Why do people hide behind internet screen names?

Richard Dower

I've never quite got WHY people on the net do this?...to hide there identity?, to allow for a internet persona?....my screen name is my real name, i take the mick sometimes and deny it, but it's really me

For me the reason i "came out" was after an incident many years ago whereby my real name was posted, as such since then i've seen no point in hiding my real identity. But moreover i wonder why folks do it?

Richard Dower

^ note to mods....i know y'all watch me and i'm limited to the amount of threads i post, last one today...promise :-)

The King of Moo

I hate when people do that.

Kasabian

Richard your thread starting rights should be revoked.
You're making a Dick of yourself.

starviewadams

Because I don't want every fúcking eejit on here knowing my real name!

Gummy Panda

Hide behind screen name??

Are you telling me Abi isn't actually named Abi and Dr Bollocko isn't a doctor?

AhSureTisGrand

Richard Dower wrote: »

^ note to mods....i know y'all watch me and i'm limited to the amount of threads i post, last one today...promise :-)

Because we don't want to make fools out of our real-life selves

circos

No reasons beyond being lazy for me. Mine just joins part of both first and second names.

I know years ago i had to choose a "handle" or "username" for loads of things and using my full name just seemed too long.

Not something id think too much about to be fair...

Saila

so it makes it harder for people to stalk you IRL!

Logical Fallacy

Was this thread not done recently....by you?

Edit : It was done, but by someone else.

megaten

Why would I use my real name? I don't think it's particularly important for posting in an internet forum.

Richard Dower

AhSureTisGrand wrote: »

Because we don't want to make fools out of our real-life selves

Kasabian

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Hide behind screen name??

Are you telling me Abi isn't actually named Abi and Dr Bollocko isn't a doctor?

And you're not a toothless Panda :eek:

Duggy747

I do because it's common sense, I don't want anybody tracing anything I say or do on the web back to me. Imagine if you're boss uses Boards or another popular site where you use your real name?

Plus, alot of sickos on the web who can put 2 + 2 together and find your location pretty easily.

Richard Dower

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Was this thread not done recently....by you?

Possible, i tend to forget what i post....very possible i've posted this topic before, apologies if i have.

starbelgrade

Great thread Ritchie.

Keep up the good work me oul Dowzer.

Ghandee

I don't hide behind a screen name.



Anyone wanting to know my real name? I'll tell you at no extra cost.


My real name is Paddy Murphy.

Don't forget it!

Shanotheslayer

My mammy said i'm not allowed

im invisible

you'd never know who could be on the other side of the screen...

<_<


>_>

some random drunk

Well if I posted using my real name my mates would know I'd like to dress up as Cammy from Street Fighter and that I'm attracted to Yvette Bova.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QXOa4ZmmqUI/TKuOGBAwbhI/AAAAAAAADmo/lxcwl3MnQRY/s1600/Yvette+Bova+%3D+1-blogsexydress.jpg

Not really the sort of thing I'd announce down the pub.

Richard Dower

Kasabian wrote: »

Richard your thread starting rights should be revoked.
You're making a Dick of yourself.

I see what you did there, thanks wh*re!

starlit

For safety reasons I say. Best to keep our identities secret.

The King of Moo

It makes posting freer and easier.

This country is so small you'd be guaranteed to be recognised in five minutes if you used your real name, and you'd recognise others.

You'd then be hesitant about what you wrote, knowing who might read it and that people might meet you in the street and know what drivel you were posting.

Ghandee

Richard Dower wrote: »

Possible, i tend to forget what i post....very possible i've posted this topic before, apologies if i have.

Will in fairness you do have more than fourteen THOUSAND posts under your belt.

That's one hell of a shiity envelope you must have Richard.

padd b1975

Mine is my 2 first names and my year of birth.
More info than most around here.

Richard Dower

The King of Moo wrote: »

It makes posting freer and easier.

This country is so small you'd be guaranteed to be recognised in five minutes if you used your real name, and you'd recognise others.

