[saber_taylor]

I first tried using my real name back when blogging started (around the same time as Journaling file system buzz on Linux). It was difficult to switch gears from attention seeking.

I "lurk more" when using my real name since I try to use communities where other people are more insightful than me.

Also I noticed a common pattern of "20 questions" when I was using aliases about innocuous Questions Answered Frequently that over time eroded my confidence in my anonymity. e.g. vim versus emacs is one of the 20.

[jonnathanson]

"I try to use communities where other people are more insightful than me"

Those are the best kinds of communities! Maybe that's part of the reason why I use my real name here: this community keeps me honest (and on my toes). I'm not sure whom to attribute it to, but the old quote applies: "If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room."

Let's just say that, on HN, I never feel as though I'm in the wrong room. :)