Equality wrote:Yes, people use their real names when they register. They also provide a nickname for their nametags. Most regular posters have known pseudonyms (mine is Equality, obviously). So if, say, "Randy J" or "SL Cabbie" registers, Dianne probably knows it. Likewise, if "Equality" registers, she knows I am from the FLAK board. I don't doubt there are some folks who post at RfM who might register and Dianne wouldn't necessarily peg them as RfMers, but I think she has a good enough idea about who has registered to express an informed opinion about whether "90%" of the registrants are from RfM.
Are they required to provide a nickname? For example, if I register for this conference, could I not use the short version of my real name as my nickname? And whose to say I don't provide someone else's nickname for my nametag? I could go as truthdancer (except she's a sweetie and I'm not) or Trixie (except she's... well... lots smarter about horses than I am) or Jersey Girl (except I don't own any overalls). Heck, I could even go as Alter Idem!
See what I mean?
I would not want anyone to know I'm harmony on MDB; I don't want either side to connect the dots of who I am. One of the conference presenters already knows who I am; I wouldn't want to enlarge that group by much. My personal stalker, the Z trolls and the Mr Itchy incident are enough to keep me protecting my anonymity at all costs.