# New rule added to SDMB **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 17, 2000, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444 "2000-01-17T08:15:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2000, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444/1 "2000-01-17T08:15:00Z")
I wanted to let you all know that a new rule has been added to the Straight Dope Message Board. In this forum “Comments on Cecil’s Columns,” use of alternate screen names has either not occurred or not created problems that I am aware of. It _has_ created problems in some of the other forums (fora?). But I thought I should pass this on to you guys anyway: “Only one screen name is permitted per user. If you wish to change screen names please notify the webmaster and we will deactivate your old screen name. Use of multiple screen names is grounds for revocation of your right to post under ANY screen name. We reserve the right to refuse postings from screen names we find objectionable.” This does not, obviously, relate to any column written by Cecil. There is a debate about it in the “Great Debates” forum if you’d like to join in. Jill ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444/2 "2000-01-18T02:06:00Z")
Jill, I signed on with my real name, mostly to take full credit (or blame) for what I write, and also because it seems almost unique here. But lately, I’ve been wondering if that was such a good idea. There seem to be a few psychotics posting on a couple other boards (or maybe just one, using several aliases). If I say what I really think over there, will they track me down? So, is there a way to change my username without changing anything else in my profile? If so, would the new username replace John Rush everywhere I’ve posted? I don’t want to change it just yet, but I’d like to know if that option is available. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444/3 "2000-01-18T02:47:00Z")
Jill: I heard that people posting under multiple names is supposedly quite common on message boards. The reason is that it’s a quick and easy way to make some lone weirdo or pervert seem like the majority. Is this why this restriction has been enacted? For the forums (forii?) where this has happened, could you tell us who the Doper Doppelgangers are? BTW: I’m sorry if this could be answered by going to Great Debates, but I try to avoid that section. * * * –It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats. ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444/4 "2000-01-18T06:00:00Z")
Jill: I heard that people posting under multiple names is supposedly quite common on message boards. The reason is that it’s a quick and easy way to make some lone weirdo or pervert seem like the majority. Is this why this restriction has been enacted? For the forums (forii?) where this has happened, could you tell us who the Doper Doppelgangers are? BTW: I’m sorry if this could be answered by going to Great Debates, but I try to avoid that section. ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444/5 "2000-01-18T06:01:00Z")
whoops, forgot to add the smiley. 🙂 Just trying to get Diceman in trouble… ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rule-added-to-sdmb/444/6 "2000-01-18T21:36:00Z")
[[So, is there a way to change my username without changing anything else in my profile? If so, would the new username replace John Rush everywhere I’ve posted? I don’t want to change it just yet, but I’d like to know if that option is available.]] John, yeah, just drop a note to the Webmaster about your name change. And no, it wouldn’t replace the John Rush posts already there.