←back to thread

Riot is now Element

(element.io)
550 points J_tt | 2 comments | 15 Jul 20 07:07 UTC | HN request time: 0.416s | source
Show context
echelon ◴[15 Jul 20 08:04 UTC] No.23842493[source]▶
Speaking of names, I'm upset that the username I go by is taken. I'm echelon @ { gmail, HN, Twitter, Github, Gitlab, Square Cash, etc }, but found Riot / Matrix just a few months too late to get my username.

I'm not satisfied with the "just stand up your own server" response as an alternative.

I know it's cutting off my nose, but I've avoided using it because of this. I'm OCD about stupid usernames.

I wish unused usernames got garbage collected.

I really like how Discord handles usernames.

replies(9): >>23842519 #>>23842624 #>>23842828 #>>23842940 #>>23843002 #>>23843015 #>>23843207 #>>23843644 #>>23847328 #
1. quickthrower2 ◴[15 Jul 20 09:26 UTC] No.23842940[source]▶
Pick a more unique user name. echelonhelicopter, for example
replies(1): >>23843309 #
2. wccrawford ◴[15 Jul 20 10:24 UTC] No.23843309[source]▶
I made up a name for an RPG character, and then started using it across the internet.

Then I found out that someone else had already made the name a few years before me and was already doing that.

Even unique names that aren't at all dictionary words are at risk of collision. I think the smarter tactic is to accept that you won't get that same nickname everywhere, and just have a few alternatives that you'll use if necessary. Complaining to the masses that a name is already taken isn't going to work.