October 10-November 1: Change Nick to Real Name [Archive]

raid

10-10-2006, 17:06

We are fortunate to have this wonderful website, and I can see friendship and companionship being formed between RFF members. There is still one step to go to make communications more personal. It is a small step that will not cost you anything; just use your real name [may it be Bob Bob], and remove your nick or use it as your second signature.

I am making this the challenge for the next 20 days or so. By Thanksgiving[USA] time, we can chat with "Bob Bob" in place of "crazyguybecause" :)

Thanks.

Raid

Stephanie Brim

10-10-2006, 17:18

That's easy...it already is.

dcsang

10-10-2006, 17:21

This is sort of "difficult" to do since you can't simply change (at least I can't see it) the username to your real name via the control panel.

If you can, then someone had better point me to the option in the User CP that will allow me to do this.

Dave

Wayne R. Scott

10-10-2006, 17:24

That's easy...it already is.

Same here.

Wayne

dostacos

10-10-2006, 17:24

I refuse :D

SolaresLarrave

10-10-2006, 17:26

Trius

10-10-2006, 17:28

One would lose their post count. NO WAY!!! My Name is Earl, send all royalties to me. Address given via PM.

back alley

10-10-2006, 17:31

easy to put in your sig.

only a moderator can change your 'name', it's not in the cpuser options.

earl, your post count can be 'padded' but the bribe has to be fantastigorical!!!

joe

BrianShaw

10-10-2006, 17:45

Sorry, but I won't participate. There's already one too many Joe's here. Please keep calling me Brian.

back alley

10-10-2006, 17:54

Sorry, but I won't participate. There's already one too many Joe's here. Please keep calling me Brian.

so...your real name is joe...but you call yerself brian?

and my real name is brian and i call myself joe...:eek:

raid

10-10-2006, 17:55

There's no need to do that exactly, Dave (see?). You already put your name as signature. That does the trick and identifies you better. In fact, several members have it that way since a while ago, someone started a thread about identifying ourselves.

Otherwise, sorry to differ here, Raid, but what could I tell my better half about my adventures online? That I chatted with Bob Bob rather than with "crazylegs"? You see my (crazy) point? :)

Francisco:I started thatother thread a few months ago. Yoy are abosultely right about simply using a name in the signature. As long as there is a name somewhere listed, it is easier to address someone here.

raid

10-10-2006, 17:56

so...your real name is joe...but you call yerself brian?

and my real name is brian and i call myself joe...:eek:

Actually, I am not Raid Amin but Elvis Presley.

SteveM(PA)

10-10-2006, 17:57

I've wanted to do this for a long time. Joe, could you get rid of my fake name for me? I'd like it to be "SteveM(PA)". I think the user area says you have to have a "very good reason" to do it. My reason is, I'm tired of living this terrible lie! :D

BrianShaw

10-10-2006, 18:00

so...your real name is joe...but you call yerself brian?

and my real name is brian and i call myself joe...:eek:

No, brian... my name is Joe. :p

raid

10-10-2006, 18:00

People are stepping out of their closets, and they are showing
"Real Name Pride" ! Thanks, Steve. Now I know that you are not langdon auger but Steve.

back alley

10-10-2006, 18:02

back alley

10-10-2006, 18:03

Actually, I am not Raid Amin but Elvis Presley.

thank you...thank you, very much...

SteveM(PA)

10-10-2006, 18:04

Wow thanks, first my inviso comes off, now this. I'm a new man.

BrianShaw

10-10-2006, 18:06

Wow thanks, first my inviso comes off, now this. I'm a new man.
You are a very lucky guy. Forever more this day should be known as your second birthday! Let's celebrate!!

back alley

10-10-2006, 18:06

Wow thanks, first my inviso comes off, now this. I'm a new man.

are you really 37 ;)

colyn

10-10-2006, 18:10

I am making this the challenge for the next 20 days or so. By Thanksgiving[USA] time, we can chat with "Bob Bob" in place of "crazyguybecause" :)

Thanks.

Raid

My sig says it all..

