BS: Nicknames or real names on Mudcat?

Subject: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Santa
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:19 AM

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!)

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:23 AM

If you have an unusual surname (as I do) displaying it here for non-members make it easy to be traced for junk mail etc. There are a lot of Rogers here.


RtS

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: stallion
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:27 AM

If you have ever been cyber stalked then you would know why, I have learnt to live with my stalker but it caused no end of trouble with my wife, she now thinks this person is sad and lonely as well and I try to ignore it but I would rather not have it
Peter

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: maeve
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:28 AM

I value my family's privacy. Everything we post here on Mudcat threads is available and readable to anyone using the internet. I use a pseudonym for that reason, and have the option to privately give my name and contact information to Mudcatters on rare occasions.

maeve

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: stallion
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:29 AM

and my surname is so unusual that if you google it you get my siblings or my children plus one nephew and one cousin

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:33 AM

I use my real name. Anybody can find a contact for me on the internet if they look around so I am not losing any privacy by posting under my own name.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: tutti flutti
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:35 AM

I, too, have an unusual name (both forename and surname).
I'm female too - so posting under my real name I believe would be very foolish as I would be so easy to trace.

Having once been the victim of really nasty spamming (some of it unbelievably vile!) I would rather never post here than risk that again.

What do other 'catters think?

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Carol
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:44 AM

I get 'nasty' Spam but as I'm only Carol, i.e. not my surname I can't 'blame' Mudcat for that. I find it hard enough to remember real names these days, never mind nicknames!
Seriously I do think that if I post something on Mudcat as Carol other catters who know me personally at least know who's actually posting it. Still each to his own and I do appreciate that there are lots of Johns, Richards etc. who post,in fact I always thought that was the main reason Catters used nicknames?

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:56 AM

Secret identities are fun. By day, Joe Dullsville. By night, Zen Harmony Justiceman!

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:03 AM

I quite like pseudonyms, although sometimes I think I'd like a different one for a change.

It would take more than a pseudonym for me to dislike/distrust someone.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:44 AM

A lot of Mudcatters make a living, or a part-time penny from folk, so it doesn't make sense to be too anonymous.

Unless, of course your posts are going to make you a lot of enemies.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: bobad
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:49 AM

Either way, welcome Santa/Graham.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:52 AM

and it also gives well known artists the opportunity to get involved and post opinions using pseudonyms and thus avoid being judged

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:56 AM

Of course it makes for a fun game....
...guess which mudcatter is really....

Bob Dylan?
Conrad Black?
Donovan Leitch?
Eminem?
Prince Charles?
The Dalai Lama?

...I'm sure they're all here....

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:57 AM

For me it's the groupies. Too many, waiting, waiting to pounce, to drag me off and perform unspeakably pleasurable things to my perfect body. And the paparrazi. And the bill collectors.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:57 AM

You think I'm really called Richard Bridge? He's just a lawyer I met once, and I looked him up on the internet and assumed his persona.

Obnig Hrobdog Kerfuffle (my real name on Alpha Centuari).

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: treewind
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:57 AM

I wanted to use my real name, but somebody else (who I don't think has posted to Mudcat in years) beat me to it. Treewind is part of my domain name and was designed to be usable as a generic business/company name in case I ever needed one. It was the first alternative I could think of when joining Mudcat.

Anahata
(my real name, honest...)

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:58 AM

I am always kind to my stalkers and frequently father their children.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:07 AM

well I use a nick name as I have a fairly unique name and if I happen to mention that I'm going to Sidmouth Folkweek or holidaying in Greece I'd rather not let people know that I'm leaving a house vacant. For the same reasons it means I don't have to watch what I say on here (going away, going to a concert or a session etc etc.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:09 AM

I am, of course, really Ruth Archer.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: theleveller
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:18 AM

No, I'm really Ruth Archer.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:18 AM

Everyone on Mudcat except my friends know me as Scooby otherwise its Yasmin.
But most peeps use Scooby.



