Mr. Splashbar and Barry H, the nicknames are accepted because a large majority of posters know who they are, and they have both posted with their full names on the board. As to Bullwinkle, I understand that he is a well known chip dealer, and he has also posted his name (I have never met him, but I know his name). The key is that people want to know who they are dealing with. People don't like conversing with people wearing disguises. It's harder to trust them. Once they know them, relationships and trust build over time. People are naturally more helpful to their friends, and those who have helped them in the past. It's nothing sinister behind the desire to see people's names, really. Just human nature.

And, of course, we have had our share of anonymous trolls who just hurl insults and try to cause trouble.

Club numbers just mean that people are held to club standards of ethics. I found that people became extremely helpful long before I joined the club, though. Once again, it's a matter of trust.

I hope this clears it up.

Michael Siskin