Do-It-Yourself Name Changes
"Putting the power to change your name in the hands of the member!"

Easily 90% of the Private Messages I receive are from members requesting a name change.

Not only is it time-consuming, but because of the volume of requests I am regularly backlogged and cannot get around to the requests in a timely manner.

For that reason, and because I'm on a neverending journey to enrich the quality of the member experience at BZPower, I've just installed a function to allow members to change their own username!

But before you get all excited, there are a few important facts to understand.

What has happened is that you will now effectively have two names:

• User Name: This is the name you used when you registered with BZPower (or if you had a name change prior to 3/7/2003, your name at that time). This name will never change again and will forever use this name to log in to BZPower. This name is viewable only from your profile, unless you never change your display name, in which case this name will continue to be what everyone sees.
• Display Name: This is the name you will be able to change on your own. Keep in mind that the same rules still apply: vulgar or intentionally confusing names are not acceptable, and you should always check the Member list to see if a name you want is too similar to one already in use. Your display name will be the one everyone will see in your posts, PMs, online status, etc.

Keep in mind that this is not a free-for-all. Once you change your display name you must wait 90 days before you're able to do so again (45 for Premier Members and 30 for Outstanding BZPower Citizens). Also, if you choose a name that an Administrator deems inappropriate and/or intentionally confusing for other users, your name will be changed back and you must still wait out the 90 day period. Additionally, you should know that the system will automatically keep track of every Display Name you've used over time, so just as before, changing your name will not be a way to escape your reputation or hide from others.

Be very sure you like the name you choose; I don't want my inbox to get filled up with, "I changed my mind" PMs, please.

How to do it.
It's very simple.

Enter your BZPower Control Panel and scroll down to the last item on the left under "Options."

You'll see "Change Display Name." Just click and follow the instructions!

Finally, I can't stress this enough and I know there will be confusion:
No matter what you change your Display Name to, you will still log into BZPower with your original User Name!

As always, drop me a PM if you have any questions or problems.

Just a word of caution:

If you ever want to be a mod or ST member, don't go changing your name because it will be very hard for us to keep track of you when casually viewing the forums.

Another comment on changing your name: Use only standard upper and lower case letters, numbers, and standard keyboard symbols. The use of accented characters, additional symbols, and non-English letters makes it difficult for members to read and type your name, especially in regard to sending Personal Messages. If a member is found with illegal characters, their name will be changed back to their last display name that did not use them.