Hello all,

I had a question regarding your personal identity when blogging. Does anybody here have concerns about the blogging identity interfering with their "day job"?

I've heard stories of companies firing/not hiring people because of their web presence. Does anybody use a "pen name" like authors do to hide their true identity?

Geoff

I've read about that. I wouldn't like to work in this kind of compagny. I think that for blogging, it's better to use your real name.

I don't know many bloggers who use pen names for blogs.

I would never work for people that blame you for saying what you want to say. If they have something to hide, it's their fault, not mine.

As for the pen name, a lot of people use it. Not everyone can buy BobSteven.com.

I think you have a double edged sword. If you think some things that you write might be frowned upon then think twice about what you do.

I work for the U.S. gov, specifically the DOD.

So it is actually forbidden to go on record publicly bad mouthing the government or commander in chief. I do it in forums here and there but on the blog that has my name , I'd never for example turn it into a political blog and post my political beliefs daily. That would be just asking for trouble.

But on my tech blog I happily post any opinion I feel like about the gadget industry using my real name and fear no repercussions.

So the answer is it depends on your situation and blog topic.

That's an interesting point you bring out, if your field will benefit from your real name, then use it. If not, think twice before doing it. Also, I've seen blogs where people simply use their first name and not their last. That could also be something to consider.

Famous case is the US Air employee (or maybe united) She got canned for her dirty pictures.

Check it out on cnn.... the story is there

I used to be in the same position as George. I worked as a contractor for the army until this past August. I don't know about DOD as a whole, but the Army has a policy which mandates that if you have a blog, you need to let your unit know. As a contractor I wasn't subject to this but my husband is active duty Army and he came home last week to tell me that he had to give them the URL of our family blog.

I am my own employer now but I do have a web dev company and if you search for my company but personal blog will come up because I do talk about it. So in a sense, I have to be careful what I write. When you work online, you need to establish some kind of online reputation and its best to try to avoid looking like an (insert colorful word here) if you can help it. I don't always succeed, but I do my best.

I know several people who have completely anonymous blogs for various reasons. I would rather just be careful about certain words I choose then go anonymous.

Thanks for all the feedback...I think I'm going to go the route of using my first name only. I don't forsee coming up with anything so controversial, but until I can pay my mortgage with my blog, I'll choose my words carefully!

Geoff