Posters on "JOB lv. 1" characters trolling

[Yinnyth]

I had to go to the clinic today, and they announced my name to the public to get my attention that the doctor will see me. Can you believe that? All the people in the clinic waiting their turn now know my name. THEY RUINED MY ANONYMITY. Theyre gonna stalk me and taunt me and burn my house down because I got to see a doctor before them.

Does the above make sense? It should...because I'm just following suit to what you've been saying.

Ok, let's use that analogy.

After your name is called, you then notice that someone receives medical attention without their name being called, effectively keeping themselves anonymous. They're doing nothing against the rules of the clinic, they're merely using the system to their advantage. Would you complain aloud to the other patients and the management of the clinic that the patient's name has not been called? Would you accuse that anonymous person of being someone shady who exploits the system? Who's less scrupulous in this situation? The person who is anonymous, or the person demanding their identity?

These anonymous posters are currently using the way the system works to remain more anonymous than you are, and as such, you are calling for the system to be changed so they can't. The argument seems to be that they're anonymous, and anonymity isn't something they should want because it's not normal and it's harmful and it's against the rules. But the truth is that it's not against the rules, it's not even half as harmful as people claim it is, and even if you think people SHOULDN'T want it, the truth is they DO want it. So let them have their anonymity with the warning you won't take them seriously.

[Alhanelem]

Your actual, identity is not in jeopardy because someone found out your main character's name on the forums. It's still just a #&$#ing pseudonym. There's a huge difference between your real identity and your fake identiy. There is virtually no risk that any harm is going to come to you because we see your main character's name.

The worst thing that can happen is if you make a total fool of yourself, people will know who to laugh at- or if you're stupid enough to do something like admitting to stealing some linkshell's bank or something. THEN you might be in trouble, but you'd be deserving it, because you told people what you did. If you simply don't say anything you're not willing to own up to, there is no harm whatsoever in using your real name.

Using your main character's name gives you more credibility because of this- it gives weight what to say because you're more careful not to say something idiotic. Using a lv1 mule is basically a license to troll, because there are zero consequences for being an ass. Thus, people will tend to automatically treat level 1 posters as trolls.

Even if you have worthwile things to say and you post with your best behavior, people are going to prejudge you on this. If you're aware of this and wish to fight the uphill battle, I guess that's your perogative. But it doesn't really seem like the wise choice to me.

[Yinnyth]

I agree with that point. The stigma built up by the fact that your presence on the forums is represented by a level 1 character is a hard stigma to overturn. Also, that there is little to be gained by using that extra layer of anonymity.

However, I feel that there is very little to be gained by forcing them to reveal themselves, and too many loopholes they still could utilize even if the system changed. As such, since it seems to be largely moot for both sides, I'd rather err on the side of choice. If they prefer anonymity to credibility, allow them to make that decision.

[Runespider]

I guess the only way around it is to just ignore list anyone on a level 1 mule account as a safeguard

Finally! one of you gets it! If the rest of you learned from Bebs this wouldn't be an issue for you anymore.

I generally check on ffxiah if a player has other jobs levelled

What if they didn't setup a FFXIAH profile, considering the vast majority don't. Oh wait you can't read this, nvm!

If you really don't want people to know who you are in game, then don't be surprised when no one gives a crap what you have to say about game mechanics, etc.

I don't see anyone doing so, infact most are saying that if it's such a big issue to blist level 1 posters and stop trying to "out" everyone.

[Psxpert2011]

This community is so full of dumb@$$es...

(please excuse my bluntness but it had to be said by someone. >.>

You don't have the right to privacy of virtual information like you in-game information. The separation of virtual and costumer data consist if your a paying player and the right to privacy for you physical address and financial information. Game data is property of Square Enix and if there is someone who should be here explaining that you kids, it should be the community Rep who seems to be slacking off.

Again, remember this kids(all of you 21 and under): A right to privacy is not given, it's earned. Until you grow up, get a job and survive on your own and start your own family- Mommy and Daddy will be in your grill until the day you die.

[Runespider]

Again, remember this kids(all of you 21 and under): A right to privacy is not given, it's earned. Until you grow up, get a job and survive on your own and start your own family- Mommy and Daddy will be in your grill until the day you die.

