[Discussion] Username Policy

Summary:

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[Discussion] Username Policy

OptimisticLucio 23 Apr 2022 19:34

Mirror

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As a preemptive note: This is totally a low priority issue that we just want to patch out. This will not be delaying, in any way shape or form, the reopening of applications. It was just noticed while looking over system:join.

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For reference, here's our current username rules:

Usernames:

• Bad Usernames
  • No names with "SCP" or "Class D" or an SCP number.
  • No names with a Foundation character that isn't yours (like Dr. Bright, Dr. Sophia Light, Able, or Alto Clef).
  • No names saying you're official website staff (like 'admin', 'administrator', or 'moderator').
  • No names saying you're in charge at the fictional Foundation, or other fictional groups on our website (like Senior [anything], MTF Leader, O5, Director, Executive, or Overseer).
  • No names with profanity (swear words) or offensive content.
• If you have one of these names, we may remove your account. Please change that name.
  • To change your name: Go here and click on Edit next to your username. You can only change your account's username twice, so be careful.
• You can have names like "Doctor", "Researcher", and "Agent", because these names don't say you're in charge at the Foundation. If you're not sure, ask a staff member.

While it's generally agreed that names with profanity, offensive content, or names that imply position on site staff (like "Admin") should be disallowed, discussion occurred regarding our somewhat inconsistent enforcing of in-universe titles, such as "D-Class," "Researcher," "Agent," and "Site Director."

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Should our current username policy, specifically in reference to in-universe titles in usernames, be modified?

Last edited on 23 Apr 2022 19:36 by OptimisticLucio Show more

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

OptimisticLucio 23 Apr 2022 19:41

In my opinion, we right now are kind of in a weird middleground with this rule. We allow some in-universe titles like Researcher and Agent, yet not others like Director and D-Class. If the problem is with in-universe seniority, then we should disallow "Doctor" and reallow "D-Class." If the issue is with any RP elements, then we should disallow the rest of the titles outright.

I am more in favor of "let people name themselves anything that isn't an established character/offensive", since I don't think it's really our place to dictate what is a "good" username, but whichever way it goes I just want our rules to be consistent and straightforward.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

Meserach 23 Apr 2022 19:51

Honestly I think that name policy is pretty good.

Doctor, Researcher and Agent importantly don't imply hierarchy, and that's really what we want to avoid.

I don't particularly care about roleplaying, except insofar as it makes conduct harder to control, and nor do I care about preventing people from naming themselves in cringeworthy or silly ways. But I do care about people naming themselves to imply they have authority on the site (because that enables abuse and makes moderation more difficult), and I also care about naming themselves such as to imply they're open to abuse or hazing (which also enables abuse, and is why I think permitting D-class names is a bad idea).

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

Ethagon 23 Apr 2022 19:56

These are pretty much my thoughts as well.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

Jacob Conwell 23 Apr 2022 22:01

Thirding here.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

OccultistMave 23 Apr 2022 19:55

I think the username policy is fine as it currently is.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

torcsandantlers 23 Apr 2022 20:01

This is already covered under "No … offensive content.", but it might be worth making it explicit that we don't allow the names of offensive historical figures or slurs either. A potential rewrite:

• No names with profanity (swear words), slurs, or offensive content.
• No names saying that you're associated with any real world hate groups, or any of their members.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

Hexick 23 Apr 2022 20:07

I think it's fine as is, to be honest.

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Hexick, SCP Wiki Moderator
Personal site: http://hexhouse.wikidot.com/
Feel free to forward any concerns or inquiries to my Wikidot inbox.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

OriTiefling 24 Apr 2022 00:08

Policy is fine the way it is. A bit silly, even. I think that if we're really concerned about roleplay and false authority we're better served by just addressing the issues as they come up rather than having a username policy.

That said, no need to change it. It works, and we have bigger fish to fry.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

EstrellaYoshte 24 Apr 2022 05:57

In practice, what we have is fine for the most part, but definitely need some rewording to be more concise and flexible. To me, it would be like:

• No names with profanity, slurs, offensive content or connotations. [This bullet is mostly unchanged, and should get top billing.]
• No names implying official staff positions (e.g. "Staff, Operational Staff, Moderator, Admin, Administrator, etc.) [Slightly expanded example for more clarification.]
• No names implying specific, unique positions/affiliations in the Foundation or other fictional groups on our website (no SCP-173, O5-Money, D-1234, MTF Leader, etc.)
• No names with pre-established Foundation characters on site. (like Dr. Bright, Dr. Sophia Light, Able, or Alto Clef.)

Consequence of that above third bullet would be that names with Director or Executive would be allowed, since those are not strictly exclusive to the SCP Foundation, so Director Happytime would be allowed, but SCP Director Happytime and Foundation Director Happytime would not be.

That said, I don't think it's that big of a deal, since we already have a few bajillion Doctors who I'm sure are not actual doctors, and if anyone roleplays with their name, they get the book.

Last edited on 27 Apr 2022 08:35 by EstrellaYoshte Show more

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

OptimisticLucio 24 Apr 2022 07:39

Im in favor of this. It’s clearer than our current wording and seems to make internal sense.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

The Pighead 24 Apr 2022 09:29

Seconding.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

torcsandantlers 24 Apr 2022 18:47

I'd be happy with this.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

Jacob Conwell 24 Apr 2022 20:03

Solid suggestions. Would be in support of this change.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

ManyMeats 25 Apr 2022 00:17

I, too, dig this.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

stormfallen 25 Apr 2022 02:05

I'd personally be a fan of banning Doctor/Agent/etc. for roleplay reasons, but with Wikidot's limited username changes and 14 years of accounts I know that's not feasible. This seems like a solid rewording.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

LORDXVNV 25 Apr 2022 12:56

I think this rewording provides the necessary clarity and rationale. This is largely in line with what the userbase that has commented on the forum thread wants i.e. essentially no change to the current status quo.

Re: [Discussion] Username Policy

Zyn 04 May 2022 05:10

I'm good with this wording; thank you Estrella!