Why use one screen name on one forum and a different one somewhere else?
Why use a screen name at all? Security? A name is not enough for identity theft, no one is asking for a address or a social security number, even a exact location.
I personally think screen names can lead to people saying things they wouldn't under their real name, They act differently, and may not consider the long term ramifications of their actions.
Real names are used by most of the professionals, Nick, Andy, Walter, Robert Steven, Bill V. Morten Albek, Horst, etc etc etc I never here of these guys getting their credit stolen.
I have used my real name for a number of years now, I started with a screen name but then realized that I have nothing to hide and as a writer, I wanted to be known as myself, for better or worse. Hect, I'll even give out my address if some thief wants to tempt fate.
When I helped to found AoB and KoB we decided that no screen names will be allowed, many of the people here that use screen names use their real names there, no doubt because they wouldn't be a member without such. We figured that for a polite, intelligent, informative discussion to take place, the masks would have to come off. It seems to have worked quite well, in my opinion.
So in my opinion, there is little reason to use a screen name, but I do not condemn those who do, unless they simply hide behind them. Masks can be good (lone ranger, Zorro, and most super heroes) but mostly they are not (all the criminals).
My opinions only,
Will