# Choice of User Names **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 25, 2001, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565 "2001-10-25T15:29:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2001, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/21 "2001-10-31T05:16:16Z")
So how does anyone know if, say, **PosterAlpha** ’s priveleges have been revoked? Is there just a thread somewhere that with a name like “Lynn’s Enemies List- not the same as Ronald Reagan’s” or “Where your posting priveliges went to”? ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/22 "2001-11-02T05:20:40Z")
There is a poster with a name very close to mine, but _she_ and I very seldom cross paths. ---
**Author:** ![Playdeaux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Playdeaux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Playdeaux)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/23 "2001-11-04T00:06:03Z")
This is an excellent question! I just registered yesterday, and inadvertently chose a user name that’s very similar to someone else’s on this board. How would you know if you’re choosing a name that’s nearly identical to someone else’s? When I click on the Members icon it says that this has been disabled by the Administrator. Also, should I change it, or just keep a disclaimer at the bottom? I’m not usually vituperative, but I also know that no one wants to be mistaken for someone else, unless that person is rich, famous and good-looking. 😉 Sue Not-to-be-confused-with-Sue-Duhnym ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/25 "2001-11-04T01:44:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sue Deaunim \* > \*\*This is an excellent question! I just registered yesterday, and inadvertently chose a user name that’s very similar to someone else’s on this board. > > How would you know if you’re choosing a name that’s nearly identical to someone else’s? When I click on the Members icon it says that this has been disabled by the Administrator. Also, should I change it, or just keep a disclaimer at the bottom? I’m not usually vituperative, but I also know that no one wants to be mistaken for someone else, unless that person is rich, famous and good-looking. 😉 > > Sue Not-to-be-confused-with-Sue-Duhnym \*\* I had the same question, and I just emailed **TubaDiva** before joining to check to see if my planned username would be OK. ---
**Author:** ![ToobaTeacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@ToobaTeacher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToobaTeacher)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/26 "2001-11-04T02:06:09Z")
I wasn’t aware that _similar_ names were a problem. After all, on a lot of the zine boards, many people have near-identical names. Xenia7, Xenia-7, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Playdeaux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Playdeaux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Playdeaux)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/27 "2001-11-04T02:26:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by repleat \* > \*\*It’s odd you mention her. She’s often complained that nobody gets her name and she should have picked something more phonetic. However, I can’t say you did any better in that department. What’s wrong with the obvious Sue Da Nim? \*\* Actually, not having everbody get it was the point. Maybe I should change it to Sue Per Cal If Fragile List Ick? ---
**Author:** ![highjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed8c4c/32.png) [@highjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/highjack)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/28 "2001-11-04T02:34:25Z")
Or the naughtier Sue Purr Cal If Fragile Licks It? ---
**Author:** ![Playdeaux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e99b99/32.png) [@Playdeaux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Playdeaux)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/29 "2001-11-04T02:48:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by highjack \* > \*\*Or the naughtier Sue Purr Cal If Fragile Licks It? \*\* Oooh, I like that much better! How many letters can you have in your user name, anyhow? Sue D. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/30 "2001-11-04T03:07:23Z")
We discourage overly long user names, as they tend to crowd all the other stuff in the thread over to the side, making it more difficult to scroll/read. It’s most annoying. When choosing a name, please consider everyone else that has to deal with the consequences of your choices. your humble TubaDiva Administrator ---
**Author:** ![to\_catch\_a\_painted\_pony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@to\_catch\_a\_painted\_pony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/to_catch_a_painted_pony)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2001, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/31 "2001-11-04T03:11:38Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Sue Deaunim \* > How many letters can you have in your user name, anyhow?_\* 1. And there’s no scrolling problem if there’s a space somewhere, because the name wraps. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/32 "2001-11-05T08:48:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mangetout \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > > \*\ ***grimpixie** –just FYI, I did notice that griRNpixie was not you. > > > > I hope the mods/admins can do something about that. It’s very jerk-like. \*\* > > Something has been done; removal of posting priveleges - Thanks Lynn. \*\* After some bowing and scraping, my story has been believed and I have been allowed back into these hallowed halls!! Thanks to TubaDiva and the other admins 🙂 That’s what you get when you ask foolish questions… Gp ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/33 "2001-11-05T19:41:50Z")
grimpixie–did they remove YOUR posting privileges? If so, why? Sue Deaunim–Yeah, I’d change your name. There’s no real reason you HAVE to or anything…let’s just say that I would be annoyed if a new poster took the name “greenbean” or something. ::waits for a sock called “greenbean” to come along:: ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Blue\_Green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Green)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2001, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/34 "2001-11-05T20:43:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > **grimpixie–did they remove YOUR posting privileges? If so, why?** I’m wondering why they bother at all. As highjack demonstrated, it’s not an impediment to posting. It’s clear he can “come back” (if he has indeed fully left) any time he wants to show himself. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/35 "2001-11-06T09:09:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blue Green \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > > **grimpixie–did they remove YOUR posting privileges? If so, why?** > > I’m wondering why they bother at all. As highjack demonstrated, it’s not an impediment to posting. It’s clear he can “come back” (if he has indeed fully left) any time he wants to show himself. \*\* **Green:** Yes my posting privilages were removed for three days or so - I was away on Holiday so only found out that I had been “restored to fellowship” when I got back yesterday. As to why, I guess it is standard procedure… _I_ knew that I was genuine, but it took the Admins a little while to check things out. It was actually and interesting experience, trying to prove that I was/am a _bona fide_ poster and not causing trouble!! It was also a lesson in how much time I spend here when I am supposed to be working!! **Blue:** I must say, that on my way home from Hols, I was thinking, “If they haven’t restored my privilages, then I’ll sock-puppet myself and carry on posting, calling myself **grimpixie XP** or something.” But that would only have served to antagonise the Mods (which one is ill advised to do ;))… belonging to a community like this means abiding by its rules, even when (especially when) they are not in your favour. And my faith in the system was repaid, and after just three days!! I must say that I wouldn’t want the Mod/Admin job of having to sift through all the idiot troll waste that finds its way here… Gp ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/36 "2001-11-06T10:05:04Z")
Alright, once and for all. **Turquoise** - you and your kin need to listen to this: 1. Most people who post here like to build a rapport with certain groups of other people. This is very hard to do if you are continually having to change your name and keep quiet about your old identity. As such, although it may not strictly be _possible_ to stop someone from ever again making a single post, it is _pointless_ for the individual to keep up the game of silly buggers. 2. They always give themselves away. So **highjack** managed a staggering total of 21 posts. So what? How is that interfering with our operations? More to the point - how is that a pleasure for **highjack**? That’s not even sufficient for one decent argument. Because of this, even the saddest, most spack-happy fruit-loop will get fed up relatively quickly. Even our most persistant repeat offenders soon realise the pointlessness of trying to buck the system. 3. The admins have the ability to ban whole swathes of IP addresses at once. This has actually proven pretty effective at stopping most offenders posting at all. 4. The admins can spot a spoofed address a mile off. These get killed too. 5. They also have other Strange and Mysterious powers I cannot ken. Many trolls get banned before they even make _one post_. Beware the dark side of the moderation. So you see, this idea that it makes no odds whether one is banned or not is palpable nonsense. Either one cannot post again or one is in effect ostracized sufficiently that the few posts that are squeaked out are irrelevant. Now can we _please_ have an end to the tedious whitterings of the “you can’t ban me!” trolls? pan ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2001, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565/37 "2001-11-06T12:57:03Z")
And that’s enough of this. It’s going nowhere. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choice-of-user-names/89565.md?page=1)