About name changes...

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Something I've noticed in my time here (apparently about a month online ) is that, people change their names a lot. And I mean a lot. Now, this wouldn't be a problem, except so many people change their names a lot that it gets harder and harder to remember who is who, and checking profile name histories frequently becomes annoying. Those whose names tend to retain similarities when they change, are easy to identify. But when somepony changes their name in entirety, as well as gives themselves a new avatar and signature, it becomes harder to tell who they are. Now, mind you, I'm not pointing fingers here, or trying to be hurtful to anypony. I'm just bringing up a point.

 

I propose a solution to this dilemma: Reduce the amount of name changes a month from 3 to 1. The ability to change one's name isn't the problem: It's the frequency in which some members choose to do so. Having a stricter limit would make members think twice before changing their name on a whim, making it easier for the rest of us to know who is who.

 

I have gone ahead and included a poll, for what it's worth.

[Fizz. 1,078]

Does it really bother you that much if someone is changing their name? Honestly, these forums are strict enough as is. Can't we allow the members to have some fun?

 

Also, changing avatars confuses people too. Should we limit the avatar changes?

[Vicke 3,189]

I totally agree with this.

And it might finally get rid of all the ''JOIN THE HERP REBELLION''

[Tom 891]

Agree'd, another way to help lessen any confusion is to list old names in one's signature.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

It doesn't matter to me personally. The more well-known users usually are still known despite the name change. Reducing name changes takes away from those fun, spontaneous moments of the site when everyone changes to whatever the fad is. I can see how it can be annoying when people change too often, but it's up to the users themselves. If they want to be recognized and known, it's in their best interest to keep their namesake relatively consistent.

 

At least I keep the core part of my name (XFizzle) whenever I do change so you can still tell who I am at a glance.

Edited June 18, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Fizz. 1,078]

I totally agree with this.

And it might finally get rid of all the ''JOIN THE HERP REBELLION''

 

Why is that so bothering to you?

 

 

Honestly, it's a PONY forums people. Lets not take everything so seriously. If someone wants to change their name a dozen times, who cares if they do?

[NavelColt 22,880]

I see pros and cons to both, so I shall sit up here with Lyra on the fence.

 

One thing I will say, is that if a one name change a month rule was put into place, there should be a fail-safe in which someone can freely ask their name to be changed back to their previous user name, and it should not count as a change. I don't know if I am the only one, but when I change my name, I always go back to my original, so it would just be a nice thing to have for those who don't plan on permanently staying as what they are for that month.

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

Does it really bother you that much if someone is changing their name? Honestly, these forums are strict enough as is. Can't we allow the members to have some fun?

 

Also, changing avatars confuses people too. Should we limit the avatar changes?

 

When people frequently change their names, it creates annoyance for others. It creates problems with remembering who is who, which is confusing to some of us.

 

And avatars are different, because they're just an image under the name. The identity is still there.

[Tom The Diamond 1,830]

I don't see why, if some people do complete name changes, it's their job to inform others of it. I don't see why everybody should lose out if only some*I hardly ever see anyone do major name changes where I was confused, and never have I been confused for over a day about ones identity* are doing it.

[Fizz. 1,078]

When people frequently change their names, it creates annoyance for others. It creates problems with remembering who is who, which is confusing to some of us.

 

And avatars are different, because they're just an image under the name. The identity is still there.

 

If someone changes their name to something SO different you can't even recognize them, how would you be able to tell? If John changes his name to Steve, how can you even tell it's John? Does it make any difference if his name history goes from John, to Steve, to Carl? You won't know either way.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Leave it in the users' hands (hooves) if they want to be remembered and known by having the same name for long periods of time. If they want to change their name every 30 days, then they shoulder the risk of people not knowing who they are.

 

Less administration intervention! More power to the people!

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

If someone changes their name to something SO different you can't even recognize them, how would you be able to tell? If John changes his name to Steve, how can you even tell it's John? Does it make any difference if his name history goes from John, to Steve, to Carl? You won't know either way.

 

Say you need to send a message to Sam. You go on the forum, and can't find Sam. How do you know who Sam is. Is Sam Joe now? Bob? Marceline? Batman?

 

I'm not complaining about all name changes. Only excessive ones.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

What's so bad about three username changes?