SteveM(PA)

10-10-2006, 18:13

are you really 37 ;)

I am, in fact, a seven-year-old girl. With kidney stones. :)

raid

10-10-2006, 18:15

Stevie Girl: I wish you a quick and total recovery.

back alley

10-10-2006, 18:15

I am, in fact, a seven-year-old girl. With kidney stones. :)

just as i suspected...

raid

10-10-2006, 18:23

Seriously, this would be a big improvement if people added their names as the signature. My name is so strange to people that I have been challenged before whether this is really my name or a nick.

rbiemer

10-10-2006, 18:26

For quite a few years I thought my name was "Dammit boy!" since that's how most of my family called me but I have since found my birth certificate and am using my name here. :D
Rob

Frank K

10-10-2006, 18:28

My real name is Frank! My doggies' names are Jacques & Roscoe.

jano

10-10-2006, 18:33

Changing the handle will lead to intial confusion, utter chaos, and total anarchy! I associate certain handles with the names I see often, but now, for example, who the heck is steveM(PA) ? His picture there under the name looks familiar... :p

Raid, I work with a lot of people with names far more scarry than yours. I'm sure you've come across them as well, there are some very funky ones out there !

SteveM(PA)

10-10-2006, 18:34

Stevie Girl: I wish you a quick and total recovery.

Thanks! They are benign for now. Evil little b@#tards. Uhhh can't think about it anymore. :eek:

Rico

10-10-2006, 18:52

Nicks have their uses. My real name is Mr Luxury Yatch, but that is not how it's pronounced.
:)

DougK

10-10-2006, 19:02

My real name's already in my sig and I use it as my screen name over on DSLRExchange. Close enough? ;)

kshapero

10-10-2006, 19:17

Seriously, this would be a big improvement if people added their names as the signature. My name is so strange to people that I have been challenged before whether this is really my name or a nick.
And the answer is......................?

FrankS

10-10-2006, 19:46

We are fortunate to have this wonderful website, and I can see friendship and companionship being formed between RFF members. There is still one step to go to make communications more personal. It is a small step that will not cost you anything; just use your real name [may it be Bob Bob], and remove your nick or use it as your second signature.
I am making this the challenge for the next 20 days or so. By Thanksgiving[USA] time, we can chat with "Bob Bob" in place of "crazyguybecause" :)
Thanks.
Raid

Raid, this is not the first time that you've impressed me with a great idea. Sometimes you are brilliant! I agree 100%.

FrankS (aka: No! Bad dog!)

FrankS

10-10-2006, 20:04

harmsr

10-10-2006, 20:12

Mine is close.

harmsr = last name, first initial

I always sign my post with my first name.

Does that work?

Ray

FrankS

10-10-2006, 20:16

Yep. User can't change his/her login. Just include your real name in the signature if you haven't done so.

I remember when I first joined RFF, it was a challenge to figure out who everyone was. Back alley was joe, Rover was Ralph, etc.

ampguy

10-10-2006, 20:18

Raid,

I know you are a good person, but I wonder what this is all about. There is no more regard for privacy here than there is on myspace.com.

What you are asking for is unsafe, and unwarranted, IMHO.

Ted

We are fortunate to have this wonderful website, and I can see friendship and companionship being formed between RFF members. There is still one step to go to make communications more personal. It is a small step that will not cost you anything; just use your real name [may it be Bob Bob], and remove your nick or use it as your second signature.

I am making this the challenge for the next 20 days or so. By Thanksgiving[USA] time, we can chat with "Bob Bob" in place of "crazyguybecause" :)

Thanks.

Raid

FrankS

10-10-2006, 20:22

Hmmmm. Unsafe how? Not a full name and address, Ted. Just a real name. (I notice you have a nome de plume on PNet.)

FrankS

10-10-2006, 20:37

It's just my gut reaction not to trust my back to someone not willing to identify himself and/or uses the ghost mode at RFF. TM

jmilkins

10-10-2006, 22:15

I'll go a step farther and suggest our avatar be a picture of ourselves so that we not only know eachothers' names, but also what we look like. There would be greater honesty amongst ourselves then, IMO.

