Difference between revisions of "Cybernaut"

A Cybernaut is an astronaut of [[Cyberspace]].

A Cybernaut is generally someone who is at ease within [[Online Game]] communities, [[Virtual World]]s such as [[Second Life]], and other fantasy or role-playing worlds, without necessarily being highly familiar with the history and technologies of the web.

The online [[Identity]] of the Cybernaut will often be ambiguous or multiple. The Cybernaut's [[Username]] is seldom their real name, and is usually a pseudonym or "virtual identity" which hides their [[Real Life]] identity. This façade of anonymity or [[Pseudonymity]] provides a feeling of liberty which easily crosses over into irresponsible behavior such as [[Flame War]]s or [[Griefing]].

The term Cybernaut was formed from the earlier word [[Internaut]], by replacing the first syllables with those of the word [[Cybernetics]]. The [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-internaut.htm wisegeek] website makes a subtle distinction between the two terms, which is primarily generational:

*An [[Internaut]] is someone who took a hand in building the Internet or witnessed its growth, and who is highly familiar with the history of the web and its technologies

*A Cybernaut is someone who grew up with the Internet, and who inhabits [[Cyberspace]] as a native

A [[Netizen]] is a "net citizen." The term [[Netizen]] puts the emphasis more on [[Netiquette]] and responsible web behaviour.