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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Usernames

33 replies

Mumteedum · 27/12/2022 09:09

I've been on this site for over a decade..I have changed name a few times over years but had a regular one in early years. I noticed someone else had created a new username virtually identical and most people would think it was same user at first glance. I ended up changing names and 'losing' my usual name.

It's just happened again. I've had this one for years and now there's another user (can only see posts fairly recently) who has virtually same name (added a letter at the end).

Shouldn't there be a way of making sure names are more unique? It's annoying.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 27/12/2022 11:02

In fact…I found it!

The actual post has long been deleted but the report on site stuff is still there

link

EmpressaurusOfWitchesBackFromTheDead · 27/12/2022 11:01

There was a period when people seemed to be doing that maliciously in FWR.

Mumteedum · 27/12/2022 10:59

Soubriquet · 27/12/2022 10:54

Years ago, my username was NeedACleverNN.

Someone managed to make an account that looked identical to my username. I can’t remember how they did it but I was very confused for a while. Especially as they started a post about Ben Stiller Confused.

People thought it was me and was also confused as to why I was posting about him. MNHQ got involved and sorted it

Exactly. If you're a long standing user and someone else starts posting stuff when people think it's you...well it's a bit annoying.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 27/12/2022 10:54

Years ago, my username was NeedACleverNN.

Someone managed to make an account that looked identical to my username. I can’t remember how they did it but I was very confused for a while. Especially as they started a post about Ben Stiller Confused.

People thought it was me and was also confused as to why I was posting about him. MNHQ got involved and sorted it

AngelontopoftheTree · 27/12/2022 10:51

If your name includes a lower case L or an upper case i - which look almost indistinguishable in the sans serif font used by MN (l and I)

Not sure which one is which, but one is slightly taller - barely distinguishable though, even side by side - testing... Il

ErrolTheDragon · 27/12/2022 10:47

How similar is too similar?
Someone once turned up with my usual name but with an 0 instead of an o. I pointed out male swamp dragons can't abide seeing each other or even a reflection of themselves so she apologised and found an alternativeGrin. Not everyone is as reasonable but it's worth asking a doppelgänger to change.

If your name includes a lower case L or an upper case i - which look almost indistinguishable in the sans serif font used by MN (l and I) then it's worth registering the alternative(s)

NewMoonPhase · 27/12/2022 10:38

Why do you care?

AngelontopoftheTree · 27/12/2022 10:34

Usernames are unique, but I don't think there's anything you can do about them being similar. Where do you draw the line? One letter less? 2 letters more? Adding a number?
I don't think it's a problem if it's similar, as they say on the baby names threads... no one owns a name.

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