# Similar user names
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [December 7, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551 "2005-12-07T19:59:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/1 "2005-12-07T19:59:35Z")
How close to user names need to be to be disallowed? Technically, I can understand the code checking for exact matches when a new user is created, but does the board have any rules (hard and fast or otherwise) for how dissimilar user names need to be to avoid confusion? (Yes, I have a specific instance in mind.)
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/2 "2005-12-07T20:06:44Z")
In theory, your best bet is rule #1.
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### Author:  [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/3 "2005-12-07T20:09:53Z")
When we find 'em – or someone finds them for us – we ask Screen Name #2 to come up with another one, and we change it for them.
If it’s close enough to be confusing, that’s too close. Like so much of what goes on around here, we can’t tell untili someone is confused. 🙂
TubaDiva
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### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/4 "2005-12-07T20:45:02Z")
There have also been some, um, undesireables who tried to use names similar to ones that either currently exist or had been in use until changed to something else. For example, shortly after I changed my name someone’s sock tried to join up under a name similar to the one I had been using.
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### Author:  [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2005, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/5 "2005-12-07T21:13:38Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#):
>
> There have also been some, um, undesireables who tried to use names similar to ones that either currently exist or had been in use until changed to something else. For example, shortly after I changed my name someone’s sock tried to join up under a name similar to the one I had been using.
Lube Skywatcher?
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### Author:  [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/6 "2005-12-07T21:32:30Z")
What happens in a case like myself and [AugestWest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) ?
I had my username first, but was away for quite a while and in the meantime FrankD6 changed his to the above. He probably had no reason to expect that I would return as a member.
Just curious…
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/7 "2005-12-08T00:02:41Z")
> [@August West](#):
>
> What happens in a case like myself and [AugestWest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) ?
>
> I had my username first, but was away for quite a while and in the meantime FrankD6 changed his to the above. He probably had no reason to expect that I would return as a member.
>
> Just curious…
Wow! Usually it’s pretty clear cut. A new member innocently chooses a name too close to an established poster. The newbie has to change. But this one…?
I think a cage deathmatch is in the rules somewhere… **tuba** will get back to you… :eek:
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/8 "2005-12-08T02:34:25Z")
> [@samclem](#):
>
> I think a cage deathmatch is in the rules somewhere… **tuba** will get back to you… :eek:
If you can make it pay for view, we might be able to get that server upgrade…
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### Author:  [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/9 "2005-12-08T04:33:46Z")
There was an **alansmithee** on the boards for a while. I kept meaning to say something, but I never did, and he didn’t post very much before drifting away. _Ce la vie._
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### Author:  [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/10 "2005-12-08T13:09:23Z")
If you do see someone with a username that’s liable to cause confusion, just email an administrator, and we’ll do our best.
Just like historians never confuse presidents with similar names, like the two John Adams, and the second one was obliged to change his name by adding “Quincy.” Or the two George Bushes, so one of them is “W.” Or the two Benjamin Harrisons, where… oh, wait.
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### Author:  [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/11 "2005-12-08T13:18:49Z")
Is this thraed sponsored by Jerry Springer?
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/12 "2005-12-08T13:32:30Z")
> [@August West](#):
>
> What happens in a case like myself and [AugestWest](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) ?
Thank you! I once referred to you in a thread and misspelled your name, thinking you had – then when I hit submit realized you didn’t misspell your name, and had a 😕 moment – now, of course, I’m all :smack:
😉
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### Author:  [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/13 "2005-12-08T14:00:51Z")
> [@C K Dexter Haven](#):
>
> If you do see someone with a username that’s liable to cause confusion, just email an administrator, and we’ll do our best.
>
> Just like historians never confuse presidents with similar names, like the two John Adams, and the second one was obliged to change his name by adding “Quincy.” Or the two George Bushes, so one of them is “W.” Or the two Benjamin Harrisons, where… oh, wait.
You mean Frank is going to have to change it to August Quincy West? :smack:
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### Author:  [@Angels\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angels_Flight)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/14 "2005-12-08T14:32:08Z")
I had a similar name angelsflite and just changed it myself.
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### Author:  [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/15 "2005-12-09T20:45:02Z")
Just saw this thread. My esteemed counterpart has it correct. He had the name first.
I would be happy to change again if the admins will waive the one change rule.
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### Author:  [@15\_noon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/15_noon)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/16 "2005-12-11T14:57:23Z")
I’ll bet nobody gives a ratsass.
On another note:
The system seems to kill some suggested names as “already taken” that aren’t.
I tried a couple times before it decided this one was unused.
But I know the others were unused too, as they involved obscure quote puns.
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/17 "2005-12-11T15:09:39Z")
> [@15 noon](#):
>
> But I know the others were unused too, as they involved obscure quote puns.
And nobody here could be as clever as you, right?
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### Author:  [@15\_noon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/15_noon)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/18 "2005-12-11T21:40:25Z")
You think “Metronome of the Silver Hayes” was already used?
Why on earth would you think that. But fine, if you want to check for sure you have the membership and can search for such things. If I’m wrong thinking I was the first to utter that phrase with that spelling, just let me know.
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### Author:  [@15\_noon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/15_noon)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/19 "2005-12-11T21:41:45Z")
Oh, and the key word was _obscure_, not clever.
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### Author:  [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-user-names/334551/20 "2005-12-11T21:53:30Z")
> [@15 noon](#):
>
> You think “Metronome of the Silver Hayes” was already used?
If I was to bet, I would say the CGI choked because your proposed name was too freakin’ long, not because it was already taken, regardless of what the error message said.
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