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Ready to use your real name yet?

Friday, August 28, 2009

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By DAN ROSS
Register Online Editor

Dan Ross articles

October 27th, 2009

High rollers

October 26th, 2009

The play's the thing...

October 24th, 2009

High rollers

October 16th, 2009

Video: 3 Napa elementary schools may close

September 10th, 2009

Murder charge for former BART cop

Talking Points

November 5th, 2009

Who wants to be a political blogger for us?

October 8th, 2009

Is your account here about to be deleted?

August 28th, 2009

Ready to use your real name yet?

August 25th, 2009

Who do you want to replace Wiggins as state senator?

August 20th, 2009

Should marijuana be legalized?

There you are, sitting in front of your computer monitor, fingers flying across the keyboard while firing out one angry response after another, responding to perceived (or real) attacks against you and your opinions. You smile as the sarcastic tone reads just right, and the personal attack almost qualifies as well hidden. All that is left is for you to send it off. So you add your name ...

MyFlowersArePretty, ThinkingHurtsMyHead, etc.

Would your response, your comment, your stated opinion be any different if you had to use your real name? Would you still add comments like "all (Democrats, Republicans, left-handers) are ignorant because (enter attack here)," if you had to truly identify yourself and publicly admit the opinion is yours?

I defended the use of screen names when we first starting accepting story comments some three years and 155,000 comments ago. We choose to moderate the comments because we feel a responsibility to the community. We are not the producer or the publisher of the comments, but we are the venue where the comments appear, thus we feel a responsibility to review the vile, hateful and inappropriate comments before they could appear on our site. For example, we do not publish the name of rape victims, yet when we publish a rape story, someone in the comments tries to post the victim's name and make very derogatory comments about the victim.

After reading almost all of these 155,000 comments and admittedly being disgusted by the vile tone of some deleted comments, I'm not so sure I can defend any longer those who hide within their anonymity and fire attack after attack.

People love to wax poetically and type lovingly of the hidden nature of blog comments posted under pseudonyms, going on and on about the Wild West-like frontier of posting story comments here at NapaValleyRegister.com and the thousands of media outlets on the 'Net, where the hate speech and general nastiness flourishes.

Whatever happened to being so proud of your opinion and a willingness to defend your opinion to those who take up on the opposing side of a debate that you admit who you are? Don't get me wrong, people using screen names are strongly defending their opinions, but most often it appears impossible to do so without being incredibly derogatory about those who differ in thought/vote/etc. Some people are able to debate civilly while online, and that contributes to some great debates on topics big and small..

I am absolutely certain the number of comments we receive would drop off dramatically if we switched to a requirement that people making comments must only use their given first and last name.

To begin with, most of our comments come during work hours, so people might hesitate, thinking a boss could find out comments are being made when they really are supposed to be doing that ugly four-letter word called work.

Those who live to attack would lose their protective bubble of anonymity and most likely head off to a blog of their own or another entity where blind posts and non-moderated comments appear.

The number of comments would be reduced and the civility of the comments/debates would rise at an equal level, I do believe.

So, how many of the 9,675 of you registered on this site would be willing to take the leap and comment/debate while using your real first and last name on this or any media outlet Web site, just like every person who has a letter to the editor published?

Would you use your real name to make online comments?(answers)

135 comment(s)

C'mon reg get it right wrote on Aug 28, 2009 2:48 PM:

" Yes I would.

Greg Music "

diehard4ever wrote on Aug 28, 2009 3:33 PM:

" Everybody already knows who I am, so it doesn't really matter. "

post-it wrote on Aug 28, 2009 3:45 PM:

" So we would have a bunch of Mark Twains instead? Would the NVR do an "investigation" to prove you are who you say you are? Seems a pointless change as it is just as easy to make up a "real name" as it is to make up a screen name. "

napaoldguy wrote on Aug 28, 2009 3:49 PM:

" I have no problem letting people know what I think

Mark Linley "

napamomma wrote on Aug 28, 2009 3:57 PM:

" Lisa Jaynes :0) "

napamomma wrote on Aug 28, 2009 3:57 PM:

" diehard4ever: who are you? "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Aug 28, 2009 4:05 PM:

" post-it:
We already verify identities when the name of a political figure is registered. If we or any media outlet switched to requiring full names, there'd be steps necessary to verify or the account could not be activated.

We are not asking people today to identify themselves in their comments, I'm just opening (again) the topic of using real names vs. screen names for a discussion on the topic.

--Dan "

KelzMom wrote on Aug 28, 2009 4:09 PM:

" I'd never use the NVR for negative comments, or hate, or derogatory speech, etc.

Jerae Knutson, proud Napan since 1971 (even though I lived in Pacific Northwest for 13+ years). "

notz wrote on Aug 28, 2009 4:16 PM:

" Pull the curtain open! Reveal yourself evil spirit! "

post-it wrote on Aug 28, 2009 4:36 PM:

" How would you handle minors?

What would the culpability of the NVR be if someone committed a crime on another person because of their comments posted here?

I would rather have more contentious discussion than less polite discussion.

If you required real names would you still moderate and censor (delete) posts? If so, why? Is this a ploy to do less moderating?

Are people offended by the current comments? If so, you could simply require a "click to read comments" button. That way, if you don't want to see the comments, or are offended by them you wouldn't have to read them.

I think the comments as is, lend more insight as to what people really think about the issues. If someone wants to make their name known, they are welcome to write a letter to the editor.

I think the bad of real names outweighs the good as I believe the comments are already heavily moderated. "

Jenn wrote on Aug 28, 2009 4:47 PM:

" No problem here using my real name, it already kinda is anyways! What I say is my opinion, and if others have a problem with my opinion on a matter, I really dont care.

Jennifer Cody "

winemd wrote on Aug 28, 2009 5:02 PM:

" I would rather do first name, last initial. I tend to agree with post-it. There are improvements that could be made to the posting system, no doubt. That being said, I would probably still post if my name was required, but not on all issues. "

Skip M. wrote on Aug 28, 2009 5:13 PM:

" Been doing close to this for quite some time. I only used my last initial because when this feature first came out, my Grandma was still living and I didn't want people crank calling her. She has since passed,

so Skip M. is:
Sherwood N. (Skip) Munk II. "

post-it wrote on Aug 28, 2009 5:14 PM:

" By the way, federalist papers were published under pseudonyms.... "

diehard4ever wrote on Aug 28, 2009 5:48 PM:

" napamomma-
Angelina Gervasio, Angie to my classmates. I'm 13. I have another account with my real name, and have said that I was the same person a couple times. Most of the times teacher, pharper, and some other people just call me ANgelina even if I use DieHard. I've never hidden my real name. "

Skip M. wrote on Aug 28, 2009 6:31 PM:

" post-it: At the time the federalist papers were published, that document constuted treason against the crown (England). I'm not sure if anyone has told you, but the colonies won the revolution. We are not called The United States of America, and are a world power.

