# ScarletNumber **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 10, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847 "2012-07-10T23:31:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/21 "2012-07-11T06:21:53Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’d like to change my username to **ScarlettNmber** And _I’d_ like to change my username to **ScarlettNomber** ---
**Author:** ![Zyanthia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/22 "2012-07-11T11:40:47Z")
> [@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_ ---
**Author:** ![Yask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Yask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yask)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/23 "2012-07-11T14:01:31Z")
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** ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/24 "2012-07-11T15:16:33Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > That is the poster know as **even seven** , who was confused with **even sven** and was asked to change.\*\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/25 "2012-07-11T16:39:00Z")
> [@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.” ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/26 "2012-07-11T17:09:14Z")
> [@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? > [@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. > [@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. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/27 "2012-07-11T17:15:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/28 "2012-07-11T17:21:53Z")
There’s a poster named **astro** floating around here somewhere. I demand he be taken out and flogged! ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/29 "2012-07-11T17:41:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/30 "2012-07-11T17:46:15Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > 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! ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/31 "2012-07-11T17:55:41Z")
I’d like a name change to **ScarlettLumber**. Redwood has always been my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/32 "2012-07-11T18:06:47Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/33 "2012-07-11T18:18:27Z")
That’s the same cousin who makes all the decisions regarding advertising, right? ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/34 "2012-07-11T19:26:40Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > that’s the same cousin who makes all the decisions, right? ftfy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/35 "2012-07-11T19:41:46Z")
> [@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? ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/36 "2012-07-11T20:16:01Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/37 "2012-07-11T20:41:10Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/38 "2012-07-11T20:45:18Z")
Whereas for me, I kind of feel like **Heart of Dorkness** is a long-lost relative. It’s cool. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/39 "2012-07-11T20:56:38Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847/40 "2012-07-11T22:19:36Z")
> [@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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scarletnumber/627847.md?page=3)