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Username Amnesty in The AnswerBank: Editor's Blog
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Username Amnesty

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AB Editor | 09:53 Mon 04th Feb 2013 | Editor's Blog
238 Answers
Good morning,

We've decided to offer everyone the chance to change their username, just once, to make it more appropriate.

Why?

Well, over the years we've had different rules at different times about usernames. At one point they could be no longer than 12 letters and at another they could contain spaces - for example.

We've also had a few layout changes over the years, meaning that a username which used to fit nicely under the avatar (or even by itself, before we had avatars) now runs on to two lines, or breaks awkwardly.

And this isn't your fault.

To this end we'd like to introduce a "Username Amnesty" during which we'll allow submissions of new names and alterations. This is a one-shot deal - so make sure you mean it!

Here's the rules:

1. It hasn't already been taken.

You can check this by visiting here:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/members/ab-editor/

and replacing the "ab-editor" part of the link with the name you'd like.

2. No spaces, funny characters, your real name, rude names, naughty words, slanders, something purposefully similar to another user's name etc

3. You only post if you mean it. Making a "joke" that you'd like to change your name to "FunnyBuns" will probably result in you being known as "FunnyBuns" for the rest of time.


How?

Let us know what you'd like your new username to be here as an answer.

Just post your desired username as an answer and we'll go through and make changes over the coming week.


Until when?

We're going to trial this until Monday 11th February 2013.


Anything else?

We'll likely remove off-topic discussion from this thread fairly harshly.

Aside from that, feel free to get started now :)

EDIT: Just to clear up a few question: Yes, you keep the same stats, questions etc and your new name will appear on all your old questions.

Additionally, you need to check if a username is available - we cannot delete users made before the creation of this question.

EDIT 2: To be super clear: you don't have to post if you don't want your name changed. If you DO, please post what you would like it to be... having already checked it.

NOTE: It will not be me making these changes, but someone who doesn't know you. If you've made a "joke" about a name you don't want, you better report it quickly!

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DTCwordfan please Ed

Thanks for this.....
suggestion - could we have a list of changes esp if folk really change their name and not shorten it as I have done. Ta
If I did it, would the change be retrospective so all my previous posts would show my new name?
Won't this thread be the list?
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'Naomi' please - without the 24.
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G'mornin' Ed :-)

Just to clarify, our stats will stay the same? Starting date? Badges? Etc? And if we're mods it won't send our moddy buttons doolally?
can you change mine to emmie

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Can I change mine to factor-fiction please Ed?
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Just 'vulcan' please.
My brain's hurting now, I have wanted to change mine for a while but I can't think of anything suitable.
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Hi Ed

I have used my real name since Day One because we all did - it has only changed with additionl of a hypehn because of some glitch in the system back in the msist of time.

i would like to keep my name - but do i understand that 'real' names cannot be used? If so, i will convert to an appropriate pseudonym.

Thanks.

A.

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