Now, if you plan to encite treason against the USA, perhaps you should continue anonymously. "

y2kcbr wrote on Aug 28, 2009 6:39 PM:

" Yes. - Mark Eggan "

post-it wrote on Aug 28, 2009 7:57 PM:

" Skip, we were still part of the crown in 1787? Not in my history book, that is post revolutionary war, during the time ratification of the constitution "

alucawanza wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:58 PM:

" No...I'm too well known in the community and like the anonymity of this post. I don't want to have to talk about what I say in the grocery store or any other public place. "

Manxkat wrote on Aug 28, 2009 9:35 PM:

" To Skip M and Post-it: Just a historical note that may help the discussion - The war of independence from England ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris. The US was very clearly functioning as a separate country under the Articles of Confederation in 1787.

James Madison used the pseudonym "Publius" when he wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in order to try to convince the state of New York to ratify the constitution. "

Skip M. wrote on Aug 28, 2009 9:44 PM:

" UM, Pardon me while I pull my head out of my - uh - well you know where it was. Thats what I get for shooting something off before making sure I knew what I was talking about.

But then again, I like egg. "

littlered56 wrote on Aug 28, 2009 10:19 PM:

" I do not have a problem with it, My name is Char larsen. I think it would make people think a little more when they send comments. Skipm you grandma was a wonderful lady.You came from good family. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Aug 28, 2009 10:27 PM:

" What if we just identified ourselves periodically in our comments, but kept the pen name? My headstrong alter ego, Della, might feel abandoned. And she's worked so diligently to try to behave. "

funnyme wrote on Aug 29, 2009 12:01 AM:

" Dan,
Why don't you organize another "Bloggermania" and let the games begin?

I am diehard's mom...of course! "

pharper wrote on Aug 29, 2009 12:59 AM:

" Phoebe Harper. :) Everyone knows who I am by now, anyway.

I'm with funnyme - another Bloggermania sounds like fun! The last one was on my birthday. :) As long as it's on a weekend, I'm there - and I'll probably be dragging my boyfriend along with me. :) "

kevin wrote on Aug 29, 2009 6:27 AM:

" Yet one more bad idea in a long list, Dan... "

napaisburning wrote on Aug 29, 2009 7:53 AM:

" There is nothing to fear............. YES, we should all use our real names, as our comments at the foot of these articles are mere extentions of the letters to the editor page. To my recollection, never in the history of the world has anyone been physically harmed as a result of their internet postings, at least not here in little old Napa!!!! JWPeay "

steph wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:10 AM:

" Nope. Not using my real name. "

rpcv wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:43 AM:

" If it helps eliminate the hateful comments, I'm all for it.
Karen Garcia "

Raven wrote on Aug 29, 2009 9:12 AM:

" sure why not but I think the example and precedent of Publius is a good one....

The idea does seem to fly in the face of what internet ID theft experts keep saying over and over again about revealing as little as possible about yourself online. (which makes the handling of minors who blog her an interesting problem)

Because it is just as easy to create a first and last name as it is a screen name for anyone who wants to take the time, if you do investigate to confirm the ID, what are you doing with the data you store after you confirm the ID?

As for reducing to intensity of the posts by doing this....the intensity probably not, but reduce the number of such entries, maybe.

One more thought....I haven't seen very many other publications that use this format, do you have some examples? "

diehard4ever wrote on Aug 29, 2009 10:06 AM:

" post-it-
I like the "click to read" idea.

I want another Bloggermania!!!! Will the GreatPinkOne show if we beg (which I am more than willing to do)??? ADARK1! Get in here! This was your area of expertise! Maybe more people will show up this time... Let's pick a date! "

funnyme wrote on Aug 29, 2009 11:19 AM:

" What hateful comments are you talking about?

Remember, the comment guidelines ALREADY "gets your comment deleted":
• Personal attacks
• Derogatory remarks
• Name-calling of any sort
• Going off-topic
• Hate speech
• Racially-insensitive comments

More likely it's opposing views on controversial subjects that may touch a raw nerve and the inability to recognize defeat. 8P "

msdemo wrote on Aug 29, 2009 11:36 AM:

" I do have a problem with a couple of the very negative posters and would not like them to know my name. IE Kevin never says anything positive on any subject. "

thisisnotatest wrote on Aug 29, 2009 12:42 PM:

" My name is Dan Ross and I ran out of things to write about today. "

freeport56 wrote on Aug 29, 2009 12:58 PM:

" Dan, fellow bloggers,

Mark Gasster, as always proud to gho toe to toe in the never ending fight to protect, defend, and preserve Freedom & Liberty. "

glenroy wrote on Aug 29, 2009 1:35 PM:

" You bet I've been doing that since day 1.... "

Bill wrote on Aug 29, 2009 3:25 PM:

" Dan,
It might be a good Idea if this were a true debating site. Many of the comments I oppose have been well reasoned but others have been patent misrepresentation of personal expertise, experience and education. Many have been out right lies or the repetition of lies.
Instead of relying on words to convey ideas many rely on their avatars not only to hide who they are but to build a mystique and a following. So many are greater in their own minds than they are in their words and find when their avatars are ridiculed (Avatars are apart your self representation) that it has become some how personal.
Most of the fun has been drained from this experience as humor is more difficult to relay than sarcasm. It falls flat and harms not only the progenitor and their argument but those with whom they would seek a dialogue.

Your weekly political rant section is a good example of attacking the avatar and the person and not the argument. Each prefers to characterize the other instead of presenting a logical argument. Your thread on health care worked better but the format becomes a hindrance when trying to follow an exchange.

It is all to easy to become polemical in just a few words but then it is difficult to have a free for all and spontaneous commentary with out making some missteps. I notice you do not post between certain hours which might leave people to post from their work when they would rather post from home. Also the daytime hours of the week end appear to be delayed until very late.
Some times the response if not addressed to a poster specifically but generally is taken out of context by the preceding poster. "

yvonne wrote on Aug 29, 2009 4:02 PM:

" I do, Yvonne Scott.

I thought it was funny that Manxkat had to make a comment to contradict someone else, but did not address the question; What's your REAL name? "

napablogger wrote on Aug 29, 2009 6:10 PM:

" Dan, although I argued keeping the posters anonymous the last time you brought this up, I have since changed my mind. It is true that fewer may post, but I believe the quality of the posting would get better.

Most of the arguments have grown predictable and weary.

Obama's a socialist, no, you just want children to die of a terrible disease.

I have talked to a lot of people in the community who don't post and are starting to read the comments less and less because of it.

I think using names and making people more responsible for what they say by so doing would improve the quality of the debate. Some would quit but others would join.

Why not try it as an experiment, and if it doesn't work you can always go back? "

napablogger wrote on Aug 29, 2009 6:11 PM:

" btw, I'm Michael Haley if anyone doesn't know. "

kevin wrote on Aug 29, 2009 7:09 PM:

" msdemo said:

"IE Kevin never says anything positive on any subject. "

That's RIDICULUS!