Scooby

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,Helena Handcart
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:24 AM

No, I am Spartacus

Subject: RE: Nicknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Beer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:24 AM

I think it's fun in the beginning but then after a while on the "Mudcat", and depending on the types of threads you respond to,what you do as well, you are eventually found out.
Beer
(adrien)real first name.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:25 AM

For some strange reason people seem to laugh at my real name - so I avoid using it.

Hugh Jarse

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:27 AM

I'm happy to use my given name. Google it, and it's quite flattering, what comes up.

'Nuff said, I think.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Shaneo
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:28 AM

When I came here first I searched for a rake of names to use, out of sheer frustration I typed shaneo, the name was stuck in my head from being at a Pogues gig a few day previous. If ever you were at a Pogues gig the crowd keep shouting Shanooooooh while waiting for Mr Mac Gowan to appear on stage, if I Google my real name it comes up first, maybe I should have used it but I thought it was the norm to use nick names in forums.
Martin Dardis

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:38 AM

There is another folk singer named Dave Sutherland who, I believe, is a highly rated young singer/songwriter from the South of England and therefore I don't think he would want to be confused with a much older exiled Geordie who has always been associated with traditional folk music (although I have a very broad outlook on the music in general)

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:38 AM

I join with others to say "Welcome, Graham Boak/Santa!"

Whichever name you choose to use here or elsewhere is fine with me, as long as it's fine with you.

**

I use my name on Mudcat and elsewhere. Actually "Azizi" isn't my birth name, but it's the name I've been known by since the late 1960s.

For a brief time, I used another name when I posted on another blog. A number of people there used tag names, but doing so didn't feel authentic for me, so I soon switched back to what I consider to be my real name. So by the time I came to Mudcat, I had gotten into the habit of posting on the Internet using my name.

Besides, its no secret that I want people to know my name because I have a website that I want people to know about http://www.cocojams.com/. I use my name there and if Mudcat members and guests visit there, they'd learn my name.

Also I want people to know my name since I'm interested in writing articles and at least one book on contemporary English language children's recreational rhymes.

Fwiw, I've not had any problems so far using my real name.

Knock on wood.

But as someone has already written on this thread, to each his or her own.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:43 AM

google me without the f and you get a bunch of riff-raff, including a bloody evangelist!

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:59 AM

If I was posting here for the first time I'd likely use a pseudonym - not that I've ever had problems as it is, but I'm more aware now of the possibility. Especialy as the search engines and they maps and all get more sophisticated. "I know where you live"

One thing with the pseudonyms is that much of the time I've no idea whether the people posting are male or female. Not that it makes much difference, except when it comes to knowing what personal pronoun to use when referring to a post.

Of course the same can apply with a name - at least where no picture had been put up in the members' rogues gallery. I wish more people would make use of that, and not just to solve that problem. I don't mind not knowing real names, but I like having a sense of the real person behind a pseudonym.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Peace
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:03 AM

"NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?"

One or the other is pretty much required.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:08 AM

The way I see it - if you are consistant in the use of a name - then it *is* your name. After all - look at people who are "Dad" to some, "Uncle Bob" to others; "Robert" perhaps to coworkers; "mr. Smythe" to employees...

Are any less valid because they are only used by a fraction of the population?

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:12 AM

Treewind, I don't beleive you are called Anahata. You are just using it as an excuse to play with Mary Humphreys LOL

I used Villan as I am a staunch Aston Villa fan. However, most people seem to think I am a crook and call me Villain.

Oh and Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell is not a relative of mine.

Les Worrall

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Banjiman
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:21 AM

I quite like being Banjiman.....that said I have no problem people knowing my "real name" I have posted it several times on different threads.

Mrs Banjiman doesn't really like being Mrs Banjiman (well as a name on Mudcat, I don't think she wants a divorce!!) but she got called it and it stuck. She is actually keen to be known as Wendy Arrowsmith because she has CDs to sell and gigs to book!

Each to their own though. If people want to hide their identities that's fine... however I do think it is cowardly when people hide behind either a pseudonym or as "guest" to attack other people, can't see the point of that myself.

Cheers

Paul

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: GUEST,sparticus
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:22 AM

I'm sparticus! People just laugh at my real name.

