With the coming Internet restrictions and growing use of the net by LEAs, it's become obvious to me that I shouldn't post messages with my real name. But I have some problems/questions about using a nym: 1. reputation. My nym will need to build it's own reputation, I know. But I currently get offers of work based on my reputation and posts. I would like this to continue. When it comes time to do the work and collect the pay, I need to tie my nym to me. Reasons: only the most adventurous firms would hire someone to do work without knowing their real name. I also need to have the proper forms (1099 etc) filed. I know that a lot of people on the list would say that I shouldn't file taxes, but I am (currently) willing to pay the price to stay out of jail. The other problem (tying the nym to RealName) for employers is more severe. A nym is only good when no one can tie it to your real name. If I have to tell everyone I do work for what my real name and nym is, soon enough people will be able to tie the two that the nym becomes nearly useless. 2. does it (a nym) really help? Police and governments are used to dealing with people who change their names, use fake names, etc. I get the impression that having multiple/fake names is considered by police to be evidence or at least indication of guilt. "If you're not guilty why're you hiding?". Using a nym would at least help with the problem of police or other parties searching through Dejanews/Altavista for my posts for incriminating evidence. But if my nym is investigated for some future crime (fuck Exon) and my nym isn't secure enough to protect my RealName, it will be a liability. Thoughts?