I wrote my 29 Oct 07 - 11:42 AM post before I read theleveller's post.

As to whether it's easier to find a person who uses her or his real name, I think so but given today's technology, its probably far easier to identify a person using an online pseudonym now than I used to think it was when I first starting posting on the Internet four years ago.

As to the question "Who would hold a person accountable?" or perhaps I should have written "Who would try to hold a person accountable for what he or she wrote on the Internet?"- I think the answer is anyone who read what you wrote or "heard" about what you wrote. Anyone-a family member, a neighbor, your supervisor, a colleague, a resident of your community, a total stranger-might take exception to what you wrote.

As to your comment that you wouldn't say anything here that I wouldn't say to a person's face, me too. But my point is that this may not be the case with some other folks {and btw, I'm not referring to anyone here}.