I also am not sure why they are used. Possibly a well known frequent poster wants to make an anonomous comment. But one way to tell if it is an alias (I think) is that there is no list of reviews for an alias.

Aliases are easy to identify:

Take the post under Hotel Fire (5 threads down from this thread) and see a post by "A-Hobbyist".  When you click on his post and read it, there is no envelope icon next to his name.  That is an alias.  Now, click on the original post by jill and next to her TER name "sexy1jill" you will see an envelope icon so you know you can email her as this is her normal account.

As to why use aliases, I had a good reason once to use "Shy_N_Jewish" instead of my TER login name "shy":

I posted for some in when I lived in Phoenix but one day a female provider surfaced using the name "shy" around town.  I didn't want people to think I was her so I alias the more descriptive "Shy_N_Jewish".  I switched back ages later after moving back out here. (Didn't I switch back to shy a few months ago or is my mind going?)

I have wanted to use aliases for other reasons a few times.  Usually they were related to the content I was posting (often a joke where the alias/name makes a stronger point in conjunction with the post).  I believe I've used an alias maybe two or three times to defend someone without outright identifying myself.  I try to only attack attackers, not innocents.  Lately I don't care about --- I have an opinion so I post it under my own handle.  I don't care about anonymity very much because I only hobby whenever I'm single so there's no one to hurt or embarrass other than myself if I'm stalked.

Regards,
Shy_N_Jewish (now just shy)

P.S. Check out the "Deputy-Dawg-Alert" below making fun of a probably LE (Law Enforcement Officer) spouting TER lingo like it was normal but appearing to post for the first time (warning bells for all of us).  That's one good reason to use an alias: for lightly mocking police who have better things to do than go after a charitable donation given freely (hobbying) than a violent crime, excessive speeder, or grifters (can you say mutual fund managers?).

Re: First of all, an alias should not be used just to

flame someone.  Having said that, there are some valid reasons to use one:

Google your screen-name and you will see all of your posts on the TER public boards (not reviewer or provider boards requiring special access).  Reviews are tied to your handle, so anyone (wife, SO) can then see who you've reviewed if she somehow discovers your name.  If no posts ont the boards, then a google won't bust you if she finds out the name but not that it's associated with TER.

Sometimes you may want to express an unpopular opinion and not have that interfere with your hobbying if the ladies take offense.  Some say this is cowardly - Bullshit, it's just drama avoidance.  If everyone was rational and reasonable on these boards, then there wouldn't be a problem; but that's not the case, so why have to deal with it if you can avoid it?

Everyone has their own reason for using an alias or not, and nobody should have a problem unless the alias is being used just to flame or attack.

Good luck

My case is a bit different.......................

The way I see it the term alias AS USED on this board is any name other than the one on your TER birth certificate.
For the purpose of this board The name on your TER birth certificate is your "real name" and any other name you use is an alias
As for me, I suppose,technically,  you could say I  have numerous aliases, however since the Followme family is so large I allow my cousins and other family menbers to sign on using my TER log in name then go to their names such as
SantaFollowmeClaus
FatherFollowme
EasterFollowmeBunny
PopeFollowmeLXIX
DrFollowmeOBGYN
RabbiFollowme
DrfollowmeMD
Followmeopolis
to name just a few of my family (there are many others )
So technically these are aliases , however in my case they are all real  members of the followme family.
To the best of my knowledge they do behave themselves.


I hope this clears it all up

Thank You
2008=27