# Be careful posting on message boards! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 9, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-posting-on-message-boards/513181 "2009-10-09T13:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-posting-on-message-boards/513181/21 "2009-10-09T21:51:52Z")
> [@Kenyth](#): > > We got sued for internet posts once. We actually won the case, but not because the posts were not cosidered a valid venue of libel. It was only because the content was found trivial, it did not directly identify the libeled person, and the content was not able to be proved damaging. The fact that they were looking for settlements out of court and never showed up to the hearings didn’t hurt either. So your real message is beware of frivilous lawsuits. The real problem with a board like this (a popular one) is that people use the same handle for this board as everything else. So if JuneyJean is putting comments all over this board and her boss sees her email is [JuneyJean@gmail.com](mailto:JuneyJean@gmail.com) and puts it in a search engine, “JuneyJean” comes up and the boss can read her comments Lesson is if you want to post don’t use the same name as others or use such a common name it gets lost in the crowd, like JohnSmith ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-posting-on-message-boards/513181/22 "2009-10-10T00:40:59Z")
That would be why I post anonymously and don’t provide any information about who I am or where I work. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2009, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-posting-on-message-boards/513181/23 "2009-10-10T20:13:13Z")
What about tugging on Superman’s cape? Is that a good idea? If pissing into a fan is a bad idea, what about spitting into the wind? Oh, and that rude Mr. Lone Ranger won’t take his mask off indoors. If he does it one more time, I think I’ll just snatch it. Good idea? Wait, I have to go–my friend Jim just got here, and I have this great prank planned that is so going to mess with him. ---
**Author:** ![Kenyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kenyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenyth)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-posting-on-message-boards/513181/24 "2009-10-15T18:40:50Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > So your real message is beware of frivilous lawsuits. > > The real problem with a board like this (a popular one) is that people use the same handle for this board as everything else. > > So if JuneyJean is putting comments all over this board and her boss sees her email is [JuneyJean@gmail.com](mailto:JuneyJean@gmail.com) and puts it in a search engine, “JuneyJean” comes up and the boss can read her comments > > Lesson is if you want to post don’t use the same name as others or use such a common name it gets lost in the crowd, like JohnSmith You’re absolutely right. That is the real message. If it’s posted on the internet and potentially libel, they’ll let it into court. It will cost you regardless of who’s right or wrong. It can also give you grief if you do it from work by pissing off your employer. I see that I’m getting a lot of snide comments about basically posting that the sky was blue, not that I don’t deserve it. Once again the message is, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU POST! 😉 I’ll get it right sooner or later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-careful-posting-on-message-boards/513181.md?page=1)