Wikipedia talk:Changing username/Archive 1

message: Question moved to Wikipedia:Changing_username#Request_for_password-change Fantasy 10:11, 1 Jun 2004 (UTC)
thread_title: password forgotten / email wrong...

message: I see instructions for changing usernames and moving edit histories from ip address to username, but how about changing edit histories from one username to another? I already created a new one and have been editing with both. --Lussmu 15:03, 21 Jul 2004 (UTC)
thread_title:  Edit changes from username to another 

message: A feature request has been put into the latest tracking system: Mediazilla.  See bug
1807.   If you care about this, please create an account there and vote for that bug.  Meanwhile, I will see if people can create a new user-moving tool for bureaucrats to use.  +sj + 05:17, 25 Jun 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Feature request, and the future of this page 

message: Hi, I already registered the username User:Poiuyt Man, because the instructions of the changing username page a few months ago instructed me to do so. Will it be impossible to rename my account to this name now, since I've already created it? --User:Poiuytman talk 12:56, 5 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: We can't do it. A developer could - but they are overloaded with more important stuff. If you have another name (and it's never been created) then we can rename you. Secretlondon 19:05, 10 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Actually, if he created both accounts in question, couldn't he have you rename his placeholder to nonsense, and his current account to the name he'd like? Shem(talk) 21:10, 10 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Is there no way to rename to an existing account? 

message: We need to decide what to do with requests that are refused. Currently they are just clogging up the list. I'd remove them but I don't know whether they were informed on their talk pages. Also people need to archive when done. Secretlondon 20:26, 8 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Refused Requests

message: I'm thinking of changing my username. If I do, would I still have the contributions I did under "B-101"?- B-101 11:04, 24 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Yes - that's the benefit of renaming rather than making a new account. Secretlondon 16:30, 24 August 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Erm, I think Secretlondon might have misread your question. When you change your username, all your old contributions (in the article histories) are retroactively renamed. So no, your old contributions would not be under B-101, they would be under whatever new name you choose. However, the comments you have left on talk pages would still be signed in the old username. →Raul654 17:08, August 24, 2005 (UTC)
That's what I wanted to know, if I would still have the over 2700 edits I made since 2004.- B-101 18:15, 24 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: My contributions

message: The instructions for bureaucrats currently state that the old username should be recreated and blocked.  I've not been blocking the old usernames, as (1) I've been recreating them using instantly forgettable passwords which it is highly unlikely anyone will guess, and (2) if people are concerned about me using the account to impersonate an individual, well, I could unblock the account, and it wouldn't be much of a mystery who was doing it.  Is there any purpose to this instruction?  Otherwise, I'll remove this part of the instructions. Warofdreams 10:26, 25 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Blocking old username

message: I put down my request to have my username changed this morning. Does anyone know how long it's gonna take? And also, how will I know that my username's been changed?- B-101 19:10, 25 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: B-101

message: Hi, this whole changing usernames thing is new to me. I'm afraid that i'll screw up (as opposed to familiar functions such as RfA and vandalism reversion), so can a bureaucrat post a note here or on my talk page about the whole process so I can be sure I understood the instructions correctly? Thanks. — Ilγαηερ (Tαlκ) 02:56, 27 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  AARGH! 

message: There used to be a long line of requests (including mine, to change from Tony Jin to King of Hearts), but where did they go? Mine wasn't fulfilled, but it wasn't in current or refused requests either. --King of ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ 22:27, 28 August 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Disappearing requests 

message: Can a user with 0 edits request his/her account be deleted? (In case the user of one of those old accounts with no edits wants to free up his/her username) --Nectar T 20:02, 23 September 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Are you sure it's really 0 edits? Edits to deleted pages do not show on Special:Contributions. Currently, accounts cannot be deleted; they can only be renamed. --cesarb 20:33, 23 September 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Yeah, Kate's edit count tool shows the user has never edited Wikipedia.--Nectar 00:25, 18 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Can a user request his/her account be deleted? 

