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.......

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 03:43 PM

Who says it's a nickname ?? I've been called it for years.
ATB from Charlie Stenger.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:38 PM

Well, originally, I got into the habit of using nicknames when I used to chat on IRC, back in the mid-90s. Never anything based on my real name, as my real name (Will Anderson) is horribly generic and boring. I've never been fond of my first name, and my last name is a lame, meaningless, patronymic fossil. (Nothing against my great-great-great-grandfather Anders. I'm sure he was lovely. But the dude's been dead for one hundred and thirty fucking years, already) Also, I find it easier to remember people by their colourful nicknames than by their real, dull, every day names. This could just be because I'm "bad with names." But, especially with common names like John, Sarah, Mary, Peter, Steve, Bill, etc., without a face, they all just meld into one person for me. And adding the initial letter of the surname to the nickname just makes it sound like pre-school, IMO. I try to give others something a bit more memorable to work with than "WillA." I know, I'm incredibly considerate. You're welcome.

Anyways, using nicknames just sort of crossed over with me from IRC into other sorts of online communications, forums, etc. And, as the years have passed, I've stuck with "Lepus Rex" mainly because it ties together most of my online activity from the late 90s (when I started using the name exclusively) to the present. I'll often use my real name alongside or instead of "Lepus Rex," especially when conversing with people I know in the flesh. But, like I said, I like to tie it all together. So people know that asshole Lepus Rex who used to post on the Mudcat Forum is the same asshole who used to bitch about Sergei Bodrov on the IMDB forums. Or whatever.

Jesus, I've given this far too much thought.

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:43 PM

Just my personal speculation, although I think it fits the history:

Remember CB radio? EVERYbody on CB had to have "a handle". (How THAT started, Clinton, I don't know and don't care mightily, although it just might have come as a transplant from ham radio.)

When the net and the web came along, I think the same people who had been CBers became denizens of the new medium(s), and brought that in-group habit with them.

After that, it's tradition, self-sustaining.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:52 PM

As for me, I was at first doesterr, (D as in David, OESTERR as in Oesterreich), just because the computer net at work had assigned that to me. I used that name here for convenience, and used it at HearMe for the same reason.

After HearMe gave out I went to PalTalk. After using doesterr a while I had some problems and I had to re-register, and Paltalk told me that "doesterr" was already in use by "someone else", so I couldn't have that name.

I had already begun using Uncle DaveO as a stage name when I performed, (to avoid confusing potential audiences with my real last name), so I adopted that at PalTalk. "Okay, then let's use Uncle DaveO at Mudcat too, since there's an overlap of populations." And I did.

No fraud, no deceit, no confusion, Clinton, nor fear. I ALMOST always sign my posts with my real name, which is, really and truly,

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:54 PM

"Just my personal speculation"

Interesting Dave!

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:55 PM

From having seen him perform, It seems that his real name is "Shut the hell up and turn on the sound for the hockey." :D

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 04:57 PM

Clinton's real name that is.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:03 PM

A Mudcat review of my performance
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=56622&messages=17

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 05:07 PM

There couldn't have been a hockey game on. lol

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

I thnk there is merit in using real names so that posters run the risk of normal social retribution for their comments - it might help keep some people less obnoxious. Perhaps someone should have a personal word with Clinton Hammond (if that is his real name). Rude children will not learn manners without correction.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 07:04 PM

Bert....my last name is Day. It has been posted before, but I just thought I'd leave it short and not distracting. And, as I have posted before, Bill D is a LOT less distracting than B. Day. Think about it.

(oh, and my middle name is "Martin"...I sure am glad I hadn't been using that!)

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Tootler
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 07:07 PM

I had been using a "Fred327" type name until I found my particular "Fred327" had already been taken on Ebay. my second choice was also taken, so I ended up with anoter "Fred327" name on Ebay but was not happy with it, so when I signed up for Mudcat I decided on something else. Since my wife refers to my recorder playing as "Tootling", I chose Tootler. I have since used Tootler for other music forums I have signed up to.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bert
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 07:20 PM

I know Bill, I was just giving you a hard time. *GRIN*

Richard - Rude children will keep seeking attention as long as they are getting it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do nick-names online?
From: Severn
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 09:17 PM

My given name was plenty unique enough for me to risk the chance being confused with all the other Severns in here, so I choose to use it. That said, I will always have to continually let people know in a printed word situation that, YES, I AM male and NO I WASN'T named after either of the rivers (being a lifelong Marylander who chats with Brits online, it comes up a lot), but rather, named after my Great Grandfather.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 09:21 PM

Hi Bert.

Not, in my experience, if they are punished sufficiently.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Cudmat
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 09:29 PM

Are Clinton Hammond and Richard Bridge noms des plumes for the same personality disorder?

