Dain, do you think it would be a good idea to get rid of the user ID all together? You would log in using an email address and a password. Your real name is your display name. For example, I would be "Nicholas Morgan". One of my complaints about the current growth is that I do not know anybody's real name anymore (in most cases not even their first name) when I used to know everybody's name. The site is losing much of the "personal" touch that it used to have. I realize this is inevitable with growth, but perhaps it would give the site more of a personal touch if your real name was your display name.

Perhaps in the profile page, an additional field could also be added where you can add a photograph of yourself so that people can have a visual idea of who they are dealing with when doing transactions with people. Maybe some additional fields could be added too.

Nick

I think a lot of people wouldn't want their real name out there like that. It seems like it could be a great idea, but I'm sure we'd have a lot of people not like it at all.

Now having extra space on your profile to fill in info about yourself would be great because it could be made optional, and most of the people that are active would want that info there to share with others.

I agree that is a possible complaint that some people might have. If this idea is not implemented, I hope that is not the only reason why. I don't see any reason why anybody wouldn't want their real name on the internet other than all the imaginary hype about identity theft that is made up by the media. Nobody can do anything questionable with just your name. I understand sometimes employers can search your name to get some background info on you, but they would search huge social networking websites (MySpace, Facebook, etc) and would not think to search NintendoAGE.

if you did it i wouldnt feel like such a dork

A lot of people would think it is awkward

what do you do when 2 people have the same name?

Then 2 people would have the same name. It would be like if I met another person who had the name "Nick Morgan". Unlikely, and it would prolly be weird but cool at the same time. I'd be like "Yo dude you got a sweet name"

I doubt two people are going to have the exact same first and last name, but who knows. I think this would create a HUGE amount of confusion when everyones names suddenly changed.

maybe it could be an optional thing that is in addition to your id. like have you id and maybe have in quotes your name under that. Completely optional. I think it would make it a little friendly.

definitely agree with the space to write about yourself or put a pic up.

I high school I graduated in a class of 120 people.  Three of them were named Chris Brown

I work with 2 Michael Browns it gets really confusing sometimes

Anyone who legitimately wants their name out there can always stick it in their sig. I'm sure some folks didn't use real names to sign up anyway.

Have a look at the forums on boardgamegeek.com. They have your real name first, and a nickname second and it seems to work well.

What the hell?!  Two guys at my work have the same name, Mark Brown.  I am absolutely serious.

^ lmao

That looks like it works really really well.

I went to school with 2 Tommy Myers, one was the "black Tommy Myers" and one was the "white Tommy Myers".  They weren't really confused for each other that often.

Haha

Well my name is already my username, so I don't mind. But I can see why people wouldn't want to have their name shown. Zzap's idea sound's pretty good. But to be honest I think it's fine how it is.

There were 3 Jason Smith's in my high school at the same time. I don't really see the need to implement this though. It doesn't really serve that much purpose IMO. If you calling someone by name, or by their handle doesn't make that much difference. Plus a lot of people will just use fake names, or make funny ones anyways and it solves nothing. People like to hide behind their keyboards and think they are safe at home whether it is really true or not.
~~NGD

I think we might do a "meet halfway" type thing with this. I'd rather see the username first, then your real name in smaller text inside parens, basically the opposite of boardgamegeeks. If you don't want your real name, just put your initials in.

Looks good, and does add a personal side to the forums

Nice, I already falsified mine of course

This is a good add for people who want it, and those of us that don't can change it as we please. I actually don't like being called by my first name on the internet at all because I don't feel anyone can truly know me through a keyboard.

I'm actually really surprised how much I like this new feature, definitely makes the place a little more personal. Very nice touch!

Good suggestion, good implementation. And quick! This was like 8 hours from concept to execution!

Dan, this is the perfect opportunity for me to inquire about how to pronounce your user name. I've known you as Dan for a long time now, but I still find myself pronouncing your user name Dang-Evin. What is the proper what to pronounce it?

Wow, that was fast Dain... Great suggestion and super fast implementation..