I am POSITIVE that B.O.'s policies are going to destroy this country.

How much MORE POSITIVE can I be?

BTW: Adark1 and I are NOT going to do the 'heavy lifting" for any bloggermania this year.

Not after all you 'no shows' LAST YEAR.

(But we WILL show up to drink wine and eat bbq if someone ELSE does the work...) "

Exasperated wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:02 PM:

" My comments get deleted all the time because I have a conservative point of view and HATE socialism. I guess that's the NVR's version of hate speech.
I would never post under my real name because my liberal bosses and liberal coworkers would find out and I'm undercover at work! "

a teacher wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:56 PM:

" There are plenty of wack jobs on the web and I for one don't blame people for wanting anonymity. I was reluctant to use my name for my blog, but that was the deal and I wanted to write it, so... If you are paying attention, you know who I am. "

manxkat wrote on Aug 29, 2009 9:33 PM:

" Many people have excellent comments, historical expertise and technical expertise on cogent issues. But, it takes forever to get a letter to the editor printed in the Register and reply letters take forever to come into print. The Chronicle prints competing comments quickly regarding current issues.
If the Register could give a quicker and easier printing of a cross section of community comments on cogent issues I think there would be a much better reparte. Then everyone could include their names and get a chance to express their views - with their names. "

barefoot wrote on Aug 29, 2009 9:50 PM:

" Are you people insane? I believe that you should be able to choose any screen name you want every time you want. That way, your opinion won't be ignored just because of your screen name. Obviously, the reporter has a biased opinion about certain bloggers. Just because you don't like what someone has to say doesn't mean they are wrong. "

post-it wrote on Aug 29, 2009 10:04 PM:

" For all those in favor of real names, here is a little experiment. Just google some of the real names already posted with Napa CA and see what you come up with. I bet folks would be surprised to find out how much information they will find with this most basic search. Now everytime your name is added as a comment to a post it goes into the search algorithm and there will be even more hits with your name.

Frankly, if this becomes the policy, its been nice chatting with you folks.... "

Paddy wrote on Aug 29, 2009 10:54 PM:

" The LA Times and SF Chronicle don't ask for full names. What are you afraid of? Opinion?

Besides, I am using my real name.

Paddy "

krusty wrote on Aug 30, 2009 12:27 AM:

" I think keeping anonimity is a good thing. Personally, I feel somewhat reluctant to give my full name because I work in customer service and deal with locals regularly. I have a lot of respect for my employer and I would hate for something I said here to affect the business or cause people to look at the business in a negative light because of the views of one of its employees. I know reasonable people can seperate the two, but who says everyone is reasonable?

Like Dan, I do become annoyed with the rants and insults. I do think the displaying of names would put a face behind the words and may in turn cause people to have more respect for each other. We would treat each other with respect if we happened to meet in public, but it's no holds barred here. Just show as much respect for someone here as you would if you met face to face. "

calistoga_tony wrote on Aug 30, 2009 1:21 AM:

" If everyone used their real names, it would result in a gigantic mess in the real world. After watching what happened to Miss California after she answered a question honestly, and didn't give the answer that would be popular with the mainstream media can you guess what would happen here?

Even though Miss Cali is actually with the majority of California, a witch hunt ensued. So what would happen here? Everyone against gay marriage would be attacked in the real world after commenting on it.

If you are a teacher, police officer or firemen, someone liberal would try to get you fired by pointing at your comment and calling you a racist or a bigot.

Mention deporting illegal alien criminals, now you are a racist that hates Mexicans. Mention Obama's lack of a birth certificate and you are a racist that hates blacks.

Then the radical left will do what they always do, they will put you on some public list like they did with prop 8 and people that had concealed gun permits, they will post your address and phone number someplace, list your kids names, call your employer, and it would go on and on.

When people can't fight you using logic and facts, they will try to silence you or get you fired from your job. That's just the way it is.

The only way that this might work, using real names, is if there was some ID verification system in place and it was a system that meant everyone had to do it, or you couldn't comment. That might reduce people going outside of this forum and doing something foolish, but it would not eliminate it. "

kevhund wrote on Aug 30, 2009 7:44 AM:

" No, I would never use my real name onlne EVER. My netizen persona is not known by those that know me in the real world, and I plan to keep it that way. "

Jane Eyrehead wrote on Aug 30, 2009 8:10 AM:

" I do write letters under my name, once in a while, to the Register. Some of the posters here are reasonable and try to correct misinformation and so forth. However, many, many of the people who post are so negative and vituperative and--horrors--predictable that it has become myspace for malcontents. Goodness knows what the deleted comments are like.

What is amusing is how many posters bash the Register yet avail themselves of the blogging opportunities it provides. Has the blog caused subscriptions to rise? Do blog posters help the Register sell more advertising? Do advertisers read the posts and shudder? I know some locals who do.

If ID is required to post, that's fine with me. Close readers know who I am anyway. "

diehard4ever wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:06 AM:

" tony-
You're absolutely correct. If I had a dollar for every time a conservative has been called racist, bloodthirsty and intolerant, among other things, on this site, I would almost be able to afford a tank-proofed Bugatti Veyron.

I don't care though. It's was more fun (and there were more comments) when we didn't have the pre-school rules. I liked it better and I posted more. "

kevin wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:21 AM:

" I've already had Liberals call my employer and complain about my online comments, so be prepared if you too reveal your identity.

Turnabout is fair play!

:-) "

msdemo wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:42 AM:

" No I would not post if we were using our real names "

winemd wrote on Aug 30, 2009 11:58 AM:

" A "threaded format" or "reply" button that posted which comment the reply was in response to would help in terms of following exchanges, especially on the daily thoughts or rants.

I would post less if using my real name. I would continue to post on educational topics, most likely, but I would prefer not to post on more controversial topics, because I don't want to have people (at school for instance) come up and engage in that kind of conversation. I don't do as well when speaking as I do when writing, when I can sit and really think about what I want to say. It's not that I don't stand by my opinion, but I don't like conversations that are controversial. Maybe I am a chicken in real life, but that's the way it is.
Maybe people would not come up to me; I don't really know. The few posters that I come in contact with who I have "figured out"- we don't talk about it. But I don't know if they know who I am. "

pharper wrote on Aug 30, 2009 11:59 AM:

" If I had a dollar for every time I've heard a liberal called silly, naive, socialist, politically correct as if it's a bad thing, and ignorant, I could afford my college tuition.

It works both ways, folks. "

napamouth wrote on Aug 30, 2009 12:48 PM:

" No...I'm not telling you my name. I never "blog" anyway, haahaahaha.
Let's include our age, race, hth, wt. marital status and pic. How about our job status, salary, political party, kids names and ages....you get the picture Dan? Or will you not post my comment...again. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 31, 2009 12:45 AM:

" I don't have a problem with anybody that I know knowing what I post. They know who I am.

But frankly, some of the NVR's readers don't always seem like well-balanced individuals to me.

There are too many people here who always scream for punishment of people who haven't even been to trial yet, and frankly some of these people seem to enjoy the misfortune of other people too much.

There are just some people I don't want to know, and some people I don't want to know me. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 31, 2009 3:02 AM:

" Nope. I will never reveal my name. I've made some fairly strong comments about evolution, population, immigration, and religion etc. In fact, my comments would probably be even more direct had it not been for the mistake of revealing my real name to others who read or participate in the NVR postings.

I never want to come face to face with some unbalanced individual appearing at my doorstep, disagreeing with whatever I post here. "

XMAN wrote on Aug 31, 2009 4:55 AM:

" Dear Dan,
Should we use or married name or our maiden name?
signed, Chuck "

antipc wrote on Aug 31, 2009 7:12 AM:

" I wouldn't mind except for the fact that I have way too much family in the county. They don't need the exposure. "

WorksInNapa wrote on Aug 31, 2009 7:30 AM:

" Most people would associate my name with my employer and I wouldn't that association since my personal thoughts are not in any way tied to my employer. If I should ever retire then I wouldn't mind using my real name. "

msdemo wrote on Aug 31, 2009 7:31 AM:

" I wish those so adamant against socialism give solid reasons why our system is better than Sweden, Germany, Japan etc etc. I don't necessarily support socialism but it's as if the word defines all and it comes from the same people who are so critical of all changes.
I prefer to call change "improvement" The other people who irritate me call it "Obama Care" when speaking of changes to the health care system in this country. Do you prefer Bush No Care?? "

5th generation napan wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:03 AM:

" Give me a break. No I will never use my real name.

Just like voting it should be anonymous so real feelings and opinions can be expressed, un sugar coated.

As far as personal attacks, stick and stones people. "

sandra wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:50 AM:

" What concerns me about using full names is the fringe element bent on vengence towards anyone who holds an opinion differing from their own.
I would think Dan, that as the person disgusted by the many posts you deny, that you of all people would understand just how nasty these people can be. Why would you want to expose people to their insanity by giving them the last names of people they disagree with?
There are minors who post here....do you want some stalker going after them?
Do you want people to accost others at their work, in the supermarkets, in peoples homes?

Dan, I can only wonder at what you were thinking when you posed that question. "

Paddy wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:58 AM:

" A good example of why names should not be used... Imagine if one of the people "Jane Eyrehead" criticizes were a vendor or teacher or relation who is expressing his/her opinion (yes, these are opinions) which causes Jane to disdain all future interaction with that person because they obviously don't meet some personal standard.

The same can be said for anyone with an opinion here. Having names included in these comment sections would potentially alienate people (or worse) This is a small town and one would be amazed at who you know with opinions they might suppress because of those who snicker behind silk gloves.

Again, if the LA Times and SF Chronicle don't require full names be given why is the NVR pushing it? "

Shrapnal wrote on Aug 31, 2009 9:08 AM:

" I like the idea of using real names, but as someone else pointed out what about minors? Seems easier to just step up banning people over hateful/inappropriate comments than to shake up the whole NVR online community "

rogers wrote on Aug 31, 2009 9:29 AM:

" Well I use my name but I prefer the option of any screen name. Some are really quite fun, how can you not get a giggle out of a screen name like PlasticPinkFlamingo?

I think anonymity is important because as post-it wrote "I think the comments as is, lend more insight as to what people really think about the issues".

Yes, real names might tone down the invectives, and we might see writing that is less confrontational, but I would rather see what the person really thinks and feels. It is far more honest and revealing. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Aug 31, 2009 9:49 AM:

" I was about to drop my real name here, you know, jump right in and see if I could keep from getting trampled. Then I read C-Tony's post and realized I really don't want people with that kind of absolutist, fear-based, accusatory thinking to even address me by my real name. (I'm assuming he wasn't kidding.)

Enough of the comments, overall, seem focused on maligning others, and under my real name, for professional as well as personal reasons, I just wouldn't engage with them -- here or in person. Wendy prefers a reasonable, reality-based dialogue, gratuitous civility, or a sincere, solution-focused exploration of beliefs, fears, hopes and motivations. Della finds it a little easier to go with the flow. Della was given her name by her brother, a master of cynical irreverance and facetious irony.

Catch you later. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:08 AM:

" I agree with Paddy -- I've had the concern that if I know the real person behind comments I don't like, I would be absolutely unable to interact with them in a civil, community-enhancing manner because of what I know about them. I like to think that just because we disagree on public policy doesn't necessarily mean some of us are good and some of us are bad. But if I've formed a negative opinion about someone, that can easily get in the way of collaboration (should it ever be called for).

We could think of this as a "suggestion box", perhaps. In every day life, we can follow the rules of not talking about religion, politics, and - what was the third thing? Anyway, here we find out what is REALLY going on. Like post-it said & rogers echoed, it gives us more insight.

It's nice not to have to be guarded, which we pretty much are in real life. We can't all just walk around being Rosanne. So here we get to say what we really think. "

Mr_Napa wrote on Aug 31, 2009 12:50 PM:

" Absolutely I would! And, I think it's a GREAT idea!! Maybe other papers will follow your lead.

Signed,

Santiago Avila-Gomez (aka Santiago Avila) "

XMAN wrote on Aug 31, 2009 1:24 PM:

" Dellasumbrella is always such a fair-minded, thoughtful, sweet, kind and thoughtful posting individual that if I knew her address I would send her a large bouquet of roses.

As for the rest of you, I would send each of you an invitation to a Town Hall wine tasting marathon where the sensitive white wines would dominate the left side of the room and the more robust reds the right side of the room.
At the conclusion of said raucous festivities anyone yet standing would be declared "politically infallible." Such status would carry forth on the posting board for a fortnight and said celebrants, by popular demand, could post whatever they wanted without any fear of censorship by NVR for a period of two weeks. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Aug 31, 2009 2:04 PM:

" Time for me to get caught up, as I posted my blog late Friday, then took off for the weekend, leaving it to you readers to see where you’d take the conversation ...
this might take a few posts, so be patient as I work my way down the page and try to respond to as many as I can today..

post-it: There’s no culpability of the Web site’s part at this time, as courts do not consider the site as the publisher of an individual’s story comments. Note that I said “at this time,” as I would expect this to change at some point.

The idea of making people click to see the comments is something that does give people the option of seeing the comments or not. People have stated they are discouraged many times by the comments made, and this can give the option to see or not.

This site is moderated as explained in the blog. Changing this is not anything I’d consider at this time, based on community response.

Remember, I was tossing this out to learn the online participant response to it.

