BS: Why nick-names online?

Subject: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:07 PM

Just to maybe start a conversation that WON'T set people at each others throats....

Why not use yer real name online? I mean it's not like who you really are is hard to find out anyway.... so why make-up a name on a forum, or a blog, when you have a perfectly useable name already?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:12 PM

Fear?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:15 PM

Fear of what???

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:17 PM

BTW, this thread should in NO WAY be construed as an attack on ANYONE!!!

It really is just abject curiosity on my part.....

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:18 PM

Speaking of curiosity Clinton, what is your real name?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:20 PM

For me, because it is fun. It is easy enough to find out who I am.

But it seems that some folks use nicknames for fear that their family or their Rabbi or Pastor might find out about the mentally ill things they say and insist that they stop cyberstalking and get treatment.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:23 PM

Well my real name is George W Bush but I figured no one would want to talk about the music I love if I used my real name so I made up Wesley S.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:27 PM

Don't know.
Pookie Snackenburger is of course my real name!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:28 PM

"Speaking of curiosity Clinton, what is your real name?"

My real name is GUEST... no last name.... that's why I didn't use it here

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:37 PM

Because of harvestor bots. Real people can find out who I am if they want or need to, but there's no reason why I should make it easy for people who use bots to harvest personal information on the internet.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:43 PM

How is a 'harvester bot' going to be interested in your real name?!?!

Even if it finds it, what's it going to do with it??

"Nothing", is the answer.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:44 PM

Because I don't know the real names of the people with access to mine.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:45 PM

Harvester bots are intetested in anything they can get, and there is no limit to the uses that this information can be put to. You can make it easy for them if you want to, but I don't see any point in it myself.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:45 PM

Fear of dangerous weirdoes, not to be confused with OK weirdoes.

And Mrr/Mrrzy is the name I have actually been called all my life. Anybody who knows me or knew me when should recognize it, which is why I use it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:47 PM

"Harvester bots are intetested in anything they can get, and there is no limit to the uses that this information can be put to"

So, you don't know much about them.....

*dismisses paranoia*

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Kaleea
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:50 PM

Then there's when people you know tell you about a great message board. You go to there, & lurk for a while, then you want to join in, except you know that some of your friends are active on the board & if you were to speak your mind some of the very narrow minded "friends" would have a totally different attitude toward your active participation in a larger group of Musically active folks. Different enough attitude to make alot of waves-as they have before with others. So, for the sake of peace, you use a nickname. All the while wishing that those people who claim their beliefs are above all others would remember the "golden rule" and be more tolerant/accepting of others.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:51 PM

sometimes it's just to project an 'aura'...the same reasons people prefer nick-names RT. I have no aura, so it wouldn't work for me anyway...*grin*

The only ones that bother me are the ones which give NO clue about gender. I have learned 'most' of the ones here, of course, but I almost wish folks would put an 'f' or 'm' after their names. Not a big deal, I just get confused easily.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:51 PM

Like Mrr/Mrrzy, TIA is what I am actually called in real life (though spelled out, not pronounced).

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:52 PM

Suit yourself, Clinton. It's your name, you can do what you want with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:56 PM

Just to maybe start a conversation that WON'T set people at each others throats.

This might work better if you DIDN'T cricize the responses and try to pick fights.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: bobad
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 12:58 PM

TIA in med-speak is Transient Ischemic Attack.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:02 PM

TIA = Transient Ischemic Attack = Mild stroke?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:06 PM

Bog off JtS, and take your raging paranoid twit with you... people are SUPPOSED to critisie others when they're being stupid.... Not using your own name online cause you think a "Harvest Bot" is going to find it and put it on some list is bloody ignorant.

*dismisses paranoia & sucky-baby-ness*

" The only ones that bother me are the ones which give NO clue about gender"
I hear that....   

"if you were to speak your mind some of the very narrow minded "friends"
So, you have to LIE to your 'friends'?!?!?! Doesn't seem very friendly to me.... Have I misunderstood?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:21 PM

Why not nicknames? What is so special about the name you were given as a baby - does it describe you better? Does it show your interests?
I was called Geoff the Duck by people on the English folk scene a long time before Mudcat existed. Most people wouldn't know my surname, but know exactly who is posting.
As for privacy - there are times when I post to threads and say I am going to a particular event on a specific date. If I used my full name, it would be pretty easy for some nasty piece of work to find my address (it's all on people-finder software based on the electoral roll) and turn up with a van to remove our computers, instruments TV etc. I would rather not make it that simple for them.


As for the name Guest - I was chatting with Dave Guest at the recent wedding on the Gower. He does get cheesed off with not being able to use his name and be recognised as himself.

Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:22 PM

"people are SUPPOSED to critisie others when they're being stupid."

Clinton,

That's the dumbest thing I've ever seen you type here. LOL


Are you familiar at all with the concept of politeness?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:24 PM

I'm polite to people who deserve it
So fuck off

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: frogprince
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:31 PM

Once upon a time I tried looking for a song lyric online, found it here, and stumbled unto the forum. I had never happened to get into anything interactive online before, and found people using "aliases", so I made up one that takes off on a personal situation. Never gave it serious thought, and by now a few regulars know my name is Dean Elkins anyhow.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:36 PM

"Never gave it serious thought,"

So, you just went along with the crowd? LOL

So, if they all jumped off a bridge....

