Tuesday, August 01, 2006

My Site, My Work, My Professional Reputation

We have been running this site for over two years now. I have put a considerable amount of my own money into it's development - not to mention the man-hours both myself and Frank have dedicated to it. Now it's got it's limitations but one of it's primary benefits to both Frank and myself has been the boost it has given us in both reputation and profile. If I'm putting together a proposal for a project or putting myself forward for work, this site is one of my aces in the hole. In it's little way it's been very successful. A lot of my plans for the future are, in some way or other, tied into this. So while I try not take it too seriously, I do protect the reputation that has grown out of it very jealously - it's one of the concessions I make to living in an adult world with adult responsibilities. If I think someone is unintentionally doing something to damage it, I'll let them know - whilst still trying to take it in the spirit it was intended.

Some people, however, have no idea and they seem oblivious to where to draw the line. Some time ago we had a spate of comments, over-the-top complaints and offensive remarks, that all turned out to be the work of one person. This person we know well and once we managed to call him on it, we took it as it was intended - a ballhop. Grand. When the chance arose, I explained to the person what caused us problems at the time and why I'd be a little less light-hearted about it than I could have been. He seemed to get it but apparently not. He started again and, knowing who he was, I gave him a bit of leeway - thinking he knows where the line is now. Unfortunately I was wrong - he's entirely oblivious to it. Not only were a number of his comments completely inappropriate but, after pretending to comment under other peoples names, he has taken to setting up blogs using my name - just to deride me.
[edit] This could be viewed as a malicious and vindictive way to potentially damage the reputation and profile that I have built up through BifSniff but, no doubt, in his spoilt-child-like egotism (or enthusiasm as he insists) he doesn't see it that way.[edit] In his mind he believes this all just a laugh and I'm just taking it too seriously.

Maybe you agree but consider it like this. Working as a freelance designer, or whatever, and you tender for a job. You've put a lot of work into your portfolio and have built a reputation for quality work. However someone, as a joke, decides to go to masquerade as you. He does up cards and starts hanging around where he knows he'll meet your potential employers or co-workers or their clients. Then he starts making inappropriate remarks and saying things that are designed to make you seem small or petty. Imagine how you'd feel. Now add to that situation the anonymity of the web. [edit]For clarity, and his peace of mind, I'm not suggesting he was deliberatly trying to destroy my reputation. He wasn't. It was a joke and a miscalculation on his part. For my part, I overreacted initially but, for fucks sake, he was using my identity.[edit]

[edit-text removed]

I have no desire to be portrayed as a saint but I sure-as-fuck have a right to dictate how and where my own name is used.

For obvious reasons I'm not accepting comments on this post. This situation has been resolved so to speak. On the face of things some of what I said was harsh but I still stand by it in principle. We have reasons for drawing a line in the sand and if someone, in spite of constant of friendly suggestions to the contrary, seems unable to stick to that - we have to do something about it. And hang the context - you don't go around using my fucking name, ever.