I’ve been using this here Internet thing for a long time now, and the Straight Dope Message Board is the only place of any significance where I don’t use my real name. Even in articles published in computer hacker magazines, I’ve used my name amongst a sea of pseudonymous writers.
Being anonymous on the SDMB has made some discussions awkward, where I’ve tried to speak as an authority on certain subjects without being able to cite my qualifications, and I’ve been asked in a bunch of threads what books I’ve written. I’ve had to dodge that question, because the books are so specialized I’m often either the only author in the field, or one of two or three (I write about closed captioning for the hearing-impaired, and I’ve written 17–yes, I said 17–children’s books about animal poop and tracks).
Any of you who took the trouble to tie my posts on different subjects together could have figured out who I am anyway. How many authors own a bookstore and newspaper in rural Montana? Just one, as far as I know.
So, as of a bit later today, my online name is changing from InvisibleWombat to Gary “Wombat” Robson. I’m keeping the “Wombat” in there so that discussions in old threads don’t get confusing. The net effect on all of you should be absolutely nil, and most of you probably don’t care. But if you do care, take a peek at my website. I feel like I’ve made some friends in almost seven years here on the Dope, and it will feel good to just be me, no longer hiding behind the veil of anonymity.
:eek: It’s the books that are for children, jjimm, the books.
Hmmm. Maybe that should be my new .sig
Actually, Shodan, it was a different subject. If I recall correctly, I was challenged on some TV-related stuff, and I actually hold a patent on a relevant technology.