;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:37 PM

Criticize and criticise are both acceptable spellings. I hope that doesn't sound critical.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:38 PM

Just to maybe start a conversation that WON'T set people at each others throats.

Clinton,

Conversations don't set people at each others throats. Rude people go at other's throats. Now grow up and play nice. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:38 PM

"Harvester bots are intetested in anything they can get"

What are harvester bots please?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:44 PM

On a forum like this, I use a nickname more for fun than anything else. My real name and other vitals are in the "member profile" section anyway, if anyone cares.   

If I were a gigging musician, I'd use my real name here. It'd be free advertising. Likewise, if this were a pottery forum I'd use my real name since that's my vocation and I want my name known within the pottery community.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:45 PM

JFGI "Guest"

They are 'hacker' programs that scan web pages for email addresses mostly (the "mailto" HTLM code is a GREAT target)

They then collect the addys and supply them to people who send out all that lovely "Make your Dick bigger overnight" spam that clutters up the WWW....

I've seen NO indication that they harvest "Real Names" off the net.... Too labour intensive to be worth much... You'd have to be pretty thick to want to set such a bot up, or to be afraid of one.

Wiki "Email Addy Harvesting"

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:46 PM

"I use a nickname more for fun than anything else"
Fair nuff!

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:49 PM

Harvester bots are little mini programs that crawl around in the internet and in people's computers, harvesting information. They're the reason you shouldn't ever send emails with whole long lists of people's names and email addresses in the "cc" window at the top of the email page.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 01:56 PM

I saw a questionaire on another forum a while ago that was meant in fun by the poster but could have been designed to answer password reminder questions. This combined with someone's real name and city could get a determined hacker access to a paypal account or a bank account, and amazon account or allow them to steal in other ways.

It would take more than a 'bot to do this, but a 'bot could give the identity thief a working list of forums and potential victims. A little paranoia is a healthly thing on the Internet. There are lots of people out to get you.




The questionaire...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)
2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your dad's side, your favorite candy.
3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your last name)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, favorite color)
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name)
7. JEDI NAME: (middle name spelled backwards, your mom's maiden name spelled backwards
8. PORN STAR NAME: (middle name, street you grew up on)
9. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, the automobile you drive or your parents drive)

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Jonny, the Wild One
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:06 PM

It's biker gang mentality. Biker's never reveal their true identity. Get it Clinton.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:09 PM

Biker gangs have mentality?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: frogprince
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:09 PM

Yeah, I know; I've been hospitalized so damned many times for jumping off bridges, without giving it a serious thought, just because everyone else was doing it. : )

Clinton, did you sit in "serious thought" for awhile before deciding to use your real name? I doubt it; I bet you flipped one way on what looked like a very incidental decision, and I flipped the other.

Besideways of which, I picked a name for the fun of it, as it was obvious that others did. : )

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:10 PM

Seems to cover most of the standard questions the online banking system use.
Paranoid - either Marvin the android or Black Sabbath - can't decide which today.......
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:13 PM

"Clinton, did you sit in "serious thought" for awhile before deciding to use your real name?"

I used to use 'nick-names' online quite some time ago, but I donno... for some reason it got tiresome.... and well, it seemed silly to NOT use my real name (Which is not a criticism of anyone who chooses to use a nick-name) it's not like I'm out to try to hide anything when I'm online....

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:13 PM

I actually did use my real name first when I came here. then I got to know the place ;-)

I decided it would be more fun if I used a name that was more revealing of my musical interest and less revealing of how to get at my bank account.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:16 PM

I would use a nickname that described myself, but "Erduite, Witty and Compassionate Master of Logic and Modern Day Delphic Oracle" might be a bit long for the screen....besides, everyone realizes the truth without my being ostentatious about it..

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:21 PM

Every time I see "Bill D" I picture your sideburns. You could call yourself "Mr. 'Burns". :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: John Hardly
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:41 PM

I was always afraid that if I used my real name, Pierce Brosnan, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the PMs.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Jonny, the Wild One
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:44 PM

Clinton, exactly. Do you think the Mudcat has a mentality? Do you get it now?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 02:52 PM

"Do you think the Mudcat has a mentality"

On the whole, probably not, but individually, there are some glimmers of hope

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bert
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:08 PM

...but I almost wish folks would put an 'f' or 'm' after their names...

So what does the D stand for Bill?

I used my real name because it was available when I first signed up. If BertC had got here first then I'd have probably made up something just for fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:18 PM

I use Sorcha because it is the name I gave myself and I like it. MUCH MUCH better than Mary...just another Mary in the crowd. Boring.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:30 PM

Back when I first got online, it eas a pretty common practice to use some other handle so I did too......I was learning. That was still going on when I first came here in '98 and I noticed it was a pretty even split around here so I went with the nick-name. By the time I got to thinking about it I was so well known as "Spaw" that changing to Pat Patterson from catspaw made less sense than changing to Spaw.

When I talk to other 'Catters on the phone or in person or go to races with friends over on a racing board, everyone calls me Spaw. I can't think of any online friend friend who calls me Pat. Gawd knows I don't do it anymore for anonymity....LOL....All the details of my life are spread across these threads including arteriograms and even a few shots of the inside of my colon!!! Thoses asshole shots are for folks who like to poke their nose into things............like CH...(;<))

Matter of fact I tend to call 'Catters by their screen names as well........who really particularly gives a turkey?

Spaw.....or whatever.......