Posted by Spoc on March 30, 2005, at 11:45:34
In reply to Re: the system doesn't release old names (nm), posted by Dr. Bob on March 30, 2005, at 5:11:37
>The rule just has to do with posting under different names *at the same time*. So even without an exception someone could change their name to ask a question and then change it back after that thread?
Bob
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A few things are still escaping me about all this... I'll mention them after I affirm what my understanding is now, of what you're saying:I gather that it is indeed ok to hold and use two names, as long as an announcement of a switch is made on Admin in between use, under one of the names (with the option not to identify/reveal the link between names in the announcement). I guess that confused me because up until now, I had thought the rule was against *possessing* two names at any given time, linked to the same IP address and/or email period.
And in regard to your quote above, I also take it that when you say "change it back," you mean just through the Admin announcement, not literally, through re-registering (since if nothing else, the name would still show as taken). I guess I had thought re-registering was always mentioned as required, any time someone asks how to change their name. Leading me to believe each person could only have one name.
But here's where I get confused (I think there are even more things that confuse me about this, but these are the ones coming to mind at the moment): You state that "even without an exception" the anonymity objective is possible, as the rule is only against using two names "*at the same time.*" But if no exception was needed at all, why couldn't it be worked out that Phillipa and her husband could have separate names in use from the same computer?
Also, if no exception of any type was needed, and the rule is literally only against "at the same time," that would mean that people can have two names in use for any purpose, as long as they announce in between. So, that will be ok?
And, if taken literally, it seems like that would mean the number of names one person can have isn't even limited to two, if the rule is only against "at the same time."
Hmmmm.... I agree that this does sound like it would be very hard to keep track of. Admin could also end up peppered with announcements of switching between names within minutes of each other, with the associated names never being known, so the person really could have two or more identities going on the board...
poster:Spoc
thread:475758
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050323/msgs/477664.html