so thats its an option u can only use if ur a "good" player?

i think it's a good idea because it will save deleting there name for the sake of it and will make people aprechiete whatever rank they are.

How will it be a problem to the person who re-signs up with the same account name, i dont get you.

Endless PM's from people who "knew" them before, posting on forums and being regarded as the previous owner etc etc..

Simple fact is, it would free up loads of usernames if people were restricted to one, and most importantly, the idea is that if the user decides within the year to come back, they can, with the same details as before.

Its a win-win situation.

Not at all! Anyone who knows me will know i'm a diabolical player, yet even i'm at 800 on UK pool!

Seriously though, the reset option was put in place for thos who like to play rank or win percentage challenges, so they didnt have to delete/create and mess up the forums, risk losing thier name (Mquiston for example), and most also so people knew thier experience so knew they weren't a "real" newbie.

If you have a read back through the forums you will see the threads discussing all this.

By restricting the feature like this, you could help prevent its abuse. Since if your rank is below 800, whats the point in resetting anyway!

Its that simple.

Edited at 21:18 Tue 9/01/07 (GMT)

Spinner i have read a lot about online communities, and carried out research myself. The results of various pieces of social research show that one of the main attractions of an online community is the anonymity.

Once someone has had a username for a while and they post on this forum they gain notoriety, for some people this gets too much and they delete and tell a few close friends only to obtain their anonymous status once more.

I understand why you would want to stop the people who delete in a temper and recreate but this option should not be taken away from the people i am talking about.

Just my ten cents worth

100% agreed 1984 (great film that by the way!)

Thankyou for also clarifying that for Kev as well, i didnt put it over that well!

Hence the suggestion, as posted by you, of having an account with a changeable screen name.

The procedure i suggested is to deal with exactly what you suggest, people can still delete, or simply stop posting, using thier account knowing it will be gone if they dont change thier mind within the year.

If they create a new one, it shoudln't pose a multi-using problem since only the one account will be logging in from the IP address.

So basically we have established that with the implementation of a change username function, we no longer need the delete function.

But you will still get disagreement from users who like to have 2 accounts, one that is recognised by everyone on the site and another for those who play for records or for a bit of peace and quiet.

Multi-using is not a crime on this site unless one is committed.

Nope, its still needed, but only to close an account untill an expiry system is ut in place. Some may feel its still necessary so people feel a sense of closure, and thats fine if the username is retained for a year or so.

It wont, however, be needed to change identity anymore so that deals with that problem.

Edited at 22:13 Tue 9/01/07 (GMT)

Well i've only ever had one username, as have most people, and i never have a problem having a quiet game or practice or challenge to myself, so i cant see why anyone would need two. If you want to be anonymous, log in as a guest!

Ive asked for years as you can see looking back through the forum and i've never seen another reasonable reason.

Fact is, the moment you create a new or second account, you are immediately cheating yourself, rendering all stats etc meaningless.

Edited at 22:16 Tue 9/01/07 (GMT)

Spinner that's your opinion, it may be shared by some but not by all.

What your saying is important to users who hate losing rank ultimately in a rather deceitful way, but there are a lot of users who like to hold more than 1 account or like to change their name for the reasons i have stated throughout this thread.

We could blame deleting on living in an easy come easy go society, people just don't value possesions anymore.

User on the verge of deletion, "Im bored of this name i think i fancy a new one".

Or "I want to get 100-0 and don't want to look silly for resetting and it showing up on my profile".

Or "I made some silly comments on the forum and now i look like a plank".

Or "I am addicted to this site and people are commenting on it".

Or "I deleted to stop myself playing too much, my studies, marriage, work is affected by it"

Life is diverse and so are people. One thing is for sure you won't be able to convince everyone this is a good idea.

Its not an opinion dude, in fact its not MY opinion, however i prefer to work with facts not opinions, and thats what it is. A fact.

Ok lets put it simple.

At the moment, you have one display name per account and the only way to change it is to delete all your stats.

What is suggested is multiple usernames for a single account, so people dont have to do anything more than a quick change of name.

Regarding deleting, rather than my initial thought, the debate has moved on to make it sensible to retain the delete option, but turn it into an effective deactivation so that the username is retained, in the event the user changes thier mind, and to prevent the problems currently being reported in other threads.

Most important though, if these improvements were to be implimented - nothing changes for those who like it as it is now.

Like i said before; win-win!

Edited at 22:55 Tue 9/01/07 (GMT)

Dudette to you Spinny

Ive already said i agree, i was just stating reasons why people feel the need to delete.

The only drawback is people may use the deactivation function the same way they use the delete function and create a new account anyway.
Multi-using can only be regulated with users who have a static ip address i believe.

Oops! Sorry Dudette!

Admin can keep a very good eye on multiusing. Even those with dynamically assigned IP's would still have to break and reconnect every time they changed account for thier IP to change (if even then). Sign in pattrens are also there for mods/admin to see.

If a user deletes, then creates new, so long as they really do leave the old account alone, then fine. The old one will expire and all is well.

Admin have already said they will get tough on offenders so that alone should be enough to put people off.

But if someones going to leave for good why hold that account, yes we know the person will receive messages of people from someone thinking they are the previous owner but hey we know what will stop that a simple "im leaving" thread on "Magicblacks" topic

I feel people should be given incentives rather than rules, if you give people choices the majority of the time they will make the right one. So given the option to change username rather than delete holds more appeal to me anyway.

Kev is right in this instance, holding up a username for a year is a bit harsh.

I won't go in to the business of usernames and ip addresses as i like this account

I like your style on here 1984, clear and concise. But what you said above more than slightly contradicts your point Or "I want to get 100-0 and don't want to look silly for resetting and it showing up on my profile".

I mean people will sometimes make the 'right' decision given the 'right' circumstances, but as you can see, thats not always the case.

I'll give my hard-line, moderator oriented opinion.

No multi-using. Limit 1 account to IP.

No deleting.

God it's just so simple. here's a line for the books...!

Why should we orientate our entire system on the vast minority who have selfish and childish reasons for wanting something different?

Let's appeal to the masses.. after all there are about 68,045 / 68,073.

I really think thats a big problem on our dear little forums. their so little and such a huge minority of users participate. The types who do participate are the 'devoted' types who usually spend a lot of time on funkypool and get bored, want new names etc etc etc.

and those who have families ie brothers and sisters or partners who play on the same game? those on aol who have a single ip 4 thousands of users so i hear

so you hear? where'd you hear that emma?

'we're sorry, there is already an account registered to your household. Please click here to send admin a request to add an account for a different family member'

I know it wouldn't really work, mostly because of colleges etc. but in a prefect world

so any1 would say "i am so and so's brother i need an account".

Are we talkin perfect world or not, beacause am assuming as seen as were talking bout practical new features we should be refering to the real version