Hiding behind Aliases

[slick_mick]

Hi Guys,

What's your thoughts on people hiding behind aliases when posting on the forum? I've seen quite a few people making posts and making no effort to identify themselves.

I know that some people are hiding because of a shady past (in one case a certain member has a criminal conviction for fraudulent militaria related activities), dodgy reputation, are dealers or well known associates of dealers.

I'm curious what people think...I'm old school myself and think that its common courtesy to know who you are engaging with.

Unless you have a dodgy past or something to hide, I think its good form to post using a real name.

Mick

[Phillip Herring]

I've never had an issue using my real name.

Phil

[slick_mick]

Neither have I - yet quite a few people still choose to hide their identity.

Mick

[NorthStafford]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

Neither have I - yet quite a few people still choose to hide their identity.

Mick

I . Brian Jones, don't use my own name because it's so

common that it will be more confusing than using a nom de plume.

[Rob Miller]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

Neither have I - yet quite a few people still choose to hide their identity.

Mick

Hi Mick, I think people are more likely to talk sense and be nice to each other if they are using their real names, by the way is Slick Mick your actual name?

Rob

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

Hi Mick, I think people are more likely to talk sense and be nice to each other if they are using their real names, by the way is Slick Mick your actual name?

Rob

The Mick part of it is

But yeah, I think that as a collector, it makes for a much more enjoyable experience to know who you are communicating with.

Plus I also don't like seeing known scoundrels and criminals hiding behind aliases.

The temptation to name and shame gets strong at times!

Mick

[Rob Miller]

Mick

Obviously as a pomme I was under the impression that all Australians were called Mick or Sheila so you haven't really narrowed down who you are, apart from the clue that you see yourself as "Slick".

Also you only have my word for it that I am who I say I am, I could really be "Dangerous Bob the sheep worrier" hiding under the pseudonym of Rob Miller, but fortunately there are a couple of forum members who know me in the actual world who may be able to vouch for me.

Seriously though I do have difficulty communicating with people without at least a first name.

Bob

[Peter Brydon]

A short time ago I decided to ask Mike to change my user name from 8th foot to my actual name.

I did this for a number of reasons but basically after giving the matter some thought I couldn't really understand why people adopt user names on line and I probably adopted a user name when I first joined the Forum because it seemed to be the thing to do.

I don't think the vast majority of members are "hiding behind" a user name and whether you use your actual name or a username is a matter of personal choice but I agree it is nice to know who you communicating with.

P.B.

[Phil2M]

Phil2M was quick and easy to type when I had to log in on my phone, Philip or Phil McDowell is a pain.

Phil

[engr9266]

Originally Posted by Phil2M

Phil2M was quick and easy to type when I had to log in on my phone, Philip or Phil McDowell is a pain.

Phil

YES Phil we know you are

Jerry also known as engr9266-ex Royal Engineer(engr) and last 4 of army number (9266) I also wear R.E. style engr9266 shoulder titles on my MTP smock so that members can spot me.

[Mike_2817]

Mike is my real first name and like Jerry 2817 is my last four. I use this username on almost all of the forums I visit.

Like Phil2M my second name is to long and frankly it takes time to build up a reputation one way or the other!

[Old Smelly]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

Also you only have my word for it that I am who I say I am, I could really be "Dangerous Bob the sheep worrier" hiding under the pseudonym of Rob Miller, but fortunately there are a couple of forum members who know me in the actual world who may be able to vouch for me.

Never heard of him, although I'm told he does bear a resemblance to a well know sheep worrier.

I've been known by a few names even before the forum although I always sign my name on posts I make. I was called 'mothball', then 'smellyoldclothes', then just 'old smelly', some people even call me this at fairs.

Lee

[Phil2M]

Originally Posted by engr9266

YES Phil we know you are

Jerry also known as engr9266-ex Royal Engineer(engr) and last 4 of army number (9266)

I often get called a pain, its because people can see right through me.

[LONGSHANKS]

I agree, it's always nice to have at least their first name to be able to reply. Always tough to make it a personal reply when you have to reference their screen name.

I always sign off with.....

Regards

Simon.

[irish]

Much like Peter said a screen name seemed like the thing to do at the time. I used this moniker on another forum so for consistency sake. In the spirit of full disclosure my name is Jack Kelly.

No current convictions as of yet,however I will need to check the statute of limitations