Real ID Firestorm Continues

The outrage about Blizzard's plans to force forum posters to use Real ID (and thus reveal their actual names) continues.  Here's are a few typical postings.
http://panzercow.wordpress.com/2010/07/07/realidiocy/

http://www.manaobscura.com/?p=942

http://stabbedup.blogspot.com/2010/07/wow-realid.html

http://spinksville.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/realid-around-the-web-the-future-will-be-written-in-chicken/

Some folks say this is just Blizzard trying to emulate and integrate with Facebook, whose CEO is very publicly against personal privacy, and we can expect more of this sort of thing.  Here is a posting from May that explains some of Blizzard's plans.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/05/blizzard-and-facebooks-friendly-social-networking-deal-launches-with-starcraft-ii-/1

Other folks say that Blizzard is just complying with Korean law.  Does anyone play Korean games who can speak to how well using one's real name works in cutting down on trolls in forums?
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/zeroday/2010/07/07/is-korean-law-driving-policy-at-blizzard/

Blizzard's response is to announce changes to talents, specializations and mastery when Cataclysm hits, hoping to distract players.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=162553

I failed to realize that tech support forums will require real names to ask for help on technical issues.  Most folks say this is a better way to get help than calling Blizzard's Customer Support.

Two folks have detailed how to turn off Real ID using the parental control options.  Apparently this is not straightforward and easy to find.  As the Greedy Goblin says, stop whining and start acting if you hate the Real ID system.
http://greedygoblin.blogspot.com/2010/07/would-you-stop-whining-about-realid.html

http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-opt-out-of-realid.html

UPDATE:  WOW Insider lists the eight steps to opting out of Real ID and also tells you how to customize Real ID if you decide to risk using it.
http://www.wow.com/2010/07/08/customizing-and-opting-out-of-real-id/

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