You'd then be hesitant about what you wrote, knowing who might read it and that people might meet you in the street and know what drivel you were posting.

Tis one of the reasons i stay out of the Limerick forum.

Azureus

Security. Stalker prevention.
Anybody who knows me recognises me fairly quick on here tho.

Abi

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Hide behind screen name??

Are you telling me Abi isn't actually named Abi and Dr Bollocko isn't a doctor?

It's all lies! don't listen to him!


Louise Abi is here now..


/strokes fur

Kasabian

Richard Dower wrote: »

I see what you did there, thanks wh*re!

Richard there is no need to resort to name calling.

Gummy Panda

Abi wrote: »

/strokes fur

AW YEAH!!!

Teyla Emmagan

Because I like talking rubbish at times and I can say things as my alter ego Teyla that I wouldn't say in real life.

crazygeryy

or maybe your just a dick and you dont want anyone to know which dick you are.

Salty

I'm free to vent/bitch about things and people IRL without offending anyone:p

mattjack

Abi wrote: »

It's all lies! don't listen to him!


Louise Abi is here now..


/strokes fur

fur what ?

gerrycollins

Richard Dower wrote: »

I've never quite got WHY people on the net do this?...to hide there identity?, to allow for a internet persona?....my screen name is my real name, i take the mick sometimes and deny it, but it's really me

For me the reason i "came out" was after an incident many years ago whereby my real name was posted, as such since then i've seen no point in hiding my real identity. But moreover i wonder why folks do it?

i post under my real name....i have nothing to hide

Spacedog

Why don't you post your address, phone number too?

(You would unless you had something to hide.)

Richard Dower

^ that info is out there.

FouxDaFaFa

My real name probably wouldn't be very memorable, I think it's nice to use something fun.

R0ot

Makes me feel like a big man because in actuality I am a petite woman. :pac:

Irish Guitarist

I have enough problems with morons in real life without them finding out that I use Boards and signing up to annoy me.

I'd be more to inclined to let people know my real name on a site that wasn't primarily used by Irish people. I wouldn't use my real name as my screen name, but I usually list my first name in my profile.

I don't use my real surname on Facebook. I want to be able to choose who to add instead of having a bunch of idiots that I hated in school sending me requests and acting like they're suddenly my friend.

aaronjumper

My real name is Aaron. And I was wearing a jumper the day I joined Boards.
I think it's in case you have a major argument with someone, they
cannot try and you know. . . track you down and such.

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean I'm not being followed!

Abi

Richard Dower wrote: »

^ that info is out there.

Well theres a thing.. theres a Limerick in Maine in 'merica.



/continues search

im invisible

aaronjumper wrote: »

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean I'm not being followed!

so, you're on twitter then?

Mint Sauce

I dont actully like irish-stew (that much).

Capt'n Midnight

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Are you telling me Abi isn't actually named Abi and Dr Bollocko isn't a doctor?

It's a doctorate in theology IIRC

William_Hicley

You are not alone! I use my real name here as well (almost) I'm fairly well behaved on boards, much like real life I try to have manners! So I dont worry too much.

I say almost, because when I created my account I ment to type Hickey, not Hicley. I clicked ok before I realised my mistake. I havnt figured out how to edit that.
Curse these fat fingers.

flutterflye

What I don't get is how people say it's for safety reasons that they use a username, but then they go and put photos of themselves up.

Granted, your boss or stalker can google your name, not your picture, but you still are instantly recognisable by putting photos of yourself up.

Gummy Panda

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Are you telling me Abi isn't actually named Abi and Dr Bollocko isn't a doctor?

It's a doctorate in theology IIRC

Then why did he take money off me for that examination?


:eek:

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

ejmaztec

I have to keep my anonymity as those Listowel people would probably put my windows in, using me as the projectile. They just won't have it that they don't live in the Kerry version of Stepford.:(

hondasam

I post under my real name.