Name changes should be limited or removed

[Bohtty 1,775]

Seriously. I don't even know who people are anymore they've changed their name so much. I go through my friends list and I have to spend an extra 3 minutes just to decide if they belong there.

 

It's really irritating because nothing stays consistant. I think it should be removed, it doesn't add anything and just makes everything more confusing.

 

Discuss.

 

 

Disclaimer: All opinions opposed to mine are automatically incorrect.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Bohtty

[NavelColt 22,880]

I rarely if ever change my name, but I don't support the idea of removing name changing completely, and being unable to do it ever, at all. I would be fine with restricting it a bit more though, if enough people agreed with it.

[Twiliscael 3,960]

But then I'd still be ADashOfRainbow and I realized that Rainbow Dash isn't best pony!

 

Anyway, I think it's fine as long as they specify who they used to be.

 

@@Bohtty, You DID know I was ADOR, right?

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

I only changed my name once, and that was to make it capitalized. I think it's fine if someone changes their name if they tell who they are.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Limit or reform it? Maybe. Remove it all together? Nay.

 

Removing it would seriously cramp the occasional, fun, spontaneous movements that happen here that gives the site its charm. If people want to change their name to something unrecognizable, then it's their own prerogative and the onus is on them if they feel like no one knows who they are or people forget about them.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Ron Jeremy 2,032]

I made a thread pretty similar to this a while back, FYI. Nothing ever really happened about it, though. :/

 

It is a real problem. The ability to change names itself isn't bad, but when it gets to a point that it's hard to tell who anypony is, it's a problem. I think my proposed solution of making it 1 name change a month instead of three would fix that: Users could still change their names, but not go overboard with it.

 

I mean, I'm not trying to offend anypony or anything. It's just that, well, this is a discussion forum and a community, and when users constantly go through complete ID changes without even keeping some remainder of their original name in them, it makes it hard to tell who is who, hurting the whole community aspect.

[Crispy 5,563]

I go through my friends list

 

Pfft. I nearly forgot we had those, to be honest.

 

Besides, it's the work of 15 seconds tops to look at someone's name history.

[Bohtty 1,775]

But then I'd still be ADashOfRainbow and I realized that Rainbow Dash isn't best pony!

 

Anyway, I think it's fine as long as they specify who they used to be.

 

@@Bohtty, You DID know I was ADOR, right?

 

I did not. Thanks for illustrating my point so nicely. Glad to see you didn't quit.

I'm not a fan of of pony specific usernames because people don't usually use them outside of pony related things and thus it doesn't really promote identification.

[Starshine 16,333]

Disclaimer: All opinions opposed to mine are automatically incorrect.

 

---

 

I agree some people can be very confusing with their habit of changing names in every week, but removing it right away is just too... wrong (can't really think any good reason lol)

 

My suggestion is when someone changed their display name, their userpage's address doesn't change accordingly. So my name could be literally anything, but my userpage remains <http://mlpforums.com/user/1332-weyland>, that way we can see who is who without checking their name change history

[Finesthour 7,287]

Why exactly should someone who changes their name a lot stop just because you don't like it? I rather enjoy the fact that we as a forum can change our names as much as we please (seemingly that much) to have fun, and to be known as something else. No one is doing this just to please you. They do it to have fun themselves. I am totally 100% against this notion completely. The decision to change a name should be for the individual, not for the approval of those around them.

[Deeмo 100]

I think that the name change should be limited. My solution is you can only change your name once every three months. I don't think it should ever be removed because it won't be fair to others who want their name change and it would cause some sort of backlash on here.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Deeмo

[Twiliscael 3,960]

I did not. Thanks for illustrating my point so nicely. Glad to see you didn't quit.

I'm not a fan of of pony specific usernames because people don't usually use them outside of pony related things and thus it doesn't really promote identification.

 

Well, it's my Xbox and Steam username, my Skype name, and my name on just about everything else I ever sign up for nowadays.

 

And it makes me a sad, sad pony to know that you thought I left

[Bohtty 1,775]

Pfft. I nearly forgot we had those, to be honest.

 

Besides, it's the work of 15 seconds tops to look at someone's name history.

 

It depends on your internet speed. I don't think to check their name history when I see them in the forums because I assume they are new.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

Let's have more restrictions!

 

With all due respect, I don't see why username privileges should be removed from everyone because some members are difficult to recognize once they changed their usernames.

