It Has Come To My Notice

[Sqad]

That certain ABers are using personal names other than the Username and i feel that this is a retrograde step, not to be encouraged as it indicates a degree of selectiveness and exclusivity..........a sort of "old Pal's"
I am sure that you will agree.

[Mamyalynne]

Interesting viewpoint Oswald.

[bednobs]

however, if they've already made the username theres not an awful lot they can do about it now

[anneasquith]

Sigh....... Wolf's name is susan . I await my punishment.

[Jackdaw33]

Sqad, are you suggesting that there's a clique or coven on here? :)

[Buenchico]

>>> I am sure that you will agree

Then it seems that you're in error!

It doesn't bother me in general. The only time when I'd rather that people didn't use my real forename is on threads posted by new members where I've posted an answer and someone later writes something like "as Chris wrote above" because that leaves the new member wondering who the hell 'Chris' is)

[Togo]

Very enlightening isn't it. The more you look it would appear that there is a little chumocracy at work under all the supposedly "random" replies offering support or opposition of views. I used to think that they who pointed it out or alluded to it were paranoid or precious. Seems I was very wrong, the knowledge certainly explains some of the make believe, or happenchance collision of "personalities". A sort of secret social filter on a supposedly anonymous(to some extent) site. :))

[-SharonA-]

I have noticed that and often wondered how they knew that person's name.

But I don't mind as it shows a touch of personalness.
If an ABer did not like this, they would/should make it known and someone has objected in the time I've been here as naming that person meant they were easily found on Facebook.

[Mamyalynne]

I use Susan's name too , only because she has used it on here - nothing to do with a private club.

Same goes for Buen/Chris and a few more.

[anneasquith]

By all means abers old and new ,feel free to call me Anne.

[Kidas]

As a relative newcomer to the site, it is very obvious that there is a great deal of communication off-board among certain users.

Also that not all users are equal.

First, there is no list of moderators. it is impossible for a newbie to learn which of the voices on a thread might be a moderator or otherwise.

Second, certain users have discussed in public the regular and sporadic emails that are shared among a select group.

That may present an issue for those who are less thick-skinned than me over the feeling that their contributions are being discussed 'behind their backs'

Third, the use of personal names in public threads suggests a clique, or in-crowd that is not available to new users.

Fourth, the absence of a private messaging service on the site makes it impossible for users to ask questions in confidence. All such communication is public, which discourages some types of conversation.

Y'all now pile in on me and tell me I'm wrong. -shrug-

[EcclesCake]

There is a coven a clique and a coterie, and will be for ever more.

I stand with Groucho Marx on this kind of matter.

[Mamyalynne]

I guess I should be miffed I don't get these tip off emails - but I'm not, just rather relieved.

[shoota]

Rubbish.
What's in a name....?

[Bathsheba]

Togo, you're not wrong :)
Baths
x x x

[jackthehat]

It has come to my notice that you seem to be feeling the need for a bit of argy-bargy in recent times, sqad.

[Quoi]

Dont want mine publicised but doesn't bother me really about others.
I don't turn AB on before breakfast though just in case some of those avatars are real ab'ers though.

[Jackdaw33]

Although I am aware of certain people's names, simply because they have been posted on here, I never use them. I use an abbreviated or truncated form of the username. I would never dream of addressing Chris as such, to me he is Chico.

[dannyk13]

Sqad. Many of the Usernames incorporate the Aber's name (mine included) and I can't see that using that name implies some sort of clique.