Comparing a person’s comments to the Federalist Papers is a BIT of a stretch, dont’cha think?

winemd: first name, last initial is great, but in doing so no other Dan R. would ever be able to register once I signed up ...

alucawanza: That’s a concern I’ve heard from those who switched to full name registration, losing those commenters who feel too well-known in a community to post their true opinions. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Aug 31, 2009 2:05 PM:

" dellasumbrella: See, this is what comes of asking the opinions of those who use the program. We get viable ideas about how things can work, how they can improve, etc. There are good ideas being tossed around here, thanks.

funnyme: Ah, Bloggermania, about time for Bloggermania III, A New Beginning, eh? If there’s people who want to organize something, that’s great. I might be trying to arrange something towards the end of the year.
Your accusation that I would do this because I dislike opposing views and cannot accept defeat is absolutely the funniest item I’ve read in these blogs in years. Hopefully you were being sarcastic. If you truly believe that, well, gosh, there’s hardly any words to express the disappointment.

kevin: I’d be disappointed if you agreed with me on the color of the sky, let alone any specific idea. That’s one of the reasons I like tossing ideas back and forth with you, as we can disagree without it being personal .. My family would say that people who always agree with me have something wrong with them!

rpcv: I do not believe it would eliminate the hateful comments, as there simply are people whose opinions have shades of hatred embedded within. I do believe there’s less aggressiveness and more thoughtful commentary when anyone has to state exactly who they are

Raven: What would I do with registration information? Exactly the same as what’s done now, prevent its use and dissemination. Check out minnpost.com for an example of full name registration.

thisisnotatest: My boredom drew a read and a response from you, not bad, eh?

Bill: Without being face-to-face, this is about as close as the true debate can get ... and yes, some debate by attacking the messenger or using false logic to justify their position... "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote on Aug 31, 2009 2:05 PM:

" napablogger, aka Michael Haley: Michael, we’ve talked about this before and at some point a type of experiment might be interesting. Maybe we can come up with a topic to debate online and only accept the posts if the person’s true first/last name is used. We could try this via a LiveBlog for you and I during an election, etc. and people participate through separate registration, who knows how that might work out.

Exasperated: wonderful example of the flawed logic and conspiracy theories that take place here. Conservatives and Liberals alike constantly accuse us of being biased because their comments get deleted. Simple theory here .. when both sides complain because their side is not the ONLY voice heard, we are clearly doing things right.

Paddy: No fear at all, only an absolute base of comments from readers who find the tone of the comments offensive and causing readers to not participate. If there’s a solution that provides more civil debate, why not consider it? We could always tighten up the moderating to filter out anything remotely offensive/controversial but I don’t see that as positive.

krusty: you hit my thought quite well on most points. I can see many disadvantages with real names also, but rather than wonder in my own frightening brain, I decided to (again) solicit thoughts from readers about the idea.

calistoga-tony: Interesting thoughts and the way you needed to attack others within those thoughts, too.

Sandra: Want to know what I was thinking when I wrote this? Read the item and you will know, for I wrote what I was thinking. "

TomcatMojoMom wrote on Aug 31, 2009 3:42 PM:

" You know...I voted "yes" on the poll before I read the responses, and I wish I hadn't. Many people here brought up valid points against using our real names, and I believe I would now have to agree. People who know me would be able to figure out who I am by my nom-de-keyboard, and that is, I think, plenty enough people for me.

Dan: I like your idea of setting up a separate venue for "real-name debates" during events such as an election.

BTW, everyone...this is "AmCanMom". I got a new computer and I could not remember my log-in password and the pw retrieval didn't work. "

post-it wrote on Aug 31, 2009 4:14 PM:

" Dan,

Do I think federalist papers comparison is a stretch?

Well, if you consider that the printed newspaper was the TV, Radio and Internet of it's time in addition to being the newspaper, and that the writers of the constitution were publishing arguments calling for the passage of the same document under pseudonyms, then your right, it is hardly a comparison to a comment on an opinion piece or news story.

You still didn't address the position of minors posting. Should you withhold their names due to their age? Should you not let them post at all?

I have to wonder what is the goal of this exercise? Are you just trying to satiate the complainers? If so, you have a simple recourse. Click to read comments - you get what you asked for. Either way, if you directed your browser to the NVR web site, you have made a conscious decision to see what is here. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it. If you require real names to post comments, I don't have to post either, and likely will not, I may even be less likely to read the content you provide. Many sites don't even require registration. I'm sure your comments went down when you decided that was a hurdle you wanted people to clear.

I think real names are only pertinent in forums where expertise and credentials are required, such as legal or medical advise etc. These comments are about opinions, and we all know that no expertise is required to express ones opinion. "

post-it wrote on Aug 31, 2009 4:45 PM:

" Dan, additionally, while I may be the author of any posts I write here, I believe your site is indeed the publisher of said post as you are making it available for public consumption. "

Jasper wrote on Aug 31, 2009 5:18 PM:

" Dan -

Count me in. How do I go about changing over?

Duane Cronk "

Skip M. wrote on Aug 31, 2009 6:17 PM:

" After following this thread, I certainly can see the arguments for and against posting one's real name. I grew up as a late bloomer physically, so I got used to being the underdog and brunt of intimidation attempts long ago. There is little anyone can threaten me with that I have not heard or dealt with before, right down to some quite violent physical attacks.

I suppose I have never been smart enough to fear people’s opinions of me or my ideas, since as we have all been told or said, opinions are like – fill in the blank.

I have never been shy in voicing my thoughts to those in ultimate power. I have had two-way correspondence with mayors, governors, and presidents regarding my opinions and challenges to their policies. Some of those have been successful, others not so much. So I am sure I on one or two FBI and Secret Service lists. Oh well. Until I no longer have the right to peacefully voice my opinion, I will continue to do so.

That being said, neither I, nor anyone else have the right use any forum to intimidate others, or inflict or encourage harm to come to others (lest they be an enemy of this country). I may challenge your ideas, but I would never presume to deny your right to those ideas.

So, those who have been following this thread, you know who I am. So for now, I will keep my moniker, since all who know me can identify me by that. "

Sandra wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:08 PM:

" Dan,
It was a rhetorical statement. I cannot help but notice that you did not address the the concerns in the area I mentioned. I was not the only one with these types of concerns. I think they are very valid areas to be concerned over. I would not think you would advocate putting your posters in danger. "

John Richards wrote on Aug 31, 2009 8:08 PM:

" First of all, I don't see how the 'real name' requirement would be enforced. Will we all have to march down to the NVR office in person, show our driver's license or passport? Anything less could be circumvented.

Secondly, I don't see the need for it. As long as the moderators do their censoring job, nothing that gets posted will be all that scatological.

Thirdly, many of the currently anonymous writers will quit posting, as will I. Some of us have bosses of the opposite political persuasion, or we hold down positions in government or organizations that are sensitive. Who wants to rat out corruption in their organization if it will get them fired? "

reneefannin wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:13 PM:

" Using your real name backs up your words. What is the fear. Anonymity lacks truth. Personally, I like truth and live my life "out loud".
I wish everyone else would so the same. "

napablogger wrote on Aug 31, 2009 11:23 PM:

" Dan, thanks for your comment. I really would like to see some kind of temporary trial, then we would know the difference without assuming, perhaps incorrectly.