I thought your avatar was your father Frank - which I always thought was nifty because it imparts your posts with a 'wise elder statesmanlike "quality :)

RML

10-10-2006, 23:41

I refuse! :) I use the RML nick everywhere it's not yet taken. I'm not going to change that for RFF, and loose my fab post count too. :D

Stephan

10-10-2006, 23:45

This IS my real name :p

ChrisN

10-10-2006, 23:54

Raid, please keep in mind that some employers take a dim view of persons who spread themselves too publicly across the internet. In some fields this will impact your employment opportunities.

nico

10-11-2006, 00:15

Oh my god, I knew it was going to happen...
Nico is not just a nickname but not even my first name, it's a part of it ; in 36 years it has then become my real name.
So only people who doesn't know me at all call me with my first name; my parents, my girlfriend, my friends and collegue all call me nico, so you can go on calling me nico
I'm agree with FrankS about changing the current avatar with a picture of myself even though I'm not all that beauty :D!
Anyway Raid I think you got a good idea.
bye
Nico

jonasv

10-11-2006, 00:22

joe, if you read this, feel free to change my name to "jonasv".

thanks.

ClaremontPhoto

10-11-2006, 00:26

I trust people here with either a real name as username or in their sigbature. It doesn't matter which.

Seems a bit CB radio speak to talk to 'Wild Horse' or 'Gearhead', so I generally don't.

Pherdinand

10-11-2006, 00:26

Name is just a tag to call each other different than "Hey You!". Sorry, doesn't mean anything to me.
As that, Pherdinand is something much easier to remeber, pronounce, copy etc for an international group, than my real name which would be Józsa Csaba.
I have enough problems in "real life" making supposedly intelligent people to COPY my name and not mix up the ZS combination. I don't need that crap here.

But you can call me Bob Bob if you iwh, or anything else you like, just make sure I know you talk about me.

By the way I seem to remember you came up with the same issue on photo.net awhile ago (where i use my real name...ok almost ...)

PS: and as said above, some of us here are shy guys; we don't want to turn up on Google as RFF users. The reasons might vary :)

Pherdinand

10-11-2006, 00:32

Raid, please keep in mind that some employers take a dim view of persons who spread themselves too publicly across the internet. In some fields this will impact your employment opportunities.

Really? Where? CIA?
Sorry, are you serious with this? EMployers wasting their time on such details?

jaapv

10-11-2006, 00:39

Oh no! Just think about all those members that put me on their "ignore" list!!!

Socke

10-11-2006, 00:45

No, I won't. I'm Socke to my friends and my real name is used by my customers, the tax authorities etc.pp.

markinlondon

10-11-2006, 01:03

I'm markinlondon on all the forums I visit. This was chosen as mark, markb, etc were usually already gone. I am always Mark to my friends except when playing with my band when I'm known as "turn it down!".

Mark

ClaremontPhoto

10-11-2006, 01:05

I always thought you were Markin London. Oh well, now we know better.

markinlondon

10-11-2006, 01:11

I always thought you were Markin London. Oh well, now we know better.

:mad: I've been rumbled....

Mark

sebastel

10-11-2006, 01:13

Really? Where? CIA?
Sorry, are you serious with this? EMployers wasting their time on such details?

serious.
and it's not intelligence agencies only ...

especially companies which are used to use the web, and the number of those increases...

sebastian

rover

10-11-2006, 01:22

joe, if you read this, feel free to change my name to "jonasv".

thanks.

Joe, it didn't work, you will have to handle the updates.

taffer

10-11-2006, 01:39

I kindly refuse, I've grown too attached to the taffer name, plus I can easily type it with one hand only when login in, as I do with the password. It is very useful at lunch time ;)

That said, I now have a photo of myself as avatar, so that I can be easily recognized...

Oscar

Paul T.

