Missing Board Posters

[JohnH]

I mostly practice in the state of confusion. But I don't put that in my profile because it's usually easy to discern by reading my posts.

[ChEAr$]

Might also advise that board participants be careful about disclosing their "true" identities.

(snipped for brevity's sake.)

The internet is not a safe place. There are always trolls and troublemakers who seek personal information from others in order to satisfy a personal agenda. IMO, your credentials and your experience are your business. Credentials only prove one is good at passing tests, and not necessarily good at preparing tax returns, and not necessarily good at answering questions about preparing tax returns.

It's nice to know what State you practice in, but only to ask and answer state-specific questions.

You know that I will disagree with you on this issue. I've nothing to hide; in fact I have a thick hide and can shake off the slings and arrows. I pull no punches and stand by my
answer until I learn something new.

At least now I am satisfied to learn that only purchasers of the TAxbook are here and not the general public.

However, on another forum, a newsgroup related to taxes, I did once gain a new client
who was asking about S corporations. Turned out he worked in the area, AND..... get this... his mother who lives in another city, was a former girlfriend of mine in the 8th grade! (I smiled as I remembered my first kiss.)

Now I respect the fact that some like to use an alias, some of which are sometimes unfathomable, however it would be nice to learn some of the real names and cities so I can put in my database for referrals if a client should suddenly get transferred to.. say....
Arizona, Arkansas, Tennessee, Philadelphia, North Carolina......

[ChEAr$]

or Montana, or Virginia, or South Carolina, or Minniesoty, or Montana.

[BHoffman]

Hi Harlan - We don't disagree, I just think it should be a matter of choice and no one should be castigated for not "filling out a profile". I enjoy your posts, and especially your sense of humor

[ChEAr$]

or Montana, or Virginia, or South Carolina, or Minniesoty, or Montana.

or Hawaii, or Murryland, or Flah ree dah!

[geekgirldany]

I wanted to ask if there is a way to change our current username? I believe by just changing this it would help me a little more in the privacy of posting. I really never thought about family friends, or clients being able to track you down by your username.

I've use this username on many forums... so if I can change it please let me know how if not I can just make a new one I hope.

[Black Bart]

Point taken.

I didn't mean to imply Dany's post to be offending, if taken that way I apologize.

I still disagree with taxea's professional profiling, as far as I know there are no Gold stars given on this board for the most posts, so if you don't like my question - move along to the next.

Hmm, it now appears that I've offended while defending (I know it's not safe to get in the middle of these things, but I just wanted to say I was sure she didn't mean it the way you seemed to take it).

While I agree with you completely about professional profiling, I don't know exactly what question it is you mean that I "don't like." However, as you say, there aren't any special privileges handed out for seniority (I assume you're referring to me) and I can take a hint, so I will indeed "move along to the next" and you can excuse the ring.

Nevertheless ; your post was very good and seemed to perfectly capture the "sense of the board" about profiling.

[RitaB]

I did so

I wanted to ask if there is a way to change our current username? I believe by just changing this it would help me a little more in the privacy of posting. I really never thought about family friends, or clients being able to track you down by your username.

I've use this username on many forums... so if I can change it please let me know how if not I can just make a new one I hope.

I was on the phone with a nice gentleman at TTB about another matter, and told him I had tried to figure out how to change my user name, but couldn't. He said he would change it for me.

[Snaggletooth]

I think so

Geekgirldany, I enjoy your posts, and have a sense of comfort knowing it is you. But if you wish to change, I believe it can be done if you make special arrangements with the hosts at TMI, although they might balk if they suddenly received hundreds of such requests. If you decide to do this, please send me a PM so I'll continue to identify with you.

I do understand and sympathize with those who prefer to remain anonymous, but the cloak is off if anyone wants to deal with me.

Ron Jordan
Manchester, TN.

