I think there are good reasons mentioned for those "hiding", and there should be no reason to question their decision. I dont hide as a large part of my contributions are commenting on law, and I think its useful for readers to know where that advice is coming from after all, anyone could (and does) pretend to be someone theyre not...
I briefly joined the MSE forums, following on a post on here. The clique that exists there couldnt wait to point out that I wasnt allowed to use my business name (the same name I use on all forums; oops, I concede I hadnt read the rules carefully enough when signing up), and they were no happier (even though I approved it with the mods) when I changed it to my own name.
Many of the users on there were entirely uninterested in the fact that I had exposed one of their established members that posted regularly in the legal section (with dreadful advice apparently often being acted on); she claimed to be an employment law barrister, but nonetheless hid her true identity. As I established, proved, & pointed out, she didnt know the first thing about employment law though, but a majority (certainly not all) preferred to try to bully me rather than have someone that had the audacity to be open about who I was in providing advice that would have helped the users on there. (I had not the slightest interest in their custom, as I try to maintain an employer-only customer base, but that wasnt of concern to them.)
For many (albeit perhaps not all) of the established members on here, I have no doubt about their experience in their field, and I respect the advice they offer regardless of whether they choose to hide their identity.
I use the forum for what it was intended - quote from top of page General business discussion, advice and assistance .
Perhaps the dishonest and shifty ones 'hiding' amongst us are the types who continually use the forum to promote their insignificant enterprise to the rest of us who just want business discussion, advice and assistance
Actually if you click on the
rules link at the top of all pages, youll find it states
Here you'll find like-minded members dedicated to helping each other solve business problems, find new suppliers, win new customers, share experiences and practical advice.
And it goes on to mention that
This forum exists to facilitate networking, support and the sharing of advice amongst its members you make UKBF what it is, and at all times, please feel free to use the Feedback forum to tell us what you don't like, why, and how you think UKBF could be improved.
Ive found new suppliers & won new customers from UKBF, as well as getting useful advice & assistance; rather than continually promote insignificant enterprises, I find most members use it in the spirit its intended, and if they gain the benefits that come from networking as a side-effect, I think thats a good thing for them make a genuine contribution, and get something back for that.
Personally though, my purpose in posting on this forum is not to promote an insignificant enterprise, but to provide the advice & assistance that I can. Just about anything I provide (and I suppose it goes for most of us) is available to anyone that cares to look, but as those with the knowledge in the respective field can offer/reference it much easier, I do.
As much as practically possible though, I avoid those ghastly "please PM me" replies, and I certainly never follow what bloody frustrates me about the 4N forum: post #1: "I need help/advice"; post#2: "nice talking to you". What use is that to anyone else searching the forums for a similar problem? I think hiding the advice behind PMs/phone calls/etc is a much bigger issue than hiding peoples real identities! (Gareth, if you are inclined to raise this point on 4N, I would welcome a PM, as I'm not active on that forum for this very reason.)
Karl Limpert
