Whats in a name?

[Danmark]

Hi guys, I'm not trying to be a damp sponge here but it really can be confusing when folk have similar ( almost identical ) usernames.

Currently we have 'Sgt Rock' ( joined in March who many of us have known for a long time on GHW using that name ) and now a new member called 'SgtRock' ( no gap ) joined up this month. Now THAT is confusing!!!

Last year we has a short lived member called 'LaryC' who some confused with our blade expert & moderator 'Larry C'
This ( I think ) turned out to be rather disruptive.

When we join up there is no way to check if our username is (almost ) the same as someone else but dang, it can lead to confusion when it is!!!

Just an observation tech guys - maybe some code can be written to prevent "close calls"?????
Regards, Dan

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Dan, certain usernames are blocked. But to write a code to block variants of existing names would take days! We have about 14,000 members when I last looked.....

When people join up the onus is on them. If your option of username is already taken, it is frankly foolish to pick something very similar.

I can change anyone's username if they send me a PM and request it.

Obviously, anyone we discover with an objectionable username we do ask them to choose another one, or leave.

Cheers, Ade.

[Danmark]

I see Ade, thanks.

I just felt that because one 'Sarge' is a very experienced helmet guy and another 'sarge' may be a new player ( no offence new sarge ) and the character of Sgt Rock is of course is BOTH their avatars.......... well, you get my point.

Regards, Dan