ScarletNumber

[akennett]

As you might have noticed, a new member was recently forced to change his username. The new username is ScarletNumber.

However, we have a long term poster called Scarlett67.

Those two names are really too similar not to lead to confusion. Many are going to assume when they read a post by the former that it has been posted by the better known latter. I've nothing against the new poster but I think he or she should be made to change his or her board name for something less confusing.

[runner pat]

That is the poster know as even seven, who was confused with even sven and was asked to change.

What are the odds?

Maybe it's a play on Scarlet Letter.

[Manduck]

I don't think anybody is going to confuse Scarlett67 with ScarletNumber.

[akennett]

Why not? I mean, one's Scarlet and number and the other is Scarlett and a number. Surely the situation is ripe for confusion.

If you're going to make someone change their name because it is too similar to another's name, then why make him change it to something that is so similar to some other another's name? This makes no sense!

[billfish678]

Some posters here are just a wee bit smarter than one would think. Many are way more clever than one would think. Others are not.

You (all) decide.

[Guinastasia]

Oh not this again.

[Joey P]

It's a good thing he didn't choose "A Bunch Of Blue Characters" because then no one would have been able to tell him apart from anybody.

Personally, while even Seven was going to take some getting used to, I was okay with it (especially if even sven was). Hell, even capitalizing both letters would have made it okay. I don't think ScarletNumber and Scarlett67 remotely close enough to cause a problem. No more then Agent Foxtrot/Argent Towers. People get those two confused and they have, what, rhyming first haves of their names.

ScarletNumber seemed to change his (his?) name pretty willingly when asked, at least it appeared to in the thread where I saw everyone point it out to him. I don't see this as being confusing. If it turns out, in few days/weeks/months, that he's a troublemaker or that it seems that he may have done this on purpose, consider that the name thing a first strike. But assuming he's a nice, respectful new member of our community, I suggest we learn to differentiate between the two names* and move on. How many threads to we need on this?

*Do you have any idea how many Joeys I meet? Hell, Do you have any idea how many Joey P's I know since most of them are in my own family? I'm Italian. I have a giant family and we only seem to know about 4 names that just get used over and over...just like Goodfellas.

[KneadToKnow]

Man, I'm glad this wasn't a hot button topic when I joined.

[MsWhatsit]

I thought parody threads were supposed to go in the Pit. Or is it that parody threads aren't allowed in the Pit? I can never remember.

[akennett]

Originally Posted by billfish678

Some posters here are just a wee bit smarter than one would think.

How smart can they be if they can't tell the difference between seven and sven? I mean, if this is the caliber of intelligence we're talking about, then there's no way the new pairing isn't confusing.

[guizot]

Originally Posted by MsWhatsit

I thought parody threads were supposed to go in the Pit. Or is it that parody threads aren't allowed in the Pit? I can never remember.

What about "parody" that is so obtuse that it's just pathetic? Where does that go? Is there a DOA forum? (And can we throw the Capitol Steps in along with it?)

[billfish678]

Originally Posted by akennett

How smart can they be if they can't tell the difference between seven and sven? I mean, if this is the caliber of intelligence we're talking about, then there's no way the new pairing isn't confusing.

You're not from Lake Woobeegone are you?

[Dr. Drake]

OP, if you're obliquely complaining that a poster willingly changed his or her name when asked politely. . . well, what exactly is the point of this thread? Are you whining, or criticizing, or attempting to be clever, or what?

It's not a new board policy or anything, and ScarletNumber is perfectly capable of raising the issue if he or she has a problem.

[cochrane]

Originally Posted by akennett

How smart can they be if they can't tell the difference between seven and sven? I mean, if this is the caliber of intelligence we're talking about, then there's no way the new pairing isn't confusing.

Oh, really? You really think that? Both Seven and Sven look similar enough to each other they could be confused for one another at a casual glance, especially if someone isn't aware they weren't the same poster. It says nothing about a person's intelligence if they found themselves doing a double-take in that situation.

I think the name change to ScarletNumber is somewhat of an improvement. I don't see enough of a similarity to Scarlet67 for there to be any confusion.

Besides, an admin had to approve the new name, right? If it's good enough for the admin who approved it, it's fine with me.

