# The sock that is not a sock **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 19, 2001, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554 "2001-09-19T09:11:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/1 "2001-09-19T09:11:24Z")
Can I change my name? I mostly just lurk and often disappear for months at a time, but when I joined I didn’t figure I’d even do that and I picked a really dumb name and have been unhappy with it ever since day one, but don’t want to just get a new handle because then I’d lose my “member since 1999” which I am in some sense proud of, and my (meager) 250 posts, which at my rate would take until 2004 to get back to; however I dont want to be socking, or in any way look like I’m socklike, not that anyone actually would care if I was. Can I change my name? ---
**Author:** ![Amazing\_Tiki\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazing\_Tiki\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazing_Tiki_God)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/2 "2001-09-19T09:14:40Z")
Sure just e-mail Lynn or Tuba, but do go askin’ to change it a bunch now cause that’ll get’em all rowdy like. On second thought… ---
**Author:** ![warmgun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/3 "2001-09-19T09:37:49Z")
That’s easy for you to say The great and Mighty Oz…er, I mean Tacky God…dammit, **Tiki** God. Whew… Question: If you do change your name, does it retro-act to all your post, like post #'s and ‘banned’ staus? Peace, TMTG 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/4 "2001-09-19T09:50:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by warmgun \* > > Question: If you do change your name, does it retro-act to all your post, like post #'s and ‘banned’ staus? Yup. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/5 "2001-09-19T09:52:18Z")
> [@](#): > > do go askin’ to change it a bunch I hope you meant “DON’T” there. We will change names upon request, but we won’t do it for an infinite number of times. > [@](#): > > If you do change your name, does it retro-act to all your post, like post #'s and ‘banned’ staus? Yes, you’ll keep your post numbers and member title. I doubt that I would change anyone’s name if they’ve been banned. I did change Czarcasm’s name (at his request) after he became a moderator, and he kept his moderator status. Interestingly, if furt decided to change his(?) name to Something Different, this thread will still show furt as the OP in the forum lineup. I believe, however, that upon opening the thread the OP would be listed as Something Different. Just drop an email to TubaDiva or me, and we’ll get you straightened out. All we ask is that you think hard about your new name, as we’re unlikely to change it again. TubaDiva is really busy this week, got a lot on her plate, so you might want to email me. Lynn For the Straight Dope ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/6 "2001-09-19T09:57:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > **Interestingly, if furt decided to change his(?) name to Something Different, this thread will still show furt as the OP in the forum lineup. I believe, however, that upon opening the thread the OP would be listed as Something Different.** This is correct. I think it’s some sort of vB database thingie where the OP name of a thread title is static (i.e. saved at the time the OP is created), and the poster name itself (i.e. seen from within the thread) is dynamic (i.e. actively retrieved from a continuously updated database upon thread load). I don’t know a lot about vB, so I might be explaining it all wrong. But that’s the gist of it. ---
**Author:** ![Amazing\_Tiki\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazing\_Tiki\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazing_Tiki_God)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/7 "2001-09-19T10:04:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > do go askin’ to change it a bunch > > I hope you meant “DON’T” there. We will change names upon request, but we won’t do it for an infinite number of times. > > \*\* D’Oh! One of the few times I can come in and answer a question I muck it up in some way. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/8 "2001-09-19T10:22:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > All we ask is that you think hard about your new name, as we’re unlikely to change it again. Oh, geez. Now it’s pressure time. It’s like a second chance at life. I can’t screw this up. I gotta get a good name. Oh man, um… Rubber MacFishes. no… Mr. Thunderstockings. no… The Pantless Vertigo. Wetnap. Captain Pendulum. Thursday afternoon. baXtercakes. Fharfrnad. Lance Boyle, M.D. I’ll be a working on this for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![BooBoo316](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooBoo316](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooBoo316)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/9 "2001-09-19T11:10:45Z")
Hey, **jarbaby**! Band names ahoy! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/10 "2001-09-19T11:30:06Z")
Well, furt, you can always do what _I_ did. Go to IMHO and let the Teemsters name you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/11 "2001-09-19T11:33:59Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by furt \* \*\* > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > Mr. Thunderstockings. > no…_\* Natty Bingo? Weeping Thursday? Noodles? Noodles O’Tootles? Oodles of Noodles? I LIKE NOODLES!? Frodo and the Bagends? XQrFdvG? Darth Noodles? Pel Torro? Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow? Pulsating Nodule? Horta Egg? Matzo Ball Soup? NothingButGingerbreadLeft? AlwaysHappyToHelpOut?. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/12 "2001-09-19T12:16:29Z")
I’m not sure, but I think “Fenris” has been taken. ---
**Author:** ![puk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ea5d25/32.png) [@puk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puk)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/13 "2001-09-19T14:20:11Z")
Fenris? nah, that one’s still free. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/14 "2001-09-19T14:33:57Z")
If I’m not mistaken, **Chicken of Bristol** is still available…hey, where is **evilbeth** , anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/15 "2001-09-19T14:48:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Czarcasm \* > \*\*I’m not sure, but I think “Fenris” has been taken. \*\* By who? I never heard of him. Nameless in Colorado ---
**Author:** ![Sparteye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Sparteye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparteye)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/16 "2001-09-19T14:48:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > > I did change Czarcasm’s name (at his request) after he became a moderator, and he kept his moderator status. OK - I gotta ask: what was Czarcasm’s former name? [sub]I’m not nosey, I’m inquisitive.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/17 "2001-09-19T16:34:08Z")
Czarcasm’s former name was **slythe**. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/18 "2001-09-19T16:40:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Coldfire \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > > **Interestingly, if furt decided to change his(?) name to Something Different, this thread will still show furt as the OP in the forum lineup. I believe, however, that upon opening the thread the OP would be listed as Something Different.** > > This is correct. I think it’s some sort of vB database thingie where the OP name of a thread title is static (i.e. saved at the time the OP is created), and the poster name itself (i.e. seen from within the thread) is dynamic (i.e. actively retrieved from a continuously updated database upon thread load). > > I don’t know a lot about vB, so I might be explaining it all wrong. But that’s the gist of it. \*\* Yeah, unless they’re doing it all weird, it should work like that. I believe the name associated with the OP (as opposed to the name listed in the forum) is also saved. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/19 "2001-09-19T20:05:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by furt \* > \*\*Can I change my name? > > I mostly just lurk and often disappear for months at a time, but when I joined I didn’t figure I’d even do that and I picked a really dumb name and have been unhappy with it ever since day one, but don’t want to just get a new handle because then I’d lose my “member since 1999” which I am in some sense proud of, and my (meager) 250 posts, which at my rate would take until 2004 to get back to; however I dont want to be socking, or in any way look like I’m socklike, not that anyone actually would care if I was. > Can I change my name? \*\* Whatever name you choose I doubt it will contain a period. ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2001, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554/20 "2001-09-19T20:28:01Z")
It will…eventually. I vote for Mr. Miksiksaplix [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sock-that-is-not-a-sock/82554.md?page=2)