billybigconkers,

Requiring users to fill out their profile when they register means nothing if I don't have some verification process behind it.

I'm going to break up my post into sections, because these responses are getting bit long.

On Trolling

As for comparing my actions on this thread (re: the title) and trolling behavior, they are not the same. Trolls try to get a negative reaction out of of people for the sake of entertainment. I, on the other hand, tried to get the attention of people for the sake of conversation.

I also agree with what the title says. I do think anonymous accounts are cowardly, for the most part. Unlike troll behavior, I'm not just saying it and chuckling to myself quietly after people respond. I'm saying it and giving reasons for my viewpoints while continuing the conversation. Calling a certain behavior cowardly is more controversial than it is insulting, and I'm not adding any additional insults to the fray.

Suspicion and Identities

Here's a big point I want to make. Your last post is where I would start to suspect you as being someone's alias account, being that you went out of your way to illustrate yourself as a gray haired old man who barely understands the internet, yet you're very opinionated about online communities. You're more likely to be 29 years old and you've probably been banned from Ax a few times in the past. In looking at your account, you connect to Ax from a lot of places. You either travel a lot or multiple people are using your account.

If I knew your identity, even if you were a "nobody" like me, I could at least clear away any suspicions. Just simply knowing who you are, even if you're nobody special, helps to build trust that there are no ulterior motives at play.

Why Now?

The reason why I haven't implemented verified accounts yet is that it is a huge task to take on. I knew that back in 2004. Since then, a lot of things have changed. I've actually picked up knowledge about building websites over the past 6-7 years and I'm a web developer now by trade.

Earlier this year, I finished a successful Ax redesign and implemented various features without help from Andras, who originally programmed the Ax forum. I also recently moved Ax to a new server without any assistance. I've studied the Ax codebase where I can actually implement features on my own. This might not sound like a big deal to you guys, but it's actually a huge deal for Ax's future. The site can grow now, when I have time available to work on it.

On Social Networks

In the internet world, there is a shift toward people interacting under their own identities due to social networks such as LinkedIn (for business) and Facebook (for everything else). In those social networks, your grow your friends list by connecting with people who know your identity. I see things moving more in this direction.

To put it simply, a lot has changed since 2004 and verified accounts might be a possibility now. It's not a perfect concept. I do outline some cons to it in that thread I mentioned. It is risky. But the potential benefits from it are largely uncharted territory.

Offending People and Consequences

billybigconkers wrote: "now i'm not tryin to offend you with this post brian, but if you are offended, so what?"

Exactly. So what? On Ax, as an anonymous account, you can be as offensive as you can get away with and there's little to no consequence for you. If I knew your identity, then I could at least tie your words to that identity.

I'm a Nobody

As you mentioned before, I am a nobody. I'm just some guy from Louisville, Kentucky who happened to get into martial arts and build a website that people liked. But at least everyone knows when I'm speaking that it's my words they are reading, those of "Brian Ritchie". You know that I'm not an alias account for someone else. If I'm an asshole on here, then you can associate that behavior with my identity. If I don't like that, then the only options I have are to change my behavior or leave.

But really, if you are a nobody (like I am), then what would you have to lose by tying your account to your identity? Unless there is an agenda involved, I don't see much of a downside.

Comparing the Ax Forum to Real World

Ax is an online community with a purpose to be a communication tool for the MT/KB community. It's not a "pass the time fun-forum" like a lot of forums out there. It is intended to be an extension of the real world.

You compared it to meeting someone on the street and requiring them to wear a sandwich board with their details before you talk to them. I don't think that's a good comparison. It's more equivalent to a convention where you have a nametag, and when you talk to people, you introduce yourself. Others introduce you to their friends or associates. You explain a little about yourself and tell people where you are from.

In those scenarios, you can't get away with being an asshole for very long, or else people start to associate that with you and they stop talking to you. Eventually, if it continues, you stop being let in to the convention.

Anonymous accounts are more like... if everyone on the street wore masks. Sure, there would be some nice people, but occasionally someone would throw a rock at your head, but you don't even know who did it or why, and there's nothing you can do about it. I think that means that everyone needs to take off their masks, including the nice, innocent anonymous people.