Username Changes

[Cierra]

Do you let users change their usernames?

I use to have a plugin on my forum that would allow members to change their username 1-2 times in a year and it would be sent to the staff team to put it through. We don't have it anymore though.

 

[erich]

I don't. I really don't see the reason for a name change. If a user on my site really wanted one, I'm sure I'd let them.

 

[Teg]

I use to, all the time. But, it got confusing for members and staff trying to figure out who was who. For my RP forum, I allow one-time name changes when a user registers an account because my software automatically removes spaces and makes the first letter lowercase. After that, I charge a fee. :{

 

[Mikaya]

They're allowed to change them (bought with forum currency) but they'd have to be approved, plus there is a week waiting time to prevent too many username change requests. 😛

 

[cynosure.x]

I used to change my username maybe 3 times a year until I found one I am happy with.

Though when I first used forums, I changed usernames quite a lot. Had a different one for almost any forum I went to. 😛 But that didn't last too long as I wanted people to know who I was when I joined.

 

[Ashley]

I think we have a username change request thread (kind of like here)... we used to anyway, not sure since we were hacked over a year ago now, but I do know we did have one.

 

[Nebulous]

Yeah, it's a shop item and members can use their forum cash to complete their own username changes.

 

[KnownSyntax]

I do not, since it creates more confusion in the end to keep track of who changed their name to what, and why they did that.

 

[Reverie]

You can request 3 ways on my forum. Via PM or via the shop (store) that we have on our forum, or even by the 'request name change' via profile options that I or another admin has to accept first.

I usually make people buy their name change, it's not too pricy and it gives people something to work points towards. I also give free name changes during season changes usually. For members who disappear and come back after months and request a name change I usually go ahead and change it for them! 🙂 I just let them know in the future they can purchase it once they have enough credits. ^_^

 

[moneycodeking]

Yeah let them change upon charge

 

[Nebulous]

I do not, since it creates more confusion in the end to keep track of who changed their name to what, and why they did that.

I have to disagree on that one. I've ran forums and been a member of forums for years and I've never seen chaos and confusion erupt as a result of a username change.

If a member decides they hate their username and they know they can never switch to a new one, they'll probably just stop visiting your forum.

 

[Pinky]

Interesting. I haven't set the feature up to allow members to change their username 'once my new forum receives new members' but I think I would create a thread for members to request a user name change and honour their requests.