[TubaDiva]

I guess this is the time I point out that we have a gazillion names on this message board and some of them are going to be close to one another, it just bees that way.

When we think it's too close we ask the newest person on board to consider another name.

Have y'all always been this cranky? I didn't remember it as such but a lot of y'all are there now. Lighten up already, would you please?

[Colibri]

We also have posters named akinney and Kenneth, which could potentially be confused with akennett. If you're so concerned, we would be happy to change your username.

[TriPolar]

I'd like to change my username to ScarlettNmber

[Dr. Drake]

Originally Posted by TriPolar

I'd like to change my username to ScarlettNmber

And I to #. Or possibly №. That will show you all, mwah hah hah hah.

[Yorikke]

Wait, so even seven is now ScarletNumber. That's hilarious.

[AaronX]

So now not only is 7 even, it's scarlet.

[Autolycus]

Originally Posted by TriPolar

I'd like to change my username to ScarlettNmber

And I'd like to change my username to ScarlettNomber

[Zyanthia]

Originally Posted by guizot

What about "parody" that is so obtuse that it's just pathetic? Where does that go? Is there a DOA forum? (And can we throw the Capitol Steps in along with it?)

I don't know about a forum, but I hear there is a quarry...

*Bolding in quote supplied by Zyanthia*

[Yask]

I'm considering changing my username to ask annette. Any problem?


No, wait, I think I'd like to change it to Argent ask towers annette foxtrot

[Drunky Smurf]

Originally Posted by runner pat

That is the poster know as even seven, who was confused with even sven and was asked to change.[/b]

I don't recall anyone saying they were confused. There were some claiming that others might not be smart enough to not confuse them though.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Originally Posted by akennett

As you might have noticed, a new member was recently forced to change his username. The new username is ScarletNumber.

However, we have a long term poster called Scarlett67.

Those two names are really too similar not to lead to confusion. Many are going to assume when they read a post by the former that it has been posted by the better known latter. I've nothing against the new poster but I think he or she should be made to change his or her board name for something less confusing.

Sometimes I think of posts that sound clever in my head. And then I type them out, and I look at them, and I go, "woah, dude, don't click submit on that one."

[akennett]

Originally Posted by cochrane

Both Seven and Sven look similar enough to each other they could be confused for one another

So, when do we change the masthead to:

THE STRAIGHT DOPE
Functionally Illiterate Since 1973

huh?

Originally Posted by MsWhatsit

I thought parody threads were supposed to go in the Pit. Or is it that parody threads aren't allowed in the Pit? I can never remember.

Parody? Parody?!

Look, I'm just sticking up for those who can't tell usernames apart. After all, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't be in this confusing situation to begin with.

Originally Posted by Colibri

We also have posters named akinney and Kenneth, which could potentially be confused with akennett. If you're so concerned, we would be happy to change your username.

Please do. Just be sure that my new username is also one that is similar to others.

[Vinyl Turnip]

The only solution is for the administration to publish the exact algorithm they will use to compare each new username against all existing usernames. Until they do, we're floating in a sea of chaos and may as well disable the new user registration feature.

I assume it will take into account the number of characters, character position, proximity of each character to other letters in the alphabet, numerical similarity and proximity, occurrence of prime numbers, possible anagrams, palindromes, homophones, false cognates, et cetera, but this is all just wild speculation until we see the formulae.

[Astroboy14]

There's a poster named astro floating around here somewhere.

I demand he be taken out and flogged!

[Smeghead]

Dammit. I really want to go mountaineering, but all I have is this pathetic molehill in my backyard. If only there were someone I could turn to for help.

[akennett]

Originally Posted by Vinyl Turnip

The only solution is for the administration to publish the exact algorithm they will use to compare each new username against all existing usernames. Until they do, we're floating in a sea of chaos and may as well disable the new user registration feature.

I assume it will take into account the number of characters, character position, proximity of each character to other letters in the alphabet, numerical similarity and proximity, occurrence of prime numbers, possible anagrams, palindromes, homophones, false cognates, et cetera, but this is all just wild speculation until we see the formulae.

Amen!

[neuroman]

I'd like a name change to ScarlettLumber. Redwood has always been my favorite.

