NathanGPLC on 19/10/2008 at 12:38
Hallo; Nathan Rockwood here, long time taffer, first time poster, etc.
I've been a Thief fan for a very long time, so I've been using GarrettPLC as my username on almost any forum I join for years. It's also my LJ username and is something I use consistently to be recognizable on the web (I'm a game developer who spends time on a lot of different forums).
However, when I registered it here a long time ago (and never posted, I don't think), I didn't really consider the fact that naming yourself any variant of Garrett on a Thief-related forum might be pretty crass.
So before I get too heavily involved here, I just wanted to ask: mods and/or posters, should I get a new username for ttlg? I'm ok re-registering if need be, but it makes life simpler on my end if I can use the same screen name everywhere.
Thanks!
Blessed be,
~Nathan
Yandros on 19/10/2008 at 13:47
There's no taboo against it, although to be honest many who do it seem to be in the annoying 14-year-old crowd. But I think you've managed to dispel any illusions in that regard with your first post, so keep the name!
And welcome finally to TTLG. I'm a SW developer also, although not in the gaming industry.
Renault on 19/10/2008 at 14:04
Actually, I kind of think there is sort of a stigma with anyone who uses a derivative of Garrett. It'd be like naming yourself Gandalf on a LOTR board, or Luke Skywalker on a Star Wars board. I would recommend changing it, since you haven't committed to it too much yet. And you don't need to re-register, just PM one of the mods with the name change and they'll take care of it.
NathanGPLC on 19/10/2008 at 14:12
Good to hear; and thanks for the welcome :-)
I understand about the name, then. In fact, I chose Garrett as a screen name when I, too, was in the annoying 14-year-old crowd (gorramm, that must be more than eight years ago! Crazy talk...); I just kept it and have tried to avoid being too whiny when I discover I'm not actually invisible, even when I turn my gamma correction --I mean--lights all the way down....
I even remember when I made a conscious decision to add PLC to the name in order to avoid just using the name of a video game character.
In more relevance, I should probably add that I've been a lurker here even since before I registered, and I've always been really happy to see that there are still people interested in the games TTLG represents. I haven't played ALL of the ones touted here, but Thief, Deus Ex, and the Elder Scrolls series are all near and dear to me from my early gaming years...
Unfortunately, I have yet to work on a computer game; my game development and writing is all in the tabletop RPG category, ala Dungeons and Dragons---not that I've written for that one in particular, it's not really my favorite... I've worked on the Serenity, Battlestar Galactica, Demon Hunters, and Supernatural RPGs from Margaret Weis Productions, all of which are based on TV shows and/or movies, and which all use the Cortex System, which now is coming out in its own book, separate from those Intellectual Properties, which could be used to run a role playing game in any setting.
Actually, that has a lot to do with why I'm finally starting to post here. However, I'll have to wait a bit more before I can start hashing out details...
Blessed be,
~Nathan
EDIT: Brethren posted while I was typing; thanks for the info, but seeing as I have two conflicting opinions so far I'll wait a bit and see if anyone else chimes in. As I said, I'd prefer to keep GarrettPLC if reasonably sure I'm not really offending anyone, since it's actually a screenname I use pseudo-professionally these days.
BrokenArts on 19/10/2008 at 14:32
Brethen states the truth. You can have the name, you'll just be mocked behind the scenes. Then if you wander into comm chat per say, and make a total fool out of yourself. Then they'll let you have it, and maybe, the name might come up as well.
I've seen posts before and opinions with Thief names are looked down upon. Ironic in a way, but, thats the way it is.
Personally, if you are having doubts, listen to your gut feeling and go with it. I'd change it.
Digital Nightfall on 19/10/2008 at 14:47
As a forum founder and administrator I can assure you that your stay here will go much more smoothly if you do not use any form of Garrett in your username.
If you keep it, be prepared to defend your credibility with every post you make.
NathanGPLC on 19/10/2008 at 15:01
Hah; see, this is why I asked :-)
Thanks for the further opinions; and hallo to Nightfall, one of the folks whose posts I have often read when lurking.
I'll send a PM to one of the mods requesting a name change. However, I hope that it won't be a sore spot for folks who find out that I use GarrettPLC elsewhere. I'm used to defending my credibility, however, so not a big worry there ;)
Blessed be,
~Nathan
EDIT: I attempted to email Gingerbreadman at the email listed in his profile, but got a bounceback saying that it 'failed permanently.' Is there another way to send a PM here? My apologies if I'm being dense.
If he/another mod should see this, the name I'd like to change to is "NathanGPLC".
Digital Nightfall on 19/10/2008 at 15:13
I just told you I am an admin. You could have asked me. ;)
BrokenArts on 19/10/2008 at 15:33
I see NathanGPLC's credibility is already in question. :p ;)
Thor on 19/10/2008 at 16:27
I have it similiar ;) I've used Thief almost everywhere. Here it would be a bit ridiculous. So i chose my second nick: Thor - God of Thunder from Scandinavian (around Sweden, Norway, Finland) mythology.
Your current nickname is probably for the best. Have a good stay.