Hugh Jarse - great

Regards, Issac Hunt.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:39 AM

If I posted under my real name, Jootminsky Swigminor Warfle, no one would believe it....thus....
(and besides, I was too lazy to think when signing on...It is possible to change, but my adoring fans would be confused..)


and my only difficulty with 'Santa' is that it distracts in a different way from other nickname/handles with no immediate referent.
Santa gives me too much preconceived idea about the person...

But it is NOT a big deal, and I will adjust just fine....use it!

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Santa
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:42 AM

Why pseudonyms? What varied and interesting responses, thank you for these. Having been posting on the internet under my real, fairly distinctive, name for ten years without being stalked or excessively spammed, I don't worry too much about privacy on Mudcat. I think any computer-literate goon who wanted to find me could do so fairly readily anyway. I agree (qualification below possibly excepted) that in honest use a pseudonym is just another name, and if regularly used as acceptable as any other.

However, I feel that I should step in here (spoilsport!) and point out that this wasn't the question raised. Perhaps the heading was misleading, but I'm reluctant to start a separate thread.   I asked whether the use of a pseudonym creates some kind of negative bias against the ideas expressed.

A moment's thought suggests that no-one using a pseudonym themselves would agree (logically, anyway), so perhaps this is only a suitable question for those posting under their real names.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: MMario
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:47 AM

hmmmmm - I don't *think* it raises any negativity; but then again my psuedonym isn't really a psuedonym (long story) and I've never hidden my real name anyway.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 10:51 AM

I asked whether the use of a pseudonym creates some kind of negative bias against the ideas expressed.

It'd depend on the pseudonym wouldn't it? If someone signed in as "Hitler" I think their posts might be viewed with a little suspicion.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: theleveller
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:11 AM

"google me without the f and you get a bunch of riff-raff, including a bloody evangelist! "

I did mine and it came up with a scrap merchant and a drummer. Think I'll stick to theleveller - at least people know what they're getting.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:11 AM

I'm Spartacus and so is my cat.

eric

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:27 AM

I think that using your real name means it's easier for you to be held accountable offline for what you say online.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: M.Ted
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:31 AM

My real name is actually L.Ted. I originally changed it in order to hide from creditors. Now that the dollar is down however, my creditors use it to hide from me.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: theleveller
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:32 AM

Sorry, don't understand how that could be, Azizi. And just who is going to hold me accountable, and how? As I've said on another board, I wouldn't say anything here that I wouldn't say to a person's face - and if they've got a problem I'll meet them behind the bike sheds at Cambridge next year.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:35 AM

Never occurred to me to use a pseudonym...
However, if you google my name you get this really cool bloke who does stuff like running up mountains whilst taking photos of zebras... The other Nigel Spencer

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:42 AM

But you asked if we thought negatively about those who use pseudonyms. Most of the time, I don't think negatively or positively about that. It just is.

But, I feel that there are times when people should take a stand offline about what they posted online. And if they don't, then they are hiding behind their names and their online persona is fake. If they don't stand by what they wrote {about politics or social issues or other such topics}, then they know that they're not for real, even if no one else does. Taking strong positions on certain issues but failing to carry those strong positions into their real life may be just a game to them. But if it somehow became known that a person was doing that, I'd think negatively about them.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: john f weldon
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:46 AM

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:47 AM

Yes Ruth dear, and I'm really Nelson Gabriel, and I have black silk bed sheets.
G.

Subject: RE: NIcknames or real names on Mudcat?
From: Santa
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:49 AM

And if you let slip something really embarrassing, you don't have to run away and hide for 10 years but can come back in a week with a new name.

I think Bill D and McGrath are suggesting that by adopting "Santa" I am implicitly claiming some of the more positive connotations of the name. I suppose that might be true: however the name was chosen purely on the grounds of superficial physical resemblances. I would like to make clear that I do not climb down chimneys, own any kind of reindeer driving licence, and am limited on the number of sherries and mince pies I can consume in an evening. Nonetheless, offers of the latter are gratefully accepted.