[SNK]

To avoid character counterfeiting.

................wut?

[Nynja]

Ok, let's use that analogy.

After your name is called, you then notice that someone receives medical attention without their name being called, effectively keeping themselves anonymous. They're doing nothing against the rules of the clinic, they're merely using the system to their advantage. Would you complain aloud to the other patients and the management of the clinic that the patient's name has not been called? Would you accuse that anonymous person of being someone shady who exploits the system? Who's less scrupulous in this situation? The person who is anonymous, or the person demanding their identity?

Yeah, the clinic could have used a number system, and called me up by number preserving my anonymity and dignity...I was emotionally raped by all those other people knowing my name now.

[Yinnyth]

I can't quite tell. Are you still sticking by your analogy there? If I'm interpreting this correctly, you're saying that the old way on these forums (before character linking was required) is similar to a number system at a clinic, and the new way (after character linking was required) is similar to a name system. So then under your analogy, each patient is called by name except a few who are called by number. Furthermore, a few of the people called by name resent those who are called by number and demand those anonymous persons be called by name too.

If we expand that analogy to be more similar to these forums, the rules of the clinic would be clearly visible, and there would be no rule against requesting that you be called by number instead of name. "Then why did the clinic switch to the name system instead of the number system?" I don't rightfully know, and the clinic doesn't seem to be answering that either. We can speculate as much as we want, but we can't pretend to know the clinic's intentions. "Oh, but they're hiding their name simply so they can troll the clinic!" Yes, that seems perfectly reasonable, doesn't it? Why else would they be at the clinic if not to troll you? Except perhaps to seek medical attention. "Then why are they hiding their names?! Huh?!" Why are you seeking theirs? "To defend myself!" Against what? Practical jokes? If you converse with a stranger, you welcome whatever pain that stranger's words bring you. "If I give my name, he should be willing to give his!" He's under no obligation to introduce himself, even if you openly blurt your name to any stranger you come across.

Or in terms of a simple Q&A:
Q. Why would SE require character linking if not to force us to reveal our main character?
A. I can't be certain of why, but there are several other possible reasons than the one you provide. As such, you should not endeavor to assume you know unspoken rules and seek to uphold them.

Q. Why would a person hide their char names on these forums if not just to troll?
A. They hide their name to hide their name. They use these forums to use these forums. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Q. Isn't it shady to actively hide your identity?
A. It certainly is. Don't place much trust in anonymous people, but don't demand their identity. That makes you look even worse than them.

Q. What if I want to retaliate against an anonymous person who's trolled me on these forums, yet I can't find their character ingame?
A. Do unto others as they do unto you. Troll them here, don't seek them elsewhere. Or better yet, rise above and ignore them.

Q. But they really hurt my feelings! Why don't they seem hurt by anything I do to them here?!
A. That is the nature of a troll. Exactly the type of person you want to ignore.

Q. Why can't I ignore them ingame too?
A. Why can't you ignore them in real life too? Because it's unethical to ask for the requisite information to do that, and it makes YOU look like the creep.

[Yinnyth]

................wut?

My apologies, I thought I thoroughly explained the concept, but clearly I didn't. Let's say these forums allowed you to simply "fill in the blank" for "character name" and "world". You, for example, would be able to claim that your character was Yinnyth and your world was Fenrir. Then you would be able to go around making a number of posts on these forums under the guise of being me, which would make you appear to be someone you're not.

After all, pretending to be someone you're not is against the forum guidelines, if you bother to read them, so character linking would further uphold those rules. However, pretending to be someone who doesn't exist is NOT against the rules.

Or to put it another way:
If I pretended to be Rstnikgokrek from the server Fairy, I would not be breaking the rules (provided there was no character by that name on Fairy). Edit: Or provided that I own the character Rstnikgokrek on the server Fairy.

If I pretended to be to be Viewpoint from the server Carbuncle, then I'd be breaking the rules because you own that character.

You pay a monthly fee to own that character. Me going around soiling your character's good name on SE-owned forums simply wouldn't be a good business model, would it? So why would SE require character linking if not to require us to reveal OUR MAIN CHARACTER ONRY?! My suggested answer: to prevent me from pretending to be you.