??  I have just noticed that I can set up & use an "alias" on TER.  What are advantages / disadvantages?

Advantage:
1) The ladies can use an alias when they want to post an opinion that could potentially damage her reputation and her business.
2) You can use an alias if you don't want your message board posts to be associated with your reviews. A link to a gentlemans reviews appears whenever they post using their username.
3) You think of a better handle for yourself after you've set up your account. Some people always use a single alias, because they didn't use a very creative name when setting up their account.
4) Some people use them for fun, on occasion. In a string where the topic of The Simpsons comes up, for instance, you'll suddenly see Bart, Homer and Marge join the string.

Disadvantages:
1) It's very hard to get to know the players on the board if people don't post using a single handle.
2) People can feel free to be rude or outrageous, knowing that they can simply change aliases.
3) Anyone who posts an opinion that they don't want to be associated with, probably shouldn't be posting that opinion.
4) People can post replies to their own messages, and use it for self promotion, or to cause confusion.

On balance, I don't like aliases. It's a way to hide, for most people, and this board is supposed to be about open cummunication, under the privileage of annonymity. Even when people are having fun with aliases, they often don't know when to quit and it can become annoying or offensive.

-- Modified on 8/1/2002 9:11:04 PM

What about private messages (PM)?

If you're asking, can you send and receive PM's under an alias, the answer is no. Read the thread on this page titled "Do aliases receive emails?" for an explanation.

thirsty