Changing usernames?

[Joe Blow]

Every now and again an ASF member comes to me and asks that their username be changed. There are occasionally some genuine reasons for doing so - sometimes people accidentally enter their email address or real name in the username field during registration. Usernames, after all, are an alias or a nickname and I can understand why under those circumstances they would want them changed.

Then there are those who wish to change their username because they are tired of the old one. This is the issue that I wish to ask the opinions of the ASF membership today. As the forum gets busier I can only imagine that people asking to change their usernames will be happenening more and more so I want to develop a clear policy on it for the future.

There are a couple of particular areas of confusion that allowing the changing of usernames could cause:

1. General confusion about who is actually who, especially as the forum grows and the amount of members increases.
2. When a username is changed, the old 'quoted' parts of posts where it says 'Originally posted by Joe Blow' remains as the old username rather than the new one. Obviously the more posts a member had before having their username changed the more of an impact this will have.

So could everyone please vote in the poll and let me know how you feel about the issue of members changing usernames. I would appreciate your feedback.

 

[juddy]

Hi Joe, Maybe they could have 'formerly known as .....' as their signature next to their avatar for a period of six months, not enforced, but just an honour system.

 

[Sean K]

Hi Joe, Maybe they could have 'formerly known as .....' as their signature next to their avatar for a period of six months, not enforced, but just an honour system.

Good idea, but enforced for maybe 3 months would seem reasonable.

 

[dubiousinfo]

Hi Joe,

I assume they would have to go through you to change their name. Maybe you could have a list of some sort. Just a thought.

 

[tech/a]

EG
The duck--nee tech/a

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

Hi Joe,

I personally feel that it is ok because:

1. Most won`t do it.
2. Some reference can be made to the old name in the signature.

Your judgement is always appreciated.
Regards
Snake

 

[Happy]

I would say no, unless justified.

Then it will be up to your judgement to decide and not blanket right to make your life even busier.

Reference to old name should not be necessary in case if it is sensitive information we are talking about.

 

[anon]

Yes, but put a limit on it - maybe only one change per annum.

anon

 

[Happy]

Another comment.

Maybe user name and or password should be sent back for final confirmation.

Then E-mail address or any other unwanted sensitive information can be safely removed before final commitment is made – similar to order confirmation – just a thought

 

[noirua]

Perhaps a member could change their username and have the old name added, alongside, for a certain period of time. They should contribute $10 to ASF for the extra work involved.

 

[Julia]

I've voted "No". However, if some extraordinary reason was provided, then I'd be happy for your judgment on that, Joe.

Joe, perhaps you could take this opportunity to clarify the situation regarding banned members. viz. "Krisbarry" was banned. After some while "Stop the Clock" appeared. Despite a marked similarity in posting style, it didn't occur to me that Krisbarry was back, until Tech-a pointed it out. So I guess I'm wondering why the same person was banned but allowed back with a different user name?

If someone who has been banned is in fact allowed back, then I'm sure we are happy to trust your judgment on that. An announcement should probably be made to the forum that this is happening. What I don't like is someone who was banned being allowed back as a "new member".

Julia

 

[dutchie]

G'day Joe

I voted yes, but only changed with your approval.

It should also be recorded or noted so that other members are aware of the change.

Cheers

Dutchie

 

[Joe Blow]

Joe, perhaps you could take this opportunity to clarify the situation regarding banned members. viz. "Krisbarry" was banned. After some while "Stop the Clock" appeared. Despite a marked similarity in posting style, it didn't occur to me that Krisbarry was back, until Tech-a pointed it out. So I guess I'm wondering why the same person was banned but allowed back with a different user name?

If someone who has been banned is in fact allowed back, then I'm sure we are happy to trust your judgment on that. An announcement should probably be made to the forum that this is happening. What I don't like is someone who was banned being allowed back as a "new member".

Hi Julia,

Thanks for your feedback.

Very occasionally banned members re-register without my knowledge and that was the case initially with Kris. It happens very infrequently and my policy is, once a re-registration of a banned member is discovered, I assess each situation on a case by case basis.

