05-19-2009, 04:24 PM
I've often seen the argument about using your real name otherwise your opinion is worthless, but I can't agree with it. It's what you write and whether you can back it up that matters, not what your name is. I'm the first to ignore an anonymous comment from someone saying "you suck", but then again I can't ignore an intelligent and well-argued post from an anonymous source.
There are dangers to using your real identity online especially if you involve yourself in controversial topics. I know, I've found out the hard way because I used to do it. I ended up spending a substantial amount of money on legal costs when a lunatic decided to sue 2000 people because they didn't agree with his opinion. I was one of the few with an identity (and therefore address) that was easy to find and I ended up being served.
The case was thrown out of court at the very first stage, it was absolutely frivolous, but because I used my real identity I ended paying most of the legal costs because I was the easiest to find. I've also seen people's NI numbers posted online just because they're in an argument about the validity of some pseudo-science and know of some people being stalked in real life.
So, use your real name if you want, I used to and understand why people think it's important, but you do increase the chances of abuse from some of the stranger folk out there.
There are dangers to using your real identity online especially if you involve yourself in controversial topics. I know, I've found out the hard way because I used to do it. I ended up spending a substantial amount of money on legal costs when a lunatic decided to sue 2000 people because they didn't agree with his opinion. I was one of the few with an identity (and therefore address) that was easy to find and I ended up being served.
The case was thrown out of court at the very first stage, it was absolutely frivolous, but because I used my real identity I ended paying most of the legal costs because I was the easiest to find. I've also seen people's NI numbers posted online just because they're in an argument about the validity of some pseudo-science and know of some people being stalked in real life.
So, use your real name if you want, I used to and understand why people think it's important, but you do increase the chances of abuse from some of the stranger folk out there.