When I first found Mudcat, I was very new to the internet and message boards and had no idea how safe or unsafe it would be to use my real name.   I realize now that a) it probably wouldn't have been all that risky to have used my real name as my "Mudcat name" and b) using a screen name doesn't really protect my anonymity all that much, since anyone can join Mudcat, free, and have access to my Personal Info page (complete with photos and any other info I've put there.   But the real reason I'm "Genie" is that I live in a bottle and if you rub it, all my magical powers are released.   

(Seriously, I do think the extra "step" between my identity and what I post is a great advantage.   It means not everything I express (or admit to) in a thread is immediately connected to my name.)

Joining Mudcat is so simple and safe (you don't have to give out personal info on your Personal Page if you don't want to) that I've known of many who've joined just to have access to things like the Mudcat Songbook, the MIDI section, etc.   I can't understand why anyone who hangs around for more than a day or two wouldn't become a member.

Genie