Name Handles & Avatars

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Okay, it's been a while so let's see how far we can kick THIS can down the road!!!

Back in the days of the CB radio craze most of those using that equipment came up with their own personal "Handles" that they used, probably so they could chat away without anyone really knowing just who they were. Old Rubber Duck was always worried about Smokie or the County Mounty hiding behind that Holiday Inn billboard up on route 50 so he always called his buddies up ahead at the truck stop to see if the coast was clean to put the hammer down. I guess being able to talk under an alias makes it easier for some to be more forthcoming or to avoid embarrassment or to being held accountable for what they put out over the air. As I never had a CB this is just my personal observation but I think it's a valid one. With the establishment of the internet this "handle" habit is again in play. Whether it's Utube, Mytube, Theirtube, or Ourtube everyone's Tube is back to using these clever little titles. Unfortunately, by using them the person on the other end most times doesn't really know who he or she is talking to. I guess that's a good thing if you don't want others to know what you posting but on this forum I don't really think that reason applies. I'm certainly not ashamed of what I say even though I sometimes wish I could have said it a little better. And I gladly accept credit for the photos of my carvings I post because I work hard on them, just as you do and am proud of them just as you are of yours. So here's my suggestion:

How about everyone signing on or off with their real name? As for Avatars how about using a photo of yourself or a picture of the type of carving you do. If you use a carving make sure it's "Your" carving so we can associate you with it. That way when we read posts or comments we will know right off just who is saying what to whom.

Naturally, if you want to keep your "Handle" or the photo of your sweetie, kids or pets please do. But don't blame me if when I look down at your most recent comment and see that it was posted by a cute little bundle of fur named Fido posting under the handle of "Mad Dog with a Dull Knife"..... well you get the picture.

Comments welcome.

[tnartist05]

I more than agree with you Lynn plus if you want to become a member and join our forum you should be required to totally fill out your profile when you 1st join. Ive seen picts posted of someones carving and would have liked to known where they was from,etc. Course wasnt any profile information on them!

Good thoughts Lynn...........Tn

[Treever]

I had a run-in with a psycho on another message board a long time ago who threatened to hack my computer and come find me. I'll kindly remain annon., thanks.

[susieq]

Hi Lynn,
regarding CB's, back in the day......my handle was Check Point Charlie....
but on here, my website address is posted below every post and since the web address is www.susanmattix.com I think that pretty well tells folks who I am. It is true that when we use some "handle" that doesn't tell folks who we really are, there is a feeling that we are anonymous and some might say things less carefully than they would if they were talking face to face, no doubt about it.

I do think for the most part, wood carvers are different. I spend a lot of time on a bonsai website as that is one of my other hobbies, and things can get pretty wild over there. A lot of egos, folks who consider themselves "masters" getting into hot discussions with each other over the dumbest things. Subjective things......eye of the beholder stuff..... It is not unusual to have a discussion go down hill fast and be closed by the moderators to prevent it going any farther. Several members have even been permenantly banned from the formum over there.

I will allow myself to be entertained by the egos of others but I never get involved with those posts once they go down hill like that. I just shrug my shoulders and move on....so to speak. Personally, I would be horrified if something I posted anywhere, offended or hurt anyone. I would appologize immediatly and try to make it right.

Thank goodness we don't have much of that here. I truly believe wood carvers are different. We are not interested in tearing each other down to make ourselves look good on this site. Instead, we encourage, compliment and offer gentle suggestions as to how something might be made better and only then if the poster seems to really be asking for a critique.
I love this site.
susieq aka
Susan Mattix
ps
will have to work on that photo thing......not sure anybody wants to see my ugly mug.

[Thor]

I like being Thor.

[Doug Ridley]

I agree with Lynn completely. I use my real name and have often wondered why more people don't do the same. I like to know to whom I am speaking. However, if you prefer an anonymous handle, it isn't a problem. I will post to you any way you want.
Doug

[Tom-H]

Lynn has a good point. I attend various carving roundups and shows. Some people have name tags on with thier names printed, not their "handles" or their "screen names". On at least one occasion I missed the chance to talk to a forum member at a show, at his table. He was listed by his name not his "handle". How many missed opportunities have I had? Yesh! I have enough trouble remembering names.

(Tom H) Tom Hindes

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Tom.....Nice point. I too have numerous people come up to me at shows and introduce themselves as forum members but I have no recollection just who "Yeboo from Yahoo" is. WhenI talk to someone it would be nice to just know who I'm talking too. I don't think thats a lot to ask. What if I had originally signed on as "Wacky from Manaky"? Some would finally figure out who Wacky really is and no doubt agree that he picked the right handle for himself. But others would never know me or just where my work comes from. I've been waiting for someone to sign on as "The Unknown Carver" with an avatar of someone with a brown paper sack his head. No doubt someday someone will.

[EdO]

I don't see what the big deal is one way or the other. I've been on here for many years with at least three different handles/names (right now, I think I'm using my name) and I think my profile is filled out, but not sure. I'm not paranoid and if anybody wants any further information for some reason, like maybe they want to send me a quarter pound of twenties, I'll be more than happy to supply it. All that said, I really don't feel it necessary to know who Hi Ho is, I do, but his posts would be just as meaningful to me if I didn't. Some folks are wary of divulging too much information and consider it to be nobodys business. Does that make anything they may have to say or show less interesting? I think not. It just makes them more private individuals who enjoy the anonimity of the internet. It may be the only place they are comfortable. I can think of one person who frequented this board long ago who was exactly that way. The person has since become more public, but if required to be so originally, would never have posted one time, and we'd have missed out on seeing some wonderful carvings and interesting coversation.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I really don’t have much of an opinion on the use of handles or avatars. Personally, I started using my name because of an incident at a woodcarving gathering. We had been there for several days when I mentioned being a member of a bird carving forum. Another carver said, “me too”. I had earlier mentioned being a retired park ranger and the connection was made. “You must be ranger!” I was; but, might have missed the opportunity to get better acquainted with this carver if this happenstance not occurred. But, if others feel more comfortable with avatars, that’s fine.
I do think it would be helpful if members would fill out the bio section with at least where they are from and something of their carving experience. This would help in responding to threads. It would certainly be embarrassing to post to a thread started by Rick expounding on how to sharpen a knife.