Karen

I have noticed that many people use a fake name in response to posts on this forum. Obviously, sometimes this is because they want to be rude and don't want to tarnish their Fodors identity and reputation. But I often see posts that are nothing to be ashamed of, yet the author does not use his/her name. I'm not talking about withholding an e-mail address; I understand that. So what is with all of the fake names?

SorryKaren

Check out the Margo and Hello Europe discussion. People and companies have been using this forum to collect e-mails for target marketing purposes. If you don't mind receiving spam in your e-mail, you should feel free to post your true ISP address. Mine was apparently sold on some lists because I was spammed so often I finally changed my e-mail. It's not the end of the world, but it's annoying. <BR> <BR>Anyway, that's my story, I'm sure others have different one.

Karen

Actually, I understand why people do not provide their true e-mails. My question is why people won't use their first name instead of something like "SorryKaren" or "NoName". Just curious, that's all.

xxx

Karen, if I used my real name all of the time, you would learn that I post too much, that I am addicted to this forum, and that I should get a life. So I post now and then without my real name if I think I have been too active lately, and I figure you all won't mind so long as I am extra polite about it. <BR> <BR>Is anyone else doing this, or is it just me?

Ariel

Because some of us are at work, using our work email.

frank

SPAM!

Beth Y.

I use my first name, but my last name is fairly unusual and I don't want anyone to be able to track me down. There are too many crazies out there!

Brian in Atlanta

Ariel and Frank, you didn't understand Karen's question. <BR> <BR>I like it when I can recognize a poster by their first name so I can take what they say in context (based on what they've posted before).

noname

I've used my real name and discovered that the things I posted about were the topics of derision, scorn and laughter on other topics. I meant my posts sincerely and was surprised and admittedly a little hurt that I came here to help and learn from other travelers but was instead used as a huge joke for the regulars here. O.K., maybe I'm naive about some things but I came here to learn and was chided instead. Names and e-mails should be voluntary here, it's become too abusive.

kk

Dear noname and nowhere, <BR>Your message is probably the saddest one I've read in three years spent fodoring. The only good thing I can see in your post is that you did not go away. I am glad you stayed. <BR>I like it when everyone posts under a consistent name and then you can get used to who/what they are, even if it is a web name. Since I went to my initials (away from my name) and quit posting under my work email a few months ago, I certainly understand those who do that. I must say that I miss the occasional direct email from a friendly fodorite, but I do feel more secure.

JMM

I stopped posting under my real name because i was getting way too much junk email. i suspect some spamers troll these forums for names and email addresses

Nancy

I agree with K.K about how sad it is, concerning Noname, but I have seen what nonanme talking about. <BR>There do seem to be some posters to this site that that really are fairly intolerant, and seem to want to tell others what is acceptable or not! <BR>Also, can see xxxx.'s point about this site becoming an addiction!!! <BR>But I did learn something,SPAM. <BR>Knock on wood so far, but I'm not sure I am still willing to take a chance. <BR>But I remain as always, <BR>Nancy

Nemo

Having been SPAM'd and attacked and recruited for bogus "opportunities," I learned quickly not to use my real name. But I also prefer to keep my gender masked sometimes, too, because sometimes credibility seems to hinge on gender, and sometimes the trolls and curmudgeons are quick to jump to assumptions and judgments based on what they think you are, which almost always takes the discussion away from travel questions. (The infamous AMS postings on the US forum never revealed gender and everyone assumed AMS was a "he," although one could easily have inferred the opposite from certain comments.) <BR> <BR>There used to be a Boston Globe section called "Confidential Chat" in which writers (mostly women -- it was in the "women's pages") gave themselves tagnames and wrote to each other. It seemed most enjoyed taking on an alter-ego, not too different from CB radio "handles." <BR> <BR>Finally, it usually doesn't matter WHAT my name is (if it does, like to invite off-forum communication, I'll supply it), just to add a thought. Remember who "Nemo" is/what it means?

Julie

I wondered the same question myself. I assumed that those people wanted to remain anonymous to protect their privacy. I am new to this forum for just a couple of weeks. I have never seen so many highly individulaized email addresses as here! I am aware of dot.coms like hotmail, yahoo, & mail etc. Where is your source for getting or making more indivualized email addresses? Thanks for sharing. <BR> <BR>Julie (my real name)

noname

kk and all, you're very kind to "stick up" for me, I can tell you all have good hearts. But hey, it didn't shatter my world or anything like that and it certainly didn't scare me off the forum. <BR> <BR>Karen wanted to know why some people posted helpful advice under pseudonyms. Since I'm one of those people, I thought I'd explain why. Some folks here, like Brian in Atlanta, like consistent names, I think, because they can attach whatever level of credibility they have assigned to that poster and use it to evaluate the posts. <BR> <BR>I don't want to post under my real name and have my comments forever associated with posts that people made fun of. You know, I post, then someone brings back the derisive posts to put me back in my place, that sort of thing. <BR> <BR>I've traveled alot since I first came here, am less naive, and I think I have good tips to share, but I don't care if I receive credit for them by posting under consistent names. If my tips help you, great. You don't have to acknowledge them, just hopefully use them to have more fun on your trips.

fakename

Please tell me I'm not the only one sick <BR>of seeing this inane post keep popping up. (Apologies for doing in again)

jimmy

dearme

blow

O.K. you guys, take that gun away from fakename's head so he isn't forced to read this post anymore!

Bob Brown

I have continued to use my real name, etc. on this forum, but it is a policy I have strongly reconsidered because there are some definite downsides. . One negative aspect of my practice is that I seem to get more junk mail than before, but I am not always sure of the origin. That type of mail is easy to delete; some of it goes away without my evening reading it. That is a minor issue. <BR> <BR>The strongest reason I can think of for using a fake email address is protection against personal attacks. More than once someone who took issue with my statements has emailed me a message that was a vicious, insulting, even threatening assault. <BR> <BR>The most flagrant case resulted from an attempt I made once to help someone translate a communication in German. There was a minor error in my translation and a man from Germany (so he said) directed a vicious, virulent and insulting attack toward me in a personal email. So the sadistic nastiness we see sometimes on this forum can also be very personal. Fake email addresses preclude that sort of ugliness from finding its victim. <BR> <BR>On the positive side, I have made a couple of personal friends that I would never have made had I used a fake name and address. So the bitter comes with the sweet. But I must admit that some of the vicious attacks leave me wondering.

Happy

I'll tell you exactly why. I posted twice to Fodors Forum and since have been swamped with unsolicited and unwanted e-mails (SPAM). Without a doubt, these Forums were the source. I know it for a fact.