' more than 5 miles away from home; but the EM in his county might be interested in ST and what we're saying about severe weather prospects for his local area. The EM might not be a chaser, nor have any 'social' interest in ST... but he/she shouldn't be forced to register simply to view the Target Area thread.

The problem in the past when it is public is that you had 50 members and 700 guest trying to view it during an event and then it lagged out the server and nobody got to see it for a while.

 

[terra seright]

I used the Target Area before membership was opened up. I was also trying to learn, and not just show up to be an onlooker. Now that I am a member, I see why it should be closed to surfers. I saw why it should be closed when we were in OK, looking at the mass amount of vehicles clogging the roadsides. If emergency traffic had needed to get through, it would have been difficult. The roads and niches in Vici were clogged to the point that it would have been easy to get trapped. Most of the people were there because they saw certain vehicles with promotional logos for TV shows. Felt like a parade, didn't it? Plenty of Joe Blow Sixpackers were whistling and waving as we drove by...we were even asked for autographs, for crying out loud! I don't think we should co-promote the dangerous passion that we have....there are plenty of TV shows out there which do that particular job so well!

I think if they want to utilize the work that you wonderful forecasters are doing, they should at least be required to do the work to become members here....even if they are EM. It's not very difficult to become a member anyway. Hell, if they are EM, they should already be members, or at least considering it. If we are using this site to find out where to be, we should be able to contribute in some way, OMHO, by being prepared to assist in the event of emergencies, or tell the NWS the real story, or something other than simply standing in the way.

As far as names, I like the policy as it stands. Everyone knows that if you don't want your thoughts to be public, you don't put them on the internet.

My votes...
Names=real/don't ask, don't tell
Target area=private
B&G=private

OMG Darren, you're Jim Carrey??? rofl

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Hmmm, I'd go with...

names=real
target area=private
B&G=private

 

[czenzel]

- I agree with making the names stay real. Since StormTrack requires a registration that needs to be approved I don't worry about people harassing me here. It has been a great community of people to chat with about weather and storm chasing!

- The target area should be kept private to the members. I think its true about the general public reading it and making some unwise decisions.

- The bar and grill should also stay private.