Andrew Hicks

You're as anonymous as the rest of us, cos whether you call yourself Andrew Hicks or Little Orphan Annie makes no difference if no-one on here knows you.

Some usernames do identify the owners (initials, real names, service numbers etc), some are just a representation, like an avatar is. That's not necessarily hiding. It can be, but most of us are straightforward enough in our posts that we could probably be identified by people who know us. The majority of people don't know us however, so it makes no difference what name we use. November Rain sounds more interesting than my given name & it does say something about my likes & personality - more than my given name.

Dear Mr Rain or can I call you Nov?

Yeah, but the difference is that my name's really Andrew Hicks and maybe I'm famous. Have you never heard of Andrew Hicks? I've my good reputation to consider, you do realise, and because I've declared who I am, I have that to uphold. Clear identity seems to be desirable on a public forum and I wonder why this shadowy practice has developed.

Oops sorry, maybe Novenber's a girl's name.

Andrew

I've just got satellite internet out here in the rice fields of Surin and I'm having a look at Thai Visa pretty much for the first time. But a funny thing happened to me on the way to the Forum.

I had to sign up n'that, so when it said 'user name', I put in the name of this user which happens to be Andrew Hicks. I've been called Andrew Hicks quite a long time and it's not bad really, so why not use it. But now I've had a look at the forum, I see that when they ask for your name, they don't want your name. If you're going to play Forums, it seems you're supposed to make up a funny one.

Okay, so this has become sort of Forum ettiquette has it, but why? I'd never write a letter to the papers and hide behind a pseudonym... I'll fearlessly express my views with my name subscribed. And I feel the same about the Forum.

Why are you all hiding behind a mask? Is it so you can stick you neck out and defame without fear? This Forum is about asking questions and that's my first one, ye behind the masks.

Ann Nonny Ms.