Screen Names vs Real Names

[James Plouf]

Real Name vs Screen Name

The mission of Travelwriters.com is to be a professional network for writers/photographers, editors and the PR world. These are the three distinct groups on Travelwriters.com. Each group has the need to network with the other two groups in addition to its own group. Think of it as a triangle with three nodes. Each node connected to the other nodes.

Privacy controls are an extremely important aspect of the overall functionality of the site. There has been some concern over the elimination of 'Screen Names' on the bulletin board (BBS). We are working on a solution to have the option to display a screen name or real name on the BBS. Members will have full control
as to who can view their profile. Changing your real name to your screen name is not a good idea. Editors and PR agencies are less likely to take a writer seriously if they go by a screen name. We are taking our lead from the two largest and most widely accepted social networks - LinkedIn and Facebook. Both of these networks require members to use their real names.

[Caitlin]

I'm not sure I would draw a comparison between Facebook and LinkedIn, let alone between either of those two sites and Travelwriters.com.

[Durant Imboden]

I belong to one other forum for professional travel writers, and it requires real names.

I think there's a lot to be said for transparency and accountability. If nothing else, being accountable for one's posts is likely to discourage flaming, trolling, and other disruptive (and unprofessional) behavior.

[David Whitley]

I do see why some would want to stay anonymous or use screen names - it's not my way of doing things, but it's understandable. I think the option should probably be there.

There's also a huge difference between Travelwriters.com and Facebook. Facebook is friends only for me - I don't want work contacts seeing what my uncouth friends write on my wall or pictures of myself when shambolically druunk.

Here, I tend to stand by what I say and think it through more carefully first, but there are obvious situations where someone would want to use an assumed name known only to those who know the person.

[Linda]

I would never post under a "fake" screen name and don't participate in message boards that allow that.

[Henri]

I use both and I have several different pen names that I use on the web. I'm not sure why I do it, I guess because it's simple to do and it seems kind of fun, although I always let the editor know what is going on. I have not been published in print, as of yet, so I don't know how that with turnout. I'm still not sure how everything will turn out, but I suspect going by your real name might be the best way to go for most writers.

[Cabby]

The difference between the examples given is that Facebook and Linked-In are an invitation-only driven platform. We allow only those we choose to view our profiles.

The BBS here is viewable by anyone. I once belonged to another online forum that was set up this way (free to join) and trolls did some wacky damage, as well as stalking of certain members. One troll even assumed the identity of another member and wreaked havoc with that author's agent. Same troll went online to Amazon.com and wrote scathing book reviews of another author's work.

I do participate openly in another writing forum, but it has a fee to join, which scares away the trolls because it adds a layer of accountibility.

I joined Travelwriters to learn more about the travel writing industry and appreciate the open forum. However, being a bit gun shy from the previous troll experience, I'm not anxious to decloak on a forum that any wacko can access.

[Mamabeah]

Amen, Cabby.
Once upon a time I thought the Internet was just this lovely forum where people from the world over could share ideas or debate respectfully on unshared ideas. And then flame wars erupted, people couldn't learn to leave a disagreement onscreen and so on.
I've seen it happen too many times.

Are the people who regularly contribute here using screenames lesser beings than those who use their "real" names? I don't happen to think so. Being respectful is the only thing I care about.

[Keith Kellett]

Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's all call ourselves James!

[Keith Kellett]

Shoot! They fixed it & spoilt a good joke! :(

However ... I don't have a problem in posting under my real name (or at least, the one I go by; my middle name is a closely-guarded secret) But, I can see why people would want to use a 'handle', rather than a name ...

I think, if we're going to insist on real names, the BBS MUST be made 'members only' ... like the old CompuServe JForum which, if I have the story right, collapsed shortly after AOL took it over, and opened it to all and sundry.