On another thread, a poster expressed a dislike/distrust of those who use pseudonyms rather than their real names. Does he mean me? Well, the cap fits…..

My daughter, who posts as Edain, introduced me to Mudcat. Thus proving, perhaps, that insanity is genetic, you get it from your children. I understood that it was normal, even expected, to use a nickname so I invented one. Being rotund, white-bearded and even jovial in the right company, "Santa" seemed to fit (judging from the giggling of the shop girls around Xmas time). I do not use a pseudonym on any other internet site I visit. I have since (obviously) learnt that many do post on Mudcat under their own name.

More prolific posters do come to be well enough known under their nicknames for their identities to be established, but I don't fall into that category. So I shall ask this question: Would Mudcatters like more, trust more, or in any other way view my postings more favourably, if I posted under my given names rather than my chosen one?

Graham Boak/Santa

And after answering that, tell me how you know Graham Boak is not just another pseudonym. (Those who have met me need not answer!)