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Comments
Why not
No name required
I'm not sure what problem you've had (since you are anonymous, natch), but we don't edit problematic comments by registered users. If they unacceptable, they are removed. Anonymous commenters are another matter. Since there is no way to negotiate with the writer, I sometimes remove an objectionable part while attempting to leave the jist of the comment intact. I felt this would preferable to denying the entire commment.
In any case, the full name is not required when creating an account, just strongly encouraged. Again, it's all about credibility and trust.
Dear Anonymous....
Options besides OP
With all the options on the world wide web available to people to share their thoughts semi-anonymously why insist on remaining behind a vale here? One option is to choose a pseudonym here and be nice to people. Simple.
The fact is there is no such thing as complete anonymity online. You may think because its says "Anonymous" next to your comment that you are hidden. But you're not really.
Its becoming increasingly easy to pin point the physical location of all online activity. Every webserver records basic information about the machine, software, and browser that assists people in leaving comments online. That info can be cross matched with longitude/latitude and other public records to make a pretty good guess of where you are. Experts and organizations with resources can make that guess very accurately. Especially if you use your cable modem at home to leave anonymous comments...
So hide and insult us all you want but you can never really hide. If someone REALLY wants to out you they can. WITH that understood why not just share with us who you are and gain our trust?
I'll say again that I am *not* trying to out people who want to whistle blow or fear retribution. I am *very* much in favor of our right to speak our minds. If you feel you need to share something that could endanger your job, life, family, public standing, political career, etc. then please email the OP editor, start your own blog, email the newspaper, ask a friend to share the info, or some other creative method. But you don't have to leave snarky and hateful comments on this website. (This is my opinion. Not the policy of OrangePolitics.org.)
IP Addresses
Help Me!
I have been trying to register for months, but apparently someone else named "Duncan Murrell" already registered and I don't know his password. Or, that could have been me, in which case I've forgotten my password. When I try to have my password sent to me, it never seems to make it. I've checked my spam filter a million times, and it never pops up in there. I don't want to use a different name, I like my name. This all makes me very sad.
So, whoever you are, "Duncan Murrell," give me my identity back. Or, at least, my memory!
Clarification
Unless I'm missing something, Mark and Brian anre not completely right. On the new platform, we do NOT currently have the ability to track the IP addresses of anonymous commenters, except to the extent that Google Analytics tracks all visitors to create our site in aggregate. It's a big change from the old system. Anonymous commenters are now really anonynmous. As a result, they also really have no rights (to be published, to enter a real or fake identity, etc.).
Anonymous commenting is really a courtesy to folks who want to try out OP before registering. There are plenty of ways to register and still obscure your identity from the public.
Duncan, please read this: http://www.orangepolitics.org/news/how-do-i-recover-my-old-op-account and then contact me if you need help.
details
I stand corrected.
IP address
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