I never quite got what's with people saying using usernames and anonymity is cowardly

[cheat-master30]

Seriously, I see this all the time from people who apparently write 'intelligent blog articles' and such like, and from people who seem to have this hilarious deluded belief that making everyone use their 'real' name will lead to people being held accountable for their actions.

But what's the real difference between a username and real name, identification wise? Sure, if you gave a DNA, blood and fingerprint sample, name, photograph and voice recording you'd possibly be able to be held completely accountable and identified to the point, but let's be honest, a real name is pretty much useless as some way to track down anyone or to act as if it suddenly makes them more honest. Not really. Most real names are damn well common. Bob Smith or Jane Doe for an example is not going to be any more effective in holding someone accountable (or even tying it to a real world identity) than 'Videogamer1' or 'Mario'. People caring less about what they say? Not really, I say the exact same things online as I would offline. And really, do you honestly think it's easier to track down a generic real name than a more specific username? If you use your real name... it can lead to fifty million results, three quarters completely irrelevant when typed into a search engine, or just if you attempt to trace it. Millions are called say, Bob Smith, and searching that name to find some address would get you a lot of irrelevant information. However, a username is often more specific than a real name. One minor hint to personal information, or the user owning a website with a domain name could lead to them being found and be able to be held more accountable, even more so than any real name ever would.

Heck part of me thinks personally that someone with a generic name (or some bored person using either the name of a spam bot or 'Google Spider') is probably more difficult to hold accountable than a normal guy using their real name. Opinion?

[Chrisjh0223]

I believe the people who say anonymity is cowardly think of anonymity as a mask. That's what happens when you remain anonymous, such as using a generic name like 'vidgamer(insert random numbers here)' or 'Mario123' to remain blended into the crowd; you are basically a masked figure enshrouded in mystery. I guess someone who does not like anonymity will have a more specific name, such as using their real life names.

Anonymity is actually a great thing. Why would you want to make yourself too well known? On America's Most Wanted, the police intel team get anonymous & helpful tips. These tips can be kept anonymous and that's just what happens 95% of the time. I can't remember any specific information about the callers, the host of the show would always say (from what I remember) something like "we got a tip from an anonymous caller..." and I vaguely remember him saying something like "we got a phone call tip from a hotel clerk" only once or twice in the past. That was so long ago since I watched the show, I just barely remember him saying that.

Now suppose the caller really made his/her presence known. I'm plenty sure the convict would seek vengeance against that caller, this is one perfect reason why anonymity is always the best way to go.

[UnknownToaster]

Masks aren't always for anonymity, there's a guy I'm subscribed to who plays guitar but wears a mask because he makes faces when he plays and he doesn't want a bunch of trolls making fun of it.

[Phazon]

You'd be suprised how much information you can get about someone just from knowing their name. You gotta remember that not everyone has a stock name like Bob Smith. Someone could be called Jasper Eduardo Sakuhaku. It'd be significantly easier to find that guy. It's not so much cowardly as it is paranoid.

[Zexis]

I don't give up my real name just because I prefer to be known as Zexis. No need to add all of my personal info to that profile as well. Besides, my last name is rather uncommon.

[cheat-master30]

You'd be suprised how much information you can get about someone just from knowing their name. You gotta remember that not everyone has a stock name like Bob Smith. Someone could be called Jasper Eduardo Sakuhaku. It'd be significantly easier to find that guy. It's not so much cowardly as it is paranoid.

It's more however why half these sites ask for a real name. Face it, some people have uncommon names, and some have common names, but how difficult it is to trace someone from their online identity is not really connected at all so much as what name they use as how careless they are. Most people I know for example have a common first name. Going by that alone would make tracking them down nigh on impossible.

I don't give up my real name just because I prefer to be known as Zexis. No need to add all of my personal info to that profile as well. Besides, my last name is rather uncommon.

That's a good point as well. You don't need to give away your life story, and no sites should basically ask for it.

[Phazon]

With a name alone then it's significantly harder than I previously said, however with a name, email-addresses, ip addresses, telephone numbers and home addresses can be found. That's what people are scared of.

[dragonboy]

Thankyou for saying that, now I'm going to type my real name after all of my posts for now on just to piss people off.


/Andy

[Phazon]

I meant a full name x_X

Also I can't do anything with a full name anyway. I just know others can.

[dragonboy]

Maybe people think that a real name makes them look more like a human and less like a "forum idiot." Example:

iamidiot- teh sky is red

ihatemorons- NO YOU DUMB IDIOT!! THE SKY IS BLUE!!!!!

VS.

iamidiot- teh sky is red
/James Alfred Von Banks III

ihatemorons- at first I thought you were a troll, but since I found out that you are a real human being since you have a real name, your point must be valid.

[cheat-master30]

With a name alone then it's significantly harder than I previously said, however with a name, email-addresses, ip addresses, telephone numbers and home addresses can be found. That's what people are scared of.

Only the latter is really that much of a give away (because of Google Earth, Maps and Satnav systems). Telephone numbers possibly, but I don't know nor care. IP addresses are easily fooled by proxy servers or dynamic addresses (unless maybe you're the FBI or someone who can request the information). This is why AOL and internet cafes are the bane of internet forum admins' lives. Email addresses? Useless, I can get a new email address in about ten minutes maximum. Anyone with an internet server can give those out like candy to anyone who asks.