10-11-2006, 01:54

google references can hang around for a long time. I certainly wouldn't want everyone who checks up on me to find out how much time I spend waffling on about cameras.

dcsang

10-11-2006, 06:20

Fine.. I did it.. ok.. now I expect everyone to pay me proper respect .... after all.. I added the "Esq." to my title..

Gabriel M.A.

10-11-2006, 06:44

Nicks have their uses. My real name is Mr Luxury Yatch, but that is not how it's pronounced.
:)
I know! I knew "MXYZPTLK" would just get mispronounced, sending me back to the world of macro flower shots and interrupted Florida recounts.

sebastel

10-11-2006, 06:48

dear chang-sang xian sheng （先生） esq.,

while i got no problem to follow your desire to use the title "esquire", i still respectfully would like to know how you verify your claim to be "his royal highness"?

sebastel 博斯安esq.

Pherdinand

10-11-2006, 06:48

I was not kidding.
My name IS what i wrote, and it IS mispronounced misspelled mis-everything whenever possible.

At your service,
dr. Józsa Csaba non-esq. (although we do have an old family emblem)

SolaresLarrave

10-11-2006, 07:10

I do have a story about a job candidate who was googled... and lost his spot on the list. However, in the case I know, the reason was not a case of forum participation, but a rather tasteless website this person had put together.

A few months ago, just for the heck of it, I googled myself... and was surprised to see all the hits from internet forums. But then, I'm a college professor and photography is a very legitimate hobby, so I don't mind.

Pherdinand

10-11-2006, 07:15

greyhoundman - so YOU were the victim on the classic cameras forum on PN? :) sorry to hear

SolaresLarrave

10-11-2006, 07:29

Someone posted your name and e-mail on a public forum?

That's really as bad or worse than posting your phone number. I've seen that done by sellers... who are either desperate or naive.

Sorry to hear that, Dave.

physiognomy

10-11-2006, 07:29

I agree with people who have decided to use their real name (or the one they go by) at the end of their posts... But in the end it all comes down to your own comfort & we should respect some level of individuality. At first when I joined here a good deal of anonymity (at least on the surface) was the norm & I decided to follow that. As time went on & I bought from or spoke privately with other members and got to know their real names/addresses etc they got to know mine. I guess that also helped me decide to be less impersonal/anonymous in my everyday posts on RFF and I agree it helps to build a better 'community'.

As an aside... Which name to use is interesting to me because some of the men on my Dad's side of the family use their middle names as given names... I have not followed this convention myself, but it's a little quirk of my family that has always intrigued me.

I hope you all have a good day!

Peter

physiognomy

10-11-2006, 07:39

Yes that was me....And the person who let it slip is a very nice person. Thought he was doing me a favor. Kind of backfired. :(

I noticed as well... sorry to see that one slip caused you so much trouble... I know what getting a ton of spam dumped in your inbox is like & it is no picknick! Hope the new address sorts it out.

Peter

NIKON KIU

10-11-2006, 07:50

I was not kidding.
My name IS what i wrote, and it IS mispronounced misspelled mis-everything whenever possible...(although we do have an old family emblem)

You think you got it bad?
Kiu(pronounced Q) is short for Kiumars....how many of you people think you can pronounce that?
Kiu

dcsang

10-11-2006, 07:52

raid

10-11-2006, 09:12

I'll go a step farther and suggest our avatar be a picture of ourselves so that we not only know eachothers' names, but also what we look like. There would be greater honesty amongst ourselves then, IMO.

Frank: You don't know how often in the past I thought that your avatar was a personal photo of yourself. Later on I found out that you were much younger and the avatar is a [beautiful] photo of your Dad. He looks very distinguished, by the way.

I realize that posting the full name may be too much, but listing the first name is sufficient.

Raid

raid

10-11-2006, 09:13

And the answer is......................?

All you need is to google my name.

raid

10-11-2006, 09:14

raid

10-11-2006, 09:15

Raid, please keep in mind that some employers take a dim view of persons who spread themselves too publicly across the internet. In some fields this will impact your employment opportunities.

