[007]

I have had some members change their names recently and some of my other members absolutely hate it. They hate getting used to a new name when everybody still calls the person by their old name.

So, I have a few options I think:

1. Don't allow name changes ever.

2. Charge a decent amount for name changes, to still allow them but keep the number of requests extremely minimal.

3. Allow a certain number of name changes per member. Maybe 1 change every 5 years or something.

What do you guys do for name changes? I'm looking for thoughts from people who hate name changes. I'm sure some of you don't mind them and would allow them daily so if that's you then I don't think you can help me.

Thoughts?

[Moelman]

I think limiting the number of times a user can change their username is fair, 5 years is way too long though, I would think 6 months-1 year would be more reasonable. If your forum is huge you could probably charge for it, but I don't think that'd be too popular of a decision.

[Xhaiden]

I keep it on a request only basis and I also make it known that it better be a good reason. Sometimes I completely understand the need and sometimes it's just a reason that really has no basis. I find leaving it up to your own judgment is the easiest. At least that's how I've always done it. I don't know if people will react well to having to pay for it but I guess you never really know till you try it.

[Rizzo]

i have only ever had a person change their name once, not changing it all the time. I would put a time frame on it if it was becoming an issue, maybe a year?

[MrKielington]

You can offer like one week out of the year where you can allow members to change their username. That might be a good solution so you can knock them all out in one week.

[theezy]

I have a request thread in my feedback section: ttp://www.forumadvertiser.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=8705
As you can see the members just fill out a simple template letting the community know what their old user name was and their new username is. That way there is no confusing questions from other members. The community can simply check that thread to see who a specific person was and who they are now. If a member is asking to change their name every few days I might tell them I will do it one more time and then they will have to wait a while before requesting a name change again. And no, I wouldnt charge them for it. That seems greedy as it only takes a couple seconds to change a user name in the ACP.

[UltimateOreo]

I would offer to correct the name if mispelt at registration for free but if someone with over 100posts just asks to change their name I would have to refuse or charge at least $20 as its just a problem changing peoples names.
1. - People don't know who the hell it is.
2. - Its annoying and confusing.
3. - Encourages other to ask and annoy you!

[Shawn Gossman]

I require users to become "supporting members" to change their username as well as have a title. So far, no one has asked me to change their name.

[theezy]

Originally Posted by UltimateOreo

I would offer to correct the name if mispelt at registration for free but if someone with over 100posts just asks to change their name I would have to refuse or charge at least $20 as its just a problem changing peoples names.
1. - People don't know who the hell it is.
2. - Its annoying and confusing.
3. - Encourages other to ask and annoy you!

I disagree with all that. And $20 is a lot of money to ask for you to do something that only takes a couple seconds of your time. I would think things like this, is what chases people away from a specific forum. But thats just my two cents.

[Shawn Gossman]

I think if someone who was not a supporting member asked that I change their name, I'd probably give in and change it LOL but I wouldn't make a habbit of it. Now supporting members are given a feature to change it themselves but a feature I have in the AdminCP is a "username history" section so I know who they are at all times