 

More often than not, the members who change their usernames to something totally unrecognizable are the more obscure members. (no offense to them)

 

Usually people put a spin on their name. Like how I change usernames but I'm always Lady _____ Pony.

 

Part of the package of adding them to your friends list is having their username(s) on your list. If they get annoying, just remove them.

[Bohtty 1,775]

Why exactly should someone who changes their name a lot stop just because you don't like it? I rather enjoy the fact that we as a forum can change our names as much as we please (seemingly that much) to have fun, and to be known as something else. No one is doing this just to please you. They do it to have fun themselves. I am totally 100% against this notion completely. The decision to change a name should be for the individual, not for the approval of those around them.

 

As Zabroop said, it doesn't really promote a community feeling when everyone is changing their identity.

 

Also, back at you. Why should you get to keep name changes just because YOU like it.

 

If everyone changes their name all the time, why even have names. Why not just be all anonymous. That's pretty much what it's like with some of the users.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Bohtty

[Finesthour 7,287]

As Zabroop said, it doesn't really promote a community feeling when everyone is changing their identity.

 

So everything has to be the same non stop to be a community. Alright. Let's see how that would work in a real situation.

 

You guys, from now on, never act any different than what you are feeling right now. You must be the exact same no matter what, because some people aren't feeling like this is a community. It doesn't matter if you want a new name, or to act differently for yourself. People complain that they don't feel enveloped because you change your name. It's all your fault, you should be ashamed of yourself. How could you change your name and ruin the community?

 

Yes, I blew that way out of proportion. My point still stands.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

Ehhh....well most members here don't abuse the will to change their name besides me and Finest I'm done with changing my name though o3o

 

as for removing it......I rather not, maybe limit them but, not remove them completely xD

Edited August 17, 2012 by Pinkazoid

[Luurilka 325]

As annoying as seeing people change their name can be, I think it's better than being even more restricted on what you can do.

[Finesthour 7,287]

Also, back at you. Why should you get to keep name changes just because YOU like it.

 

If everyone changes their name all the time, why even have names. Why not just be all anonymous. That's pretty much what it's like with some of the users.

 

Because this is a communtiy site, as you said. It is made for ALL of the users. And each user does something that THEY want to do. If you want to post like crazy, do it. Want to be a funny guy, do it. Want to change your avatar, do it. Wanna change your name? Oh, too bad. Bohtty doesn't like it, it ruins a community.

 

And also, you blew this out of the water, as I did as well. Not everyone changes their name as you would like people to believe.

[Lady Rarity Pony 4,892]

That's pretty much what it's like with some of the users.

 

Emphasis on "some."

 

This isn't a very widespread issue. Most people don't change their usernames like crazy, and the ones that do are usually not very well known in the first place.

[Bari 7,023]

If we didn't have name changes, I wouldn't be a delicious fruit pastry. I'd still be a Greek Titan no one cares about. So, uh, I want us to still have it. I probably won't change my name for a while, so I'll still be Berry Pie. But, I'd still like the option to do so if I get bored of Pinkie Pie and Berry Punch hugging.

[Boxxi The Brony 119]

I have changed my name 3 times first because I didn't know you could put spaces and then second because I though Pon-3 Scratch was too clunky.

[Jokuc 8,173]

I am against this, I like to change my name sometimes and all these fad things amuses me. I don't care if it confuses me sometimes who some people on my friendlist are, I think it's pretty fun when I have to find out haha

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

Can't please all the people all the time. Seeing as we don't really have an name change epidemic plaguing the site and ruining the discussion and quality, the system is fine as is.

 

Pro-tip for newer users who want to be recognized and acknowledged: Stick with a core username then only add little changes to it so you have a consistent namesake people will know you as. Going from TomatoStalk19 to VendingMachineToy won't do you any favors. Going from XFizzle to DJ XFizzle or Doctor XFizzle will (but don't use my name, that was just an example obviously).

[Jokuc 8,173]

@@Bohtty, It's getting heated in here huh?

Anyways,

spend 10minutes to 8 hours to ask someone their name.

Why don't you just go to their profiles and then press the "Display name history" button? Much easier than asking you know C:

 

I got an idea!

How about a feature that gives all friends to a certain user a notification like "Dirty_Harry123 has changed their name to Clean_Harry123"? Then you will know who they are.

 

See I solved the problem, now where's my "hero" badge? :>

Edited August 17, 2012 by Mr. Pillow