message: Where was it announced that this feature has been disabled? I've looked on the mailing lists and can't find anything. Was a reason given? Secretlondon 14:38, 26 September 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Brion told Raul, Pakaran and me on IRC this morning just before 12am (my time: +5:30 UTC). =Nichalp «Talk»= 14:45, 26 September 2005 (UTC)
replies: text:  Thanks. Did he say why? I am guessing load on the database. Secretlondon 14:47, 26 September 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: He said some bug fix was being seen to somewhere. =Nichalp «Talk»= 15:07, 26 September 2005 (UTC)
replies: text:  A bugzilla link would be useful.  This was actually being used (why was the editlimit upped to 6800, btw?) so it would be good for there to be community feedback of the "it's been three weeks!" form.  71.136.42.36 10:49, 16 October 2005 (UTC)
replies: text:  Me too, I wanna change my username. --Rkundalini 03:56, 17 October 2005 (UTC)

text:  looks like Wikipedia does not have commitment with the privacy of the members. --Mateusc 17:32, 13 November 2005 (UTC)
replies: text:  I guess it's  been re-enabled, I'd still be somewhat interested in an explanation for why it had to be disabled. JtkieferT | C | @ ---- 23:32, 17 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Disabled

message: We should ask people who have been waiting more than a week or so to reconfirm - they may have stopped editing or changed their minds in the intervening period.  I could do this tomorrow, unless there are any objections. Warofdreams talk 00:49, 18 November 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: I have left notes for all the users down as far as User:Anastrophe-wikipedia (other than a few which will clearly be rejected), asking them to reconfirm on the project page.  Please do not change the user names of people who do not reply.  I haven't checked whether their requests are possible. Warofdreams talk 13:39, 18 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Reconfirmation

message: Although I'm well above the 6800 maximum, I've been interested for some time in changing my user name to User:Owen. However, this handle has been registered for a number of years, while holding no evidence that it's ever been used. If an account hasn't been activated in some time (and never used for editing), would expiring it be an option? Sarge Baldy 18:02, 20 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Name change to old/unused account? 

message: Where did the number 68,000 (or 68.000 to some) dits come from? Why can't you change your name if you have more than that? 68,000 is an awful lot of edits. Can someone clarify this please? 
--HereToHelp|talk 21:53, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: It's only 6800, and a number of people are well above that. Sarge Baldy 22:09, 21 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  68,000 edits? 

message: I have made about 500 edits under the name Strangeloop. I have since long switched to my current username, but if it is possible I would like to have those Strangeloop edits attributed to my current account. The page is not clear about this; please tell me if it's possible. — mark ✎ 11:48, 22 November 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: This isn't possible.  The only way around it would be to move edits under your current username to a third username, then reattribute the Strangeloop edits to your current username.  It's not possible to merge the two accounts. Warofdreams talk 20:07, 28 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Changing the attribution of edits? 

message: Joshua's name change to user:ScienceApologist is confusing. Is he leaving, or just changing his name? Uncle Ed 17:38, 28 November 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Both. He's leaving, and wishes not to have his real name associated with his edits. This seems reasonable to me. — Dan | Talk 19:09, 28 November 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Leaving or staying?

message: When I created my account, I typed "jeti," only to be horrified to see WikiPedia welcome me as "Jeti." Is it possible for usernames to be uncapitalised?
It may seem silly to other people, but I'm "jeti," not "Jeti" (some sort of java chat applet AND a webdesign company AND from "The Return of the Jeti," a game), "JETI" (a type of model airplane motor), or "JeTi" (various people name with names like "JEnnifer TIggllksfj or JErry TIjslllk &c. AND  a church group by the name of "Jesus Time"). However, I'm unsure if this account capitalised means a name change to the same account name (letter-wise) uncapitalised is possible. I'd be very grateful for an answer.
*No, all Wikipedia usernames start with a capital letter.  If you're not happy having "Jeti", you'll have to choose another username. Warofdreams talk 15:26, 14 December 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Capitalisation problems 

