well yes this is a touchie subject, and one that should be considered by boonex, because what they are asking and what they are saying they are going to utilize the real names for are two different things. first off, there is absolutely no reason to display a real name in order to instantiate verification, just not needed, the real name can be provided to boonex, but not publically displayed.

there is no reason, repeat no reason to force people to display their real name, the username is just see more that a username, now in the event they wish to do business on this site and partake in transactions, their real name and location would and should be revealed to the person they are doing business with on both ends.

i see there is heavy mention of facebook and myspace, well Andrew, in case you didnt know, lets look at some of the problems with myspace and what a nesting place it is for child predators and stalkers, both male and female stalkers. Andrew, this may not be a problem where you are in Austrailia, but rest assured this is a huge problem in the US and Europe, and this needs to be taken into consideration.

The possibility to verify a user should not hinge on whether or not they have opted to publically display their real name. you make reference to "mickey mouse" let me fill you in on that one, i know it was just an idea, and a conversation piece, however, you just subjected yourself to litigation for copyright infringement from Walt Disney. wow, never thought about it like that eh.

Andrew, there are so many drawbacks in forcing people to publically display their name, if Boonex needs to have the real name as part of the profile for full featured access to the site, then by all means, create the fields on your database for that storage, but by all means, look at what you are saying in regards to limiting access to the site, not because they dont want to give you their real name, but because they would opt for their real name not to be publically displayed.

Identity theft is a huge deal, Andrew, can you assure us that your HostForWeb server is secure enough to keep hackers out and all of these users information safe and secure?

Consider the security factors involved in this, its not about your personal opinion, its about what is reality, and your beliefs are not everyone's beliefs. If you want your name publically displayed, that is your choice and your option. there is no Unity in making a statement that if you choose to use a username, that you will be limited access to the site. the two are not even remotely related. real name, provided to boonex for verification purposes, though not needed, real name kept secure and not pubiclically displayed because there is no need to publically display the persons real name. you can verify from so many different factions, and you should consider these other avenues, because the one you are choosing now is going to push so many people away from this site.

so if i login and say my name is Ralph DeWitt, how do you plan on verifiying that, and dont even tell me by me sending a $1.00 on my credit card, again, i dont know about Aus, but in the US, you can purchase a credit card from the convenience store. real verification requires proof positive ID, and quite frankly Andrew, i dont see you getting that involved as you dont have that kind of time that is free.

there are avenues, that allow for person to person verifications. i will look up that method as i have been verified on several different occasions using that method, show up in person, meet one on one with an approved verifier. i do not share my personal documents, nor is my real name required to be displayed on the internet.

think this one over, real name for verifying the user, totally agree with, forced public display totally disagree with this approach.

Regards,
DosDawg