Online ID … What’s in a name?
July 8, 2008
Since my return from NECC, I have been giving some thought to changing my online ID. My present online ID for every network I belong to is techforschool. During NECC, it was amazing how many people I talked to who didn’t know me as MaryAnn or even know my first name was MaryAnn. It was weird and I may be thinking stupid thoughts but … I am thinking it would be nice to be able to say, “Hi, I’m MaryAnn” and not “Hi, I am techforschool online”. I have had this ID for years… you know before it was cool to be online with networks. But I wonder with the vast social networking available and leaving my own digital footprint if I need to change to a form of my name.
Here are some options: maryann_s, sansonetti, msansonetti
What do you think?
Entry Filed under: Random Thoughts. .
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1.
Pat | July 8th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I think it should be whatever you are most comfortable with. I grew up as loony for years and even in college, people knew me as that. Once I got online, I became loonyhiker (back when the internet first hit schools). In my professional organization I send emails from loonyhiker so that when I do presentations and introduce myself with my email, everyone has an “aha” moment. My name is what connects me with people (I guess some people call it a brand) so I don’t mind if they know me as loonyhiker or Pat. Of course there are usually more Pats in my field so being loonyhiker sets me apart. So, I say, do what makes you happy.
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2.
Cathy Nelson | July 8th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I kind of like Sansonetti but many will make a clearer name/face association with MaryAnn, so perhaps MaryAnn_S. Just my thoughts. I to once thought about a vague name for SN sites, but finally opted for Cathyjo–not really what I go by, but close. I did make the mistake of using my school name (former school) for my technorati profile, and that cannot be changed, darn it. Of course, no one seems to trust technorati anymore. Well, ther you have it–my thoughts on the matter. Thanks for asking.
@Pat–thanks for sharing the source of your online name at UTC with me. I will never think of the word “loon” the same again.
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3.
MaryAnn | July 8th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
@Pat and @Cathy Thanks for your input. You both have given me something to think about. I am leaning towards MaryAnn_S but who knows…Thanks again.
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4.
Joe Konecki | July 9th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Why does it have to be one or the other? I agree with Pat that techforschool is like your own brand, you’ve worked hard at building that up, and I think you should think about that and honor it. At the same time, I totally understand where you are coming from. So moving forward, what about keeping techforschool, but start including your name where possible? The two “identities” could start to grow and mesh into one, making techforschool almost like a very specific, unique title?
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5.
Dean Shareski | July 9th, 2008 at 1:37 am
The idea of branding is one that we’ll have to spend more time considering. I recently taught an undergrad class and made a reference to tendency of young people to have questionable email addresses (sexychick21@hotmail.com for example) To my surprise about 4 of them had such addresses and I mentioned they may want to look at doing something about that before they enter the teaching profession.
Anyway, I’ve been using shareski along with my blog name for a while and it certainly makes a difference for general branding. As far as for social networks, I’m not sure it’s a big deal. Your social networks are always going to be relatively small in comparison to your overall web presence.
Just my thoughts.
BTW, you left me a twitter reply the other that might be one of the nicest compliments anyone has ever paid me. Thanks.
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6.
MaryAnn Sansonetti | July 9th, 2008 at 8:12 am
@ Joe
Thanks for your input. I am still not sure what I will do. We’ll see.
@Dean
NOT. It always surprised me when I would gather parent emails and see hotmama on the list.
I have only given my questionable email out to potential suitors.
After being at NECC, I am thinking that part of my name would be easier for me to introduce myself. With your ID being Shareski, its easy to find you and I know that is your name. Maybe I should use Sansonetti. Its unique and its my name… I think that all of my networks are eventually grow in to something more with making contacts and maybe I should jump over to an ID with my name now while I am not that known. (assuming one day I will be well known, HA!)
You’re welcome for the twitter comment.
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