Tech Directions - December 2007 - (Page 12)

mastering computers Reid Goldsborough reidgold@netaxs.com Questions About Online Identity Who am I? Is this real? What does it all mean? These aren’t just questions that a philosophy professor might use to challenge a class of college students. They’re also practical considerations everyone faces in the online world. Should you and your students use a real identity in online discussion groups, on a blog or while instant messaging? Or is it best to manufacture one? Some Use “Handles” In one web discussion site I frequent, one of the posters made the comment, “We use handles online.” Yes, many people use these chosen nicknames. But not everybody. On one recent random day, I analyzed the names used by the 108 people who had logged onto one randomly chosen web discussion site. Most people used a handle that didn’t appear to have any meaning or was some hidden combination of their first and last names with perhaps some extra letters or numbers. The next largest group chose a meaningful handle such as captaincoffee, Dads Stuff, Eagleeye, homevideo, labmom, lostDutchman, Oldman, superbeast1098, TreasureGirl and WildJon. Then came those who used what appeared to be their real first names. The smallest group, just three of the 108 people, all of whom were experts or well known in their field, used their full names. Each approach has its benefits. Depending on the group, it may be difficult to be taken seriously while using a handle like funkypunk. On the other hand, choosing a handle that broadcasts something about your interests, aspirations, or fantasies is a shortcut way for others to peg you. Sometimes using a handle or assumed name is self-protection that preserves your privacy. One example is participating in a discussion group about a sensitive matter such as an infectious disease. Another example is wanting to speak freely about politics, religion, or similar topics without worrying about possible repercussions at work. But cloaking your identity can take on a sinister hue if you create more than one to verbally Parents want their kids to protect attack others and a their identities online to decrease psychopathological hue if you use them the possibility of predators gaining to talk with or defend the trust of a vulnerable, gullible yourself. Such decepchild with the intent of meeting that tive online identities child in person. are derogatively known as “sockpuppets.” some Olympus cameras can give Students often have fun making you a Caribbean tan without your up identities online, indicating their having to step on board an airplane. home town is the planet Jupiter and Pictures that lie have more seriusing a picture of their dog to illusous implications than online dating trate their likeness. Parents want their fudging. The Image Science Group at kids to protect their identities online Dartmouth College has recently to decrease the possibility of predareleased tools that help the law tors gaining the trust of a vulnerenforcement community detect able, gullible child with the intent of photo fraud, and work is underway meeting that child in person. to do the same with video fraud. The ultimate in new reality is Online Fictionalization virtual reality, an old concept that The online dating scene brings its for years has promised a totally own twist to online identity issues. immersive experience incorporating As pop psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothall of the senses. Wearing “data ers once told me in a telephone outfits,” we’ll not only see and hear interview, “There is no truth testing the sights and sounds of the simuonline. No one verifies that you are lated environment but feel, smell, who you say you are.” As Peter and taste it as well. Someday. Steiner captioned his famous July 5, In the meantime, being firmly 1993, New Yorker cartoon, which grounded in reality means appreciatportrayed a dog typing at a coming the differences between the puter, “On the Internet, nobody online world and the real world. The knows you’re a dog.” Internet and computer technology in Those who pretend they’re more general if used wisely can enhance than they are, in words or in picyour quality of life. If not, you’re just tures, typically get their just desa nerd at your computer on Saturday serts when an online relationship night. graduates into the real world. Digital technology makes it easier than ever to fictionalize pictures. Since the introduction of Photoshop in 1990, it and other imageediting programs have let people correct, enhance, or completely change a photo with their computers. Perfect white teeth, sparkling eyes and a face free of wrinkles, freckles, pores, moles, pimples, or other blemishes are just a few mouse clicks away. The latest digital cameras come with built-in features that can do some of this work automatically. Some Hewlett-Packard cameras include a feature that makes you look thinner without dieting, while 12 techdirections ◆ DECEMBER 2007

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Tech Directions - December 2007 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology Today Technology's Past Mastering Computers Is This Op-Amp Any Good? Lab-Built Checker Removes All Doubt Here Comes the Sun! Residential Solar Systems Add Up to Savings Pinhole Cameras—For Science, Art, and Fun! Poster Project Maps Out Design Process Gifts for Geeks E-gallery More than Fun

Tech Directions - December 2007

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