Netiquette question: Is everyone on Mumsnet anonymous?

[mindthestep]

Is it a kind of unwritten rule on Mumsnet that we are all anonymous? Does anyone either use or reveal their real name/identity?

I understand completely that many people wish to remain anonymous - there is no implied criticism in my question at all. I was just wondering if it would be regarded as inappropriate for someone to join/post as herself?

mindthestep - we have had the occasional visit from well-known people on here who post under their normal name, as opposed to a nickname/pseudonym - but they tend to not hang around with that name (if at all).

It's a good thing if they add positively to the discussion of whatever; and a less good thing if they come on to berate other posters - so less about themselves, and more about their attitude, iyswim.

Does that help answer your question more?

MrsDV - I hope she learnt to cease and desist forthwith!

snice - Someone who's not smart enough to fool you, clearly!
Seriously, would rather not say unless/until I can get this question figured out. Not being sneaky or coy, just a bit insecure, a bit scared of MN - and want to avoid doing anything that might be frowned upon here. IF it seems appropriate (still rather unsure about the etiquette at the moment), would come back under a more suitable name.

Thumbwitch - That's very helpful and makes perfect sense - thank you!

MrsDV - Ugh, I know what you mean! Very worrying when people don't realise that online 'anonymity' is an illusion, and their ill-judged comments could easily come back to haunt them.

It was before my time, but Caitlin Moran posted on here for a while. She used a nickname but did disclose who she was. Don't think there was ever any problem with that. Other well known people have from time to time been mentioned as posters on here but I don't really know if those are just rumours or if the people mentioned did admit who they were as CM did.

I don't really think it's a matter of etiquette per se. It's what you are / would be comfortable with.

We're mostly all adults on here who tend to take people as we find them - i.e. judging them by what they post and not by who they are.

I suppose the only risk of being an incognito celeb is that you might come across threads about yourself. Apart from that, I don't see any reason why you should have to reveal unless you choose to, you have as much right to anonymity here as anyone else.

I'm pretty sure that Erin Pizzey came on here once to answer criticisms, can't remember if she used exactly her own name but we knew it was her. And some bloke whose name I definitely can't remember came on once too, again in response to a thread about either him or something he was involved in. (sorry, babybrain is badly affecting my memory!) Doubtless there are others who I've forgotten. :)

I gave out too much info once...name changed....then did it again....namechanged.....then I learnt my lesson!

Check out my profile, lots of info

Today's Afternoon Play concerns the RL names of a number of posters on a "mothers' chat site".

Play is called Do you know who wrote this?

Thanks NetworkGuy. Soooo funny.

Jon Ronson's wife came on once in response to a thread that wasn't even that critical of him (well, it contained a few critical posts, but also lots of posters saying "oh, I love Jon Ronson").

Gina Ford even used to post (as GinaBabe, I think) waaaay back before SWMNBNgate.

mindthestep, I don't think there's really any MN etiquette on this point. The one thing that is frowned upon is self-promotion, so we wouldn't want poster SirDavidAttenborough starting a thread "Hello everyone, just wanted to let you know that my new series Life Of Platyhelminths starts on BBC HD next week". But if he wanted to discuss nice ham or the politics of P&T parking spaces, or even chip in as SirDavidAttenborough on a thread entitled "Does anyone know anything about platyhelminths?" then no one would have a problem with it.

(I seem to have inadvertently resurrected this thread, sorry)

No. I think you could figure out who I am with a quick Internet search. I'm not bothered about anonymity here as I'm as opinionated in RL as on MN

Bidisha comes on as herself sometimes and I think Laura from everydaysexism and maybe Cath Eliott have as well.