The answer is: "It depends."
Although I had been writing about technology and computers full-time since 1981, it wasn't until The Complete HyperCard Handbook started selling hundreds of thousands of copies that I'd hear this question at Macworld Expo shows and in on-line messages.

At trade shows, I might be in a crowd of eager showgoers listening to a pitch in a booth; someone would glance at my badge and ask the now popular question.

On-line, it's not uncommon for me to answer out of the blue a newsgroup or special interest forum question from people of all experience levels--when I can give a knowledgable answer. Then the question comes, perhaps because one of my old books is doing a great job as a door stop or table leveler.

All in all, it's very flattering. It's like having fame but without the loss of privacy that movie stars must endure: I can go to the grocery store anonymously and not have to autograph someone's frozen dinner. But at a computer show or appearance, I'm more than happy to sign stuff other than personal checks.

Years ago, I mentioned this question-phenomenon to my Dad. At the next gifty holiday, he gave me a T-shirt that said:

I returned the favor next time out with a T-shirt that said:

Other "Danny Goodmans"
There have been some famous other "Danny Goodmans" apparently.

If you're a long-time Los Angeles Dodgers fan (as a San Francisco area resident, the rival Giants flow through my blood), you may recall a guy who supposedly had the corner on Dodger paraphernalia stores. When my writing and byline began circulating in popular places in the early 80's, I remember being asked if I were that gentleman.

There was apparently another Danny Goodman in Chicago while I was still living there. I once had a call from comedian Morey Amsterdam who was looking for that Danny Goodman out of the phone book. It wasn't me.

And, no, I'm not related to any of the world-famous Goodmans: clarinetist Benny, actor John, columnist Ellen, or singer-songwriter Steve.

My Other Hangouts
Just in case you're one of the few who may recognize my name from places on the Internet not related to computing, I will help you verify your identification.

In my life outside of work, I spend a great deal of time with classical music (which also helps my writing). I favor Beethoven through Scriabin, primarily instrumental with heavy emphasis on piano. I try to play piano, but not only am I not ready for prime time, I'm not ready for 6 a.m., either. The success of the HyperCard book, however, allowed me to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a grand piano--a 7-foot Bechstein. It is the most amazing-sounding piano I've ever played.

I am also an amateur (ham) radio operator, active in DX, contesting, QRP, and little bit of RS-12 satellite work. My callsign is AE9F. The 9 designation is from my earlier days in Chicago. While I have been in California since 1983, I'm hanging onto my 9-call, because it has a good feel to it in Morse code. You'll also catch me doing lots of shortwave and scanner listening. Chances are I'll have a scanner receiver in one of my pockets if we should ever meet face to face.

As if I don't have enough to do, the year 1998 found me rekindling a boyhood hobby of model railroading. This time, however, I went with something comparatively new: the smallest commercial railroad scale available today...Z-scale.

Let's see: ham radio and model railroading. All I have to do now is join the Chess Club, and I'll be 100% nerd.

The rest of my life is even more boring, so I'll stop here.