Dear Moderators, I would like to change my log on name to standardize a few forums to which I belong... Is this possible? Please email me at XXXXX Kindly, Steven King
As I understand it, there is no particular problem with this task except that it must be done by an Administrator. A mere Moderator (not even a Super Moderator) will suffice. I suggest that you send a PM to Bruce or Chip. Jack
First, what Jack said. Second, a thread should not have been started for this. It should have been PMed or emailed to a moderator or an administrator in the first place. Third, I wish -- and this is just my opinion -- that we weren't so free about changing usernames around here. It feels like an attempt at revising history to me... and I have a serious problem with that sort of thing. I'm not saying that it should never be done. For example, someone might post here under a username that effectively identifies him/her in the real world; and then, later, his/her employer starts giving him/her some heat for things s/he's written here. In a case like that, changing the username seems reasonable. But, just generally, once a person starts posting here under a given username and establishes a track record and history of words here; and once said username becomes recognizable to others here and, therefore, said others begin to know/realize/understand what and whom they're dealing with whenever they see a post by said username, it just doesn't seem right or fair, and it feels/seems to me misleading, to change said identity. It effectively blindsides users here who don't have the time or ability keep-up with things such that they're aware of who a poster with a changed username really is. It's just not right. And it allows a given user to effectively run away from that which s/he has written in the past. I believe -- and, again, it's just my opinion -- that the following three things should be policy here: If a member has a username that allows him/her to be personally identifiable in the real world and/or outside of DegreeInfo; and if s/he can show that being personally identifiable is actually or potentially harmful to him/her, then an administrator, after consultation with other administrators and moderators -- even if only for the purpose of advising them that it's happening -- may change the username to something that is not already in use, which does not make it appear that s/he is someone in real life whom s/he is not, and which no longer allows the member to be personally identifiable; and no notation, beneath the changed username should be made which indicates what was the former username. If a member has a username which does not allow him/her to be personally identifiable in the real world and/or the world outside of DegreeInfo; but if s/he simply wants to change his/her username for whatever reason, then an administrator, after consultation with other administrators and moderators -- even if only for the purpose of advising them that it's happening -- may change the username to any other not-already-in-use-here username which does not make it appear that s/he is someone in real life whom s/he is not; but beneath the new username must appear the words: Formerly "[old username]" If a member wishes to change his/her username and either of the above is unsatisfactory to him/her, then, at his/her request, an administrator, after consultation with other administrators and moderators -- even if only for the purpose of advising them that it's happening -- may close-down his/her existing account so that it can no longer be logged-into, yet leaving its history of posts intact; and said member will then be free to re-register and begin again as if a new member. To do otherwise, it seems to me, is disingenuous. Or so, I remind, it is just my opinion.
Same Gregg, I tried to e-mail a moderator, through the forum process, to correct one of my many misspellings. It was immediately returned as undeliverable. I agree entirely with your logic, but there was/is a glitch in the system. I don't know if you can attempt contacting another administrator or not, but you may see what I'm talking about, and REALLY fix it.
Re: Same Correcting misspellings in posts is not really something that moderators and/or administrators have time to do (or are charged with doing) anyway... at least not more than maybe once; and then, only if the situation is extraordinary. As for the emailing-someone-through-the-DI-system thing not working: If a message sent that way is returned "undeliverable," it's the intended recipient's POP3 email server that returned it; and it has nothing whatsoever to do with DI or its copy of vBulletin. DI's copy of vBulletin simply sends the email message to whatever email address is listed, internally, in the intended recipient's DI profile; and places your email address, as the sender, into the message's "From:" field. If the intended recipient's POP3 email inbox is full, or if there's some other temporary technical problem that makes it so that said message doesn't just slide right into the intended recipient's POP3 email inbox without a hitch, then the intended recipient's POP3 email server kicks an error message back to whatever email address is in the "From:" field. So, as you can see, the problem is not at DI but, rather, at the email server of the intended recipient. So, then... have written all that, begged is the question: What does all this have to do with changing usernames again? Or is your point that when we suggest that the request should have been PMed or emailed instead of a new thread started for it, it doesn't work? If that's it, then I've just explained that, in fact, it does work... at least as far as DI and its copy of vBulletin is concerned. You could also PM the moderator, you know. PMs never leave the DI vBulletin system and, therefore, aren't email-system-dependent. Hope that helps!
Same Got it, thanks. I just followed the directions and it came back, so I figured the other guy had the same problem. Clay
I think the reason for wanting a new username was clearly identified. There is nothing subversive about my request and will continue to sign entries with my real name. I appreciate that this posting was your opinion...but it seemed a tad bit too inflammatory to me. Steven King
a creaking whinge It's only inflammatory if you want it to be. You should have just communicated this privately to the mods/administrators, as two moderators said. A moderator then explained why in detail. That's not inflammatory at all.
my turn I'm also tired of the sniping at moderators. Don't do that any more. If someone has a personal issue with a mod, send him a PM. If someone has a policy question, ask it publicly if you can't figure it out from the TOS (a helpful link to which is found in Gregg DesElms' sig area). Remember, they're moderators, not Trappists, nursemaids, or therapists. They aren't here to keep sepulchral silence, to warm your milk and wipe your fanny, or to nod sagely at everything you say--for a fee.
Steven sent me a PM, and I think his reason was perfectly valid, particuarly since he uses his real name in his sig line. I've often thought of changing mine to "Bruce Tait", but I sometimes check-in from a public computer, and "Bruce" is just quicker to type.
I never said it wasn't valid, or that it shouldn't be done at all. I just think that, in this case, it should be done pursuant to method #2, described in my earlier post herein, above... which, I remind, is just my opinion. I stand by my contention, also, that a thread should not have been started to achieve it... though, it having been done, no harm, no foul. I would, however, for his benefit, suggest that Steven's email address be redacted-out of his thread-starting post... just so that spammer bots won't crawl this page and harvest it for spamming purposes. Just a suggestion.