Are there major on line sites with a healthy debate going that do require real names? Anyone know of one? "

funnyme wrote on Sep 1, 2009 1:39 AM:

" Dan,
I can't wait for "D-date" for your upcoming Bloggermania!

BTW, wasn't the first Bloggermania organized after some recognition your site received? Must have been due to the readers who posted so many comments in here...Where have they all gone?

I'm glad I amuse you and disappoint you (I'm sure you can find 'those words' to express it) at the same time, and all in the name of fair discussion.

BTW, not such 'accusation' at you, but a sarcastic 'response' to the following post:

rpcv wrote on Aug 29, 2009 8:43 AM:
" If it helps eliminate the hateful comments, I'm all for it.
Karen Garcia "

You're right though, one gets some of the loudest laughs of the day reading some of these posts ;) "

Mr. Awesome wrote on Sep 1, 2009 7:05 AM:

" If posters start using their real names, won't they be doing the same thing Dan does? Maybe they should be paid too. "

diehard4ever wrote on Sep 1, 2009 7:38 AM:

" pharper-
Well, it's not like we were lying... ;)

I guess I owe you $5... "

native74 wrote on Sep 1, 2009 9:17 AM:

" I write letters to the editor once or twice a year, but I've also lived here most of life except during the college years and a few after that.

It's a small town and as much as I'd LOVE to use my real name in posts I also don't want to be 'hate crimed' in my home life. There are some borderline extremists on this site let alone those who just read the posts.

I give kudos to those who have no fear on the Internet. On the otherhand the people who attend Bloggermania also seem to be the ones who generally respect others opinions and I think that face to face forum is more my speed. A pity I couldn't attend the last one and the second I went to the wrong place. (All I heard was JV Warehouse. Oops!), but I did attend the first! "

native74 wrote on Sep 1, 2009 9:24 AM:

" Hey...someone should hit up the Carneros Lodge Marketplace for the bloggermania. Maybe 'ol Pelosi er ahem Rogal will put us up (or put up with us) at their bocce ball court. Nothing like a few appellation hayseed people in the middle of high society. :) "

Paddy wrote on Sep 1, 2009 1:08 PM:

" 89 comments and the majority that oppose using their real name make a lot more sense than those who think using their names is OK (though the majority are already anonymous, go figure). "

make napa better wrote on Sep 1, 2009 6:25 PM:

" I would, no one knows me :)

Oh and check out Vallejo's system, anyone can post whatever they want. Us as a Napa society has to regulate EVERYTHING everyone does. "

Mamyt wrote on Sep 1, 2009 10:23 PM:

" As I am a very famous person who happens to live here in the Valley I will use only my real name and not my stage name - Amy "

skeptic wrote on Sep 1, 2009 10:32 PM:

" thanks for asking the bloggers what they want. there are a lot of valuable opinions expressed already. this blog is quite a success. why mess with it except to fine tune it ? one example would be the option to see comments or another to share full names, like in the print edition, on special occasions . i'd miss the volitile comments that say what people really want to express and keep a debate going more than turning off those who run when the controversy gets too hot.
i'll admit to using sarcasm at times but otherwise don't remember breaking any rules of argument and notice others trying to observe the same rule.
others may use pejoratives to attack and it makes their argument self-evidently weaker to the rest of the readers. let them go ahead. blowing off steam this way may sublimate feelings that might build up without any other way to release them.
i think a valuable service of the blog is to let people vent their feelings and thus to lower their stress levels , helping us all to get anong better. "

napafree wrote on Sep 2, 2009 7:43 AM:

" reason-ator, I totally agree with you,

"There are too many people here who always scream for punishment of people who haven't even been to trial yet, and frankly some of these people seem to enjoy the misfortune of other people too much."

But of course, that's Napa mentality. "

Bauhausfan wrote on Sep 2, 2009 8:48 AM:

" At first, it seemed like a good idea to use real names, and then I thought about what some people are like who comment on this site and I thought about how the health care forum a few weeks ago went, and decided against it.

Sorry, not a very good idea.

Most places on the internet don't make people use their real names and it is probably for good reason.

Yes, some people hide behind a screen name because they are passive agressive and like to be mean and nasty. Most don't.

By the way, this is not a blog and people who comment on it are not bloggers, it is a newspaper website that has commenting on articles like thousands of others do around the country and the world.

If you would like a blog there are various places on the net that will host them for free (takes about 15 minutes to set up) and you can post to your hearts desire on whatever subject you like. I have had one for about 5 years and used to post regularly, but due to it being very time consuming, don't update it very much anymore. "

David Campbell wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:05 AM:

" I always have and always will use my own name. "

anticommie wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:38 AM:

" Adam Rusin. Not afraid to tell the left, I know who and what they are. "

anticommie wrote on Sep 2, 2009 9:54 AM:

" dellasumbrella wrote on Aug 31, 2009 10:08 AM:

" I agree with Paddy -- I've had the concern that if I know the real person behind comments I don't like, I would be absolutely unable to interact with them in a civil, community-enhancing manner because of what I know about them. I like to think that just because we disagree on public policy doesn't necessarily mean some of us are good and some of us are bad. But if I've formed a negative opinion about someone, that can easily get in the way of collaboration (should it ever be called for)."

Not very "open minded" or liberal of you to say such things. I know many people that differ from me, and just because we differ, doesnt mean I won't associate with them, unless they have done something personal to me. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Sep 2, 2009 12:23 PM:

" Another issue to consider is that prospective employers are now using the web as a type of background check on people applying for jobs. The opinions that a person holds typically have very little to do with their level of productivity, as long as they aren't distracting co-workers with their opinions. Yet prospective employers could discriminate against those applying for a job, based on their opinions alone. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Sep 2, 2009 1:51 PM:

" That's right, anticommie, I'm human too. Don't you find it refreshing when people can actually admit to genuine human flaws such as prejudice? Had I met these people in the community with their civility intact, I could more easily deal with the differences of opinion. As I said, I like to think we can get along (& work together) even if we don't agree on public policy.

But I've gotten to know the seamy side of some of these people, through comments which reflect an absolute intolerance of the political left, paranoia that liberals are out to trash America, and the implication that vilification and even weapons may be their only options for protecting themselves from us power-crazed progressives.

Unless I'm working professionally in a mental health treatment setting, I try to keep clear of people expressing that level of animosity. Call me crazy, but it just makes my life a bit easier. "

anticommie wrote on Sep 3, 2009 5:53 AM:

" Della said:

"and the implication that vilification and even weapons may be their only options for protecting themselves from us power-crazed progressives."

