HELP . . . Anonymous Member or Your Real Name, its your choice.

[Admin]

While some may believe that the use of real names on the internet, brings a degree of honesty and transparency, nothing could be further from the truth. It is unwise to take anything on the Internet at face value, as the intent of the author is never certain.

We believe that personal attacks, private agendas, and the spreading of innuendo is not discouraged by the placebo of a "real name". Often it is the factual information provided by the subsequent legitimate contributions of truthful and fair minded anonymous members. We also encourage a positive community atmosphere through the Forum Rules administered by our Volunteer Moderators.

Without physically checking an ID, and verifying it like the police officer does, it is not possible to know if an online "real name" is fictitious. This is why "real names" are generally not required in public forums.

If an evil author intends to distribute deliberate mis-information, it is easy to have a "real name".
1. Pick a screen name like hrClinton.
2. Open a free email hrClinton@gmail.com
3. Buy a phone a Walmart for $20. And answer it, “Hi this is Hillary”.
4. Claim to be a renter, who lives somewhere on a street with lots of multifamily units.
5. Hide you computer IP address with an anonymizer service or visit the internet cafe.
6. Now hrClinton could happily post malicious content with her “real name”.

On the SPI Forum, it is a members choice to use their real name or be anonymous.
We believe that anyone should be able to post a legitimate opinion, with some degree of privacy. For example, being able to endorse a candidate, support an ordinance, or promote an idea, all without being subjected to the scrutiny of a friendly neighbor, whom you know is on the opposite side of the issue.