Chris: A last name is not needed here. I know you as "Chris", and this is fine.

raid

10-11-2006, 09:21

I don't mind sharing with you this funny incident that is relevant to what is being discussed about googling someone.

I was called in to a deposition as an expert witness in a law suit. The lawyer of the defendant had googled [at that time it may have been before Googlre.com]me and discovered that I was an acitive photographer, but he did not find me a Professor of statistics. His first question to me was to swear that my Vitae was correct!

Gid

10-11-2006, 09:26

My real name is Gid but I have been called many things - mostly by irate ex -wives.:mad:

Gabriel M.A.

10-11-2006, 09:32

Ok, there it is. Let's see if they recognize me on the street or at World Company.

robert blu

10-11-2006, 09:35

yes, my name is robert and I'm the one in in the avatar !

ampguy

10-11-2006, 09:41

I have to admit Raid, your name is unique!! First few months I was here, I thought your username had something to do with storage technology, and maybe you were educated in Calif., therefore the mis-spelling of "admin" :p

I don't mind sharing with you this funny incident that is relevant to what is being discussed about googling someone.

I was called in to a deposition as an expert witness in a law suit. The lawyer of the defendant had googled [at that time it may have been before Googlre.com]me and discovered that I was an acitive photographer, but he did not find me a Professor of statistics. His first question to me was to swear that my Vitae was correct!

Jamie123

10-11-2006, 10:05

My real first name is Jean-Marc (I'm not french, though) but Jamie is a nickname most people call me by. I actually don't pronounce it "jay-me" but more like Jean-Mi (with french pronounciation).

raid

10-11-2006, 12:41

I changed my nick from full name to first name today. Thanks Joe!
As you see, I am learning from the experiences of others here.

Gabriel M.A.

10-11-2006, 12:43

Suddenly I forgot your last name, Raid. ;)

Gabriel M.A.

10-11-2006, 12:45

My real first name is Jean-Marc (I'm not french, though) but Jamie is a nickname most people call me by. I actually don't pronounce it "jay-me" but more like Jean-Mi (with french pronounciation).
You mean more like "J'en mis"? Salut.

BrianShaw

10-11-2006, 12:50

Suddenly I forgot your last name, Raid. ;)
Raid... you may have lost half of your credability :D

Silva Lining

10-11-2006, 13:08

I like my screen name - I've used it for years on all internet forums... anyone who follows a link I post to my pbase site can find out my real name. It's not hidden or a secret. I'm just always Silva on forums. The reasons for the name Silva Lining are another story!

Jester_rm

10-11-2006, 13:58

Silva...that's almost the same as me...I've been Jester_rm, jesterrm, Jester (if not already taken) or just Jes for so long now, going on...er...how old is this internet thing again? That's just how I automatically relate online. Many of my friends that I've met first online just continue to call me Jes, that's fine by me.

In the internet world, I actually prefer it...it's a name I chose for myself for my own reasons...no real reason not to stick with it now :)

Jes

Trius

10-11-2006, 14:09

While not a giant, Dave is taller than me (most people are), so I have no poblem with the highness bit. And he has an M7, so that's roytalty in my book.

Trius

Al Patterson

10-11-2006, 14:24

Hmm. Since I use my real name, can I change it to a nickname for a while?

raid

10-11-2006, 14:31

Suddenly I forgot your last name, Raid. ;)

Gabriel: Think of "Idi" .... and you may recall my last name. It now is a secret.
I must be firm.

Raid

ampguy

10-11-2006, 14:34

I never made that connection Raid, but do recall when Idi was in the news a lot.

I just realized that Tim Allen, the actor, has a real name of Tim Allen Dick. So there's possibly some benefit to shortening a name!

Gabriel: Think of "Idi" .... and you may recall my last name. It now is a secret.
I must be firm.

Raid

raid

10-11-2006, 14:38

This reminds me of the Fokker Family!

ampguy

10-11-2006, 14:57

excellent flick!

This reminds me of the Fokker Family!

steamer

10-11-2006, 15:09

My handle is not something like Angrymanwithacamera, but Steamer. My parents named me Steven but my friends have called me Steamer for many years now, so if you don't mind I'll stick to Steamer.

