Topic: So some of you think its funny(rant)

[3rd Herd]

I too have been miffed at the name changes. For one I sort of try and keep track of the fellow Patricia's on the site and thus be able to either through the site answer "yes, Pte Bloggins of 5 Pl, B Coy, 3rd BN PPCLI, 1978 to 1998 is still alive and his site name is..............." or in off site meetings, chance run ins, "yes you can get a hold of him/her the  through Army.ca web site, the joining instructions are very simple". Also, again previously mention is those who have changed their site identity to either continue string the pot or just generally waste the mod's valuable time and ours with trivial posts. My vote is make it a subscriber option only.

[Simian Turner]

Mike,

Could it become a requirement for those who request a name change (or are a trans -sexual -identity fiend or have multiple personalities in Garvin's case) to update their Subscription Intro post so that a mere Search of that Forum would produce sufficient info for tracking of those who have become shape-shifters. 

I was beginning to think that after a couple of thousand posts it was a requirement to changer votre nom de plume.

[airmich]

If you use the "search for members" and put a member's former name, it will pull up their current name.  Not that this is a big help, because unless you knew one of their previous names, you wouldn't know what to put.  But still, it seems like old names are still in the system somehow, althought this might only work for those that have changed only their name but not had their username changed yet.  (wow, I think I confused even myself now that I read that over!)

[Magravan]

I think that the suggestion was that in order to change your name, you'd have to make a post on a specific board, where you would have to list your current name and the one you want. You get switched, but there is also a record there. A quick search for your current name in that board brings up every post that you've made about wanting your name changed, and therefore, a complete record of every name change you've had.

Correct me if I'm wrong? It sounds like a valid option, in my mind... Doable, and not insanely resource intensive.

[Mike Bobbitt]

Mich, that only works if your username and display name were originally the same. That's not always the case, and doesn't apply for multiple name changes.

Magravan, your idea has merit... it puts the initial (but easy) step on the user, who simply posts to request a name change. That's the trigger for the change as well as the "log" for historical purposes.

[Magravan]

I was just reiterating what I believed Gunner98's idea to be. Either way, you've got the whole of it: It serves as both request and log.

[airmich]

Mich, that only works if your username and display name were originally the same. That's not always the case, and doesn't apply for multiple name changes.

Thanks Mike, that's what I thought.  Glad you could understand what I was trying to spit out!

[reccecrewman]

Ex-Dragoon,

How about making an addition to the Army.ca guidelines that we have all read and agreed to obey?  That addition being that name changing will see you placed on the warning system if the name changes come with no reason other than to use smoke and mirrors to confuse people?  Post a notice up that there is a change to the system or just send out a bulk message to all members boxes that lets current users be aware of the change.  That could work well.

My .02

Regards

[Shamrock]

Won't that create a greater hassle for the DS in having to identify offenders, issue the warning, hear their arguments, and determine the validity of their warning/complaint?

[reccecrewman]

I don't believe it would.  It's not as though the Staff would have to spend their time actively searching for these people.  With 11,000+ users here, all it would take is for a member to notify Staff if they notice somebody playing musical names and they can then investigate.  Not only that, if it were in the guidelines saying you can't just change names because that's your whim of the day, the mods have it in writing that they can place said individual on the warning system.  It's no different from the many other rules in place to keep things in here running smoothly. Excessive swearing, trolling and a multitude of other thing's will get you on the warning system, why not this?

Regards

[Klc]

I can't see this making a huge difference, as the persons in question for the most part don't read the rules to begin with.

[Paul Gagnon]

Can't you just turn off the ability to change usernames?

[Klc]

Did you read the thread?

[Ex-Dragoon]

I see its occuring again......

[AirForceMonkey]

If you never posted under your old display name do you still want us to let people know we have changed it? Also, is it possible to change the the actual user name? I am only able to change my display name, so I am obviously doing something wrong.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[PuckChaser]

You can only change your display name, thus when the admins see your posting history it links to one profile. My old forum name still shows up for the chat, but its changed everywhere else.

Better safe than sorry, announce the name change in the proper forum. Takes 30 seconds to make the post and prevents the DS for getting on your case.

[uncle-midget-Oddball]

For the DS, I apologise for my Name Changing Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder (NCHDD).  In order to maintain consistency, I will keep my current "nom de plume".  I didn't realise that it caused as much confusion as pointed out.
For all, I apologise as well.

Hauptmann Scharlachrot
(aka "Captain Scarlet", previously "von Garvin")

Oh wow, I had wondered for a while what had ever become of that "Garvin" who I used to see posting on these boards a lot....   

[AirForceMonkey]

Thank you for the information PuckChaser, I will look for the proper forum and post the change. Hopefully I won't have NCHDD too bad and change a few more time 

[Loachman]

"Mortarman Rockpainter" has been up for grabs for a while now.

[Technoviking]

"Mortarman Rockpainter" has been up for grabs for a while now.

Yes, it's true.  I've been separated for a year now