Subject: RE: BS: Why Nuke Gnomes Online?
From: Severn
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 09:30 PM

However, amazingly enough, we can still continue to rightfully talk about harvesters and identity theft here without it being enough thread drift to even warrant changing the Subject Line as far as....

Why Are Our Names Being Nicked Online?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Apr 06 - 10:28 PM

You will always be BillDee in my mind, BillD! Or, if you insist, an acronym for the above: EWCMLMDDO!

Women feel safer, I believe, using a nickname.

kat, real name

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: robomatic
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 12:32 AM

My nomme de plume electronique is used by me through much of the web and was my DJ name when I was briefly on the air to my two and a half listeners on late Thursday nights and early Friday mornings.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Cluin
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 04:42 AM

To be unique. There's too many other Rick Deeveys out there.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:22 AM

My "given name" is a little long and someone else already had my initials.
I think I may have chosen a "nick-name" however as it can be much more informal and can minimise assumptions about background, culture etc. for example if my name was Ying Zipeng or Mhuire O'Suilleabhain.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Homeless
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:59 AM

When I first stumbled across the 'cat I was in the process of separating my life from that of an emotionally unstable SO. So I felt I had reason to make it a little tougher to find me. Granted, no one is anonymous on the net, but keeping an alias and your real name completely dissociated will make it a little more difficult to find you via forum postings.
I lurked for a few days before deciding to become a member, and so had time to think of what handle I wanted. At the time, Homeless rather described my life. Not just my condition of shelter, but my life. If home is where the heart is, I was always a wanderer. I never fit well in any group, clique, or stereotype. I've always been viewed, and view myself, as an outsider, so Homeless seemed the most accurate
description in a word.
By my reckoning, it doesn't matter if you use a handle or real name, as long as you pick something to use consistantly. When I was posting regularly, the people here knew who I was and what I was like. I don't see that it matters whether I was know as Homeless or Rob Frumderich. A rose by any other name, and all that happy horsepuckey. What drives me nuts are the people who use multiple names, concurrently or consecutively.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,bbc"f" at work (for Bill)
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:25 AM

Mudcat was my 1st Internet contact w/ other folks. Being anonymous seemed wise. Like Spaw (who I call Pat, by the way), everyone now knows me as bbc. It's short, sweet, & comes from my initials. BTW, folks, it is written w/ lower case letters. I'm not into competition. Through the years, I have scattered information about myself all over the Mudcat pages, including the member pages, for those who care to look.

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:32 AM

" I don't see that it matters whether I was know as Homeless or Rob Frumderich"

It doesn't... I'm just curious why it seems most people online are more likely to use a nick-name than their own name....

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: number 6
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 11:36 AM

Number 6 .... well why not. Does it really matter. After all, aren't we all just an ip address, or a 'number' here.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Grab
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 12:52 PM

It's quicker to type when you need to login...

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: artbrooks
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 07:07 PM

This is my real name (Actually, my given name is Arthur, so I guess that this is a nickname). I live in Albuquerque. I am in the phone book.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: number 6
Date: 25 Apr 06 - 10:14 PM

Just call me 6 ... I live in Saint John New Brunswick ... it doesn't really matter since no here knows or cares where the hell Saint John is , and whether I'm Noel, Bob, Bill, Arnold, Alastair, Nathan, Phillip, Saul, Yoshi, .....

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 11:32 AM

ClintonHammond wrote: ...people are SUPPOSED to critisie others when they're being stupid...

Assuming you meant "criticize", sez who? Kindness and politeness are also valid options, and they are both fully available to everyone who posts here.

As it happens, I do use my real Christian name, assigned at the font and everything. The world has very few Charmions and the name is not obviously female to North Americans who are not intimately familiar with the plays of Shakespere, so I am simultaneously both distinctive and fairly anonymous. While parading around in the great mystery of the Internet, that's how I like to be.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,jts
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 11:38 AM

ClintonHammond wrote: ...people are SUPPOSED to critisie others when they're being stupid...


Can you imagine what Clinton's life would be like if everyone did [critcize] every stupid thing that was said?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: jacqui.c
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 12:07 PM

When I first came to Mudcat I really just couldn't think of a nickname that would suit me better than my christian name and the first letter of my surname. Although I have remarried and the surname has changed I will keep to jacqui.c here because that is now my identity as a Mudcatter.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 26 Apr 06 - 06:57 PM

If I remember correctly...

When I first found Mudcat, I think what happened was someone reckoned I would never be able to spell Bunnahabhain without a run up, and a bottle of it in the room somewhere. This may be connected to the bottle of it glasses at the time, but don't quote me, I am often wrong, I think.

james

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Avid Reader
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 01:56 AM

"The world has very few Charmions and the name is not obviously female to North Americans who are not intimately familiar with the plays of Shakespere, so I am simultaneously both distinctive and fairly anonymous."

