I notice that some of you use user names from other sites, similar avatars, or otherwise call attention to the fact that you are you when you're posting. You're more than just an occasional poster on one forum, you're a presence on several and have cultivated a reputation over the years.

What's that worth to you? Do you value it? If you had to completely give it up and start posting under a different handle, would you feel like you've lost something important to you?

I'm musing over similar questions and would love to hear anyone's thoughts.

I use J Arcane everywhere I go online, because at this point, it's basically my name, without being my name.  My friends in Van called me J or Arcane more often than my real name.  

It offers an element of anonimity, something important to me for cautiousness and safety reasons, but it's influence by me, and the familiarity is very much me.  It also has the useful property of being quite unique, to the extent that if you see a "J Arcane" online somewhere, it's basically guaranteed to be me.  I know, 'cause I've looked.  

I did, at one point, on RPGnet change my name for a while, as I was in a particularly unpleasant period of my life, and basically not feeling like myself.  

Overall though, it's basically my name as much as my real one, and I couldn't give that up anymore than I could my real name.

I use James McMurray because it's my name, but also it helps people recognize me. I like my reputation as it is, but wouldn't cry if some massive internet catastrophe made the username unavailable and I had to start over with a new name. I'd probably put "I used to be James McMurray" or something similar in my sig though, because I've met a lot of people on a lot of different boards and don't want to lose those contacts.

C.W. ,
 Its an honesty thing for me. Might as wll use something close to the handle people already know me by.  Plus I met some really GOOD and nice people in TREK fandom over the years.
One of them recognized me by my avatar on the big purple & pink - sent me private mail then called me up. It was good to catch up with her. Unfortunately, I decided to change my avatar over there...so  that sort of thing might not happen as much.

 The funny thing is  its still like I'm a "different" person to different people. One frequent poster on another forum thought I might be bisexual or maybe a pagan.  Others assumed I was a right-wing extremist.  I'm not ( Don't go there ...its been done before...)

 Besides - I don't even know how to make a sock puppet , so I might as well be ME.


- E.W.C.

It means zero. Just like everything else on the internet.

I am who I am.
I'd be me no matter what name I used. I prefer using a handle most places, using my name only in places where I write reviews.

Using a different handle can be hard-I used to use another several years ago, everywhere I posted (except RPG.net) but had some serious difficulties in my life and wanting to remove myself from those memories, and easy tracking me down by people I disliked. I don't hide who I am, but it made it a bit more difficult to just follow me around (I had stalker issues at the time.)

I use my name when I want people to know who I am.  Otherwise I don't.  On rpg.net I've gone by Scurrilous for a few years because I reached a point of dissatisfaction with the moderation policies that made me feel like I couldn't do more than snipe at the edges of conversations without getting dogpiled.

It just seems courteous. Few gamer geeks online post to just one site. So some will look at my posts, and consistently find them interesting; others will consistently find them dull or stupid, or whatever. If I keep the same handle, they can use it as shorthand to remind them whether or not they want to read what I've said!

Also, I barely remember the different passwords I have, I'd never remember a bunch of different handles, too...!

I use the same login for all the forums I register to but I'd be surprised if more than 5 or 6 people from any other forum recognize me. I'm not a very active poster. Keeping the same login is more for me than for other people. I have a horrible memory and it's a lot easier to remember one login than a half dozen!

Cos I'm short.

I couldn't care less.

Ned

Quote from: Ned the Lonely DonkeyI couldn't care less.

Ned

I used to be apathetic, but then I lost interest.

I lost my faith in nihilism.

Ned

Quote from: JimBobOzIt just seems courteous. Few gamer geeks online post to just one site. So some will look at my posts, and consistently find them interesting; others will consistently find them dull or stupid, or whatever. If I keep the same handle, they can use it as shorthand to remind them whether or not they want to read what I've said!

Also, I barely remember the different passwords I have, I'd never remember a bunch of different handles, too...!

Pretty much my reasoning, I see it as a courtesy thing and as being consistent.  If I started a new handle that would be fine, but I'd use that consistently as well.

It's worth approximately jack shit.