I'm working on common names and birth years for quite a while. Out of this experience I see two major problems (intentionally ignoring Ken's refusal of a real solution - redesigning the program - and the real name issue (gretings to Yves), since both this areas are a great resource for moaning but don't improve our database or solve our problems) which are not addressed in any way by now:
• Common name threads which are not conclusive
• Birth years which are needed to distinguish persons from each other but which are not determinable.

Now I'm wondering if we could set up some sort of supreme court to decide tied common name threads and assign fake birth years in such cases.

A little more detail, on what's going on in my sick brain:
We could elect a (very) small number of members (five, maybe seven) who could be called to solve any of the above problems.
They should have the opportunity to discuss the cases in a closed forum and they should have the power to:
• assign contributable fake birth years (even in cases where two persons have the same known birth year)
• call out a binding common name which shall be used and locked (!) for considerable amount of time (six to twelve months) to reduce the amount of flip flopping...

I've not really thougt about the election or the reelection of such a board. But this should be managable...

Neither I've asked officially to submit fake birth years. But this should be managable too.

What do you think about?
Especially I'm interested in a feedback from Ken on this, since it would need an additional (closed) forum and the ability (including a process) to submit fake birth years...

Do you know of any plans?

I like the idea.

I know that Ken posted something about creating a better linking system, but wasn't that a few years ago? Have we gotten an update on it's progress?

At this time I think we should use what we have and try our best to make a better linking system within the current confines of the program.

I am sure that some problems will arise. One I can think of is how to create a fake birth year for someone who doesn't appear in any online database or site.

Of course the only participation of Ken's would be to enable fake birth year contributions.

Quoting AiAustria:

Quote:
What do you think about?

At present, linking in the online database is a total mess, and your idea could help to solve thousands of problems. A solution to BY problem would also help to make better headshots database (not in relation with contributing process). All users concerned by linking work separately on their own database, and this is clearly a waste of time.

A new linking system has been announced several years ago by Ken, but we never saw it, and we just can use the program as it is. So I agree with your approach. I'm ready to participate, though I'm not sure many people would like to see me in the panel  .

Quoting AiAustria:

Quote:
... and locked (!) for considerable amount of time (six to twelve months) to reduce the amount of flip flopping...

With present system, common names should be locked for at least five years.

Quoting CubbyUps:

Quote:
I am sure that some problems will arise. One I can think of is how to create a fake birth year for someone who doesn't appear in any online database or site.

A fake birth year is not needfully of any meaning. If there is no good idea how to create it, the dice would do... The only important thing about it is, it has to be accepted by all members around here, to make it a linking factor...

The procedural concerns could be defined within the closed circle of such a board, which would speed up thing a lot...

Quoting surfeur51:

Quote:
A new linking system has been announced several years ago by Ken, but we never saw it, and we just can use the program as it is. So I agree with your approach. I'm ready to participate, though I'm not sure many people would like to see me in the panel  .

I'd prefer your participation. As long as we agree on the fact that we can't make up names which are not based on the current rules (the CLT and the currently used common name giving process) every input is welcomed, especially yours, since you seem to have researched a lot on this issues...

... and last not least, this would have to be a kind of election: let's see what's possible...

Quoting AiAustria:

Quote:
Quoting ateo357:

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.... is wishful thinking....

... it's christmas! No better time for wishes... 

Well then my wish would be, if this is a possibility. Based on prior common name thread activity I would like to nominate Sidrat, huskersports, AiAustria & bbbbb. All for different reasons and I don't think any of them would have a personal agenda.