Jamie123

10-11-2006, 15:17

You mean more like "J'en mis"? Salut.

Yes, exactly! :)

FrankS

10-11-2006, 17:29

I had to Google that, Blake. I'm glad you were jsut kidding! :)

amateriat

10-11-2006, 19:54

Gabriel: Think of "Idi" .... and you may recall my last name. It now is a secret.
I must be firm.

Raid Raid, that's the last reference that would come to my mind when thinking of your last name!

As for a nom de plume, I'm rather fond of mine (I've had it prior to my introduction to the 'Net), so it stays. My real first name is always in my sig, and you even get a pic of my mug for an avatar. That's full-enough disclosure, methinks.

- Barrett W. Benton, Gent.

Gabriel M.A.

10-11-2006, 20:00

I hereby christen Frank to be further refered to as "The Canuck Pendejo"
:eek: oh, my. I hope you guys are buddies. The relationship between two people changes the "degree" of the word when used to address one another, you know.

I first laughed, but a guilty laugh. I hope you guys are buddies. Right? Right?

Nick R.

10-12-2006, 05:39

Raid, One of my best friends has the same first name as you, so your name sounds as familiar to me as "john" or "Michael".

As far as avatars go, if an avatar is supposed to be a metaphor for one's personality, I'd rather play it straight and post my own picture.

Socke

10-12-2006, 07:43

:eek: oh, my. I hope you guys are buddies. The relationship between two people changes the "degree" of the word when used to address one another, you know.

I first laughed, but a guilty laugh. I hope you guys are buddies. Right? Right?

At least it is clearly not the meaning from Chile with the canook added and it can't be the female meaning since Frank is a male name :)

Rafael

10-12-2006, 09:23

OK, I'll play along. I usually use my middle name online (so I have actually been using my real name). But amongst friends, I am happy to be known my first which is Marc. I answer to either.

FrankS

10-12-2006, 10:07

OlProfBear

10-13-2006, 00:21

Well ...

I'm not a frequent poster here, so I don't think it'll make much nevermind, but, hey, that is my picture there in the avatar ...

Growf!

Oh, and I really was a professor for a few years ... and I'm on Social Security now ... so that's at least two out of three ...

rxmd

10-13-2006, 01:04

No, brian... my name is Joe. :p
__________________
Brian
We worship you, O'Brian, who are Lord over us all. :angel:

Philipp

Marc-A.

10-13-2006, 01:16

Raid, One of my best friends has the same first name as you, so your name sounds as familiar to me as "john" or "Michael".

Can I copy your reply, Nick, cause it's the same here?

Raid, One of my best friends has the same first name as you, so your name sounds as familiar to me as "Jean" or "Michel".

BTW, my first name is Marc-Antoine, family and friends call me Marc, people call me Marc-Antoine and my signature at the bottom of letters si always Marc-A. I have another name, which I keep secret if you don't mind (if you really want to know Raid, send PM ;) ); so do I with my last name.

Have a good day,

Marc

Mister_Hat

10-13-2006, 02:09

I don't post much (long work hours) but when I found this forum and signed up, I discovered there was already a member here with the same name (first and last) as mine. I adopted a nickname to avoid confusion.

JeffGreene

10-13-2006, 02:35

I yam who I yam!

raid

10-13-2006, 11:49

gb hill

10-13-2006, 18:33

me too!!! just abbreviated... :)

Gabriel M.A.

10-23-2006, 16:23

I yam who I yam!
I bee who I bee ;)

raid

10-28-2006, 18:23

It's still October, so if you want to announce your first name,this will be a good time to do so.

Raid

Simon Larbalestier

10-28-2006, 21:28

Simon

Larby was my school nickname

My family name was too long to register when joining RFF!

raid

10-29-2006, 10:14

Simon,

You have your family name listed under your user name. You have it all!

Raid

MoTR

10-29-2006, 10:22

I wouldnt mind having my motr changed to my real name lol.

