real name vs. pseudonym

Graydon

Chumono
Messages
717
Reaction score
11
Will made a post earlier that got me thinking - why do people choose to register at sites like this with either their real name or a pseudonym?

I never put much thought in to it - I registered and used my first name (Graydon) as my screen name. Many others use something else.

What's up with that? Anyone care to speak up as to why you did what you did?
 

BonsaiWes

Mame
Messages
128
Reaction score
1
USDA Zone
7
Will made a post earlier that got me thinking - why do people choose to register at sites like this with either their real name or a pseudonym?

I never put much thought in to it - I registered and used my first name (Graydon) as my screen name. Many others use something else.

What's up with that? Anyone care to speak up as to why you did what you did?


Everyone knows me on the forms I visit sooner or later so I don't worry about it..although I should.

Here is the scary version..
Personally I have had my old eBay account hacked into by someone, and have received threats at bonsaiTalk to tamper with my credit line by someone(I and a moderator know who) last year over me not liking their tree. Another time someone tried to run up my visa after I ordered some Buddhist wind chimes online(still haven't got that one totally sorted out). I can understand someone wanting just a little protection from the general public. Now days just knowing ones legal name and location is enough to check to see if they are a registered sex offender, find out their home Addy and telephone # etc, even find out where your wife or husband works..where your children go to school and so forth. They could even be watching you sleep at night based on the info you share on a simple online forum.

Real name or a made up screen name it doesn't matter to me. If you get to know someone well enough you will be told their real name when you deserve to have it is the way I see it.
 

Tachigi

Omono
Messages
1,198
Reaction score
67
Location
PA.
USDA Zone
6b
I have had this screen name for the last ten years. Everyone knows me by it. I post my name on my signature to give people the option. I usually find that people I want to "hang with" or I have develop a association with will choose to by pass my screen name and use my given name. I look at a screen name more or less as a nickname or an expression of that person's personality to try a humanize the online experience
 

Graydon

Chumono
Messages
717
Reaction score
11
Here is the scary version..
Personally I have had my old eBay account hacked into by someone, and have received threats at bonsaiTalk to tamper with my credit line by someone(I and a moderator know who) last year over me not liking their tree. Another time someone tried to run up my visa after I ordered some Buddhist wind chimes online(still haven't got that one totally sorted out). I can understand someone wanting just a little protection from the general public. Now days just knowing ones legal name and location is enough to check to see if they are a registered sex offender, find out their home Addy and telephone # etc, even find out where your wife or husband works..where your children go to school and so forth. They could even be watching you sleep at night based on the info you share on a simple online forum.

I remember reading about your ordeal on another forum - good point and thanks for posting. I had not taken that in to consideration until you pointed it out.

I suppose we all have a comfort level when it comes to security.
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
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
 

Tachigi

Omono
Messages
1,198
Reaction score
67
Location
PA.
USDA Zone
6b
Will, I understand were your coming from. However the examples you cited all have a commercial interest in using their given names, so I'm not sure thats the best example. To preempt a list of pseudonym names that don't have commercial interests I'll say this, I get what your going with your statement :). I think a happy medium lies with a person that uses both. A pseudonym to express themselves as they see fit, as long as it is followed by a given name in the signature area.
 

BonsaiWes

Mame
Messages
128
Reaction score
1
USDA Zone
7
Why use one screen name on one forum and a different one somewhere else?






Well, not getting shot in the head would be one answer. The world wide web can be a very dangerous place, treat it as such.

Anyone besides me remember when Rick Thumberg was threatening to show up at our houses with a 9mm because he was getting banned for harrasing the young women at bonsaisite? That was years ago and I know of people still using new screen names to try and make sure he can't start bothering them again.
 
Last edited:

Boondock

Shohin
Messages
253
Reaction score
1
Location
Puyallup WA USA (zone 8)
Self-promotion and pride are legitimate reasons for using your real name.

aob, kob and bs (bonsaiswap) require real names to be used. I refuse to make up a name that sounds real in order to participate. It is not, however, uncommon for people to join a forum under several names, to perform dastardly deeds. Thank you, I decline to join or even read them. I wonder what percent of possible membership and participation is lost because of this ridiculous rule.
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Well, not getting shot in the head would be one answer. The world wide web can be a very dangerous place, treat it as such.
So can the real world, even more so. There are millions of people on-line using their real names, the crime rate is still lower than actual real time life.

