what's in a name: screen or real

Category: Let's talk

Post 1 by blbobby (Ooo you're gona like this!) on Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 16:10:28

Everybody on the zone has two names, their actual name which they got from their parents and are stuck with whether or not they like it, and their screen name, which they gave themselves in a fit of creativity that outstrips some of the world's finest poets.

However, I, for one, find it confusing to refer to some people by one name and then the other. On the boards I am constantly running into confusion when someone refers to another person by their real name, and I only know their screen name.

Maybe it's just me, and if so this is going to be a very small topic. But I was wondering if anyone else is having this confusion? and, is there anything that can be done about it?

Thanks.
Bob

Post 2 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 17:16:16

Bob, I realize you don't like to use public quicknotes. But having publics on is how I got to know a lot of people's real names. Also, many people, include their real names in their profiles.
I know this is really no help. And, I also know there are some people who don't seem to want their real name known. But it really is a matter of personal choice.

Post 3 by frequency (the music man) on Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 17:19:22

Actually, I used to not include my name in my profile, but now that I know what this place is all about i could care less. lol

Post 4 by Grace (I've now got the ggold prolific poster award! wahoo! well done to me!) on Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 17:22:46

..Pats Bob on the shoulder with a gentle paw, er a Umm hand, saying, wait till you get to know some of the folks around here with SEVERAL username changes and almost forget what one is currently in use...and need to re-think when someone prefers that you name them on say QuickNotes with the first name you intro to them by...Gets mighty interesting 'round here. smiles *Can I gett ya a drink, might help ease all the confusion.. maybe some water for starters and you can decide if you want to use it to brew some coffee or rather place it in a pitcher and say squeeze some lemons in it to make some lemonade.. Just a thot.. maybe tea you would prefer for that cold rainy night while you lie awake thinking up a possible future username. <<!>>

(CG)

Post 5 by AngelKisses (An angel with no Halo) on Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 19:21:13

yeah. I think it's confusing. I don't always read the quick notes and even if I do, three or four people log in at the same time and everyone says "hi chelsey" or whatever. Which one is chelsey? I know a few by name on here, but not many.

Post 6 by jmbauer (Technology's great until it stops working.) on Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 22:57:06

I'm pretty good with matching given names to screen names. That being said, his comes from someone who hardly ever disables public quick notes.

Bob,
My best advice would be to examine the offending profiles. Failing in that, a simple, private query for a name may be in order.

Post 7 by laced-unlaced (Account disabled) on Friday, 01-Dec-2006 6:45:54

i agree with becky.

iver in pubblics, or get to know the person privately.

i must know everyone's real name here

Post 8 by kl1964 (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Friday, 01-Dec-2006 8:38:51

It's even more confusing when you've got the same given name as multiple people, as I do. Multiple Kevins, which is why in my profile I say KL will do. Since I, too, have quicknotes turned off all the time for the most part, at least these days, I know what you're saying, Bob, it can get a shade confusing.

Post 9 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 04-Dec-2006 14:19:21

I keep public QN's turned off, but I'm a prlithic reader of profiles. If someones screne name, post, or comment interests me, I go read their profile. And sometimes, hearing someone referred to on the boards by their given name helps me put two and two together. In many cases, if you're a user of several websites for the blind, you can track people. For example, many people screen names on here are the same as their names on All In Play, myself included. I always like to know how someone got from their given name to their screen name. There's usually some fun stories behind it.

Post 10 by Phoenix (I'll do my homework...later.) on Tuesday, 02-Jan-2007 21:00:57

yeah, it can be confusing for me too. Especially that me, being me, I like to know people's real names, because I like to collect them. Like pretty much everybody else has said though, I get to know people then ask what I should call them or what their name is.