Allowing username change, is it good?

[tranthidung]

There are two types of names on the forum:

• Username
• Display name

Theymos only changed display name whilst username is unchanged and plays as identifying indicator for each user on the forum. See. If people have some concerns on their privacy and theymos feel fine with their requests after investigation, why do we have to care about it too much?

In addition, only display names are changed after the day users are granted but their past posts if quoted by the others still contain their ex-username (ex-display name, more correctly).

[TheBeardedBaby]

I can say one thing, if there are any good reasons to change your username, you can do so.
Sorry to cause so much trouble to some people, especially to LoyceV and suchmoon. Hope you didn't get headache because of me

[hilariousetc]

It can be confusing and users changing their name has got me a couple of times in the past, but I'm not against it. In fact, I've suggested it several times as a perk for a new donator rank if they ever get implemented (much like VIPs can do so anyway). It can be beneficial as they're are genuine reasons why someone would want to change their name, but it being seldom done is probably unfair to others who don't get the privilege. That's why I suggested it as a donator perk as people can just pay the fee without having to hope an admin will do it.

[Lucius]

It can be confusing and users changing their name has got me a couple of times in the past, but I'm not against it.

I agree that sometimes it can be confusing when one of the more famous members changes the display name, and I have to admit that I was quite confused a few times until I didn't even know it was possible to do so. While I understand that some people have a need to do so for privacy reasons, I still wouldn’t completely agree that changing the name is something that should be made so easy (or maybe I’m wrong in that regard?)

What I would suggest when there is a change of name is that the new name should be followed by the old name, of course written in a smaller font and not too emphasized to be confusing. So at least there would be some time period in which everyone else could get used to or become aware that this is the same user who just changed the name. Of course, those who do that to protect their privacy could be exempt from this, if they could prove it.

[snipie]

I love recycling the same topic with the same ideas over and over, it is really constructive to re-re-read it every couple of weeks.
No offence

Edit: more spam and recycled posts please, thanks.

[Findingnemo]

Now, if someone had business with an user of the forum and came back after a long time, how much confuse will he be? What do you think? Is it a good idea to allow changing username?

If this is the reason then the user who changed the display name or the whole username can create an reputation thread regarding the changes they made so old user can use the search function to find the old member with the new name but apart from this name changes are not necessary for everybody.

[Matimtim]

In my own opinion, having a chance to change username in this forum isn't good because they can probably escape to any accusation  upon their they changed their username.

Example if some user of this forum scammed someone  and after that they got changed their username it might be a little confusing to recognize who's the scammer is.

To remain our identify here as long time user of this forum we must not change our username to avoid confusion to other user's here.


It's just my own opinion about this topic.

[Blank-Head]

Now, if someone had business with an user of the forum and came back after a long time, how much confuse will he be? What do you think? Is it a good idea to allow changing username? I do not oppose it but it seems it may create issue in future.

You are right because changing username is the worst idea and make confused others.
And I have a question,Why anyone have to change his username after registration? Or if he changing it to make others confused ?

I found from unofficial rules about changing username

Q: I want to change my forum username. What should I do?
A: You can either donate 50 BTC to become a VIP or PM theymos asking to change your username (although he rarely accepts such requests nowadays).

Again changing username can influence scamming in this forum.

[Steamtyme]

I don't see an issue with it. I actually wish I had handle it better when I first noticed it, not that I went off the deep end or anything. When the first couple were trickling in this year, or at least the first few i noticed anyways, I was actively and consistently trading with an individual. It tripped me up as I was looking through my PM's to send them a PM to set one up , then I looked at my feedback to link over and that's when i clued into the change. Being impatient I created a reputation thread about it more so to discuss this event than anything.

So for fears of old trading partners just leave accurate feedback, and you should be fine. Doesn't mean the slough of other precautions shouldn't be taken before trading.

That thread brought some of the great benefits to users requesting the name change. Some it was for security/privacy, others it was due to now lucrative employment opportunities available. Not many of us i'm sure gave great consideration to what our forum name was going to be or where being a part of this community could lead us.
This is also a need to request feature that is subject to approval by theymos. So I don't imagine "Hey man, I need to dodge this valid scam accusation" is going to cut it.

[cryptoaddictchie]

~snip

^{In addition to that suggestion of yours mate.}
I think everybody agree that there are some confusion on these cases and some dont mind. What if there is a new added option(for those usernames have changed) in the user's profile section which stated that he changed his username (free or via vip donation) and that portion is  clickable to everybody and set to view the old username of the user.

This option is set to be active for a certain period of time, lets say 6 months more or less, until everybody who knows that user Y changed from X and anyone who have done transaction or deal will not be confuse as if where is X? At least by this, there is a transition and not absurd to everybody. Just a suggestion.

_{It bypass privacy of that user showing his previous username but for everybody concern its not bad addition for me}

[alanst]

Well, if you're coming back after a long period, you can still search for the user in the members search page by the old username that you're familiar with - as tranthidung said, only the display name changes, not the username. The result will be the new display name but, given the fact there is only one result, IMO it's obvious that it's him even though the display name is different.

[Timmzzy]

Within last couple of months, a few users have changed their username. This creates a confusion. For example, today when I check the Spam Buster Club thread, I just had surprised that how can the thread creator be changed. I used to know who the creator is but he is not the one there. For a moment, I forgot that theymos sometimes changes username on request. Now, if someone had business with an user of the forum and came back after a long time, how much confuse will he be? What do you think? Is it a good idea to allow changing username? I do not oppose it but it seems it may create issue in future.

I don't even oppose this either, it will surely bring about more scammers to Bitcointalk forum. Please I think you were to say ANY at this line

if someone had business with an user of the forum and came back after a long time, how much confuse will he be?

[NavI_027]

I used to know who the creator is but he is not the one there. For a moment, I forgot that theymos sometimes changes username on request.

Nah, that guy sacrificed 50 BTC and "VIP" title for the name change: (jk)

Aside from the confusion and threats it may bring, it was so expensive ! This is also one of the main reasons why changing one's name is unnecessary. Imagine how so impractical to spend 50 btc just for minimal changes. Maybe it would be more interesting if it will be in exchange for merits lol. I'm not against luxurious spending but of course much better if he spend it to more purposeful stuff like investing and helping the needy.

[bakasabo]

I can say one thing, if there are any good reasons to change your username, you can do so.

I wonder what could be the "good reason" to change username? Can you give few example? Username is just an internet name. I doubt that someone call you Bearded Baby in real life So changing one username to other is something weird.

I dont understand why even in real life people change names, for example from Jack to Jones. Seems stupid. (Not only if your name is Gaylord "Greg" Focker and you change it to Max Powers)

[Little Mouse]

So at least there would be some time period in which everyone else could get used to or become aware that this is the same user who just changed the name.

That would break the idea if they wanted to change the username for privacy or so. Anyway. I really do not get there could be more reasons to change the username other than having fun.

ANY

It is an user, not any.

Locking the thread.