Newbuff weighing in here. Right now I tend to stick around the Minearverse; some of you may have had the opportunity to read the drivel I occasionally post. (I'm trying to limit my time on b.org, because it would be oh-so-easy to forget about work and the rest of my life.)

I have never felt mistreated or ignored since I joined the board. Newbies are newbies and don't automatically fit in. That's OK. Gives us something to look forward to. I knew exactly what I was getting into the first time I opened my big mouth. If I wanted to be surrounded by a bunch of sycophants, I'd go back to work on the Hill. The site etiquette and FAQ sections are fantastic in acclimating a potential poster to what he/she should expect. In fact, I would include prominent links to both on the registration page. They won't eliminate all newbie mistakes but they help. Case in point, I broke the board over the weekend. Damn less than sign. I'm not a developer by any stretch of the imagination, and I forgot that it starts an html tag. DX assures me I didn't trip into the guac but I know I have a little egg on my face.

So can I just hit people who sign their names? Please?

LJ, please don't hit me. The bruises from beating my head against the wall at the stupidity of network wonks haven't faded yet....and I don't have enough Dermablend to cover any more.

The Name Game: I did notice that many people do use something approximating a real name, if not their actual moniker. I didn't for a reason. MFNlaw has been my internet identity since the beginning of teh intraweb. I feel naked otherwise, and personally I'd resent the suggestion that I shouldn't use it. We're all individuals, but if we have to conform to a narrow standard with something as personal as our board name--well shut me up and call me Locutus.

I sign my name when I'm around people I feel comfortable with. Somebody mention this many posts ago (in this very thread I do believe), that one of the downfalls of lurking is that the lurker gets to "know" the posters, but the posters have no frelling idea who the stalker, er lurker, is, and it's a one-sided relationship in the beginning. I felt comfortable enough here to tell you folks what my real name is. See, I have this tendency to share facts about me, but nothing that can identify me IRL. This is one of those times: I have this fear that someday, someone will put two and two together and realize the real me doesn't measure up. First-born syndrome. Yeah, I'm trying to get over it.

To make a long story less longer, if signing my name really bothers people all that much, then tell me. I'll stop. There are bigger things in this world to worry about. What I'm going to make for dinner being one of them. (Any suggestions?)

-Maria (might be the last time I do this. :P )

LJ, please don't hit me.

I'm sorry, Maria. I was being pissier than I should have been.

And no, I won't hit you.

Thanks, Maria. Me, I have no issue with your username, and also enjoy the fact that we can call you Maria in conversation.

Also, I would really really be happier if we didn't put the name style stuff in at all. Can people elaborate for me why we feel like it might be necessary?

Kinda with Liese here.

Burrell, do you mean the untypable name thing too? Or are you reacting to a different suggestion for the text?

I'm sorry, Maria. I was being pissier than I should have been.

And no, I won't hit you.

Whew! I'm glad, because Hecht's just told me they don't carry Dermablend anymore. :D

And being pissy is fine. I think most of us here have it down to an artform. I've been accused of it on occasion myself.

Thanks, Maria. Me, I have no issue with your username, and also enjoy the fact that we can call you Maria in conversation.

Thank you, Jesse. I like being called Maria in coversation too. It beats "you bitch" by a long shot...

Heh. But what I hope I got across was that I like that you have (a) an easily identifiable user name AND (b) a real name we can call you.

You did. My inner snarkiness decided to make an appearance.

Burrell, do you mean the untypable name thing too? Or are you reacting to a different suggestion for the text?

I'm fine with the "make your name typable" suggestion, I just keep bristling at the "Back on TT, we all used our real names, so you should too" stuff because it strikes me as kinda condescending.

Well, TT wanted people to use their real names -- but not everyone did.