Ask HN: What is your opinion on using your real name online?

I use it most places. Either my real name, David Reagan, or some form of jerrac. I've never had reason to stay anonymous, so I just prefer to "own" everything I post.

That said, I have no issues with those who prefer to be anonymous, and I know it's important for some peoples safety.

I don't do it, personally. It seems like a move that's all risk and no reward.

I use a handful of aliases online, a couple of them pass as normal names. It's "screen door" security, but screen doors keep the insects out. And the people who matter to me know my aliases as well.

I don't use real name online, I value anonymity. In the same time I try to think twice before posting anything, I'm too hot-blooded.. Less I post more happy I am because less stupid things I leave behind.

Having said that I was recently coming across many articles about trail we leave online, even if it's through anonymous accounts there are many strings that are difficult to avoid in order to really stay anonymous. It is slowly becoming my new hobby.

I don't care too much. I am happy for people to reach out, connect or whatever. I have a simple rule. If I don't want people to find out something about me, I don't post it online ever, anywhere. But even if someone finds out, who cares. I am what I am. I don't give a shit on what others think about me. Granted I am no celebrity but I doubt I will change even if I became one.

I avoid it. There are a few closed and public communities where my name ends up coming out for one reason or another, but outside of something like LinkedIn or Github, where there’s potential professional implications, I’d prefer to use a pseudonym. I do have some legacy social media accounts with my name in them, but they’re either incredibly locked down or hard to find.

I've been doing it so long, there's no going back for me. It's always been this, or ka9dgx, my Amateur Radio Call Sign, which is easily tracked back to me.

There is another Mike Warot, he lives in England, and works as a guard at the British Museum.

For git commits, bug reports and the like, I do use my real name. For websites like HN, reddit and OSM I use `pwgen` instead, but I'm pretty sure that my IDs could be linked using interests, writing style, ...

Never use my real name anywhere online.

I try to imagine what it’s like to live under the CCP. What would they do to have a place where they can speak safely and anonymously? Would the real issues start to be discussed finally?

Don’t take it for granted, it is a very valuable thing that can change things in this world. So no, unless it’s small public website with my resume, I will do what I can to respect this principle.

I also think there is a epidemic of Exibitionism going on in the world. Exibitionism is not for everyone, yet I’m seeing it everywhere. Without sounding too medieval, once upon a time your young children, or partner making videos and sending it out to the whole world to see would be considered insane. I think it’s a slippery slope that’s showing up everywhere. Bragging about your new job, etc.

I know I just made two conflicting points, but that’s how complicated the world got.