message: User:Jossifresco is extremely eager to change their username but has nearly 10,000 edits.  I've left the following message on their talk page: "I appreciate your reasons for wanting to change your username ASAP.  However, changing usernames places a huge load on the servers and I understand that for users with more than roughly 6,800 edits, there is a chance of it crashing Wikipedia.  Under the circumstances, I'd recommend that you contact a developer directly, and if you have no luck there, raise it on the discussion lists or meta."  If anyone has any better ideas, I'm sure Jossi would love to know. Warofdreams talk 15:16, 14 December 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Jossi 

message: Several months ago (or was that a year? I forgot), I asked to change from User:Tony Jin to User:King of Hearts to remain anonymous and not use my real name. But the rules at that time said I had to create this new account, and then wait for developers to reattribute edits and block the old account. Is there anything that can be done now? -- King of Hearts 05:47, 19 December 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Username Change Problem 

message: I've just created the article Wikipedia:Copying watchlist to new username instructing how to do this, and added the link to the Alternatives section.  Coyoty 03:44, 19 January 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Transfering watchlists from old to new usernames 

message: Is it possible to change my username to one that exists but has only 6 edits to the user page itself and no article edits (or any edits elsewhere)? The user page just says "Error, must be delete." The name in question is User:Brian. Rx StrangeLove 22:36, 27 January 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: hmm....doesn't look like these kinds of requests are possible, once a name is created it's done, even if the user leaves permanently and never was a contributor? Rx StrangeLove 22:42, 27 January 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Absolutely right.  There's not a technical reason why this can't be done, but the general consensus has been not move any account unless requested by its creator. Warofdreams talk 19:54, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Just as I thought, maybe there should be a way to "archive" unused or empty usernames to free them up. User:Foo to User:FooBak or something. This user for example used the account for 30 minutes and only made 5 edits to his userpage and was never heard from again (10 months ago). Maybe usernames with fewer than 10 edits and older than a year (or some pre-defined level of inactivity) should be archived on request with a bak extension. Doesn't really hurt anyone and keeps the edit history. Rx StrangeLove 21:23, 28 January 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Making edits shows some intent of actually using the account. I do think it would make sense to free up accounts with no edits at all, which have been inactive for a given time period (a year or so). — TheKMantalk 07:02, 4 February 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Well, there comes a time when there's not much point in waiting for someone to come back. In the case I was talking about there was no article space editing a all and only a handful of userpage edits. At some point it becomes a fairness issue where someone is taking up a username and seemingly never coming back preventing active users from using it. Rx StrangeLove 18:13, 4 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Username question 

message: I have made several contributions (username as Mfields1) but the account was logged out on my PC today and I cannot retrieve the password.  I'm sure I signed up with an email account but no email is sent with my new password.  I did sign up as MFields1 which is similar but all my past page monitors and contributions are lost.  What can I do?  Thanks.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.27.166.204 (talk • contribs) 01:18, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Try again...we were having a few problems recently. — Ilyanep (Talk) 23:10, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Lost password 

message: For reasons explained on my talk page at User_talk:Raul654#A_complex_rename_request, User:Abelsson has a compelling reason to change his username, even though he probably doesn't want to. He has asked to usurp User:Henrik, an account used for vandalism in 2003 which I conjecture was then blocked (it predates the block log so there's no way to know for sure). Given the vandalistic nature of the Henrik account (and the fact that it appears to have been dead for 3 years) I see no reason why I shouldn't grant his request. If no one objects soon, I'll go ahead and make the changes. Raul654 23:05, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Usurping a vandal account

message: I did a search and couldn't find an answer to this question (although it apparently has been asked before), so why is the limit 6800 edits? It's not a power or a multiple of anything obvious. Is it just an arbitrary 'more than this and it's too much load on the database' figure? --Malthusian (talk) 10:56, 3 March 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I'm not sure. The developers may be better able to answer this question. =Nichalp «Talk»= 06:11, 4 March 2006 (UTC)

