Re: GL forums (multiple)

Like many other posters here I also post at VoA. And like most of those posters, I use the same nickname there as I do here. I've always believed in using the same nickname within the GL community, and I've done this both before and after I joined GC and VoA. I feel like this helps people throughout the community get to know me and trust me (Generally, outside of GL boards I use various other usernames, so if someone on a non board is using the same username I use here, it very well may not be me).

Also, when crossing over to a community within a community like VoA, it helps if you're already known on GC and have a proven track record here before you go there. VoA has tier membership and well known GC members get fast tracked there to a higher tier compared to "complete n00bs" or people who register with an unrecognizable nickname. I've also experienced some confusion when communicating with people who use different nicknames on GC and VoA (cleared up a bit at times when the person revealed their other username). I think using the same name on both boards provides clarification and understanding through familiarity.

The only reason I can think of to use different nicks is if you're convinced that using the same name will lead to exposing your real life identity somehow. I think that's something we all rightfully worry about, but in my experience, that's not what causes it, but rather being careless about tying your online and real life identities via social networks, emailing people indiscriminately on email accounts that aren't secure and provide privacy, posting on anti boards/blogs to argue with them, etc. Thankfully, posters have caught on to this and the antis do not expose us like they used to these days it seems.