Why do I need to register for ElkGroveWiki?

Great question! Actually, if you're just interested in learning more about Elk Grove by reading our pages, then you don't have to register at all.

However, the great thing about a wiki is that everyone can help make the website better. If you know about Elk Grove, then you may want to create a new page about your favorite topic (place to hang out, coffee shop, bookstore, event restaurant, etc), or you may want to add information to an existing page that already exists.

If you want to add pages or edit pages, we ask that you register for a UserName to help us keep track of the changes that are made.

When you register for a username at ElkGroveWiki, we ask that you use your RealName as your username (instead of a "handle" or "nickname"). For example, my username is RodneyBlackwell.

Why should I use my RealName?

Using your RealName is important to the Elk Grove Wiki community. First, and foremost, it helps with instant credibility and add authenticity to the information you add.

However, using your real name alone doesn't give one credibility, you must then make valuable contributions rather than just talk trash :)

Fundamentally, the question is one of community. Would you introduce yourself to your next door neighbor with a fake name? Probably not... and the people on the wiki are your neighbors.

Although this is an "online" community, the people that contribute are members of your real community. They are friends, neighbors, daughters, husbands, co-workers, and more.

Instead of using a fake name for anonymity, a better solution might be to never post anything you wouldn't want associated with your name. Keep in mind that any of your comments (be they positive or negative) may be remembered by local businesses and restaurants, and anyone around the world with internet access (note: not a 'next door neighbor') can read or find out about them. Putting material on the wiki should be considered an act of publishing, in a sense.

Many people have created fake or dubious PseudoNyms just to troll or trash talk a single restaurant, business, or individual. This type of behavior is not constructive and is unfair to the recipient of the complaint. Wiki edits should be fair enough that you'd be willing to say them to someone face to face. That's true whether or not you use your RealName, but it's certainly easier to be unfair when you hide behind a pseudonym.

What if I want to use my RealName but don't want to get picked up by google?

An alternative is to use a slight modification of your RealName (e.g., RName, RealN, RaelName, etc.) and indicating so on your user page. That way, you establish instant credibility, and can always remove the link to your RealName after you've confirmed your credibility through your awesome edits. This option is good for people looking to evade google once they leave Elk Grove. The point is accountability: establishing a reputation on the wiki. Of course, you might wind up making friends who wind up only knowing you by the name you use, so be aware it may well become your new nickname in some circles.

Please remember to use your RealName and not your Real Name, which is trademarked by Amazon.com.

When is it ok to use a complete Pseudonym?

We generally discourage the use of fake names or handles, however, it may be ok to use a pseudonym if you are known widely by that name both online and offline.

Other users who choose to use a pseudonym to remain anonymous manage to establish their credibility through making a history of providing many valuable contributions to the wiki. For example, by creating and editing pages on a Elk Grove related subject that the site is currently lacking. However, using a pseudonym only grants one a certain degree of privacy, because the IP Addresses of all editors are logged and public.

OK, I'm ready to register. How do I sign up on this site and contribute?

Great! Glad to hear that you're ready to share your knowledge of Elk Grove with the community.

To register to begin updating, please click on over to our quick one page signup form here!

Changing to your name

If you registered with a pseudonym you can take the following steps to change over to a new account name:

  1. Make any last edits with the pseudonym

  1. Lock the pseudonym account using the Disable this account forever option at the bottom of settings

  2. Create a new account

See also:

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