Should we be allowed to change our MetaFilter usernames?

August 10, 2002 4:08 PM

Should we be allowed to change our MetaFilter usernames / nicknames? I only ask, because I'd certainly like to change mine, after being ribbed several times for not using British English (because I have 'Brit' in my nick doesn't necessarily mean I'm British). Or would a nick change feature cause lots of problems with people harassing others and then hiding behind new names? Discuss.
posted by wackybrit to feature requests at 4:08 PM (28 comments total)

I would lean towards not changing it (for the reason of hiding) -- but maybe aliasing would make sense. that way your identity stays the same but you could have a nom de plume (sp?).

----Martin----

posted by mlwhall at 4:36 PM on August 10, 2002

Why not just say that the reason you don't use British English is because you're wacky?
posted by PrinceValium at 4:49 PM on August 10, 2002

No, you may only exchange them with someone else.
posted by skallas at 4:52 PM on August 10, 2002

I'll sell ya my old one.

Why not? If somebody wants to buy one slightly used MetaFilter account, email.
posted by raaka at 5:24 PM on August 10, 2002

I want to change my username daily according to a mathematical formula, so as to generate a complex rhythmic pattern of evolving names that won't complete for 10,000 years.

I think I'll apply for an NEA grant for this.

Oh, and a pony, please.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 8:19 PM on August 10, 2002

But wackybrit, you've got the cool origin, the droves of fans, and the secret hideout. You're not going to throw that away, are you?

Besides, if you start calling yourself wackyyank, you'll end up having pr0nhounds at your doorstep.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:32 PM on August 10, 2002

If Matt implements this feature, I will change my nick to Raymond Luxury Yacht, which is pronounced "Throatwobbler Mangrove".
posted by mr_crash_davis at 9:09 PM on August 10, 2002

Smart: Heh heh, my domain expired three days ago. I am totally dropping this moniker. It has been.. interesting.. for two years, but I now dislike it.

Besides, the day that the domain expired, my weblog came first for a Google search of 'best blog ever'.. so I quit while I was at the top.. lol! But that has just changed :-(

Looks like I'll be keeping the nick for MetaFilter and Slashdot though.
posted by wackybrit at 9:29 PM on August 10, 2002

An alias would be kind of cool at least. I signed up for metafilter before I had my domain, so while I LIKE my username, I'd love to have something more... relevant to me. I use the username I'd LIKE here on most other boards/sites already - just here is different. The alias could still just lead back to the MeFi 'number' profile page, including the original name. And maybe a limitation on changing the alias too often to avoid too much confusion - have no idea how this would/could be implemented, but there's my two cents. :-)
posted by thunder at 9:48 PM on August 10, 2002

Wacky, why don't you just start a new account? You could call yourself ThePosterFormerlyKnownAswakybrit. Heh..

Actually, if Matt wanted to, a formal way to do name changes might be a 'kill this account' link, which takes you to the new user registration page and automagically inserts a note in yer user profile about who you used to be. Maybe allowed, say, once a year tops?
posted by slipperywhenwet at 10:13 PM on August 10, 2002

slippery: I could, but then I couldn't display my 1337N355 (leetness, for the uninitiated) with my low user number! ;-) (although I admit it's not that impressive anyway)
posted by wackybrit at 10:53 PM on August 10, 2002

I'd like to change mine too. Maybe Loretta or Linda.
posted by crasspastor at 11:15 PM on August 10, 2002

I am dying to change the appearance of my username. Everyone thinks I'm Jenna K when in fact I'm Jenn AK. When I signed up, I didn't realize that spacing and punctuation were allowed.

But eh...I've been jennak for so long now. No point changing it now.
posted by jennak at 12:00 AM on August 11, 2002

i always just pronounced it jennak, like an alien name. lorvac, klang, jennak...
posted by rhyax at 12:53 AM on August 11, 2002

Mmmm, Loretta.

*slips into reverie*
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:03 AM on August 11, 2002

I completely loathe my nick and would kill to be able to change it. If I had my druthers, I'd change it to 'snarkywench' or even just plain 'dhayes' - the former being my decidedly non-aesthetic domain name, but both are more me than what I'm currently saddled with.
posted by digital_insomnia at 1:06 AM on August 11, 2002

I'd love to have a little space between Miguel and Cardoso, as I too had no idea they were allowed. I don't think actual handles should be changed, though - too confusing. But the opportunity of a little tidying-up would be nice.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:15 AM on August 11, 2002

Moronic usernames should be worn like badges of honour. It's like letting 3-year-olds get tattoos. I mean that in the very best way.
posted by websavvy at 7:23 AM on August 11, 2002

yes, yes.

no regrets here, though.
posted by fishfucker at 9:08 AM on August 11, 2002

The Management could always go the eBay route, and include a "Formerly known as..." bit on the user info page. If the name field were simply changed in the database, the posts the user made should remain associated with said name, which means no one would escape their posting history.
posted by Danelope at 11:00 AM on August 11, 2002

Ooh, ooh! Can we get little sunglasses next to the new name, too?
Not really a snark, just had to make the joke.

Changing usernames and keeping track of them in the system could be annoying, but it will definitely be annoying for the users. Sign-ups are open again. If you want a new one, make one just like everybody else, and start over. Worries about connection to the old name aren't very well-based, as several people who've gone this route quietly have been revealed simply by examining their posts for wording, etc. Other than that, put a mention in your user pages, and anyone who cares will find out soon enough.
If you chose a ridiculous name and now regret it, that's what you get. I like Websavvy's wording on the matter.
posted by Su at 11:27 AM on August 11, 2002

Maybe allowed, say, once a year tops
and only between 03:00Z and 02:59Z-01 on alternating good fridays / passover. except in leap years.
posted by quonsar at 11:44 AM on August 11, 2002

It was my impression that we were identified by number in the system, not by name. Ye old user number? Changing the name wouldn't change what posts are associated with who, becasue they are all tied to the user number. The name is just a display field.

If my guesses about the database are anywhere close to correct anyway. In fact, if I'm right, there's a possibility that changing your name would change the name displayed under every single one of your posts.
posted by Apoch at 12:59 PM on August 11, 2002

The Management could always go the eBay route, and include a "Formerly known as..." bit on the user info page.

Ooh ooh! Can I make my username into a symbol? I want my new username to be in Wingdings!
posted by wackybrit at 3:10 PM on August 11, 2002

†‰† (formerly known as wackybrit)
posted by wackybrit at 3:15 PM on August 11, 2002

I'm for weekly random redistributions of names. I have a pony.
posted by john at 5:28 PM on August 12, 2002

there's a possibility that changing your name would change the name displayed under every single one of your posts.

I'm pretty sure Matt's working his way towards making closed threads static, but for the time being they're database driven.
posted by cCranium at 6:13 PM on August 12, 2002

I want mouse potato

Er, can't seem to get the link show where it should..... so much to learn......mumble mumble
posted by ginz at 12:20 PM on August 18, 2002