Here's a site you'll like, no kidding, for those of us on this Travel Talk board! (Yes, I once posted my "real" name, and have ever since been flooded with SPAM mail. <BR> <BR>Read about this in the Parade section of local newspaper: "There's a new sheriff on the Internet: Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a joint operation of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center! The site is www.ifccfbi.gov -- it's for real and I've used it, especially with those pyramid schemes! <BR> <BR>On AOL, there are some "hackers" going into E-mail addresses and using name to look authentic! <BR> <BR>Good luck, and that's the end of the story!

What a great thread!! Not travel-related, but many valid points. <BR> <BR>Message boards are great for people like myself who don't have much of social life Plus, for me, the novelty of message boards has still not worn off, and there is a wonderful voyeuristic aspect to reading messages which convey so much personal information, and yet are written essentially by strangers. I suspect that's what make them addictive. <BR> <BR>I admit that I have used this message board as "therapy"; sure costs less than the real kind! There aren't many acceptable outlets for venting hostility, it appears that a lot of folks use message boards. <BR> <BR>My home-town newspaper (the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal) currently has a message board, on which one of the topics is "How should the churches respond to calls for same-sex marriage?" Fodors may sometimes get a little nasty, but it absolutely pales in comparison to the hate-mongoring which can be read in great abundance on that board (of course, they are all good Christians, many using false names/ addresses . . . ) I also gave up on the Yahoo message boards; 90% of the posters there seem to be gaining nothing. <BR> <BR>I think it's fine that some choose to use their name (or use the same name all the time), and that others don't. I do feel that I'm getting something more out if it somehow, when I know the person whose message I'm reading, based on what they've posted before. Myself, I choose not to hide (at least, not in Fodor's). <BR> <BR>By the way, I always provide my e-mail address; how can I start getting some spam? I feel deprived. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Me again! <BR>I certainly understand those that do not wish to use their real email addy, although I do choose to use mine. I have gotten valid emails requesting information and yes, since coming in here I have for the first time, started getting Spam mail... <BR>HOWEVER, I believe Karen was asking NOT about using a real email address (that's a totally different topic), but using a recognizable name/identity... <BR> <BR>SAM

That's funny, SharonM, because I read Karen's original message as asking why folks don't use their real names/addresses. <BR>Perhaps I interpreted wrongly. <BR>I think consistent handles are my own preference... and if someone wants real, direct email, it's their option to use their real email addresses.

I enjoy the anonymity of using an alias or alternate name. On a few occasions someone on this forum has taken my name. It was a little creepy to see messages I didn't write with "my" name attached. I don't know why they couldn't find one of their own. I'm a little paranoid, I guess, about using my real name.

I can honestly say, that I have NEVER used a fake name, or fake email address. I have also let people know, that on certain questions they are free to email me for further explainations, or help. I have yet to receive any spam (although who know now!), except for that guy selling his own artwork...(whatever) <BR> <BR>I use my email account as a vital part of my communication. I don't hide it, I don't fake it. And I feel that people should not be affraid to use email. There are ways of ellimating spam....delete it! People are too paranoid these days. You get junk mail, you get phone calls from solicitors, and you still have a phone and a mail box! why is email any different. One day this is the way we will all communicate. Accept it, and move on. Quit hidding behind the keyboard, and use the internet in a responsible manner. Why not set an example for others. That we who use this site, are not affraid of using our real names and emails, and are really trying to form a community of travelers who want to help each other, and share our experiences with people who have similar interests as ours. <BR>

I agree with Carey - I use my real address, never got any nasty spam, just responses from people who were interested in my posts, and, of course, the artist, who I delete.

There's your answer from SharonM herself about the reason so many post with "real" addresses: <BR> <BR>"I have gotten valid emails requesting information..." <BR> <BR>SharonM is a travel agent who comes to Fodor's to troll for business, bottom line. That's why she includes her e-mail and makes sure that you all know what she does for a living -- so you can "contact her for information" and she can sell you her services "offline." Commercial promotion is the impetus behind many "virtuous" posters who use their "real" e-mails.

OK, let's break it down. For "Name", there are people who use their: <BR> <BR>1) First and last name; <BR>2) Actual first name; <BR>3) A false, but consistent first name; <BR>4) Differing names; <BR>5) Random, entertaining name/address combinations. <BR> <BR>I believe Karen's question is: For those in Category 4) or 5), why don't you join those of us in Categories 1), 2) and 3)? Many have said they wish to remain anonymous because they have been flamed, even when they have tried to be helpful and not rude or viscious. I myself have been flamed in this way and it's never fun. So I think that's probably the strongest argument in favor of letting people remain anonymous. Another is that I wouldn't want to lose the entertainment value of those folks being able to post. <BR> <BR>I think what Karen is asking is, that if you are a regular, serious contributor to Fodors, consider using a consistent name, because it makes your posts more meaningful. I think many of us are already doing that. The only reason I would ever stop using my real name would be if I felt that there were something about me that might be revealed through my posts, and which would be damaging if publicly known, i.e. I never pay full-fare for an airline ticket, I once slept with a goat, etc. (oops!) <BR> <BR>Thanks Karen for starting this awesome thread! Happy traveling to all. <BR> <BR>

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I used to post with my real first name and always with the same fake address. Recently, for no reason I could see, I was "flamed". I have only ever given out advice, never resorted to being nasty, and found it quite distressing. I suppose I shouldn't have reacted like that as people who do this obviously are unhappy in their own lives. Just look at what is going on now! The person who appears to be almost stalking someone must be in need of some psychiatric help. And I'm being serious here. If i were the person who is at the receiving end I would seriously wonder what else they are capable of. Is this becoming a police matter?

Oh, my goodness! Normally, I try to live by the if-you-don't-have-something-nice-to-say rule (and I post under my real name), but for some reason, after reading this thread and being COMPLETELY BAFFLED by all the responses about spam, I couldn't help but post.<BR><BR>Karen very clearly stated she was asking about names, not e-mail addresses - and this has been re-clarified by her and several others numerous times . . . and yet people STILL keep posting about spam!&pound;¿&pound;¡&pound;¿&pound;¡&pound;¿<BR>< BR>Eek! I couldn't help but get that out of my system. Feel better now. Whew.

This is a virtual world, so I am a virtual entity. If I want real contact and conversation, I'll go talk to someone face to face. Here, I don't expect that kind of intimacy, so to speak, nor is my ego so fragile that I need some stranger to stroke me. So, I post under many different names.

I continue to use my real name in spite of personal attacks on a thread where I was just trying to be helpful. This is all about my dignity. If I say something inappropriate, I deserve the flaming. Using my real namge separates me from the anonymous losers.<BR><BR>However, I use a defunct email address to avoid spam. It identifies my home location, but since I can not access it, it is a buffer from the crap. If nice people offer personal advice, I email them and ask for it sent to my current address.

The post was started two years ago and we're still at it? Don't any of you read?

alias<BR>yes we can read but it was revisited because the question is relevant given what is going on in the board just now.

That is a real name and a real email address. Naturally, there is no question of anyone other than the legitimate owner using it on an unregistered board. Please don't ask me about the last federal budget, I'm here to talk about travel.