Weapons?! Where have you seen weapons being used to "protect" themselves from you progressives? I've gotten to know a lot of questionable side of the left, and they dont scare me, infact I almost feel sorry for them in their communist ignorance, but I still associate with them. Everyone needs some compassion. "

dellasumbrella wrote on Sep 3, 2009 8:23 AM:

" I know, anticommie. I don't think we're scary either. But I swear, the weapons thing has been brought up (then removed). Not to mention guns to town halls. (I know, that's probably not commenters here, but it's hard not to equate sentiments expressed here with actions driven by identical sentiments elsewhere.)

And I do have compassion for some on the right as well, believe me I do. But it's hard to have compassion for people who persistently lump you into a group of ignorant, pathetic and awful people. It's quite easy for me to get to compassion, and in my work I'm able to do that because I hear other things besides the screaming meanie part. All I need is a little wiggle room to develop some compassion. Many of the commenters here don't give much wiggle room for real understanding -- of them or of the issue being discussed. "

anticommie wrote on Sep 3, 2009 11:41 AM:

" dellasumbrella wrote on Sep 3, 2009 8:23 AM:

"Not to mention guns to town halls. (I know, that's probably not commenters here, but it's hard not to equate sentiments expressed here with actions driven by identical sentiments elsewhere.)"

The people that carry guns to townhall meetings have the Constitutional Right to do so. Speaking of which, if you are talking about the Obama Townhall that MSNBC reported that a WHITE rightwing fanatic brought a gun to, that is complete incompetance in reporting. First the man was a black man, and the protest he was at was several blocks from the meeting. "

Hear Ye wrote on Sep 3, 2009 12:46 PM:

" Anticommie-

It was a white guy outside the New Hampshire Town hall that was carrying a handgun in a leg holster. What you're talking about was in Arizona and involved an AR-15. Two different occasions. "

anticommie wrote on Sep 3, 2009 1:06 PM:

" Hear ye:

Re-read my last post. "

TAXPAYER wrote on Sep 3, 2009 3:28 PM:

" I have seen a old picture of Wooden Valley School showing the kids in class and their rifles they packed to school all leaning in the corner of the class room.
Awe the good old days! "

anothervoice wrote on Sep 3, 2009 4:27 PM:

" I think if people have to sign their name, they will feel inhibited making their comments. On the other hand I can imagine what it must be like for you to wade thru all the garbage some people evidently write. Sometimes when I read comments from other website articles (other than the Register) it is disgusting .. and somehow they are printed as is. Makes you wonder how many people have minds filled with hate and obscene thoughts running around on our streets. "

kevin wrote on Sep 3, 2009 8:55 PM:

" Anothervoice, those people don't worry me as much as all the ones with "minds filled with hate and obscene thoughts" elected to public office.... "

Sandra wrote on Sep 3, 2009 11:00 PM:

" Della,
I was struck by this comment from you.
"But it's hard to have compassion for people who persistently lump you into a group of ignorant, pathetic and awful people."
I am a person of independent thought who finds myself, depending on the issue, to at times be on the more conservative side, and at times to be on the more liberal side.
I took note of your comment because it was directed at the conservative side only. Having bore the brunt of this type of behavior, when some have disagreed with me, I wonder at your blindness to what I percieve as something people just do, no matter what side they come from.
It bothers me that in making this kind of statement, you are doing exactly to those holding a more conservative view, what you don't like being done to you.
I guess what I am getting at, is it is not conservative bad behavior, or liberal bad behavior, it is just plain old BAD BEHAVIOR. The political view of the person who acts poorly has nothing to do with it.
It is cutting yourself off from a whole segment of people who have valid ideas, and if your beliefs are so strong, then challenging them can only bring you more clarity of thought. Perhaps you should consider ridding yourself of these preconcieved and what I view as invalid predjudices.
"But I've gotten to know the seamy side of some of these people, through comments which reflect an absolute intolerance of the political left..."
Della, I believe it most definetly goes both ways, and by your statements, you perpetuate it this invalid viewpoint. "

Mr4 wrote on Sep 4, 2009 9:00 AM:

" David Forstadt

Keep it optional - I like hearing all comments "

winewoman wrote on Sep 4, 2009 9:18 AM:

" Nope.
The main reason is safety - not all people are normal, stable individuals - even in this small town. It's easy to find someone's home address when you know their real name. I also don't have the the desire to discuss and debate issues every time I go to the grocery store and run into someone I know from or who reads the NVR comments. Lastly, I have strong opinions that I know differ from those of my coworkers, colleagues, peers and staff. I don't need or want the intrusion. So, I'm out. "

Little Lord Fauntleroy wrote on Sep 4, 2009 10:16 AM:

" Maybe people using their real names instead of fake screen names will reduce the negative comments. Personally, I have been reducing the amount of time I've been spending on the NVR site because the same people have been saying the same things. "

jimtub wrote on Sep 4, 2009 1:13 PM:

" I didn't get creative, just being lazy: jimtub=Jim Tubridy.

I have received calls re my comments and would prefer folks stick to the online repertoire. However, I will not hide behind a pseudonym to avoid public censure. I'm pretty sure we all are 1st Amendment-protected and I for one took an oath to defend that right whether I agree with you or not. Let's keep it civil whenever possible tho, please? "

jerrad707 wrote on Sep 4, 2009 1:22 PM:

" I do not mind at all, even after reading most of these (hilarious) posts:

Jerrad Norrell.

BTW, Amy, if my word puzzle skills serve me well are you trying to tell us that you are empty inside??

Mamyt = Amy inside M-T (or Empty)

just a guess... =)

Now I wish I could change my screenname to:

NaJerradpa =) "

dellasumbrella wrote on Sep 4, 2009 3:11 PM:

" Sandra, you seem to be working from a few assumptions in responding to my comments.

I don't think I said I avoid talking to conservatives. I said I might be uncomfortable interacting with those who "persistently lump you into a group of ignorant, pathetic and awful people." It's simple cause and effect. I'm likely to avoid anyone who insults and belittles me and denigrates others who share my point of view.

You make an assumption that I "cut myself off from a whole segment of people." I've spent my life interacting with people from the whole spectrum, sometimes arguing, sometimes listening, sometimes exploring solutions, often working side-by-side.

I'm just being honest here about a normal human response that most people can relate to. If you want to use your assumptions to turn that against me, that's your prerogative, just as it's the citizen's right to carry a gun to a town hall meeting and it's my right to maintain my peace of mind by limiting my face-to-face interactions, where possible, with people who are vitriolic in their comments and criticism of me. In response to those few who resort to insults and misrepresentation rather than ideas, I prefer to interact in writing. Simple cause and effect. You can take that to mean whatever you want, but if you inject your assumptions into what I say, you're likely to come to an incorrect conclusion. "

ADark1 wrote on Sep 5, 2009 3:13 PM:

" Of Course it would perhaps help us to have a decent register readers / posters whatchamallit.. LOL we did the wine thing, I got a ticket...whatever...those who don't know me well. here it is...

John A. Carroll II aka ADark1!

Nuff said? "

Tom Riley wrote on Sep 6, 2009 7:54 PM:

" I have always used my real name, Dan.

And I always will....

