Why hide behind a Alias?

[euge]

The AHA forum is well moderated. +a billion!

Internet "handles" or aliases are traditional. So I see no harm in them. Just because someone brews beer does not make them a stand up guy. There are malcontents and creepy mental misfits out there that can do some real damage if they get a hold of any sort of personal information. And they like to brew beer apparently. And cause trouble for other people the rest of the time.

I for one will always be- euge.

BTW that's what my friends call me.

[tubercle]

Not going M to use my real A name here or anywhere R else on the K net.


An certainly don't expect me to post my email address, phone number or personal home page. If you don't already have it then you don't need it.

 Not because I have anything to hide, matter of fact there is an open invitation to come visit (see moonshiner's reunion post) and I'm the one that started the picture post including the lovely and talented Ms. Tubercle.

---The Tubercle

[Joe Sr.]

Just seems like sound practice on the internet, where everything is archived for life and searchable.

I dropped my last name for just this reason.  Not that I much care if you all know who I am, but I don't like the searchability thing for someone randomly googling my name.

If you read the TT Digest, you'll note I've never been shy about my name or where I'm from.

[punatic]

The AHA forum is well moderated. +a billion!

I for one will always be- euge.

BTW that's what my friends call me.

Oh man...  you mean you're not really named home style?   

[euge]

The AHA forum is well moderated. +a billion!

I for one will always be- euge.

BTW that's what my friends call me.

Oh man...  you mean you're not really named home style?   

LOL I ought to look into that!

[morticaixavier]

I have to warn all you folks that are leary of being searchable. you already are. almost certainly your name is out there somewhere. On profesional organization websites, licencing information etc. Not to mention all the supposedly 'secure' internet contiguous databases (Think DMV, Student loans, online gaming, free webmail, etc.) and the really worrisome folks are already worming their way into that stuff. Data mining is mostly just a way to get your name on sales lists.

That being said I believe I have my real name on my signature line or somewhere if no

Jonathan Fuller

or, if your interested in my dramatic exploits

Jonathan Vittum

**EDIT** okay I was wrong it's not on my sig line, damn, now everyone knows who I am!!!!

[chezteth]

I seem to  understand where Martin is coming from.  Too many people in forums seem to use the internet to act like a jerk where they may otherwise not have done so in person.  Using your actual name may help hinder many people from acting that way.  I realize each person has their reason for using an alias.  I have used mine from the days of dial-up when I could only use an 8 character logon.  My alias is short for "cheese and teeth".  First name Brandon Last name Kolbe ( thus cheese )   

Cheers,
Brandon

[dbeechum]

I don't know.. I like having an alias. I dare you to find out who I am!

Actually, I approach the security thing from the opposite side of the fence - I flood the net with my name and information - it becomes harder to data mine in that sense. Besides as has already been pointed out - your information is out there already at least to anyone with $15 in their pocket.

[Mark G]

Interesting discussion. I'm not really worried about the security of my name on a forum. Like others have said, it's not too hard to get a lot more information than that with a little effort. The way I see it, if I were to meet one of you at a homebrew function, or at a pub, I'd introduce myself with my name. Is it that much different here?

Disclaimer: This forum is one of the most civil out there.

[oscarvan]

My name is Giggelzeit B. Shtoonk but I use Oscar because it's easier to pronounce.....
























(A VERY obscure reference to MAD magazine, undoubtedly mangled having been locked up in my brain for 45+ years.....)

[firedog23]

This is an issue?  Seriously, this is an issue?  You may need to find a new hobby.

[Joe Sr.]

Besides as has already been pointed out - your information is out there already at least to anyone with $15 in their pocket.

This is really less of a concern for me than the random mopes who might google my name (present company excluded).

Google me and you'll get Linked In, an old letter I wrote to BYO and not too much else of any substance.  Which is how I prefer it.

Not that I'm anti-social or anything.

[euge]

I searched my full name and found a few tidbits of info- nothing too concerning. But did a search on my "alias" and found this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Euge

[Hokerer]

I searched my full name and found a few tidbits of info- nothing too concerning. But did a search on my "alias" and found this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Euge

Definition #4 being the important one? 

[BrewingRover]

I searched my full name and found a few tidbits of info- nothing too concerning. But did a search on my "alias" and found this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Euge

You added #2, right 

I like to keep my professional stuff and my hobbies separate, so I have multiple personas on the web. There's one forum I frequent that I wouldn't linked back to me, so it's its own thing completely.