Send a note to Second Life explaining the problem and ask that the player (?) be requested to change his user name. If he refuses, say you will get a cease and desist order. These things are usually used on copyrighted material, but it might work here and, frankly, the idea that you would be willing to go to the trouble of getting one might be enough to stop this.

Of course, the argument can be made that it is a good faith mistake. After all, there are thousands of John Smiths in the world and probably dozens of characters also named "John Smith".

I'll definitely remember your advice, Vicky., if I need it. Now that I think further, I guess the real question is the state of this guy's faith; is he acting in good faith or bad? I honestly don't know.

It looks to me like my next step should be to go into Second Life, find this guy and see what he's up to. I consider this a problem because I know very little about SL. All I've ever heard is that it's troll-ridden and full of drama... and takes some pretty hefty graphics power to use... which is why I never went there.

I guess what I'm really asking is, what can you tell me about getting on Second Life?

Not a thing, unfortunately. I know it exists, but that's all I know.

However, someone around here has to know something. Do a Journal calling for information.

Okay then, thanks anyway.

You know, I looked this thing up and it is a vast enterprise involving a million players and several levels of reality. It is not considered a "game" because it has not specific goal that all players are expected to achieve. Instead every player sets their own goals. It is literally a second life and somewhat overwhelming if you think about it.

I have enough trouble in my first life, thanks!

Anyway, I just want to check out "Allan D Burrows." There's probably nothing to worry about, but it's best to be sure.

But wow, all the trouble of installing the client, making an account, learning to navigate, finding the guy and probably finding nothing wrong, then getting the hell out of Dodge, killing the account and uninstalling the client... all just in case... but I probably won't be happy until I do.

Sounds like a lot of work, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I suppose it depends if they're literally trying to mimic you and BE you... or if it's just by chance they chose that name. Like, if they're taking credit for stuff you do, clearly that's wrong and needs to stop. But if it's random chance that the name is something they thought they came up with but is really yours... I dunno.

Case in point, I use Kaleb as my SN online in a lot of places. There was a day at my workplace where someone I barely knew called out to me, but called out "Hey Kaleb!" and I instantly went paranoid. I very carefully asked them where they'd heard the name and why they called me that, and they apologized, because they actually mistook me for another coworker. They sorta knew me, and that my name started with a K sound, and we DO have a couple of Kalebs working in the same area, so it was blind chance that they called ME Kaleb. Gave my heart a workout, I'll tell you. There's all of maybe 5 people who call me Kaleb on a semi-regular basis. And he definitely was not on THAT list. LoL

Well, I guess that's the question. Is this Allan D Burrows on Second Life trying to steal my identity or ruin my good fannish reputation, or just live his second life and never even heard of me? All I really know about Second Life is that it's troll-ridden and choked with drama, that's why I never go there. And that it needs some pretty serious graphics power to run the client; I've heard that, too. But it looks like my logical first step should be to go see for myself what's going on before I act.

So I guess what I' really asking is, what can you tell me about Second Life? Particularly, how can I keep a low profile while I check this other Allan D Burrows out?

Well, you could do that...but you could also just state in your profile here and elsewhere that you don't do Second Life, and while you know of someone with that name who's there, it's most certainly not you. Nip it in the bud, if you will. If you disavow the site, and just stay away from it with no connection to it, no matter what that person does, it won't affect you. Even if someone comes up like "But in SL you said..." You can just point at your profile and say "I don't have SL. I don't use it. Whoever that is, it ain't me. That's all I have to say."

I don't do SL for so MANY reasons.. so I'm definitely not one to ask. LoL.

Simple, effective and clever; I like it! Thanks, Kaleb!

No prob. I'd still send a spy to examine them though; if their information, links, email, whatever, are mimicking yours or redirecting, it's time to bring the banhammer. But otherwise, yeah. Plausible Deniability. XD

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt and leave him alone. The odds are good he doesn't even know you exist. After all, in this big, wide world, you are not the only Allan D. Burrows. Admittedly, I'm no lawyer, but I'd think the only way you could get after him would be if he's deliberately impersonating or harassing you.

Oh, I've no doubt that there are plenty of Allan Burrowses around, I've Googled myself a few times. Allan D Burrowses are a bit more scarce, that's why I use my middle initial. Still, there are probably others. And yes, there's probably nothing to worry about.

But I wouldn't be the first person to suffer identity theft, either. You don't live sixty years without making an enemy or two, although I try to be a harmless, little otter. (Mostly harmless. Unless you're a feesh.) Or some troll could have chosen me at random to try to humiliate, I don't make much of a secret of my real name.

To be safe, I really should go and just have a look at this guy. I don't like the idea because all I know about Second Life is that it's troll-ridden and choked with drama. And that it takes some pretty serious computing horsepower to run the client. That's why I've never gone there. It seems that I need to go now. Anyway, I can't see how just looking at the situation can hurt it.

So I guess what I'm really asking is, what can you tell me about Second Life? Especially, how can I keep a low profile while I have a look at this guy?

I daresay Second Life is about as bad as FurAffinity in the troll-ridden, drama-chokiness. If you want to keep a low profile, just act normal. Second Life is a big place, and one little otter acting just like any other new player isn't going to stand out.

I can't tell you much about Second Life because I can't play it. Not out of principle but simply because my internet connection can't handle it. From what I know, it's similar to the MMOSG Furcadia in that you can create your own content, albeit you pay more for stuff on Second Life than you do for Furcadia. Also, it was featured once in the science magazine Science News which discussed how some scientists were using it to explore group dynamics as well as using it as a platform to spread knowledge about science.

Thanks, mate, I'll keep that in mind. You've always been a good friend.

Thank you. Good luck.