My official nick used at all times. History:
I think it was like 1996. For the first time I played the game
Diablo over the internet at my friend's computer.
He told me I should have a nickname, so I quickly thought of Tal
Shiar (don't ask me why; maybe cuz he called himself DaTa?)
The Tal Shiar is the secret intelligence of the Romulans, an alien race
in Star Trek. I liked the sound of it,
but too long to call me by, so I shortened it to Shiar.
Later on, I kept using it; and at a certain point I also began to use it
in the programs I made. I'm no longer a Star Trek fan, but I guess it's
too late to change it now. I still like it however. It's also quite an
unique name; just a very few online-people use it, unlike nearly every
other name you can think of (like Mischa). Pronounciation:.
It's pronounced like She are. Not like Shy-ar,
not like She are, and not like Shair.
Shyer
Used by some people who can't say Shiar properly.
AND BY PENGUINS!
Mischa
(Миша Пославский)
My official name-thing in real life. Born with it; not too bad but I like
Shiar better. My criminal name (used at times at AH) is Mischa
P. The whole thing is Mischa Poslawsky, but I don't expect
anybody to say that right (see below ;)
Pavlov
At the Albert Heijn someone once called me Pavlov (I'll listen
to anything beginning with a P.) Since it's easier to say than
Poslawsky, I'm still called this quite often.
Krasnapolsky
One of the more creative attempts to pronounce my family name.
Coincidentally, some hotel
in Amsterdam.
Zwartkijker
Literally blackviewer. The story behind it is that I once turned
off a monitor, and since then blamed for every monitor which didn't work.