Really, just as I’ve said it. Is it that thousandth time that you smile at the ‘in joke’ before you realize that nobody wants to get it (or is busy trying to forget it)? Is it when you realize that the one silly joke it memorializes never described you, and in fact, says nothing about you? When do you just say ‘uncle’ and decide to change it?
Sure, go ahead and change it you say…but change it to what? The possibilities of making a ‘frying pan to fire’ leap seem pretty good. What processes would you use to try to make sure that the new name you choose works, fits, and that you are doing all your due diligence to make sure you won’t be typing this same thread three years hence?
I have never changed a screen-name. My AIM SN is still supersaiyanJCE, made back when I was in 7th grade and Dragon Ball Z was cool. Well, cool to some anyway. I’m 24 now.
Now that I think about it, I have changed a screen-name once. My original dopername was xabc_keitaro. I only made like 19 posts though… therefore I say it doesn’t count
I think it’s the same way you know that you need to get that tatoo removed. You have to be either revulsed or embarrassed. Just not loving it any more isn’t enough. OK, it’s now a joke that no one gets? That’s not enough. It’s a joke that everyone gets, and it embarrasses me now? That’s enough for a change.
For what it’s worth, I don’t get the reference or joke in Count Blucher; but I don’t see it as something embarrassing.
I’ve thought about changing mine to get rid of the numbers, but . . .
(1) I’ve already had my allotted name change, I think, because I signed up waaaay back when with what was then my e-mail username (before the @), which was a shortening of my real name, which I shortly decided was Not Smart. But I dunno, it’s been so long and I used the first handle so briefly that they might let me do one more.
(2) What would I change it to? I’ve gotten pretty comfy with this one.
It’s not exactly true that you only get one name change. What is true is that if you ask Tuba to change your name, the first time you ask she’ll change it cheerfully. But if you ask to change it again a month later, you better have a pretty good reason. She’s an adminstrator, not a maid.
I believe the guideline for changing your screen name is don’t be a jerk about it. So that early screen name that you made 15 posts under 5 years ago likely isn’t a problem.
I’ve asked to change my username to just plain Lemur, but some dork with zero posts signed up with that name years ago and duplicate names aren’t allowed. I’d prefer to get rid of the letters, but since my target name isn’t available I’ll just live with what I’ve got.
I changed mine due to two things: 1) a spate of newcomers had names similar to mine and people got us mixed up, and 2) I was tired of people assuming I was male so I went for something more femme.
Okay, three reasons. The main one was that I didn’t put any thought to the name I chose in 2001 when I had no idea that I’d still be reading this board several years later. I just chose the first thing I could think of that wasn’t already taken.
I unfortunately have two screen names alternating back and forth on the internet. What happened was way back in the day, I set up my name as shuamort on most everything. Then, I cancelled AOL and when I went online to chat with friends, I couldn’t use that name anymore. I always hated those shuamort8565548318 names, so I created stpauler. Well, some accounts didn’t let me switch the name, my yahoo account was still shuamort and I even have that email address on my checks (although, I haven’t written a check in over a year). The problem I have is remembering which site has which name. Occassionally when my computer loses its cookies, I have to have my passwords reset on a bunch of accounts as I don’t remember who I am where.
It’s funny I should find this thread, because I’ve pretty much decided to change it, and it’s just a matter of getting around to emailing a mod.
I chose my name because of an inside joke. I’d be working in a dusty part of the apartment, and when I came out, my wife would comment on how “linty” I looked, and I just came up with “Linty Fresh,” which cracked her up. It was a cute little inside joke, and when I decided to sign up for the board, it was the first name that entered my head.
Well, a few months ago, I found out that some scuzzbucket had taken my name for their new company. They took my original creation which I’d worked and slaved over for almost twelve seconds and exploited it it for filthy lucre, destroying my idealistic worldview and creative urge. Without even offering me a cut! The designs are kind of lame, too.
I already have one or two names picked out, and I’m trying to decide between them.
I dunno. My real name (“Eleanor Lastname”) is a somewhat different persona than eleanorigby–some days, I’m not sure which one I prefer. Rigs is more apt to just say what she wants to say and hang the consequences than me, RL name. I’ve grown attached to ole Rigs and see no reason to change. I don’t use any other bbs anymore, so keeping track is no problem. Eleanorigby fits me–I am a lonely person (no face in the jar by the door, though–and I’m not dead. Yet.)
This is the most enduring username I’ve had, actually (~15 years). 1010011010, IOIOOIIOIO, I0I00II0I0, etc. It’s easy to get in one form or another so I haven’t been forced to make another one… which probably has more to do with it than anything.
Count Blucher, what’s the “in joke” that you’re tired of? The only “Blucher” that comes to mind is Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman’s character in Young Frankenstein). I thought she was a widow. Are you tired of being thought of as a side-bar in a Mel Brook film?
What’s the in joke, please, for us ignorant dopers?
I’m in the same boat. In fact, this name was never even a joke here, and the site where it was bestowed on me has seen so much turnover that hardly anyone there even remembers the circumstances (and the fact that it actually is a joke). However, it’s the only username I’ve had aside from my actual name, and I learned not to use that some time ago.
I’ve been pondering for a little while whether or not to change my user name to **Wank features fungal snatch **but I…dont know I cant make my mind up.
I reckon it might well pull the chicks juuuuuuuust a LITTLE!
But that said I’m having enough problems with incredibly good looking young women stalking me for sex,so much so that I’ve had to take on an assistant just to keep up with their carnal demands.
And frankly I’m starting to get a little bit knackered.
I think I’ll sleep on it,just as soon as I’ve serviced the six bitches lying on my side of the bed and fucked them off.
Honestly who’d be me given the opportunity?
Bad luck aint in it.
The designs are kind of lame, too.