Initial usernames should be perma-locked to avoid compromises [Suggestion]

[tranthidung]

As we know, more and more users changed their usernames over time. I have not been on the forum for too long enough to know all the changes of username-changing process. From what I know of, it seems over many months, username changing requests only accepted in early period of the forum. After that only VIP members and someone who have really convincing reasons will be granted by theymos.

However, recent months, we've witnessed more and more users got granted from admin to change their usernames to new ones. It is their personal problems and desire, so I congratulate them for what they have done.

But there are some things to consider:

• After the old username changed to new one, the former one will be able to reuse by the others
• Are there risks of compromises on former username (scam/ fake/ clone)?
• What will happen with the person who take over the formerly usernames of the others (especially reputable ones, but the question is for all kind of users) ?

My suggestion:

• Formerly usernames should be perma-locked and can not be reused by anyone else, except the initial owners of those usernames.
• If the 1^st suggestion will not be accepted, how about solutions for the person who take over formerly usernames?

I believe the 1^st position can be done if theymos has time to code and will be convinced with my suggestion. I know there is indirect solution for it: Leaving negative trust feedback on such accounts, but it requires community efforts as well as time to do that. In the meantime, who knows scammers can scam some naive people.

Answered by theymos, so I locked it and deleted unnecessary parts. Thank you for the answer, admin.

I am also sorry to people who changed usernames for privacy, not for appearance, if I did something wrong.

[Yatsan]

@asu already gave it a try:

I gave it a try and it seems that their old username is in available for using it again.

micgoossens - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2744287

The problem here is all of the changed username is available again, and this should be solve immediately. Your second suggestion is the best, those members that change their username should be immediately create a new one and name it as their alt account.

Link for recent username changes discussion: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5215892.0

[Jet Cash]

Alias the old user name to the new one. Solves all the problems above, and reduces confusion.

[theymos]

Each user has a display name, which is the only name ordinary users see, and a username, which is what you use to log-in with. Almost always, they are the same.

If I change a name for reasons of appearance, then I only change the display name. The username remains reserved, the user can still login using the username, PMs can still be sent to that username, "search member" allows searching for the old username, etc.

If I change a name for reasons of privacy, then I change both the username and the display name. In this case, it is possibly hazardous to reserve the old username, since it allows someone to test for the existence of that username, possibly defeating the privacy benefit. If you're worried about being impersonated, then simply don't seek to have your username changed.

[Lafu]

As long as i know i guess Donators can also change there Usernames !

[rhomelmabini]

As long as i know i guess Donators can also change there Usernames !

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).

Not to confuse with it but I guess simply "Donator" position didn't have a feature to manually change their usernames, I guess they still have to ask theymos regarding the matter, those that can change usernames are the VIPs that donated 50 BTC way back the early days of the forum. And one more thing VIPs are not just all donators of BTC but been titled as that for their contribution to bitcoin history and the community as well.

Maybe they didn't donate 50 BTC but were gifted the VIP status because of their contribution to Bitcoin and the forum.

Right. I posted about this somewhere when I did it.

IIRC MagicalTux also got VIP without paying 50 BTC because he contributed significant resources in other ways.

[mk4]

Probably usernames of --redacted-- and --redacted-- have been changed for reasons of appearance while usernames of --redacted-- and --redacted-- have been changed for reasons of privacy.

It's funny how some of us actually got our usernames change mainly for privacy purposes, but yet everyone's pretty much just talking about us(our old and new usernames) hence making the change slowly but surely less effective lmao.