I for one refuse to live my life in fear, thank you.

Besides, if someone wanted you bad enough, the info is there, ip addy can lead you to a neighborhood. I think some are just overly paranoid, but that is their right.

Your words don't make much sense to me as you are a member at AoB under your real name, am I missing something?


Will
 
Last edited:

Jo Ann

Seedling
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Location
New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA
USDA Zone
9b
Good-evening all,

After reading some of your bonsai forum horror stories I'm just speechless....:eek:
I would never have thought that bonsai could be soo dangerous...I geuss theres nut cases
everywhere...About the name thing I'm not very good at making up a fake name that sounds decent.

Jo Ann
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Self-promotion and pride are legitimate reasons for using your real name.

aob, kob and bs (bonsaiswap) require real names to be used. I refuse to make up a name that sounds real in order to participate. It is not, however, uncommon for people to join a forum under several names, to perform dastardly deeds. Thank you, I decline to join or even read them. I wonder what percent of possible membership and participation is lost because of this ridiculous rule.

I think a glance at the member list would answer most of your questions, I would trade a million notmyrealname's for a dozen experienced members any day. What is ridiculous to some is very refreshing to others.

I feel the real name policies cuts most of the silly nonsense and promotes honesty and professionalism...

Just my opinions,


Will Heath
 

zelk

Shohin
Messages
408
Reaction score
304
Location
San DIego
USDA Zone
10a
its just bonsai, i cannot believe what people do to each other just for little trees.....;) ;) ;)
 

BonsaiWes

Mame
Messages
128
Reaction score
1
USDA Zone
7
Your words don't make much sense to me as you are a member at AoB under your real name, am I missing something?


Will


I guess you are missing my first post to this thread where I said I personaly don't care.


"Everyone knows me on the forums I visit sooner or later so I don't worry about it..although I should."- BonsaiWes
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
I guess you are missing my first post to this thread where I said I personaly don't care.


"Everyone knows me on the forums I visit sooner or later so I don't worry about it..although I should."- BonsaiWes

Ah, you're right, sorry. On this we agree, it doesn't matter to me either, to each their own....




Will
 

PaulStokes

Yamadori
Messages
77
Reaction score
0
Location
Wisconsin, USA
USDA Zone
4-5
*yawn*
-Paul

Hey there Boon. . . You and I have been here before.
 
Last edited:

Bonsai Nut

Nuttier than your average Nut
Messages
12,420
Reaction score
27,856
Location
Charlotte area, North Carolina
USDA Zone
8a
I deleted the entire balance of this thread where people got off topic and start debating about each others' characters. Post your POV and don't worry so much about other people. I would like people to focus on the pleasure we should all feel when we build each other up. It is much harder and takes much more time than tearing someone down, but I believe it is worth it.
 

PaulStokes

Yamadori
Messages
77
Reaction score
0
Location
Wisconsin, USA
USDA Zone
4-5
Post your POV and don't worry so much about other people. I would like people to focus on the pleasure we should all feel when we build each other up. It is much harder and takes much more time than tearing someone down, but I believe it is worth it.
Well said.
-Paul
 

Bonsai Nut

Nuttier than your average Nut
Messages
12,420
Reaction score
27,856
Location
Charlotte area, North Carolina
USDA Zone
8a
Back to the subject at hand...

I enjoy pseudonyms because they allow me to have fun and show a little imagination. I have used tons of pseudonyms on lots of different boards - "Bonsainut" has been my primary for a fair number of years (no relation to the bonsainut on Bonsaitalk forums - I think it just a coincidence). I used to work in the computer games industry where I was known online professionally as "Big Tuna". Sometimes I post on technical boards as "Wife of Nerd". When I play online computer games I often use the name "Everpest". On some financial boards I use the name "Die Wurst mit Geschmack" :)

I do it because it makes me smile. I happen to be a pretty trusting person and generally share my personal info with anyone who has a legitimate reason to know. My only concern comes from owning a fair number of bonsai that have to remain outside - and I'd hate to be a victim of theft. Fortunately three dogs and a camera alarm system help me sleep at night :)

As far as I'm concerned, if it makes you happy and doesn't harm anyone else, all the more power to you.
 
Top Bottom