# Should I change my username? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 17, 2002, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487 "2002-07-17T22:11:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/21 "2002-07-18T18:01:34Z")
Just FYI, there’s a problem. Any thread you started while your name was **Flamsterette\_X** will show you as the thread starter in the forum display. However, once somebody opens the thread, they’ll see your new name next to the OP. Same thing with quotes: your new name next to your post, and “Originally posted by Flamsterette\_X” in any post that quotes you. So this is not an effective method to throw somebody off your trail. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/22 "2002-07-18T18:12:20Z")
OOH! OHH! OOH! I GOT’CHA NEW NAME HERE! **Atomic Doll** Cute, huh? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/23 "2002-07-18T18:15:31Z")
I agree with Dantheman. Block his e-mail address and report him to the Admin if he bothers you here. Shouldn’t be a big deal. :::shrug::: Also, if he is reading your posts on the SDMB, why would you make it a point to make it known that you are thinking about changing your screen name? I would imagine that it would be a lot more affective if you did it behind the scenes and e-mail those people you want to know. I am sure that sooner or later the guy would give up if he didn’t see you here anymore. Knowing you are here under a different name may sound like a fun treasure hunt to him and a challenge to figure out who you are. The whole thing sounds a bit silly and dramatic. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/24 "2002-07-18T19:57:07Z")
**Bosda** : **Atomic Doll**? Sounds good to me, but I don’t know about that. I’ve never considered myself as such. Then again… **dantheman** , **ultrafilter** , and **Diane** : I don’t think he’s a member here; he did say to me once that he wouldn’t register. I’m thinking about what you all said, as well. I just want this to be an informed decision. Knowing this is more public than email is something I considered before starting this thread. The whole idea is still under consideration. Will let you know my decision tomorrow sometime. F\_X ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/25 "2002-07-18T20:44:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t think he’s a member here. Maybe I’m not getting it. If you block his e-mail and he isn’t a member of the SDMB, therefore is not harassing you here, why would this even be an issue? ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/26 "2002-07-18T21:00:55Z")
**F\_X** , while I support whatever decision you feel you need to make to feel safe or comfortable, I have to join **Diane** and confess to some confusion about what you think this would accomplish. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/27 "2002-07-21T22:05:30Z")
How do you change your username? I didn’t even know you could. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/28 "2002-07-21T22:18:15Z")
First, you decide on an alternative username. (say you wanted to be known as **Newspaper Strike** instead of **blink178** ) Then you’d email **Tuba** , saying you wanted to change your username from **blink178** to **Newspaper Strike**. (again, speaking hypothetically) From there, I guess you’d wait for the approval of the admins. I’m sure someone who has changed thier username in the past will probably be along soon to correct me if I’m wrong. I’m simply guessing here, as I have no idea of the process. F\_X ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/29 "2002-07-21T22:58:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flamsterette\_X \* > \*\*First, you decide on an alternative username. (say you wanted to be known as **Newspaper Strike** instead of **blink178** ) Then you’d email **Tuba** , saying you wanted to change your username from **blink178** to **Newspaper Strike**. (again, speaking hypothetically) From there, I guess you’d wait for the approval of the admins. > > I’m sure someone who has changed thier username in the past will probably be along soon to correct me if I’m wrong. I’m simply guessing here, as I have no idea of the process. > > F\_X \*\* Yup. That’s how I did it. I was a _real_ newbie, & used my own RL name. Odd & threatening E-mails resulted. So, **TubaDiva** helped me out. BTW **blink178** –do not use more than one name. This is called _sock puppeting_, & this is a Violation Of The Rules. A no-no for sure. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/30 "2002-07-21T23:03:35Z")
ah, so that’s what a sock puppet is. They were talking about it a lot in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Darren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Double\_Darren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Darren)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/31 "2002-07-21T23:18:59Z")
I’ll trade names with you. I wouldn’t mind being Flamsterette\_X. But whoa!!! that’s a lot of miles you got on that name in such a short time. I’d need it on paper that your name is not a lemon. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/32 "2002-07-22T00:26:14Z")
Believe me, it’s not a lemon! 😛 It’s the genuine article, and I thought of it by myself. (although for some odd reason, Flamsterette was taken oin AIM when I tried to register with that name) For the full story, go [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105572&highlight=brief+explanation+handle). As for my being **Double Darren** , I am neither a Darren nor a twin. (which is somehow what I think of when I see your name) However, it would be great to throw people off, right? (insert evil grin here) F\_X ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2002, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487/33 "2002-07-22T00:31:53Z")
By the way, I would like to add that while this is not a paper medium (more like a glass medium, if anything), this is probably the closest thing you’ll have to an “on paper” guarantee. Hope you’re satisfied! 🙂 F\_X [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/119487.md?page=1)