Really, my preferred username has undergone somewhat of an evolution as time has passed. I used to be "blue_cowdawg" nearly everywhere until I ran into my first occurrence of that already being taken by someone (cad!). On AOL I am "red_cowdawg" but I don't use AOL for anything but chat. Starting a few years ago I began using "SaltyCodwawg" and on a couple of sites I am known as "Plankowner985".

A special note here: I have also began creating an "alpha mike foxtrot" folder for my wife and offspring listing all the online communities I belong to along with the passwords. This is a sealed document kept where my family knows were it is in case anything untimely happens to me. Good practice in my humble opinion.