[S T]

Change User Name

I agree with Snags,

If you decide to change your user name for internet privacy purposes, I am hopeful that you will PM me or email me to let me know (as a mutual board poster, i.e. professional, as a lot of us have developed relationships with you.

Sandy

[JG EA]

This message board allows you to post your experience and training in your profile, and it also allows others to see your profile. That ability has not been taken away from you. If you would like to tell everyone your experience and training in your profile, go right ahead and do it.

Personally, I don’t care what your credentials are. I only care about correct answers, and I have learned from experience that being an EA or a CPA does not guarantee a correct answer.

I like this answer. I vote for this and the way we've been doing to continue on this board..

Did anyone notice someone has us right where they wanted? Blanket statements and yet didn't reveal the better sainted site?

[newbie]

Hmm, it now appears that I've offended while defending (I know it's not safe to get in the middle of these things, but I just wanted to say I was sure she didn't mean it the way you seemed to take it).

While I agree with you completely about professional profiling, I don't know exactly what question it is you mean that I "don't like." However, as you say, there aren't any special privileges handed out for seniority (I assume you're referring to me) and I can take a hint, so I will indeed "move along to the next" and you can excuse the ring.

Nevertheless ; your post was very good and seemed to perfectly capture the "sense of the board" about profiling.

Dang it Bart, now I've offended you, you got me all wrong and you didn't offend me in the least. I only felt bad about offending Dany, never intended it like that.

I should have put another quote in my last post, I meant to point my finger at the wise one that told me to fill out my profile and she may spend more time with my questions, answers like that are unnecessary IMHO, with the only purpose served is achieving the Gold level status for the most posts - or Bronze badges (not sure how you get them LOL) - like the other board that hosts the "professionals". I could care less if someone has 1 post or 1million posts.

I'll kindly quit here before I offend someone else.

[S T]

Oh Dear

Another post gone astray, because someone wanted "professional designations" and "profiles".

Give it a rest.

I agree with Bees, JG and others, I believe what we are looking for is an additional source for guidance in seeking the answer to a particular tax issue., This Board has tried to do all it can to close it to DIY people posting, so regardless of your "designation, profile, etc" we are looking to sharing thoughts and knowledge on particular tax issues and trying to benefit others with knowledge and experience as well as gaining the same for ourselves.

This board is a huge "asset" for all of us that are operating as a "sole practitioner" .

Sandy

[Snaggletooth]

Class

Sandy, thank you for this.

Your class rises above the din of malcontents, and brings coalescence to the group.

We couldn't have needed this more.

[Black Bart]

Aw, thanks and forget about it.

Dang it Bart, now I've offended you, you got me all wrong and you didn't offend me in the least...I should have put another quote in my last post, I meant to point my finger at the wise one that told me to fill out my profile...I'll kindly quit here before I offend someone else.

I see now how you meant it and I mistakenly read myself into that post.

There's gettin' to be a surplus of insulted folks nowadays, don't you think? The news is overrun with 'em and the damaged-ego types are practically comin' in the windows demandin' apologies.

To help out I'm resigning my membership in OAF (Offended Arkansas Farmboys) which was originally formed to protest the outrageous assumption that just because one hails from Arkansas he/she is familiar only with such rural staples as barns, chickens, pigs, taters, and such. Why, as I've told everybody for years, down here the woods are full of astronauts and philosophers (those who disagree are "offenders").

However, perception is all -- did you see that picture of the store clerk who won the $258 million Missouri lottery the other day? I was glad for him 'cause he sure looked like he needed the money, but Lordy, Lordy; talk about Southern stereotypes. He had two front teeth missin', a goofy-lookin' smile, and said he'd use the money to "pay off the thousand dollars I owe a man on my truck, catch-up on my utility bills, get my teeth fixed, and take the family to Disneyland." Still, it sounds like a good starter plan and he'll probably put the rest in bank CDs instead of losing it to Bernie Madoff-types like the Hollywood bunch.

What would a person do with that kind of money? Hmmm...maybe I'd catch-up on my bills...