The reason someone is banned from ASF is almost always because of their behaviour. In Kris's case it was not just incessant ramping but a massive tantrum he had on the forums in November last year. He subsequently re-registered without my knowledge and began posting as Stop_the_Clock. Eventually I realised it was him but his posting style had changed somewhat and the reasons he was banned initially were no longer there. On that basis, I decided to give him another chance to prove he could become a constructive member of the ASF community. I am a bit of a sucker when it comes to giving people second chances. However, in this case Kris has managed to behave himself and do the right thing.

The reason I didn't make him revert to the banned 'Krisbarry' username was for two reasons. By the time I had figured out it was him he had made a reasonable amount of posts under the username 'Stop_the_Clock' and I didn't want to delete that username and posts. Also, as Kris (and many others) know the username 'Krisbarry' is infamous on some of the other stock forums (one in particular) for his incessant ramping. He is well aware that sort of thing wont wash here at ASF and I felt at the time that letting him have a new start with his new username was probably the best option. The old one had somewhat of a stigma attached to it.

The reason why I haven't made any formal announcements about banned members getting a second chance and returning to ASF is because I can count on one hand how many times it has happened and still have fingers left over. Those who are allowed back know they are on probation and must behave themselves, because there are no third chances.

Hope that clarifies things.

 

[The Mint Man]

I think you should be able to change your name if you wish, however the final decision is up to you.
having said that, if you dont let people change their name then you will be left with a number of un used accounts as they will simply register another.

I think the idea of putting an old name in the signature is a good idea but should be taken one step further, instead putting it next to the avatar. possibly up to 6 months - 1 year, what ever you see fit. At least then it is straight next to the 'new' name and can be easily seen when looking at that area and if it is there for quite a while then we will have more then enough time to adapt.

cheers

 

[Julia]

Hi Julia,

Thanks for your feedback.

Very occasionally banned members re-register without my knowledge and that was the case initially with Kris. It happens very infrequently and my policy is, once a re-registration of a banned member is discovered, I assess each situation on a case by case basis.

The reason someone is banned from ASF is almost always because of their behaviour. In Kris's case it was not just incessant ramping but a massive tantrum he had on the forums in November last year. He subsequently re-registered without my knowledge and began posting as Stop_the_Clock. Eventually I realised it was him but his posting style had changed somewhat and the reasons he was banned initially were no longer there. On that basis, I decided to give him another chance to prove he could become a constructive member of the ASF community. I am a bit of a sucker when it comes to giving people second chances. However, in this case Kris has managed to behave himself and do the right thing.

The reason I didn't make him revert to the banned 'Krisbarry' username was for two reasons. By the time I had figured out it was him he had made a reasonable amount of posts under the username 'Stop_the_Clock' and I didn't want to delete that username and posts. Also, as Kris (and many others) know the username 'Krisbarry' is infamous on some of the other stock forums (one in particular) for his incessant ramping. He is well aware that sort of thing wont wash here at ASF and I felt at the time that letting him have a new start with his new username was probably the best option. The old one had somewhat of a stigma attached to it.

The reason why I haven't made any formal announcements about banned members getting a second chance and returning to ASF is because I can count on one hand how many times it has happened and still have fingers left over. Those who are allowed back know they are on probation and must behave themselves, because there are no third chances.

Hope that clarifies things.

Thanks for that, Joe. Entirely reasonable.

Julia

 

[Joe Blow]

Am looking for more votes on this poll to get a feel for members views on this issue.

If you haven't already voted could you please do so. Thanks!

 

[Prospector]

I voted no, because changing user names shouldnt be an easy/automatic thing for posters to be able to do by themselves. If you did allow it though, as Snake and others mentioned, a trailing history would be helpful.

Having said no, I am thinking I should change my name to something less, well, male and boring. I gave myself that name then decided I would have a bit of fun with the avatar etc. And except for my piccy, people think I am male!

My partner says I am too indecisive, but I think its just that I can't make up my mind

 

[wayneL]

I voted yes, but with the provisos mentioned above, and on a case by case basis. But it shouldn't be encouraged.

The $10 admin fee could be a good idea too.

 

[rozella]

I have not voted because my answer is yes & no. I think to change your name you must have a good reason. I changed my name from don.w to rozella on another forum a couple of years ago, because the administrator asked all members to have all details updated.....email address etc. The system would not allow me to & I went around in circles not allowing me to do so as don.w was already a registered name.....so my name was changed to make it work.

I think it is up to you Joe to treat each case individually, with no argument on what you decide.

 

[brisvegas]

NO

............... bris

same name everywhere