When I went to university in 1996 the internet was very new to me. I knew what it was and I knew I wanted to be a part of it, but I had no idea how much it would change the world. My lack of vision has nothing to do with my nickname.
The first thing you need to do on the internet is create an identity, or more specifically… a username. My name is not even slightly unique so neither stu nor stuart were going to work. That’s when I remembered being told that when I was very young my slightly older sister couldn’t pronounce my name properly and had called me Stut.
Tentatively I tried that and surprisingly it was available. I can’t remember exactly what service I was signing up for (possibly Geocities) but that was my first online identity outside of my university email address, which was an incredibly impersonal number!
Stut I was then, Stut I am now. Stut I forever shall be.
Also Stuttle sometimes if Stut is taken. See my entry on Gmail idiots how frustrating that option can be!
Also Stutlet in a few places. Maybe I need a new nickname?