Thread: Usernames versus real names

For the sake of brevity, you are welcome to skip to the 4th paragraph (not counting this introduction) for the point of this post.

Some members of this forum use their real names as their usernames. Most use something else for their usernames. Last year a member who had as high of an opinion of me as I had of him chastised me for a long list of things, including the correct accusation that my signature line is not "real Latin," (which I never claimed it to be), and that I did not have the nerve to use my real name in the forum.

I suppose in one sense, he might have been right. (Wow that was difficult.) I fully realize that internet anonymity can be problematic if people chose to behave in a manner that they would not if they were held up to public inspection, but I also don't care to have a great deal of my personal information strewn about the internet. I'm not ashamed of anything that I have written in this forum, but I do not wish to be professionally judged by what I have written here either.

For that reason, I chose a username that makes sense to people who know me well, but that has no actual association with my real name, which might or might not be Ron. Okay, I admit it might be Ron (though my mother planned on calling me Wendy right up until I was born) and that might be what I go by in "real life." Now I admit that I was kind of slightly unnerved when people started calling me Ron on the forum. I felt like I had just been outed again. (Yup, I was outed in college when the school newspaper incorrectly identified me as Ron #@#@#@#@, a gay student. That was really a problem because I had just broken up with my girlfriend and because my mother subscribed to the paper.)

So I'm on the verge of the point here. Some may or may not care about anonymity within the forum, but that is a separate issue. The point I'd like to make is that it is confusing when members with anonymous usernames are referred to in posts by their real names.

Lynn is Lynn (that one's pretty easy)
Gssixgun is Glen
JimmyHad is Jimmy (well, duh)
Hi_bud_gl is Sham, though some call him Bud
Utopian might or might not be Ron

Those of us who have been here a while know these names, but this is confusing, and perhaps a little exclusionary, when posts use the actual names of people who have other usernames. I'm guilty of it, but I'm going to try to get out of the habit. I know in a sense it's more personal and friendly to use the real names but I for one think it is more inclusionary to only refer to members by their usernames.

Sincerely,
Utopian
(not Wendy)

thanks.. just to clear things up.. my username is my first initial and my last name.. because that's what i use as a login for virtually everything.. i don't expect people to call me vthomlinson on these forums.. but if they do.. no big deal.. my name is victor and my friends and family have called me pops since i was about 2 or something.. so any of the above is okay with me.. and if for some reason you want to refer to me as something a little more negative.. i won't be losing any sleep over it.


also.. i only seem to speak latin when i'm drunk...

I don't see how it could be a good or bad thing for one to use their real name on here. I put mine in my signature line when I saw how many people here do. I'm not picky about people calling me Stylus or Levi, either one works, but some people may prefer to use a real name as it seems more formal or respectful, I don't know.

As for it getting confusing, most of the people whose real names are used are either well known and easy to figure out (such as Jimmy, Lynn, and Glen) or regularly end there posts with their name or have it in their signature. Either way, I don't see it becoming much of a problem, worst case scenario a person doesn't know who's being addressed, asks, and receives an answer. No biggie.

Members have the choice to remain anonymous if they want, like yourself, or give out their name for a more personal feel.

Bugger! Now you blokes are just going to have to call me MickR...I'll have to pretend I really am Flicker's cousin.


I understand what you're saying though, Utopian. I didn't know who Sham was when I was reading down through some posts the other day. It took me a vexing minute to figure it out. It was just that though, mildly vexing.



Mick

“Now you can call me Ray, or you can call me J, or you can call me Johnny, or you call me Ray J, or RJ, or RJJ, or RJJ Jr., but you don’t hasta call me Mr. Johnson!”

...especially since that's not my last name.

So you can call me "J", or you can call me "JB", or you can call me "JBH", or you can call me "Mr. H"... but you don't hasta put a w in front of my last name!

Familiarity breeds Comaraderie...

To me the use of peoples first name (Never Last) means that they and I have been around this forum enough to have sometime exchanged first names, therefore becoming a Friend, instead of just an anonymous Internet person...

So a first name basis is more of an acceptance to the "Brotherhood of the Blade" in my eyes at least..

Thanks for bringing it up Ron

Your Friend, Glen

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Familiarity breeds Comaraderie...

To me the use of peoples first name (Never Last) means that they and I have been around this forum enough to have sometime exchanged first names, therefore becoming a Friend, instead of just an anonymous Internet person...

So a first name basis is more of an acceptance to the "Brother Hood of the Blade" in my eyes at least..

Thanks for bringing it up Ron

Your Friend, Glen

The thing is, I completely agree!
I just think that this place should be as welcoming as possible to new members and the name confusion makes it difficult for newer members to know who the heck we are talking about.

If most think it's a non-issue, that's fine with me. I just thought I'd throw it out there for consideration.

Ron,

This reminds me of the time you suggested that we stop calling it the "Chinese 12K". Every time I use the phrase I feel guilty and think of you.

Forgive me. As usual, you are correct. But, take pity on me. I deal with editors all day long. They drive me loony toons. They are always right. But, what they fail to realize is that I still don't care. I too get wickedly confused by first names, but, like an incorrect pronoun antecedent agreement, I just never get interested enough. I promise that it's not because I disagree.


Alan

Somehow when I hear "Chinese 12K" I think it's some kind of mini-marathon race. You know, "Hey the GF and I are running in the Chinese 12K next month, how bout you guys?"

On another topic, is it bad that I still have NO FRIENDS on my "Friends" List after being here nearly 4 months?

Maybe it's my breath? My deodorant?

My...aftershave?

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

Somehow when I hear "Chinese 12K" I think it's some kind of mini-marathon race. You know, "Hey the GF and I are running in the Chinese 12K next month, how bout you guys?"

On another topic, is it bad that I still have NO FRIENDS on my "Friends" List after being here nearly 4 months?

Maybe it's my breath? My deodorant?

My...aftershave?

Yes, it is quite alarming....I'm going to have to break your streak....