Should users be able to change their username?

Andy Hamilton · Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:45 am

Ok I have had a request from a member to change their username.

Could this get confusing if a trend of username starts, I mean people can and do change their avatars frequently and that seems to work out ok. I was not sure what to say about this one so am putting it to the vote.

baldowrie · Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:53 am

having had a situation myself where by I received attention that was unwanted and turned nasty I think that user names should be allowed to be changed, under the right circumstances.

Wombat · Post: # 60152Post **Wombat** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:08 am

Eww! Fair enough! Not on ssish I hope.....

Nev

the.fee.fairy · Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:28 am

Yes, but...
Can me have a 'Formerly.....' underneath so that regulars know who they were for a while please?

baldowrie · Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:46 am

Wombat

Eww! Fair enough! Not on ssish I hope.....

Certainly not!

Fee, trouble is that if you are changing your name for valid reasons to anounce it will defeat the object. I am sure the person who wishes to is capable of imforming any they feel they want to know about the change.

Cassiepod · Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:47 am

I'm not sure...Why can't the person just create a new user and let the old one die? If it's cos of unwanted attention then I can't see why you'd want a link and if it's cos you've got a new interest/prime focus then it's not too difficult to tell everyone. Surely your number of posts isn't that important?!

Millymollymandy · Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:17 pm

I don't like it unless the name is really close to the original or an obvious one, because I've been confused by people changing their names on forums before and not saying anything about it.

I would have thought if there was a security problem then the admin of the forum should delete or ban the troublesome user, not need to change the username of the person who is having the problems.

baldowrie · Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:29 pm

but it is also easy enough to put the orignal name into a search engine and find the person.......I am not the one who wishes to change my name by the way, just been on the receiving end of some consequences.

Clara · Post: # 60173Post **Clara** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:40 pm

I donÂ´t see why not.

Consider the situation whereby someone reveals something to the forum that for one reason or another they later regret. WouldnÂ´t it be better that they changed their name and continued to be part of the community, than shuffled off too embarassed to post anything else?

However, I think that a change is fine, but users should only be allowed one identity.

chadspad · Post: # 60177Post **chadspad** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:47 pm

Consider the situation whereby someone reveals something to the forum that for one reason or another they later regret. WouldnÂ´t it be better that they changed their name and continued to be part of the community, than shuffled off too embarassed to post anything else?

But if they were a big enough part of the community they neednt feel embarrassed and should be able to tell their friends what the problem is instead of hiding as someone else. I dont like it personally, I see it as deceiptful in some way.

Clara · Post: # 60183Post **Clara** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:11 pm

IÂ´m sure we all enjoy to some extent the anonymity of the internet. I fail to see what harm will be done.

the.fee.fairy · Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:20 pm

I'm afraid i'm with M3, it is difficult to keep up with people if they change their names. I've been on a couple of different forums where people have regularly changed their names and it geets irritating after a while.

Whilst i also agree that there is the possibility of a problem with someone stalking a certain username/causing problems, i'd like to think that on here, someone could feel safe enough to PM one of the mods and explain the situation and the username causing problems so that a decision could be made.

Annpan · Post: # 60189Post **Annpan** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:27 pm

I agree with Fee, I would rather know what their previous name was, it could be attatched for a few weeks then after that just assume the new identity.

wulf · Post: # 60226Post **wulf** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:36 pm

If you change your name but keep your posts then most cyberstalkers will probably be able to make the connection.

I think it would be better to start with a new identity for a number of reasons:

1. If anonymity is required, it is much more likely if the trail is properly cut.

2. If it is just for vanity (someone decides they don't like the username they chose) it doesn't waste the time of Andy and other site admins.

3. If someone really wants to keep a link to their previous posts, they can always add "formerly known as ..." to their signature.

Wulf

red · Post: # 60229Post **red** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:43 pm

how does it work - would it change the name on all the previous posts - just as the avater and signature line changes on all previous posts?

Jack changed his name by starting a new one and we all coped just fine (mind you he might be the one only who starts his posts with 'Ewe jokers')

I tend to agree with Wulf here