Why do people use nicks?

[Witek Mozga]

I wonder why do people use nicks instead of they real names?
I`ve just changed my nick (which was my initials) to my full name. I don`t think we should be ashamed of our real names, shoud we? 
Maybe some of us want to remain anonymous, whatever. I don`t and I would like to know who really I am talking to

[gacl]

Well, in my case, i don't want to give too much information to potential hackers. And i always try to get a short screen name so i don't have to type too much ( and specially since my passwords are long ).

Another good reason to be anonymous in the 'Net is that potential employers search the 'Net for information about you. Imagine if you're applying for a job at one company owned by Microsoft and they find a thread posted by you called: "100 Reasons Vista Blows Chunks".

Gus

[saulgoode]

Another good reason to be anonymous in the 'Net is that potential employers search the 'Net for information about you. Imagine if you're applying for a job at one company owned by Microsoft and they find a thread posted by you called: "100 Reasons Vista Blows Chunks".

Not just employers, but potential paramours as well.

[nightflier]

I like some anonymity when visible to the whole world, at least initially in a new forum.

Also, my full name contains 20 characters!

[Triarius Fidelis]

Maybe some of us want to remain anonymous, whatever. I don`t and I would like to know who really I am talking to

Ask and I'll gladly tell you—my e-mail and MSN are publicly available. I find that 'Epic Fail Guy' is more interesting than my real name though.

[exeterdad]

Heh, heh!  I have a psycho ex out there (no joke), who'd love nothing more then to be as rotten as possible.  I've no intentions of inviting her here by making my full name so public.  Google has gotten very good these days.  Those who need to know, know who I am

[The Headacher]

I find that 'Epic Fail Guy' is more interesting than my real name though.

Dude, you changed your nickname! Oh well, whichever you like best I suppose.

Another good reason to be anonymous in the 'Net is that potential employers search the 'Net for information about you.

If I Altavista my own name (don't particularly like googling), I don't find anything about myself, just other people with the same name. And a few of my mails to some mailing lists.

[M0E-lnx]

I'm clinically diagnosed as paranoid

[The Headacher]

I'm clinically diagnosed as paranoid

Some people say the same thing about me. But those people don't know what it's like when they are after you .

[Triarius Fidelis]

I'm clinically diagnosed as paranoid

But you used your real name in source code.

[gacl]

I just googled my name and i just found out many things about myself that i didn't know:

I smoke, i'm divorced, i'm a world class boxer, and i seem to have died in a massacre in Latinamerica. . . creepy.

[M0E-lnx]

I'm clinically diagnosed as paranoid

But you used your real name in source code.

sorry, that was a joke.
I just use nicks because it's been the trend for ages

[Triarius Fidelis]

Can't argue with that.

I go under many aliases, including penguinporker, Epic Fail Guy, hanumizzle, Hồ Chí Minh, raedwald, 'The Father of Battle' and, now, Greven-tan ('The Little Count' in Japanesemål), as seen here:

[Freston]

I'm posing as a bald divorced Dutchman in his thirties, while actually I'm a thirteen year old girl who's parents may not know I'm stealing the neighbors connection. Internet is evil you know??

Ik spreek ook eigenlijk helemaal geen Nederlands

[rbistolfi]

I would like to know who really I am talking to

Even William of Ockham could agree a name is not enough to accomplish what you want.
Anyway, Rodrigo Bistolfi.

Also, my full name contains 20 characters!

That is way people call you Roy . You won my "Post of the month" prize with that one. You remind me the Egipcian Gods, who used to hide their real names in the stomach. Who posses the name posses the power, they used to say (I think this is the first elaboration of a realism, and an anticipation of Plato philosophy.)

I just googled my name and i just found out many things about myself that i didn't know:

I smoke, i'm divorced, i'm a world class boxer, and i seem to have died in a massacre in Latinamerica. . . creepy.

Damn, my name produces boring results. Nothing interesting but a parent who is a Classic Metal musician (Ask Epic Fail Guy, aka Hanumizzle.)

I go under many aliases, including penguinporker, Epic Fail Guy, hanumizzle, Hồ Chí Minh, raedwald, 'The Father of Battle' and, now, Greven-tan ('The Little Count' in Japanesemål), as seen here:

My favorite is Penguinporker.