text: Is there any word on this? I'm at just shy of 5,000 edits, but I am still holding out for a change of username to A. I fear that if I go over 6,800 edits it will make it that much more compliated for me to get a namechange. Please put my mind at ease so I can stop worrying about this and get back to making Wikipedia a better resource. —A 07:00, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Relax, I've checked the source code on the page and it has been increased to 20,000. The devs should have informed us about the change. =Nichalp «Talk»= 07:25, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I'm glad to hear this! Thanks for the update. —A 08:39, 10 March 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Why 6800 edits?

message: I created my new screen name last year when accounts with tens of thousands of edits couldn't be moved. Now I have my old account, with 17,000 edits, and my new one, with about 6,000 edits, and I really just want to merge the old account with the new one. Is there ANY possible way this can happen, or is it just a lost cause? It'd make me very happy and forever grateful if it could occur. Mike H. That's hot 22:41, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: No we can't merge accounts as of now. The developers used to do this, I hope they can provide us with this facility soon. Regards, =Nichalp «Talk»= 05:21, 13 March 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: "Lost cause"

message: Many of the problems on this page appear to stem from an issue with Special:Listusers. All user names, like all other pages, begin with a capital letter, so searching for a name beginning with a lowercase letter (e.g. sjorford) always returns no results, even if the name exists with an initial capital (Sjorford). Since search engines are generally case-insensitive, most people automatically type search terms in lower case, hence the constant confusion on this page.
Would it not be straightforward for Special:Listusers to automatically convert any search term from lowercase-initial to uppercase-initial before searching? — sjorford (talk) 12:04, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: That would indeed be a good idea; I'll mention it to the next developer I see. My guess is, however, that it is a default setting, since some wikis (including some Wikimedia wikis) are case sensitive on usernames; that is, you can have a username that starts with a lowercase letter. Essjay Talk • Contact 12:20, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: I've logged it on Bugzilla. However, I'm not sure about there being lowercase usernames - e.g. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Special:Listusers doesn't show any. — sjorford (talk) 12:30, 4 April 2006 (UTC)

text: I'm positive there are case-senstive wikis, hence this note on m:Stewards: Enter the user name (which must begin with a capital letter unless it is a sysop with a lower case username on a case sensitive wiki) followed by @ followed by the wiki name, except for meta. Enter for meta only the username. (emphasis mine) Essjay Talk • Contact 12:57, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: You're right, there is an example on French Wiktionary ( ). Bug listing updated. — sjorford (talk) 14:09, 4 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Well it should be trivially easy to check whether case sensitivity is enabled on the wiki and modify the special pages as such depending on whether or not it is. — Ilyanep (Talk) 23:36, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

text: Oh wait...it looks more or less fixed. — Ilyanep (Talk) 23:40, 7 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  [[Special:Listusers]] "feature" 

message: Hi I am interested in changing my user name from Dandelion1 to Dandelion but I don't want to lose my edit count. Is this possible? Thanks User:Dandelion (talk|contribs) 04:07, 13 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Yes, that's what changing username does; otherwise, it'd just be "registering a new account."  Stick your request on the main page and we'll take care of it for you. Essjay Talk • Contact 08:45, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Edit count and username change

message: Essjay and Nichalp are doing all the work! :D :( — Ilyanep (Talk) 18:12, 15 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Just trying to keep this talk page from ending up like another talk page...  Essjay Talk • Contact 08:42, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Err...implying something :P j/k — Ilyanep (Talk) 21:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Jeez! 

message: Hello,
I was wondering if I would be able to delete my account if I have made no edits.  Or should I just request to have my username changed?
:User accounts are never deleted. However, if they have never made any edits, there is not much use to renaming them; there won't be anything public to rename. You're better off just creating a new account under the name you want. Essjay Talk • Contact 07:58, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  No Edits