Real names online?

**Odd** · 07-14-10, 05:18 AM

Last week's news included an online trusted identification announcement from the White House and a big uproar from the World of Warcraft publishers requiring real names to post on their forums. Latter quickly lead to backtracking with some humor to it. Got me contemplating the topic.

Rather than go over the merits of either though I'm throwing it out there to see what you think about anonymity online vs real name identification in a general sense. Here, a few conversation points to pick and choose from.

Of the sites you use now, how many would you still use?

How many sites have you abandoned because the anonymity lead to trolls and flaming?

Is the horse out of the barn on online identity? We had pretty much identified internet use with college accounts in the late 80s and early 90s - would the net have bloomed if not for ILuvBeingMom style nicknames?

Is this a case where allowing total freedom fostered growth and now it is time to prune by reintroducing real names?

Recent poll shows 80% of divorce lawyers use Facebook for research

Enough of me, make up your own questions.

I wouldn't be here if real names were required. Nothing about LE, I just wouldn't use forums. I'm still info leaky, but I don't give out my name online much at all anymore. It would significantly change the way I use the net. Sure, I have the expectation anything I type can end up on the front page of the paper tomorrow. I know there's no true anonymity. But there's a big gap between that and every last comment you ever made being picked over in your HR file.

Sure would cut down on flaming though. Trolls would be no-fight listed and spammers would be short lived.

Pros and cons either way. Should we have more real names, got it about right, what's your view?

**213th** · 07-14-10, 09:21 AM

I also don't think I'd participate in any forums if I had to use my real name. Call me paranoid, but I want to be able to make the choice to tell people my real name if I want them to know it.

**Ace** · 07-14-10, 12:46 PM

Putting up with trolls and spammers is a small price to pay imo.

**MacLean** · 07-14-10, 12:47 PM

I participate in one online forum that requires real names, but it is all firearms instructors and shooters.

**Radar** · 07-14-10, 01:18 PM

I am a member at only one forum that requires real names to join, where your visiable username is your real name, and i chose to use an alias. Had to set up a secondary email with that alias name just to pass their checks.

**CTR man** · 07-14-10, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by 213th

I also don't think I'd participate in any forums if I had to use my real name. Call me paranoid, but I want to be able to make the choice to tell people my real name if I want them to know it.

^^^^ This right here.

Same goes for email accounts. I have a few email accounts with my name in it, but those only go out to friends that I can trust. Otherwise I have the generic one for use where I don't necessarily want my name known, but might wish a reply. I am not too keen on passing my name off to who knows where on the internet.