What if we allowed members to change their handles on request?

Would allowing username changes cause any unforseen issues? What to you think the pros and cons might be? If we allowed username changes by request, should we place any restrictions on it and, if so, what might those restrictions be?

A little background:
It has been our experience that requests for username changes will inevitably arise (in fact, we have already had some requests on MilePoint). The motivations vary: privacy concerns, location changes, consistency with a name used on other sites, typos, and just plain not liking the name anymore are all reasons we have heard. It is generally accepted that a member's username represents their identify in an online community, but we want to know if you agree with that or, more precisely, how you think these requests would best be handled on MilePoint.

What do you think?

I think you should treat it like many airlines and hotels treat a status match. We will change it one time and only one time so be careful when you ask for a change, it is like a tattoo, permanent.
Or how about designating a Charity and any username changes must be purchased by making a charitable donation. I would still limit it to only one change.

I agree with Westsox. If you allow one change, then make that the only change a members get. Multiple changes should be avoided.

Avoided, but why forbid them? There may well be circumstances in
which a person who has already changed may need to change again.

Additional changes could be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Yes, allow changes. This isn't Russia.

I think a one-time should be allowed.

They should all be done on a case by case basis.

I agree it should be a case by case basis. Right now there's probably just a larger % than normal because the site's so new and people are just getting set up in their new user-names. The % of people asking for name change would probably go down to a pretty low run rate once site membership stabilizes.

I think that as a new site, it may be beneficial to allow changes more liberally. After it is more established (that apparently won't take long it seems!) it may be necessary to have some restrictions. It would be reasonable to allow one change. Perhaps one change without reason in the first 3 months? After that, I think maybe MP could have guidelines for when it will be allowed (i.e. privacy concerns) that will be reviewed and approved individually.

I think one time change but by a case by case basis. I think most of us use the same username on many different sites anyways.

Yes, please... I'd like to use my one change to go back to my FT username. The "First/Last" on signup made me think I had to use my REAL name.

I think it should be permitted but limited to one or two times. There should also be a transition period of maybe a few days to a week where the user name could be listed as: NEWNAME formally known as OLDNAME.

1st Time Free
2nd Ten Bucks or Free after 10,000 Posts
3rd Fifty Bucks or Free after 20,000 Posts

Wow, is that actually you in that avatar?

Yes, that's number 1277

ALlow them to change it just once!

Why not let people change, but the previous name should follow publicly for a time (probably a few months or a year), but should always be listed as "Former Handles/Usernames" or the like in their profile if someone wanted to look it up.

Could be like a rap song:

Sobore, formerly known as ______,
a.k.a. ______,
a.k.a. ______,
a.k.a. ______,

etc.

I know other large forums allow it only once per year.

I think one change would be good as sometimes people genuinely need to change their handle for various reasons.

this idea is good in that it does allow for times when a name change needs to be done.

people do tend to be predictable over time, don't they? it is hard enough to come up with a user name IMO, i just end up using the same one over and over.

Don't set limits or rules on the number of changes. But clearly note the FKAs forever.

I agree with this, as just freely changing one’s milepoint.com name at whim can cause confusion to other milepoint.com members.

It is challenging enough just trying to figure out what the names of milepoint.com members were on FlyerTalk, for those who chose not to keep the same identity...

I would say avoid changes, but not forbid it. Perhaps a lifetime max of 3? A lot of name changes would be confusing.

I'd vote for a once every so many (days, months, years) sort of rule.