Real Name as Field in Profile?

**mcciff2112** · 01-04-2010

Originally Posted by StefanPochmann

Btw, I'm completely in favor of this if the real name would get shown next to each post *instead of* the fake name.

So you mean instead of showing your username as "StefanPochmann", it would show "Stefan Pochmann"?

I'm also in favor of this, I wouldn't mind getting rid of my username and showing my real name next to my posts.

**Dene** · 01-04-2010

The only reason I'm arguing is because so many people seem in favour of it, despite it being clear that there was absolutely no need. When asked for a reason, no one supplied a sufficient one.

As for Stefan's suggestion that a real name has to be used instead of a fake screenname (well this wasn't quite what he said, but is essentially what his suggestion implies), the big problem is that people do not want to use their real name.
Like I implied in my first post, if people want to know your name they will find it out. If you have chosen a fake screenname then put your name in your biography if you want people to find out.

I am against Stefan's suggestion, just because of privacy. If you want to show your name, you should have chosen it as your screenname. If you now regret that, make a new account.

**Stefan** · 01-04-2010

Originally Posted by Dene

I am against Stefan's suggestion, just because of privacy.

I didn't suggest to require people to fill that field.

**ErikJ** · 01-04-2010

I'm kinda fuzzy on the problems with changing names. are there any? does it cause the site to work improperly?

**MichaelP.** · 01-04-2010

The second time I was meeting William (IamWeb), I asked Justin what his user name was, he didn't hear me, because he was intensely solving the 4x4, but he did say "Parity". He was of course referring to his solve, but when William walked in I said "Oh, hey, you Parity from the forums right?" In other words... +1 on the optional name section.

**shelley** · 01-04-2010

There already is an optional name section. It's called your username. If you don't want to broadcast it that directly, you can always add it to your bio. Or link to your Facebook, where your real name is listed.

We have separate fields for WCA profile, IM, YouTube, etc. because they are links to external sites and it's convenient to link people that way. Your name is just your name. You can put it anywhere, and adding a separate field for it seems unnecessary.