Not sure if this belongs in this forum -- and perhaps I'm not patient, but upon discovering that there is another registered FT user that goes by the name Scavenger (note the spelling), I have since the beginning of November emailed and PMd admin@flyertalk to request a name change for myself in accordance with FT policy (even though I'm circa 2003 vs. my alter ego 2005). I'm happy to change my name (particularly since I mispelled it when I joined)

I'm not sure if it is unreasonable to expect a response within 2 weeks. Any suggestions??

Thanks
Scavanger

I have been trying to find out how to change my name also, there is another singlemalt (without the space) but haven't been able to find the proper page to do it. Once you have found a successful path to a name change can you post your experience?

Not sure if it is the answer you want to hear, but Talkboard voted 8/1 earlier this year re:

Can I change my Flyer Talk handle?

The short answer is NO. In general the handle you registered with is the one you are known by during your time in this Community. However, if for instance you started 2 years back as FargoFlyer and are now based in Tampa, we will allow you as a ONE TIME courtesy to re-register your handle. Once you have registered under that new name, you must email a FT admin to cancel the duplicate handle. Failure to do so is a violation of the Flyertalk Terms of Service as each member may only have one handle. Be warned your post count then re-starts at zero, and your "join date" will reflect the date of the new handle. And this is a strictly ONE TIME offer to members, so please think carefully before asking!"

(Note - If this motion is passed the TalkBoard recommends that a "grace" period of one month from vote closing be in place where existing members be permitted to apply for a name change. If the change is approved by Admin the existing post count and join date will not be affected. The new handle will show the previous handle immediately under the new name approved. Members availing themselves of this one month's grace period exception will have used their "ONE TIME" option by this action.)


Glen

My apologies that you have not received a response on this. Ozstamps is correct in what he posts, if a user name is changed it can only be done once and is then permanent and the reg date and post count of the new user starts as a new user would.

As I read it, the TalkBoard rule seems to deal with people who simply wish to change their handle because they'd prefer a different one. When someone comes along afterward, however, and signs up with a handle that's very similar to their own and could easily result in confusion and PMs being sent to the wrong person, it seems that's a different matter and one that's briefly addressed in the TalkBoard-approved Guidelines and Rules:

Before you can post, you must register with FlyerTalk and establish a username. Your username is a unique and consistent identifier, and serves as your identity on the forums. If you have concerns that a new username is very close to your own, please contact a moderator.

It seems to me there's some contradiction here and also that a long-time member should not be penalized with having to change names and start over from scratch when a newcomer choses a very similar variation on their handle. I don't know who should address this, but the TB policy and the TOS don't quite seem consistent on this one nor does the TB policy address handles that are so similar as to be confusing (scavenger vs. scavanger and singlemalt vs. single malt).

as for not receiving a response, the staff member in charge of that has been away documenting the LondonDo over the past week. He's due back tomorrow and like others, I'm sure you will receive an answer. Yes, like our members, we travel as well.

Thanks for understanding.

letiole all that was taken into account when we voted and when we framed the motion.

It was wordy enough as it was!

Mods and Randy's staff are an important line of contact here.

A new member signing up now as oz stamps or ozstamp would be automatically approved by the software. If they posted only in the NW or DL forum for instance I'd likely never notice.

Any Mod noticing a new handle similar to one they recognise as an existing member may politely advise the new member of this, and/or an email to HOM will sort it pretty soon before the new member is here long.

Likewise an existing member seeing a handle close to their own can take that same course.

IIRC is is then a judgment call by Randy's staff to disable the new name if they agree it is close enough to cause confusion to an active existing member.


Glen

So here's the response:

(email addresses and names have been omitted except for mine, scavanger)

from [email protected]> 12:28 pm (9 hours ago)
to scavanger@???.com
date Nov 16, 2006 12:28 PM
subject Re: Username change request ---4th request

Thank you for your email.

Per our policy, we do not allow member's to change their name and attach the new name to their old posts. We do allow a one-time username change, but it essentially involves re-registering with a new name and starting over with zero posts and a new registration date -- we then disable your old account so that you will not be in violation of the restriction against multiple handles.

If this is what you would like to do let me know and I will be happy to assist with the process.

Best regards,
???
??? Manager
The WebFlyer Network

Reasonable response in my opinion.

You've been active on FT for almost 3 years and only have a handful of posts so setting your counter back to zero would not be a big loss.

Here's your chance to pick a new, unique name and only lose a few posts in the process.

I'd say go for it IMO.

Hi Choula Thanks for your quick response I appreciate your comments. I had gone to the registration screen put in a new unique name, almost hit the enter button....but then something caused me to hesitate ... and it occured to me what's the big deal, so what that there's another scavenger out there .. your're exactly correct with just a handfull of posts it's no big loss or gain... sorry to have inconvenienced the folks at FT .. I'll just carry on as my old self(s)

Best Regards