Character name can't be hidden.

[Daniel_Hatcher]

Don't troll if you're scared to be caught.

That has little relevance, it's more to do with the fact SE have said we're going to be giving details of you away on the internet because we know them without an option to opt-out if you want to.

All SE have done here is allow people that bully others on this forum already now have their character details to do it in game, well done SquareEnix.

[Dallas]

BG is already plotting their revenge on anyone who would dare play melee SMN against their decree:

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/105...ta-(06-23-2011)

[bungiefan]

Isn't the character linking going to show your character data on your old posts, even if you stop posting? WOuldn't that defeat the purpose of leaving the forum?

[katz]

Reading the original information, it would seem that SE want everyone to update their profiles with the character information before allowing them to post in the future. This would mean if you chose not to update your details, historical records cant show it. The real shame is why SE have announced this change but not stated why they cant do it already for themselves. They have all the information in their databases. Maybe it was to give you the choice of joining or not.

[Runespider]

Isn't the character linking going to show your character data on your old posts, even if you stop posting? WOuldn't that defeat the purpose of leaving the forum?

No cause you can have 18 characters per account, it wouldn't know which to attach. Unless they do something that auto-attaches the highest account or something but I doubt they can be bothered to put that much effort in, and anyway I think you have to agree to this before they do it. All old posts will look the same, all new posts will show the character information/.

Reading the original information, it would seem that SE want everyone to update their profiles with the character information before allowing them to post in the future. This would mean if you chose not to update your details, historical records cant show it. The real shame is why SE have announced this change but not stated why they cant do it already for themselves.

They very rarely explain things in depth, they just do it and to hell with the playerbase. It's their nature as a company.

[Tamarsamar]

Isn't the character linking going to show your character data on your old posts, even if you stop posting? WOuldn't that defeat the purpose of leaving the forum?

You will be required to link the character yourself once it is implemented. So no.

Karbuncle: if I was worried about personal attacks in-game, I wouldn't have used my character name as my forum username.

[katz]

As a female I worry about internet security and the information I allow other people to see. I will be using my yahoo email address and my mule if I chose to sign up. This account I never look at, doesnt hold any bank or personal information I dont want sharing with others. If you want privacy you make it.

[RAIST]

BG is already plotting their revenge on anyone who would dare play melee SMN against their decree:

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/105...ta-(06-23-2011)

Interesting how I got singled out in that thread:

Apparently, RAIST visited forums but never picked up on all the advice to use NoScript/AdBlock when the hacking activity was at its peak. As Karbuncle mentioned in that thread, linking in-game characters to forum accounts isn't a major account risk. The biggest risks come from visiting ad-supported FFXI sites without NoScript/AdBlock (despite best efforts, a few dirty ads will always sneak through) or sharing account info and passwords with friends. I've had my character linked to FFXIAH for years without an issue.

I could see a reason for outrage if SE forced us to link our actual names and personal information to forum accounts, but I have no issue with linking forum accounts with in-game accounts (I've never associated my RL name with my FFXI character's name online anyways). Also, many posters use their in-game names.

All in all, I have no problem with this change. It might discourage the actual trolls and posters who go full retard (read: Dallas) and separate these posters from the people interested in actual discussion.

That person didn't know anything about me, and just assumed I didn't have any security in place. That laptop that got attacked was a company's laptop, with security installed from government offices as it was required to be able to work on their servers and networks remotely and locally on their networks. Crap happens...no matter how good the security practices may be, stuff can sometimes get through--especially when a new attack first kicks off. Otherwise you wouldn't be getting updates to some software every 4 freaking hours at times.

Just more evidence of how disrespectful people can be sometimes. Spin it any way you like, this decision from SE is going to have some level of negative impact for the community from the simple fact some people are uncomfortable with it. Whether you agree with those people's position or not for whatever reason you may have, the simple fact remains that some people don't like it, and will not want to take part in the forums because of it.

[Khiinroye]

bungiefan: If you don't update your profile after the maintenance, it shouldn't be reflected in your old posts.

[Runespider]

As a female I worry about internet security and the information I allow other people to see. I will be using my yahoo email address and my mule if I chose to sign up. This account I never look at, doesnt hold any bank or personal information I dont want sharing with others. If you want privacy you make it. .

#
Assuming they actually let it be done that way, since it's forced you would think not. We will see.