Having been called an ‘Anonymous Coward’ by Anitra perhaps I can try to explain why I’m posting anonymously. I have 3/4 family members with m.s. (one unconfirmed.) Thankfully having so many in one family is unusual. These family members use this site and I think could easily identify me becasue of my unusual situation. And so I post ‘Anon’ on the topic of familial m.s. Thanks.
Trying to play devil’s advocate here but I chose my author name because my boss frequents this site and I wanted a name that could not be traced back but would let other users know who I am when I post something. Perhaps this is what Tina was trying to explain would be helpful for other users to identify one anon from another. I appreciate that some delicate discussions need to be anon for obvious reasons. This is just my take on things I really dont mind not knowing the real names of people but it is nice to be able to address someone by their author name.
I think that people posting Anon, even for the best of reasons, might bear in mind that Anon posts that are challenging in tone and directed at a named individual are easy to misconstrue. That is because there is history on here of people going Anon just to be snidey. Anon posts with a challenging tone will tend to suffer from guilt by association, however innocently meant.
Alison
Ooooh! Lets not get into a ‘heated debate’. l can see both sides of the ‘anon’ question. l can understand how folk can be too embarrassed to ask about some ‘subjects’ and feel the need to post anon. But, As Dinks so well put - lf we all choose a username that cannot let folk know who we are - then we are all ‘anon’. lts not being able to ‘pm’ anybody who goes anon that bothers me. And not knowing whether any other anon replies are the same poster. lts very simple to change username - so you could regulary update it. No need to give any other information away either. We all - on here - suffer with a disease that nobody knows what causes it - and so far - there is no cure. Also, as we can all see by the ‘posts’, we all suffer in different ways - different degrees- and even react differently to the same meds. So no one answer is going to ‘fit’ us. We need a bit of compassion and a great deal of tolerance.
So
Deep Breath
And SMILE - [ where’s WoblyBoy when we need a joke]
I would think that being in such a unique situation means that family members may guess who is behind the Anon anyway?
I also think spacejacket made some very well educated comments. I would just like to add that the problem with a debate by written word only is that we cannot get the ‘tone’ intended so what may have been intended as a flippant remark or tongue-in-cheek can come across as insulting. It is very difficult to understand exactly what the writer intended to convey by the written word alone. The facial expression and the vocalising of the words adds so much more and this gets lost on paper/screen.
Perhaps we should take it all with a pinch of salt and a deep breath before we reply? These things can escalate into heated debates quite quickly and can be a little offputting for some of the newer users.
In case this doesn’t come across right - I’m trying to plead for some harmony x
Hi, I agree that what we dont need is another lengthy and possibly unpleasant debate.
I dont usually get involved with those kind of threads, as I`d rather post/reply in a lighter, but sincere vein.
I would prefer to have some kind of knowledge of who I am replying to, but understand that somes posts are of a sensitive nature and not everyone feels comfortable airing their personal stuff in public. But there are some post going under anon and I wonder why…but there you go, each to his own and all that, eh?
luv Pollx
luv Pollx
Perhaps rather than starting this thread it would have been better to explain your valid reason for posting anon on your previous thread rather than starting this one…
I’ve been writing anonymously for years. josefkloz1702 is not my real name.
Will the real josefkloz1702 - please stand up!!
Mate, is it beyond comprehension that there are people going through these sort of public boards looking for clues as to the identity of people. It doesnt take a genious to pick up the town someone lives in, their specific medication,whether they have children etc etc, All those snippets quickly add up !!
But if you’re going to hide behind the “Anonymous” tag you wouldn’t make a post giving the following details:
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Middle daughter dx’d with MS
-
Youngest daughter having tests
-
Eldest daughters husband dx’d 2 years ago
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Eldest daughters SiL dx’d 5 years ago
They then claim to post anonymously because these other family members use this site. I’m sure they would be able to work out who the poster is from the details given
Guys,
Can we all just let this go!!
It can’t be nice for Anitra to keep seeing this brought to the top of the page with her user name attached to it. If you have a problem with people posting anon then just don’t read it. It will only stress you out and that will not help your MS. I’m only posting this right now as it has already been brought to the top. So can we all just play nice and stop with the nasty comments.
Don’t make me have to get my Redheaded temper out!!
Thanks all
Kelly
[quote=JellyBellyKelly]
Guys,
Can we all just let this go!!
It can’t be nice for Anitra to keep seeing this brought to the top of the page with her user name attached to it. If you have a problem with people posting anon then just don’t read it. It will only stress you out and that will not help your MS. I’m only posting this right now as it has already been brought to the top. So can we all just play nice and stop with the nasty comments.
Don’t make me have to get my Redheaded temper out!!
Thanks all
Kelly
No, neither was it nice for me to be referred to as an ‘Anonymous Coward’ by Anitra!