UPDATE: January 2008

It's time to make sure that it's perfectly clear that you should have no expectation of total anonymity in this forum. While your "handle" may be virtually anything you want, you should know that not only are your visits logged, but using basic digital forensic tools and methods, your actual identity is typically readily available to moderators.

Such was the case with a recent poster who was asked to "back off" as I revealed to them not only their true identity, including a recent photograph of them, which took only a minor effort to discern, but also that they had been using computers at their work place, a government facility, to post abusive messages to this forum. I also found and shared with them some other personal information about them I located online that I'm sure that they would rather I had not dug up

I don't mean to threaten or bully anyone, I want you to understand that digital is the opposite of private. So, once again:


If you would not say what you write here in front of your family, your kids, your co-workers, perhaps you need to pause and ponder what you write.

Thanks again. Happy new year.

Well said. Scary, but well said...

I don't suppose that their handle included the letters B S? (Something to do with shotgun ammo) Just curious, not trying to be a wise guy.

Martin, you are one of the few people I know who actually scares me. Glad you're one of the good guys.

Agreed and well said.

aaaaaaaahh!! HACKERS! RUN AWAYYY!!

Martin, you done good. It beats gigging him for spelling errors......

((( )))

Wondered how long he was going to last. Good hunting Martin. Ahh, a civil forum again.

Martin,

Thank you for your quick and stunning action. When I grow up I want to be a superhero just like you!

I almost feel sorry for the target, though I would have loved to seen his face when he got your e-mail or PM!

-Blast

Good Job Martin!

I find this forum very educational, interesting and enjoyable, a little internet policing goes a long way to keeping it that way.

Thanks,

MIKE

I have no doubt that if we were all camping together somewhere in the mountains that we would all get along VERY well.

I'll take this opportunity to thank all of you for sharing your opinions and wealth of knowledge & experience in an amazingly civil and polite forum.

Ken K.

Oh, heck yeah! I have been wondering how long it would take for you guys to ban the guy and remove his posts, and here you come with a solution like that. Props to you, man!

I nominate Martin for the Chuck Norris award! Thanks for your hard work, Martin.

I second that!

-Blast

I didn't read through all the replies but for what it is worth...I am very glad you did that stuff. I don't see that as bullying anyone....I am very proud to say I frequent the ETS forums.....and I tell everyone to watch themselves if they decide to join because this is a very family friendly site. I've spoken to people who use other forums and they said they wished those moderators would do things like lock threads since some of those postings (and the posters) get out of hand. I am very happy with and want to thank you MF and CC for the fine work.....

As an aside.....I wished I could've been a fly on the wall for the postings you sent them.........I'd have loved to have seen the look on their face.

THANKS!! I am safe again!!!! Ohh, wait if i thought I was safe, why would i be on this forum??

Thanks Martin! Good Gob!

geez, why is it that everone seems to know who this person was? did everyone but me complain, or am I just dense? Maybe I just don't get offended by someone's online sputterings?

Someone pm me and let me in on the gossip

Hey, don't forget he also made fun of my googles!

-Blast

Well ... that I can understand

Well, my mom thinks they are cool.

Hmmm, that's not actually a good thing...

-Blast

ok, i give up. i'll be the one to ask. what are they for?

Duh, eye protection!

-Blast

He made fun of your internet search engines? (lol)

Oh, goggles! he he he...

-Blast, who can't spell

Thanks good job!.

Lee

Don't feel bad,,,,I have no clue what transpired either!!!!!

I also am clueless yet grateful. Thanks Martin.

Every forum needs a sheriff or some other mechanism to limit damage and to encourage engagement.

The general rule of conduct has to be that everyone needs to separate the speaker from the speech. Nothing wrong with contesting facts as long as it is done in a civil tone and in pursuit of more complete knowledge and better understanding.

Personalities. Long before an abusive poster clearly and obviously violates the rules it is often clear they are malicious. If they are not removed, reformed or otherwise checked they drive away exactly the sorts of people a forum wants to hear from. People who are driven off or deterred from posting because they wish to avoid the undeserved abuse that might be leveled at them if they post.

If it isn't done you end up with petty tyrants who homestead the forum and make it their their private balcony for regular rants and leveling of abuse toward anyone who fails to agree with them or show sufficient deference. Or punks who get their jollies traumatizing people and vandalizing a community. Sometimes a bit of both.

Someone has to actively maintain a safe middle ground where people are free, even encouraged, to post and state what they feel in a civil manner without fear of abuse.

I'm glad this forum has one. Good job.