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Dennis Nolte - Would an employer really hold it against you that you were asking questions on Stack? Even if you slipped occasionally and asked a stupid question, I wouldn't think they'd hold Stack questions against you. Well, unless it was a pattern of really stupid questions with little sign of improvement over time. That wouldn't be good. But I would think reasonable, earnest questions would be a good thing. I would think a potential boss would be relieved you were aware of Stack. Here I'm assuming an enlightened employer. Obviously that's far from a given!
That's a reason not to conceal your real name so you're not tempted to be a jerk and NOT own it. If someone wants to be a jerk, I have much more respect for them if they don't do it with an online alter ego. I've known mild mannered people who's online alter egos were total assholes. Be an asshole. Own it.
Dennis Nolte - I am not one of those people who leaves their FB profile wide open or something like that as I do realize there are edges where privacy and security overlap. I use a password manager, don't use the same password on multiple sites, and other basic security measures. I think that's the point you're making is that privacy has security implications, right? I figure I mitigate the risk by being on top of things in other ways. The keyword is mitigate. I realize I'm increasing my exposure by using my real name but I think it's a marginal increase...
Dennis Nolte - Good points, all. Thank you. Privacy is a sound reason. I generally figure it's best to put oneself out there even if some questions get a -1 on Server Fault. :-) I'm not super concerned with privacy. Security, yes! Privacy? I'm not super concerned. Should I be? Barring the worse case of a prospective employer seeing a server fault FAIL and tossing your resume! :-)