 

It doesn't cause much confusion. Those of us who change our usernames very often almost always change it to some sort of variation of our original username.

 

The only one who cause confusion when they change usernames are the obscure members no one knows of, thus the confusion is kept at a minimum.

[Ezynell 2,037]

Reducing name changes takes away from those fun, spontaneous moments of the site when everyone changes to whatever the fad is.

 

^This^

[Finesthour 7,287]

Nopenopenopenope.

 

I go against this thread 100%.

 

There are strict rules in place so people can enjoy the site.

 

I refuse to believe that someone is going to strip away our rights to have fun.

 

It is our name, we can change it as much as we please.

 

It isn't yours, so why complain?

[Nas 2,873]

I don't mind a simple make change as much as I am worrying about losing my indentity. That's why I would put my original name or some abbreviated form of it in my signature and/or new name.

 

I'd also give others a chance to recognize that I changed it, and that's it. Other than that, I see no big deal. I think 3 is good.

[Fizz. 1,078]

Say you need to send a message to Sam. You go on the forum, and can't find Sam. How do you know who Sam is. Is Sam Joe now? Bob? Marceline? Batman?

 

I'm not complaining about all name changes. Only excessive ones.

 

Finesthour changes his name quite a bit.

 

Go to the homepage of the forums. Search Finesthour. Click "Members". Oh look, there he is. Crona.

 

It really isn't that difficult to figure out.

[Finesthour 7,287]

Leave it in the users' hands (hooves) if they want to be remembered and known by having the same name for long periods of time. If they want to change their name every 30 days, then they shoulder the risk of people not knowing who they are.

 

Less administration intervention! More power to the people!

 

Of course I'm the exception.

 

People figure out who I am in a matter of seconds because of my damn badge.

[Fizz. 1,078]

What's so bad about three username changes?

 

It doesn't cause much confusion. Those of us who change our usernames very often almost always change it to some sort of variation of our original username.

 

The only one who cause confusion when they change usernames are the obscure members no one knows of, thus the confusion is kept at a minimum.

 

Unrelated, but your avatar is heart breaking.

[Tom 891]

Go to the homepage of the forums. Search Finesthour. Click "Members". Oh look, there he is. Crona.

 

That's only because he has FInest in his about page.

 

Which is a good idea, that's why I've just done it as well.

Edited June 18, 2012 by Tomzoid the EggDroid

[Finesthour 7,287]

That's only because he has FInest in his about page.

 

Which is a good idea, that's why I've just done it as well.

 

Tom, you're rather confusing me.

 

You're one of the members who changes his avatar and username a lot.

 

And you're... complaining about it?

 

Doesn't compute.

[Killian Jones 2,655]

It may be possible to link to the Display Name History in topic view. Although members need to remember that completely changing their entire profile around is confusing. And that it is in some way courtesy to kind of stick with a name for a long time.

 

The name change feature is provided as courtesy, so members don't have to pick a name carefully and stick with it. However if rules need to be implemented because of systematic abuse, we will have to look into it.

 

Changing your name to something similar like from Tich to Tichonea, or Tich to Doctor Tich, or Tich to Tichondrius, or Tich to Tichazoid, is all fine. And is considered fun.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

Imma stick with snails for a long time... indifferent

[Tom 891]

Tom, you're rather confusing me.

 

You're one of the members who changes his avatar and username a lot.

 

And you're... complaining about it?

 

Doesn't compute.

 

The irony in that statement.

 

And no, I'm not complaining.

 

The point I'm trying to make is that if one changes one's name dramatically (like you or me) then they won't appear if searched for. As the search doesn't include old names. But it does include the about page. So by listing previous names on one's about page it'll be easier for people to find you after changing your name.

[Finesthour 7,287]

The irony in that statement.

 

And no, I'm not complaining.

 

The point I'm trying to make is that if one changes one's name dramatically (like you or me) then they won't appear if searched for. As the search doesn't include old names. But it does include the about page. So by listing previous names on one's about page it'll be easier for people to find you after changing your name.

 

 

But why does that matter if someone cannot find another by searching?

 

Is the world depending on me to stop a nuclear crisis, so they have to search my name?

 

It doesn't matter, in the slightest.