TO, like many forums and unlike this one, has registered user names. So even though almost everyone chooses to use an alias, it can be tracked and usually represents only one person (or one email...it can still be spoofed via multiple email accounts, of course). Personally, for a number of reasons, I think it is frankly dumb to use real names on forums such as these and it has nothing to do with "hiding" behind an alias so you can troll to your heart's content...it is just a bad computer security package to use your real name on public forums like this one. It can be the initial key to identity theft, or just getting the wrong person PO'd, and he can trace you in real life(cue the banjo music next time I end up in Skykomish).

I use the same handle, or variation when it is taken, on every forum. If a mod wants to get hold of me, or kick my butt off, he can, he has my info. Cascade Hiker/Sky Foamer doesn't, and thank God for that. So I don't have to chase him down in my Black Helicopter.