Hi all Im
Jay Gannon from the green island soon to be of La La Land :)

titrisol

10-29-2006, 10:34

no can do, sorru

We are fortunate to have this wonderful website, and I can see friendship and companionship being formed between RFF members. There is still one step to go to make communications more personal. It is a small step that will not cost you anything; just use your real name [may it be Bob Bob], and remove your nick or use it as your second signature.

I am making this the challenge for the next 20 days or so. By Thanksgiving[USA] time, we can chat with "Bob Bob" in place of "crazyguybecause" :)

Thanks.

Raid

jody

10-29-2006, 11:06

Jody is my real name.

Jocko

10-29-2006, 11:21

Ah, but what's a real name? I've been "Jocko" for 32 years: feels real to me!

Ian ( :) )

darkkavenger

10-29-2006, 11:37

what? I think I've already my real name under my nick ;)

raid

10-29-2006, 13:33

Massimiliano: Yes, you do. Thanks for doing so.

Raid

Didier

10-29-2006, 13:43

Flyfisher Tom

10-29-2006, 14:01

Tom is my real name

Flyfisher is my avocation, my passion, my religion :)

raid

10-29-2006, 14:10

Raid
Most call me Deed but my nick is my real name. Add Charles as my second name if you cant speak out Didier (it's french and has nothing to do with the german name Dieter). But Ludwig is a german name, used as first and last (last in my case). Cheers!
DEED

Didier "Deed" Charles Ludwig: Thanks, Deed! A first name or nick will always do. It's only made-up usernames that can be a problem sometimes in communications, but I respect the wishes of individuals to stay anonymous.

Are you originally from the area between France and Germany?

Raid

Didier

10-29-2006, 14:25

Are you originally from the area between France and Germany?
Raid

If you mean Alsace, no. I'm swiss, my Ludwig forefathers left southern germany during the 30-years-lasting-war in the 17th century. My father, from whom I have the german last name, grew up in the french speaking part in western Switzerland, moved to the german speaking part before my birth (but refused to speak german the rest of his life). It's my mother, from the german speaking part but speaking french perfectly, that had chosen the french name Didier. French is my mother's tongue but as many here I am 100% bilingual (or tri- if you count english in).

Sounds complicate but is just typical swiss... mind we have also italian and rhaeto-romanic (not familiar with romanian) speaking parts...

Cheers
Didier

raid

10-29-2006, 14:35

Didier: Thanks for the clarification. I grew up as a child in Germany, and this allowed me to visit many European countries then, which Iater on visited as an adult. I have a good friend in Ruetli (close to Germany), and I have visited Swizerland several times.

Regards,

Raid

telenous

10-29-2006, 14:39

Great idea Reid: Lets call it 'The Game of the Name'.

You know my first name - it is not the name I was christened by but it's what everyone who knows me (my friends, my mother, everyone) calls me. My username is just a hanger for the fact that I am a mind ('nous') from a distance ('tele').

Best,

Socke

10-29-2006, 14:54

I'll stick to Socke, that's what my friends and family call me. If this is not good enough for this forum, too bad.

Laurence

10-29-2006, 15:22

Laurence is the given name. I go by either Larry or Laurence depending on how "formal" things are...:)

raid

10-29-2006, 15:26

Socke: A real nick name is a "name" after all. I am not a judge in this issue, but this is simply a request to those who don't mind using a real first name or like in your case, a real nick, Socke.

Raid

John Rountree

10-29-2006, 17:27

Shortly after I signed up I sent the moderators an e-mail asking if I could change my somewhat flippant screen name to my real name. I told them my real name, my screen name and asked them to make the change for me or tell me how to make the change. I never got a response.

raid

10-29-2006, 17:52

B. Czar: Maybe one of the moderators will see this comment here. I sent Joe one pm recently to change my nick t omy first name only. He did the change within the hour.

Raid

Xmas

10-30-2006, 10:26

Xmas is what I write on Xmas cards and seasonal gift tags I accept it is a bit strange but hardly confusing... Some people use it as a nick name when they want to tease me...

Noel