(Except when a previous editor, in the '90s, asked me not to use it because another Tom Riley, in St. Helena, didn't want to be confused with me.)

The real name has always served me well against the superficially committed.

TR "

notalwaysright wrote on Sep 6, 2009 9:01 PM:

" Absolutely,
Jon Beltrami "

notalwaysright wrote on Sep 6, 2009 9:08 PM:

" NVR are you going to take responsibility when some coward that is offended by my opinion sues or kills me over it??? I bet not!!! California is the "sue happy, protect the real criminal state" That is why they are cutting school grants and letting prisoners out, but not cutting the welfare handed to thousands of illegals every day, i.e. medical treatment, welfare, etc... etc... etc... all while they drive around in their Cadillac Escalades laughing at us that work our a$$ off to pay for them.

notalwaysright aka Jon Beltrami "

Cadence wrote on Sep 7, 2009 8:31 AM:

" Kinda like this? "News Web sites in China, complying with secret government orders, are requiring that new users log on under their true identities to post comments.
September 6, 2009 "
Now, I know China holds a lot of financial cards and certainly appears more successful than the US right now, but emulating them in areas of free speech?
No, I don't think so. "

glenroy wrote on Sep 7, 2009 2:09 PM:

" Speaking firsthand, when your full name is known, more than a few diehard leftists have no problem calling you in the middle of the night reminding you of your ignorance, your son or daughter's class schedule, even some ancient event related to childhood stupidity. (Plenty to pick from on the latter)….it’s sad deal but discussion and debate just isn’t part of their model.

Locally, taking issue with top Democrats or the causes from which they personally benefit, will have repercussions as well…..like 5 IRS audits in a row for starters….phony complaints filed against a professional license…etc. "

Little Lord Fauntleroy wrote on Sep 7, 2009 2:41 PM:

" How about switching comment formats to the type used by SFGATE. People can give a thumbs up or thumbs down depending on whether they like or dislike the comment. And if somebody is abusive, they can report it, and those comments can then be screened and removed by a moderator. It seems more efficient and there would be less censorship. "

a teacher wrote on Sep 7, 2009 7:23 PM:

" Really Glenroy, has that happened to you? It seems to me that the guys with the scarier rhetoric tend to go on about their 2nd amendment rights, watering the tree of liberty with blood and sounding an awful lot like conservatives. "

barefoot wrote on Sep 7, 2009 8:17 PM:

" Greg Music, Mark Linley, Lisa Jaynes, Dan Ross, Jennifer Cody, Phoebe Harper, Karen Garcia, Yvonne Scott, Michael Haley, you are now "grouped".
Any comment from here on out might be considered from "them". You know, that group that wants you to know their identity so they might gain the upper hand in an argument. "

random name here wrote on Sep 8, 2009 3:12 PM:

" As soon as the NVR moderators act fair and balanced I'll post my real name.

By fair and balanced I mean deleteing the sickly manic comments as often as the remotely negative comments.

Anyone, besides myself, ever notice that the "guidelines" only state negative reasons for getting your comment deleted??? Why is it that your comment will always get posted if you write it from the perspective of a squealing 13 year-old girl who just received a new iPhone and a box of free puppies? "

alucawanza wrote on Sep 8, 2009 10:39 PM:

" Glenroy:
Are you that important?
As a Democrat and perhaps a Liberal, I have no interest in badgering any Conservatives in the manners described in your post. Such a mass of generalizations...
You can't group all of us in one behavioral mode. Just as all Conservatives are not racist, white, or old. Just meaningless generalities. "

Lexme2 wrote on Sep 10, 2009 3:06 PM:

" Um, I will not post my real name for identity thieves, weirdo's etc. Seems like an odd request given any internet group will tell you to post as little information about yourself as possible on-line. Maybe we can all get LIFELOCK so we will be protected? Is that what you are trying to do Dan? You got a deal with LIFELOCK? LOL "

Lexme2 wrote on Sep 10, 2009 3:08 PM:

" One comment; It would be nice to reply to a specific post. For example that Rag in Vallejo, the Times Herald, has a reply button next to each post. When you click that it puts the comment you are replying to in italics and you type under it making it much easier to follow. On here commenting to a specific poster is nearly impossible to try and track. "

Paddy wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:14 AM:

" Well Dan you floated this idea. About 100 great reasons why NOT to use real names. Wonderful suggestions about what other papers do yet you remain silent. "

ADark1 wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:44 AM:

" Revisiting this post....,

Glenroy wrotein part…..like 5 IRS audits in a row for starters….phony complaints filed against a professional license…etc. ".

Well I ONLY had three IRS audits, 3 State Audits and 1 from the city! Not to mention the various computer attacks etc from certian parties....~shrugs..I'm still here! Some of those who were at our first get together know about this...

CANT we all get along? :)

Using your real name IMHO will result in several things.

1. Help Napa grow up into the REAL world.

2. Assist some of us in civility.

3. Learn to respect others opinions even when you do NOT agree with them! "

kingsavage wrote on Sep 12, 2009 5:31 PM:

" i will use my real name when my real comments are posted without censorship . are you listening dan? "

littlered56 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:08 PM:

" Dan,

With all due respect, how about this one. . .

Are YOU ready to write a new column??

Please..this is getting old!
Thanks "

clean and serene wrote on Sep 18, 2009 12:26 AM:

" Rachael Clark nd happy to share my name ;)

Thank you for the opportunity for the community to comment.

Back in the day we could write letters to the editor but it had to be 300 words or less and only make submissions twice a month.

I like Napa News. "

megan1459 wrote on Sep 19, 2009 1:54 AM:

" Little Lord Fauntleroy's comment (wrote on Sep 7, 2009 2:41 PM) about the Thumbs up/ thumbs down idea (like in youtube and the like), is a great idea to quickly rate a comment.
and Lexme2's post (wrote on Sep 10, 2009 3:08 PM) about replying directly to someone's comment, and it showing up right below, would help so people could follow side-topics easier.
after reading Glenroy's post "glenroy wrote on Sep 7, 2009 2:09 PM", although a seemingly extreme case, that is evidence enough that we should not have our full names listed on a post.
Napa is a small town where gossip spreads like the wild fire, and it is too easy to find the person and harm them.
Using real names would, instead of deterring the bad comments, actually might harm the honest. Compromising people's safety for less explicit posts doesnt seem to weigh evenly at all.
the good thing about hiding behind the screen names (like on the rest of the web) is that it keeps you from being personally attacked. not that name calling and hurtful speech wouldnt still ensue, just that it keeps the commenter removed from harm.
Even though this is a napa-based paper, this website is still viewable by anyone with access to the web.
For that reason alone, people's full names should be hidden. "

Paddy wrote on Sep 22, 2009 7:37 AM:

" This Opinion piece was written one month ago. It's been commented on 135 times, most of which are against using names in order to make comments.

DAN - are you going to follow up? Ever? Any thoughts?

> crickets < "

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