I enjoy the fact that my real identity is not known to the casual reader. I'd hate someone I worked with to read the board and argue with me in the real world about things I may have said in the virtual world. In some ways it offers a parallel universe where it is possible to behave slightly differently to the way one might be expected to behave in the real world.

I think it would be hard to behave in a way which was completely out of character but we all have the ability to play different roles in different groups.

Part of the adventure in life is to be allowed to take risks. I have considered letting my "character" die, so I can come back as someone else but I think I have been around too long now and it would feel fraudulent. On the other hand ....