5
$\begingroup$

What are the MathOverflow guidelines regarding using pseudonyms in place of one's real identities? In particular are anonymous/pseudonym users treated differently from users who use their real identities in anyway? In particular, do moderators apply rules more strictly towards pseudonym users?

Also are there any rules regarding using multiple accounts?

Have there been any discussion about these issues before on meta or tea? (I remember I have seen some comments regarding this on meta but do not recall where exactly.)

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ I am not sure if all of my answer is relevant to you, as it is not completely clear if you are asking also about pseudo vs real or only about pseudo specifically. $\endgroup$
    – user9072
    Commented Apr 14, 2014 at 12:23
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ This thread may also be relevant: meta.mathoverflow.net/questions/1113/… $\endgroup$
    – Todd Trimble Mod
    Commented Apr 14, 2014 at 12:52

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
8
$\begingroup$

The guideline was/is in the FAQs (helpcenter under on-topic):

We also encourage you to use your real name as your username. In your own enlightened self-interest, realise that participating in blogs, MathOverflow, the arXiv, and mathematical publishing are all forms of advertising for your "brand", even if that’s not your principal purpose (and hopefully it’s not). Since job applications require you to write your real name, you might as well use it everywhere else, too. Using real names reminds everybody that they are corresponding with real people, and it demonstrates a certain level of personal investment in your MathOverflow identity. If you use a pseudonym and you get into some kind of trouble (e.g. fights in comment threads or spammy-looking posts), the moderators are much less likely to give you the benefit of the doubt.

But, it is also the case that this is really only an encouragement; a strong one, yet it is not a rule.

Moderators, at least some, are on record saying things at least as strong as they give less of a benefit of the doubt for users not using their real identity or are being somehow stricter towards them. And, I feel at least for some this also actually happening; to be clear, in my opinion, it is in no way excessive but still it is sometimes noticeable.

Multiple accounts are permitted as long as they do not interact in any way. (For the idly curious: I do not have any.)

This was discussed many times and is a bit scattered, mainly on "tea."
A main, very old thread is Why not real names? (I believe, but was not active then, when it was created the practice and policy on real names was less clear.)

$\endgroup$
0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .