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"Identifier" problem

The "Identifier" field on the submission form tells me that it is "optional" and "for my own uses." The problem is that whenever I leave it blank, the legend (Hodges#,name,size,date and other info) of my image appears above the posted image on the right. I notice that posts of other contributors don't show anything there, maybe because they use images stored on the web that don't have a readable legend popping up with the image. My solution now is to just put a period into the field. Is there another way?

Filename
The identifier field is the filename unless you choose a different name.

 
Yes, that's the way it appears to be.
Thank you for the information. But then, what is "optional" when the file name shows up automatically? Anyway, this actually is much ado about almost nothing - my "option" of a period will serve me well.

 
identifier
You will only see the "identifier" on the photos you have posted when you are logged in to Bugguide. You can't see what others have used as "identifers" since you cannot log into their account. I've used "identifers" to help me sort out my photos into different groups. Helps a lot when I want to see what I've posted for a particular group on one page. For example, if I want to see all the moth photos I've posted, since I used the same "identifer" for each of the photos, all I have to do is type izl-moth into the search box and all the moth photos that I have posted show up on one page. This has been a big help both in helping me to identify insects and also to keep from posting duplicates. And be sure to use some unique identifier, not just the term moth, for example.

 
This explains it all!
Thank you, Ilona: Yes, my intention was to use the identifier for the purpose you describe (suggested by Robert Zimlich some time ago), but then I was annoyed when some pointers on the picture legend meant for myself all appeared above the post if I did not supply anything written in the Identifier cell.

 
No one sees the identifier on the upper right of your images
except you. If what you wrote was meant only for yourself, then that is perfect because only you see it. Just as you can't see anyone else's identifier, so no one else sees yours.

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