Why do you use a pseudonym?

[Al Seyle]

I'm curious...if you are one who uses a pseudonym (or initials or 1st name only) on this forum, why don't you use your real full name? To me you lose cred --as if you have something to hide, IMHO.

[Walter Calahan]

On another site I use a psyeudonym just because I thought it was fun.

But why should anyone care?

And why should you judge?

Everyone is free to make choices, not rules to live by.

[darr]

My legal name is Darlene. My mother said I was suppose to be named Dawn. The lady in the labor and delivery-room next to my mom named her daughter Arlene, so my mom said she messed up under the drugs and told the nurse to write down Darlene on the birth certificate. (My folks were into "D's". I have three sisters named: Debbie, Dale and Donna. Go figure.) Anyhow, as a child my family always called me "Darr", my husband of 20+ years calls me "Darr", my nieces and nephews call me "Aunt Darr", my clients call me "Darr" and solicitors call me "Darlene". When someone calls and asks for "Darlene" I usually know they are not a friend. So please, just call me "Darr."

[Scott Knowles]

I don't but it's easy to understand. It has little to do with this forum, but hackers and/or data miners search everywhere, and it's likely they've already mined this place. The forum software packages, although having some good measure of security, aren't always safe from those who know how and either want the information to use or sell or like to create damage or havoc. I'll admit this is one obsecure forum, but none are immune anymore. After all what can you do with the list of large format cameras users these days? Ok, I won't answer that, but it doesn't take much imagination.

[paulr]

because i don't want the stupid things i say to be searchable 10 years from now!

[Ole Tjugen]

because i don't want the stupid things i say to be searchable 10 years from now!

You would be surprised at how often I search for information on some obscure piece of optics, only to find the answer in an old post by - myself.

Not using a pseudonym helps me to remember how much I've forgotten.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I don't but it's easy to understand. There are a lot of people out there with outstanding arrest warrants, back taxes, overdue alimony and child support, not to mention known sex offenders, inside stock traders, card sharps, etc. I just assume anyone using a "handle" falls into one of these groups and feel we should respect their privacy.

[tim atherton]

I don't but it's easy to understand. There are a lot of people out there with outstanding arrest warrants, back taxes, overdue alimony and child support, not to mention known sex offenders, inside stock traders, card sharps, etc. I just assume anyone using a "handle" falls into one of these groups and feel we should respect their privacy.

or those who don't want terrorists or others miscriants they put away (or revenge for putting under) finding out where they are now....

[paulr]

I don't but it's easy to understand. There are a lot of people out there with outstanding arrest warrants, back taxes, overdue alimony and child support, not to mention known sex offenders, inside stock traders, card sharps, etc. I just assume anyone using a "handle" falls into one of these groups and feel we should respect their privacy.

some of us don't use our full name, but don't make it too hard to figure out what it is ... website, profile, etc. etc..

which is to say, not everyone's completely ashamed of being an inside trader, sex offender, wife beater, or horse thief.

[Donald Qualls]

So, David, if you see me on another forum under my pseudonym, "ImageMaker", you'll assume I'm in one of those low-life classes, but I'm perfectly okay if I'm using something that looks like a real name? Seems to me there are a lot of folks like those you describe who a) use their own names, and b) are just trying to get from Tuesday to Wednesday with body and soul still together. The fact they've done something they shouldn't have doesn't always imply they'll do it again (though there's pretty strong evidence that sex offenders will). And for those caught with alimony, child support, or back taxes, their only mistake may have been to trust the wrong folks (like a lawyer, for instance).