Real Name Headaches

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

Moderator
Staff member
Why do new registrants ignore the real name rule? I get anywhere from 1-6 registrations a day that completely ignore this rule. I bet only one out of 10 follows the rule. I think anyone who registers is clearly informed when they enter their info. It gets damn old explaining to each of these folks to go back and reregister with their real name. A lot don't. I'm growing tired of dealing and may just simply delete the registration with no explanation but I hate to turn away a dolt that might make a good member.

Regardless, I've been hunting a lot and am getting ready to leave for another week. I'll be sparse at best around here until the season ends.

RealNameRule.jpg
 
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Eric,
I tend to look at peoples motivations when trying to understand behaviors. Are there options / functions on the forum that are only available to registered users? If so I could see someone trying to register simply to enable that options / function of the forum for quick use without plans to return.
I recently registered on a forum that I read on and off over the years simply so I could use the search feature. I have not posted there and have not visited it again since then. Its not that I don't value it I just haven't been part of that community. I could see people doing similar here but not caring enough to even follow the rules. Just get access to what they want and moving on.
Not sure if that helps or is even in the ball park ?
 
If not doing it already, make account registration have to be verified (by you thru email, or whatever), and just don't respond to the ones who can't get right. As in, don't let accounts be auto-created, just because someone wants an account.
 
Steven Alexander said:
If not doing it already, make account registration have to be verified (by you thru email, or whatever), and just don't respond to the ones who can't get right. As in, don't let accounts be auto-created, just because someone wants an account.
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This how it's done on some sites. If you're gonna review it anyway, get it done upfront. Put an autoreply together that says "Account registration deleted/denied for non-compliance with real name rule" or similar.
 
I manually approve all registrations. The auto process partially stops spammers but it lets everyone who passes the spam tests through and we end up chasing folks down who start posting with screen names. Manually approving has the big advantage that I catch spammers the filters do not. Spammers are often overseas and they don't understand American names at all making it easy for me to detect and reject their registrations. But for some unknown reason a lot of folks ignore the rule, which is clearly written in the form, and I contact them individually every single time. It just gets really old!
 
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I am going to contact our forum software consultant and see if he can add a checkbox to the registration approval process that simply fires off an email to the registrant telling them to reregister with their real name. I have been doing it manually but no reason it can't be automated. If he can make that mod it will make it easier on me.
 
Brandon Yuchasz said:
Eric,
I tend to look at peoples motivations when trying to understand behaviors. Are there options / functions on the forum that are only available to registered users? If so I could see someone trying to register simply to enable that options / function of the forum for quick use without plans to return.
I recently registered on a forum that I read on and off over the years simply so I could use the search feature. I have not posted there and have not visited it again since then. Its not that I don't value it I just haven't been part of that community. I could see people doing similar here but not caring enough to even follow the rules. Just get access to what they want and moving on.
Not sure if that helps or is even in the ball park ?
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Brandon

I changed my mind a few years back about allowing non-members access to forum content like pictures. In fact I think we hashed it out in a thread a year or so ago. Ultimately I decided to leave most things available to non-members because I don't think locking folks out encourages them to join. When we upgraded the site last year I opened up access to a lot of stuff to non-members. There are a zillion controls in this new system and I could have missed a few, but that was my intent. I think exposure to all the great content we have recruits new members. I know when I am researching something and I come across a forum that blocks me unless I join I typically click off the site. Whereas if I were allowed to find things of interest I'd be much more inclined to join.
 
Eric Patterson said:
I am going to contact our forum software consultant and see if he can add a checkbox to the registration approval process that simply fires off an email to the registrant telling them to reregister with their real name. I have been doing it manually but no reason it can't be automated. If he can make that mod it will make it easier on me.
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Seems like if they can do that. They can set it up to give a pop up when they hit submit. That clearly tells them use your real name or you will not be allowed in. And make them type their name and hit click.

Before it will go through.

Something like that would fix the issue I'm sure.
 
Eric Patterson said:
Why do new registrants ignore the real name rule? I get anywhere from 1-6 registrations a day that completely ignore this rule. I bet only one out of 10 follows the rule. I think anyone who registers is clearly informed when they enter their info. It gets damn old explaining to each of these folks to go back and reregister with their real name. A lot don't. I'm growing tired of dealing and may just simply delete the registration with no explanation but I hate to turn away a dolt that might make a good member.

Regardless, I've been hunting a lot and am getting ready to leave for another week. I'll be sparse at best around here until the season ends.

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Eric,

I would place REAL NAME REQUIRED in larger font and red above the Username box or change Required under username to Real Name Required in red. People are probably not reading the text below the box.

Rick Lathrop
 
I have a suggestion that may help. What if there were a Section devoted entirely to rules such as the Classified section? You may even include a rule on political rants. I know that I have to slap my own fingers from time to time. I don't recall seeing any rules when I joined and just got lucky because my nickname (RM) is considered legal. Richard
 
RM

For background information there is no rule against posting political content. In fact, other than the real name rule and the classifieds rules there isn't much else. Attacks, insults, bullying, threats, etc., will be handled as needed when needed. The community sets the standard of behavior and political posts usually go ignored or get a minimal response. That's because the culture of the community is to not get into politics unless it directly relates to duck hunting. So rather than start deleting posts which does get folks up in arms I've come to the conclusion that most controversial off-topic posts quietly die on the vine and no action is needed. Now if this started to change, and folks wanted to get into political discussions that overshadowed the intent of the forum I would certainly take action to prevent the hijacking of a duckboat forum for other purposes. But as it is today there is no need to do more. You folks know what this community is about and treat it respectfully and I really appreciate that.
 
It might be the term Username that they think to make up a username. I think you might be able to change that to whatever you want. So you can change it to be Real Name by possibly doing the following? Appearance -> Phrases in your admin panel. If you need to find a specific one Appearance -> Search Phrases. See if you can adjust that there. I have not really worked with this software and do not have any way to see if that is entirely possible.
 
Anthony

I totally agree and changed it to "Name" because it is more descriptive of what we want. I hope it doesn't have ripple effect elsewhere in the code but think it will be okay. If not I'll figure it out.
 
tod osier said:
What kind of dipshit wants to be known as Locomotive Man or Egg3341?!? I'm happy to be on the attack and shame people who don't conform. :)
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Most folks on web forums these days are used to being on other web forums (bear in mind that this format has been around a long time now). Those "handles" are likely their handles from other forums they either were, or are still, on. I used the same forum handle on every forum I was on from around 2003 until a couple years ago. Not advocating it is right or wrong, just likely what someone is used to logging in with, and old habits die hard. 🍻
 
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