Verbose too

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Deep Cover
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 01:53 PM

I find it easier to avoid creditors if I used a handle.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Big Mean Credit Collector
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 02:01 PM

I've found you Deep Cover. We would greatly appreciatiate the amounts owing. Now.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Someone else
Date: 27 Apr 06 - 02:27 PM

He just left. To get his wallet. Wait here, I'll go get him.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Big Mean Credit Collector
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 03:41 AM

Um, did they come back when I wasn't watching?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 03:47 AM

No: He doesn't live here any more and I don't know how to reach him. Please don't call again.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:22 AM

I use a pen-name because almost everyone else does. The reason they do is that there are some very strange people out there in eLand, and no-one wants to get on their shit-list. When I first went on-line, I wondered what the hell I'd got myself into.   It turned out OK, because I mostly only go to here, nowadays, and this is no worse than a family.

It is significant that the moderation here is seldom visible, despite allowing Guests to post.

'Gurney' is a childhood nickname, given me from an old television programme, 'Gurney Slade.' Nothing to do with gurneys, which may be an American term.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:38 AM

This Site Says:

There are 4,960,193 people in the U.S. with my first name.

There are 704,066 people in the U.S. with my last name.

There are 11,557 people in the U.S. using both my first and last name.

(I think they underestimate that last number, as I have that many relatives using the same first and last name.)

The last time I ran a google on it, there were only 3 separate users of JohnInKansas, and the other two appeared only briefly and incidentally.

Now which is the better way to identify myself to my friends here, for the purposes of this site?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: nickp
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:51 AM

But Nick IS my name.......



(the p is the first letter of my surname)

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 05:32 AM

I use a nickname because I am of the opinion that there are many more people who read this forum than post to it and I sometimes want to say things on here somewhat anonymously - ie slag off my employer. I work for a large organisation and I have no idea whether any, none or several of the rest of the workforce ever read this. However, because of the job I do - which gets sort of mentioned on here fairly regularly - I am kind of known within the team. Let's just say, my life can be difficult enough without my bosses finding out some of the things I have said on here!

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: GUEST,Bruce Michael Baillie
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 06:59 AM

...Well I ALWAYS use my own name because I think it's far more honest!

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 08:07 AM

Well, Crane Driver IS my own name (no-one else can use it here) so I'm being just as honest. I've never made any secret of the fact that 'Crane Driver' is Andrew McKay from Gower in South Wales, but since very few people outside of Mudcat have ever heard of me under either name, what does it matter? I use a name I chose myself rather than the one my parents chose.

Why? I liked the 'feel' of the place, with so many idiosyncratic names about, rather than the fairly limited choice of names most of us are stuck with outside. I like puns and word-play, so I thought I'd join in.

Personally, I don't get so upset about what people post here that I'd want to administer 'social retribution' - I'm certainly not going to fly to Canada to smack ClintonHammond in the mouth for anything, so knowing his 'real' name makes no odds there. If I did want to take a point up with him privately, I could PM him whatever name he was using. That's the real point - I have to stand by whatever 'Crane Driver' posts just as much as I'd have to stand by whatever 'Andrew McKay' posted if I used that name. So, it's just as 'real' a name.

Andrew

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Becca72
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 09:17 AM

Well, Becca is the nickname my family uses for me and 72 is the year in which I was born. Not a really big stretch of the imagination.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Mickey191
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 09:57 AM

I think Bill D. had a great idea inre. to identifying the sex of a poster. If your name is Gwendolyn, for the most part, we can safely assume female. Don't know too many females named Johnathon or Arnold.

Mickey was given to me around age 2 and no one calls me Margaret Mary. That nickname has caused confusion here. Mickey191-f might help to unconfuse the confused.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Scoville
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 10:11 AM

(I just said this on another thread. Sorry.)

My real name is too distinctive. Nobody needs to be able to find out that much about me in a single Google search. Also, I don't like it all that well and it brings up too many questions about pronunciation, spelling, meaning, etc. It's easier to pick something else.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 02:00 PM

Nothing's really safe re the male/female/ambiguous/other divide.

The "howmanyofme" site says that only 99.63% of persons named "John" are male.

John (m.)

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 10:19 PM

Where else you gonna nick'm?

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 01:53 AM

JohniK, I had a customer once whose name was John Mary (something).

Her dad was drunk when he registered her, and the Registrar wouldn't alter the certificate, except from M to F. He did unbend enough to add the Mary underneath the John. She was quite proud of it, and showed me the birth certificate.

John and Mary. Not an imaginative man.

This was in England, in case anyone should think only Americans were barmy.

Subject: RE: BS: Why nick-names online?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 10:04 PM

Robin was originally a male name - being a centuries old French Diminuitive of Robert. Certain 'poseuers' thought it would be clever to spell it 'Robyn' for a female name, and some couldn't spell very well, so Robin began to be used for females...

If you want to know why I chose my Mudcat handle - go to my Mudcat Personal Page and follow the link to The Fooles Troupe website...