Character name can't be hidden.

[Byrth]

Dozens of people know my real name and address, so I should put both on a giant billboard above a main street, because anyone could find them out, right? No.

Having information accessible to those who might care to search for it and having it advertised for any passer-by to see are not the same thing.

So you remove yourself from the phonebook?

[Runespider]

My guess would be they instated this just so people might be able to know eachother a little more, but its mandatory, so theres something else behind it if you ask me.

God help anyone that says anything bad about Square, GMs or customer service and needs help after they add this.

[Daremo]

Actually, I have. My phone number is unlisted.

[Greatguardian]

God help anyone that says anything bad about Square, GMs or customer service and needs help after they add this.

Because... they... don't already have your Square Enix ID and Content IDs linked to your forum account?

Really?

[Runespider]

Because... they... don't already have your Square Enix ID and Content IDs linked to your forum account?

Really?

Who's to say they can access that information on a whim? tracking out your character names etc, and even if they can I doubt they would bother. However having the name show up right there that is quite another thing. Then that person contacting you asking for help and stating the name that sticks out as being one that p***ed you off? Yeah not quite the same thing.

[Greatguardian]

Who's to say they can access that information on a whim? tracking out your character names etc, and even if they can I doubt they would bother. However having the name show up right there that is quite another thing. Then that person contacting you asking for help and stating the name that sticks out as being one that p***ed you off? Yeah not quite the same thing.

I'm positive they can access any account details (pertinent to their activities, eg: They have our character info and server for sure. CC info? Probably not) that they want via our Square Enix account. They are moderators. The only reason they don't mention it on the forums is because the Square Enix Privacy Policy prohibits them from talking about individual accounts in a public setting.

I highly doubt they're as petty as you think, too. Talking smack on the service is not a shot at GMs personally, just the policies that they are required to uphold. Some of them may dislike it just as much as the next guy. If you actually peeved off a GM enough that they'd care and/or remember you, they'd be able to get your character name in an instant anyways. This really does not change anything.

[RAIST]

So you remove yourself from the phonebook?

But you can't remove yourself from the county tax databases....which are public record and easily obtainable--some even post it freely and openly on the web. In some cases you can not only find the address, but also get a picture of the property, a property card with a diagram for the basic layout of the home, how much it's currently appraised for, how much it last sold for...even manage to find out a person's last reported annual income. Just from using their name.

Not exactly the best example to use in this debate.

[Atomic_Skull]

So you remove yourself from the phonebook?

In fact I do.

[Karbuncle]

Well, I think this discussion is definitely played out. The best solution is, If you think your Character name and server is too much private information to be displayed, is to simply not post anymore.

Those of us who are fine with worthless information being displayed can continue posting, and those who are afraid for any named reasons can simply resort to lurking instead of posting. This way they can still read the forums too.

As someone mentioned a while back, The decision is made, So either don't post, or do. I have a really strange feeling the forums will be just fine and continue as normal without those who leave because of this.

It sucks its mandatory but this thread is a few posts from a lock due to it simply becoming repetitive and closing in on inflammatory.

Dozens of people know my real name and address, so I should put both on a giant billboard above a main street, because anyone could find them out, right? No.

Having information accessible to those who might care to search for it and having it advertised for any passer-by to see are not the same thing.

Real Life name/Address =/= Artificial Pixelated Character/Server being displayed on a Forum.

Really they're nothing remotely similar in any way. Your FFXI Character name and Server are probably more closely related to your Favorite Food, and your Favorite Color.

I.E Both worthless information no one cares about except yourself. You're not important enough for people to care. Neither am i. No one in this forums cares I'm on Asura do they? nope.

No ones going to care your on Leviathan or whatever. no ones going to care you're a 90PUP or what have you.

End point. Nobody cares who you are or what server you're on. Same goes for me, and every poster here. Most/all Forum posters are smart enough to separate game from Forum. I used someone named "Futchy" as an example a while back. he did some down right bad stuff, but i bet even though BG has a thread about it, Less than 10% of the people on these forums know who he is. Right?

Probably less than 1% of the FFXI population. Point being you could jack a bank and jump servers and people will eventually not care anymore.

Now, Again, I understand wanting to remain anonymous, Unfortunately your only option is to simply not post anymore. I'm just trying to show you very very little is going to change of this and your fears are unwarranted. You needn't worry about this.

Edit: I think i should clarify, When i say "Nobody cares about you" i'm not saying "HUR YOU'RE WORTHLESS", i'm saying no on in game is going to care enough about a forum post to harass you. Nothing negative will come of this. I've made some people angry on FFXIAH before, I have yet to receive 1 negative in-game tell. I've got a few PMs, But People are generally smart enough to keep these two worlds separate (Forum, and FFXI)

[GlobalVariable]

Well, I think this discussion is definitely played out. The best solution is, If you think your Character name and server is too much private information to be displayed, is to simply not post anymore.

This or use a mule. It's not like a gun is to my head forcing me to use the forums. It's a fairly big disappointment to some though because unlike other forums this one is "official" and we actually see regular replies from representatives of the games maker here. Its just not quite the same as deciding not to post on ffxiah. If for some reason I'm not allowed to use a mule, I'll simply stop posting here. Which I believe ppl not posting anymore or just using mule was the OP's point before all the hacking, rmt, "you have something to hide", and other arguments came in.

Like Karbuncle I doubt anything that hasn't already been said is going to pop up now.