Proposal/request for comment: codifying policy for handle changes
 

I and a few other TalkBoard members have hammered out a policy/procedure document that codifies what is basically the current, unpublished practice for member handle change requests as well as provides some additional tips and guidance to new members selecting a handle.

I am putting it here for public comment before formally proposing it as a motion for the TalkBoard to vote on. Please feel free to contribute your feedback on the idea.

The main reason I do not like this proposal is due to this portion of the proposal:

"updating a handle that is out-of-date or unrepresentative of the member."

I think that whatever username has been selected by a member at signup is how they have been known on FlyerTalk and that a member shouldn't be allowed to change handles just because they've changed positions in life.

For example, if I signed on as "CollegeProfessor" and then switched professions and became a bartender, that I should be allowed to change to "Bartender". Even though the CollegeProfessor handle that I originally signed on with may not have anything to do my current life, that's how I've been become to be known as on FlyerTalk.

If someone really wants it badly enough to change their handles, IMHO, they can petition the Community Director on their own - I don't think that part of the rule needs to be (or should be) formalized.

If that part of the proposal were removed, I'd be happy to vote for it - but that's enough of a point, IMHO, to not vote for it.

Think of the reverse.

What if you had joined FlyerTalk while working your way through college as a bartender and registered with the handle of "Bartender," then (years later) eventually accepting a post as a professor? On FlyerTalk, you may be known as Bartender, but you might be less-than-thrilled about your current employer finding out that you maintain an identity as "Bartender" (especially if you haven't yet achieved tenure ;)).

Allowing one to rid himself or herself of a title connoting youth, inexperience, or participation in what might be viewed by others as a "lower" level of employment can only serve to increase participation in the FlyerTalk community, thus benefiting the community.

At this point, too, most people would realize and think twice before choosing another handle that ties them to a specific profession, knowing that a similar change may happen in the future. This proposal does not advocate that someone be able to change their handle every time they change jobs; the single change restriction takes care of that concern.

Rather, it encourages someone who may initially choose a handle that may encourage others to take them less seriously (such as a handle indicating they're still in school when they've long since graduated, leading to people to assume things such as a limited budget or lack of flexibility with travel dates when such things may no longer be true) to choose a handle with a more permanent attachment to the person.

For example, someone who signs up with "PoorCheapoHighSchoolTraveler" may choose a name next time such as "PhotographyLover" after they've graduated and achieved success in life, someone who signs up with "SLC DL Traveler" may change to "TechnoGeek" after they've moved away from SLC and quit flying DL, and someone who signs up with "IAmALawyer" may change to "LiverAndOnions" if they want to quit being bombarded by PMs from people wanting legal advice.

If we do not allow them to overcome the problems caused by their initial handle choices, we end up simply driving them away, which is a detriment to the FlyerTalk community.

If someone feels that their handle has become a part of their identity on FlyerTalk and the tie they have to the community through that handle is stronger than any negative connotations or out-of-date assumptions brought by their no-longer-representative handle, then they are, of course, welcome to keep it. For example, a certain Hot Saucy Dude (who also serves on TalkBoard) no longer has any affiliation to said Company Of Hot Sauciness, and although I'm sure many people see his handle and assume otherwise (and probably blast him with PMs asking for free samples :p), his handle is enough a part of his identity and the FlyerTalk community that he would never desire to change it.

If the Community Director is going to have to review and approve these changes anyway, we might as well codify that, since the purpose of this proposal is to codify existing practice.

Sorry, jackal - but that doesn't change my viewpoint. The person themselves may no longer personally identify with their handle - but everyone else on FlyerTalk probably does.

Personally, I don't like the idea of changing one's handle for that reason.

Spelling and/or punctuation errors, or to remove your full name if that's what you signed up with, fine - but to adjust a handle just because it's not representative of you anymore, not IMHO...

So you would permanently lock someone into a one-off mistake they made, not realizing just how long they'd be hanging around FlyerTalk? Seems unfairly harsh.

It's a handle. If they feel strongly enough about it, they can contact the Community Director and make the case - don't think it needs to be made into a formalized rule.

This is my opinion. There are 7 other TB members who have yet to state theirs.

I am not sure I understand #3. Why can't a member have a personal name in their handle? They certainly can when they sign up... why not at this time? I see no reason to restrict a handle in any way from what they could choose originally.

In the first post, you indicate that this will provide tips and guidance to new members... how will this happen?

Currently, there is no detail on handle creation on the register screen... what will be added to provide the guidance?

My two hockey pucks are very simply based on this

And with that, imho, the only "exception" to changing a handle should be for correcting a spelling error as anything else is based on the previously quoted section. Yes it sounds harsh but to me it's a trivial matter for F/t staff to deal with as I'm sure there are other more important things they have to deal with. We're all big kids and have to live with decisions me make throughout all our lives (and for inquiring minds, I was almost known to you as "Slapshot" as that was the name of one of my cats at the time but i decided to change it at the last minute)

This is as opposed to true impersonation???

bottom line it [can be] allowed once. never a bad idea to formalize and publish policies.

Last I checked, IB was working on a way to display the full FlyerTalk Rules/Terms of Service/Guidelines/Whatever They're Officially Called during the registration process. (Currently, a more standard boilerplate vBulletin legal disclaimer is displayed.)

Would it be possible to include a line under a new name - Along the lines of

CollegeProfessor
previously known as Bartender

On the line where the title(s) goes, perhaps for 12 months after the change.

I don't see any reason for the Talk Board to even be involved with this topic. The Community Director can allow handle changes as she sees fit.

I would not necessarily be opposed to that requirement for that length of time. I also do like your proposal in that that it is something the member cannot change (whereas someone can easily change their signature), and I do believe custom titles are possible within the forum software.

The current practice as formulated (but never publicly published) by Randy is to require that for two weeks; the consensus I sensed among the TalkBoard members when I first brought this up was that extending the requirement to 30 days was sufficient.

12 months may be excessive for those who need to change their handles to protect their privacy (i.e. remove their personally-identifiable name), but I would be willing to consider that change.