OLO users who may be considering signing-up on Twitter under their OLO userID should be aware that in the sign-up process they are asked for a 'real name' on the Twitter dialog. This 'real name' subsequently shows up on one's publicly-viewable Twitter profile.

I suspected such might be the case when I just today registered 'Forrest Gumpp' as my userID on Twitter, so I used a false and unrelated alias as my 'real name' in signing up. Sure enough, that alias shows up exactly as I entered it, in the Twitter profile for Forrest Gumpp for all to see. The Twitter sign-up dialog contains no warning as to this possibility.

Just thought OLO users should be made aware of this risk, and a means of avoiding it, before inadvertently 'blowing their cover' before they realize it, should they intend going onto Twitter in this fashion.

I should make it crystal clear to OLO users that blame for the potential breach of the anonymity, in the act of signing up for Twitter, of those users who choose to post under the same pseudonym on both OLO and Twitter, is in no way to be laid at OLO's door. The potential arises because of the design of, and lack of any specific warning on, the Twitter sign-up page dialog that the 'real name' you are invited to enter in the field provided will in fact be publicly viewable as soon as you have a Twitter account. A normal expectation would be that such information would NOT be publicly viewable unless the account holder specifically authorized it.

This potential for breach of anonymity is magnified by the fact that a Twitter sign-up will not proceed to completion unless the 'real name' field is filled in, so there may be perceived to be pressure to enter a real 'real name'.

The Twitter sign-up 'real name' field will accept any name, or pseudonym, you choose to enter. Indeed, in the 'Settings' tab of your Twitter profile there is provision for changing both your 'real name' and, subject to the availability of the new pseudonym entered, your Twitter pseudonym. I have already removed the alias under which I signed up, and replaced it with a repetition of my Twitter (and OLO) username, 'Forrest Gumpp'. Others could, if they wish, do likewise: just ensure your intended username is available first. This approach saves you the necessity of digesting the whole Twitter help site before you start using Twitter. Whether it may be advisable to use the same username on both OLO and Twitter is up to the individual to decide.

Tweets (140 or less character posts to Twitter) can be posted by users informing of new topics in the OLO General Discussions area, for example, something that OLO presently does not do on Twitter, although it does so for Articles.

For all I know, this whole post might be nothing other than egg-sucking instruction for OLO users.

I want to thank you for that FG truly, I must now avoid that site.
In no way am I fearful of saying who I am.
10 minutes research would find my name, here in these pages.
I once unwisely after taunting gave it in print, wrong very wrong.
An intrusion into my life and workplace came soon after.
A good thread could be started one day on the question name or not.
I see no cowardly act in not naming ones self.
But maybe needless bravado in doing it.
regards again

Why are concerned about our real names being online?. Genuine question.

I'm the same, I don't advertise it. I'm a fraction more conscious now due to something I'm doing personally/professionally but the only reason THAT is an issue is because of something I might say that could bite me in the bum later. But really, I'm not that concerned because my beliefs are reasonably middle of the road. I'm studying with the potential of applying for the coppers. So it isn't that big.

St.G,

The reasons for persons valuing anonymity are many and varied. I guess too, women are far more cautious about it than men.

For eight years I wrote a column not only under my own name but with a photo(albeit one that, my friends told me, made me look like a chipmunk) as well. During that eight years I experienced obscene phone calls, annoying calls at 2 and 3 in the am, death threats, stalking, being accosted on the street and abused in public places.

The thing was that some of these people weren't even people who read my column, but just part of the wierdo brigade - and believe me, I learned from that experience that there are a lot of them out there.

If I am writing an article for OLO I use my own name of course - though that now differs from the one under which I used to write - because I know OLO staff would never give personal details away. Also, that they would notify writers if anyone had been making enquiries.

But posting comments on articles often reveals more about us than we realise and makes us easy to track down.

When I first started contributing I had a very frightening and real threat of violence hanging over not just my head but those of my two kids, so a pseudonym was necessary.

Many admit to personal beliefs that, perhaps they wouldn't like work-mates or colleagues reading; some would certainly hate the idea of their kids stumbling across some of their posts; others may be members of clubs or organisations which they have criticised here...but of course, for those who don't want a pseudonym there is no rule about it, and many do post under their actual names.

Its the choice that allows more people the freedom to contribute. And to make those contributions honest reflections of their views.

All of what Romany said is true, for men too.
Lets face it, my surname is Bell, my lifetime nick name is Belly,
hardly a hide hole, no one should forget the hidden problems we could bring.
I could never use face book, it would come back and bit me, many are hurt right now because they did something silly.
I refuse to forget the lesson I learned here in this forum, I had no reason other than pride to tell my name.
A a lot of pain for doing it, not fear needless self inflicted pain.

StG if you become a police man, you will soon understand.
Your posts here,if known to be yours, will be sifted to find something to use against you.
Some harmlessly by work mates who just want to rag you, some by press looking for the first brick to build a story on.
Some true filth may want to hurt you or your family, and any help in locating you will be looked for.
Like you Fear is not my reason, common self interest is.
I have never even thought who is this poster?
We get our personal opinions of posters, even an idea of what they are like, without knowing them.
We do not need names, increasingly things like face book will show the wisdom in being just as we are in OLO
regards

I hear what you're saying, Romany and Belly, and appreciate your reasons for desiring anonymity.

Personally, I'm glad I can use my given name. I see no reason to add my surname here, but I do if writing letters to the editor or to politicians, etc. My views frequently conflict with those of others, but I’m pleased I haven’t had to resort to anonymity to express them.

I work on a casual basis and as far as I know have always managed to fly beneath the radar so to speak. My employer though is one of those which insists its employees refrain from publicly expressing political opinion. To me, expressing such opinion, provided it doesn't vilify others, is the fundamental right and duty of every citizen and as such I will continue to disobey this directive. If ever I was brought to account on it, which I'm sure I won’t be as I’m too much of a small fry for anyone to bother, I would though fight the case vociferously, not that that would get me anywhere of course.

I know I'll be accused of reading too much into it, but I actually think this whole pseudonym trend just feeds into the increasing culture within democratic societies to restrict freedom of expression. I've always considered myself reasonably well-informed, but reading 'The Land of Plenty' by Mark Davis, and his chapter on the Howard Legacy in particular, has really opened my eyes as to the insidious reach the Howard Government achieved in controlling and manipulating our ability to dispense and gather opinion, much of which is still in place today.

If we the people start hiding behind pseudonyms, as seems to be the trend, how can we then turn around and demand our government be open and accountable? To me, secretive governments and a cowered populace are flip sides of the same coin.

There may be compelling reasons for choosing anonymity, but if there aren't, I see its use as both cowardly and dishonest. If a view is worth having, it should be worth putting your name to.