[C K Dexter Haven]

Originally Posted by Vinyl Turnip

The only solution is for the administration to publish the exact algorithm they will use to compare each new username against all existing usernames. Until they do, we're floating in a sea of chaos and may as well disable the new user registration feature.

I assume it will take into account the number of characters, character position, proximity of each character to other letters in the alphabet, numerical similarity and proximity, occurrence of prime numbers, possible anagrams, palindromes, homophones, false cognates, et cetera, but this is all just wild speculation until we see the formulae.

The formula involves double-integrals and 6-dimensional conic forms. Usually we run it late at night, because it can swallow up all the computer time in the western half of the country. And if the letter Q is involved, well, the computer shut down the entire power grid in Boise.

No, seriously, we show the names to my 16-year old cousin who is severely autistic, and ask him what he thinks.

[akennett]

That's the same cousin who makes all the decisions regarding advertising, right?

[Astroboy14]

Originally Posted by akennett

that's the same cousin who makes all the decisions, right?

ftfy.

[billfish678]

Originally Posted by C K Dexter Haven

The formula involves double-integrals and 6-dimensional conic forms. Usually we run it late at night, because it can swallow up all the computer time in the western half of the country. And if the letter Q is involved, well, the computer shut down the entire power grid in Boise.

Are these the same hamsters that can't run the search abbacus during the day? Do you feed em Red Bull or something before you leave for the night?

[even sven]

I played no part in this decisions (I suspect our new friend might not be in it for the long haul, so why bother?) but it WAS confusing and if you claim otherwise, you are being disingenuous and you know it. People DID get confused in those threads. I got confused. It become hard to follow the threads, especially with quotes. Our brains are pattern-recognizing machines (Thts hw cme you cn undstrnd ths), and Even seven was just a subtle enough difference to trip that pattern recognition up. If we spent our whole lives parsing each and every individual letter, it'd take us a few hours to get through the morning paper.

If the new poster had any massive objection to changing away from even seven, it would be worth hearing them and seeing what could be done. But if it's no biggie to him/her, why not change it and keep the board easy to read? I hold no real affection for my high school screen name, and I'd be willing to consider mine if it came to a head. But then that brings up the possibility- if, you know in some alternate universe or something, someone was coming on with obnoxious screen names just to troll around and stir shit up, what should be done?

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by even sven

I played no part in this decision

And nothing personal, but it wasn't your decision to make. We wouldn't put another poster in that position, and our concern was that people were going to get confused, not that you were being denied the right to a distinct username or something.

We've had a few trolls sign up with screen names that were deliberately similar to the names of long-time Dopers. Those people don't last long because it's kind of a dead giveaway.

[Left Hand of Dorkness]

Whereas for me, I kind of feel like Heart of Dorkness is a long-lost relative. It's cool.

[PlainJain]

Originally Posted by Smeghead

Dammit. I really want to go mountaineering, but all I have is this pathetic molehill in my backyard. If only there were someone I could turn to for help.

Ok, that was funny.

[even sven]

Originally Posted by Marley23

And nothing personal, but it wasn't your decision to make. We wouldn't put another poster in that position, and our concern was that people were going to get confused, not that you were being denied the right to a distinct username or something.

Of course.

[Drunky Smurf]

Originally Posted by even sven

...but it WAS confusing and if you claim otherwise, you are being disingenuous and you know it. People DID get confused in those threads. I got confused.

I, for one, am not being disingenuous and you know it. I did not find it confusing. And I have a hard time understanding how one could look at a post then glance at a name similar to one's own and then think, "I know for sure I did not write that, but I must have because that's my name up there."

[WhyNot]

Originally Posted by Left Hand of Dorkness

Whereas for me, I kind of feel like Heart of Dorkness is a long-lost relative. It's cool.

And all this time I thought s/he was your SO and loved the username for that (erroneous) reason!

WotNot and I would like to have a word with some of y'all, by the way.


No, really, I don't think either of us care that we have easy to confuse user names. Our posting styles are so very dissimilar that there's never been more than a momentary "whaaa?" resulting from our similar usernames. He tends toward witty one liners, whereas I never met a sentence that couldn't use another clause. But I did trip over even seven/even sven more than once in just those couple of days.

