My alternate posting name is no secret — neither it nor Swammerdami is my real name — but I'd prefer the connection not be announced explicitly: I don't want to simplify things for future Googling.
Yes, my posts here and there were an experiment!  I wondered which Board would first locate the hidden message and thereby solve the puzzle first. At present I have a bet with myself that neither Board will solve it. :-(
BTW, under yet a third name I have composed and presented a wide variety of puzzles over the decades; some have been well-received.  I've even worked professionally as a puzzle designer.