[Dr. Drake]

If the names had remained similar, most of us would have eventually learned to distinguish them quite readily, even if we were initially confused. However, decisions were made that meant this was a moot point. None of the principals were upset. So I ask again, what do those who are unhappy about the situation want? If somebody was wronged or even inconvenienced, I could see whining about it, but none of the people who might be able to imagine a grudge here are bothered.

[Siam Sam]

It all seems rather retarded.

[PlainJain]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drake

If the names had remained similar, most of us would have eventually learned to distinguish them quite readily, even if we were initially confused.

NDITF but I think the Agent/Argent continuing confusion refutes your theory.

[Dr. Drake]

Originally Posted by PlainJain

NDITF but I think the Agent/Argent continuing confusion refutes your theory.

Well, that's why I said "most" rather than "all".

[akennett]

Originally Posted by Siam Sam

It all seems rather retarded.

Exactly the point. Every step of this process has been heavily weighed down with retardation, from the initial complaints to the decision that something must be done to the end result that's little different from the initial situation.

[Stink Fish Pot]

It fascinates me what some people will hang onto thinking it's an actual issue or cause worth fighting for on the board.

I don't know if someone informed a mod or TubaDiva or what, but it seemed to me that she (and/or the board) were being proactive and trying to nip a problem in the bud.

Face it. even sven and even seven are close enough to cause confusion. And the first time it did, or derailed a thread, people would be calling for the newest person to be forced to change his/her name. I know this because I've been here long enough to understand that everything bothers somebody out here and usually whines about it.

Since even seven was the new poster, they have little posting history and should have to change. So TPTB make it happen.

And what happens? As my third paragraph predicted, this would bother someone and they complained about it. But this complaint I'd weak AFAIC, and seems to be made because they didn't like the original decision (I really don't know the real reason, but I think I'm in safe territory here since this complaint seems rather lame,)

The new name is ScarlettNumber, a name I immediately think is clever because it's a play on the Scarlett Letter, and even if it isnt, well it seems to be, and is instantly remembered. I like it. In no way did it clash in my head with Scarlett67, because even though 67 IS indeed a number, it's just one of many numbers. Now if the new person pocked Scarlett68 or Scarlett76, I think that would be problematic for obvious reasons.

But to be honest, ScarlettNumber amd Scarlett67 are not close. Neither name causes me to stop and do a double take on the name.

I say well done. Now move along, and find some other nit to be enraged over.

SFP

PS. my apologies for any typos, misspellings, or words that make absolutely no sense in context. The autocorrect software on my iPad leaves a LOT to be desired, and would indeed be nit worth being enraged over.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Stink Fish Pot

The new name is ScarlettNumber, a name I immediately think is clever because it's a play on the Scarlett Letter, and even if it isnt, well it seems to be, and is instantly remembered. I like it. In no way did it clash in my head with Scarlett67, because even though 67 IS indeed a number, it's just one of many numbers. Now if the new person pocked Scarlett68 or Scarlett76, I think that would be problematic for obvious reasons.

The OP is a parody of the initial Even seven/even sven situation.

We did not ask for this user name change this in response to complaints or in response to some of the personal issues people seem to have with this poster. I noticed the name Even seven a couple of days after she joined the board and I felt it was similar enough to even sven that someone might get confused. I spoke to TubaDiva about it, and when she agreed with me that the names might be confusing, I asked Even seven to think up a new name. Usually this kind of situation gets resolved quickly, and this time it took a bit longer because her first choice for a new name was similar to that of someone who briefly posted last year. So we then had to ask her to try again just so we don't have to deal with more confusion in the unlikely event that poster returns to the board in the future. By that time there was an ATMB thread about the names and more people had noticed her and were either annoyed by things she said in the Pit thread or were speculating about her motives in picking her original name, which is why we're still talking about a situation that is kind of routine and usually not cause for controversy.

[kanicbird]

The mind uses pattern recognition many times and not spelling or similarly of meaning in reading comprehension. The seven/sven one was one that played on the pattern recognition, the number/67 name does not, even though 67 is a number, it doesn't work like that.

Here is a link that has some interesting info on this http://www.microsoft.com/typography/...cognition.aspx