Atkinspedia:Changing username
From Atkinspedia
The user name Atkinspedians choose for themselves is not set in stone. On request, Bureaucrats can change user account settings and article histories such that all previous edits of a given user are attributed to the new name using Special:Renameuser. Note - you must make the request from the account you want renamed; anonymous requests are ignored for security reasons.
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Of interest:
You can only be renamed to an account that does not exist. If you have very few edits, it is far quicker to just create a new account.
Requesting a change
Instead of changing your name, you can change your preferences to change your signature. This will change your "public appearance" on talk pages without requiring costly changes to the database. All your edits will be attributed to the same user.
Please note: It is not possible for bureaucrats to merge together two accounts, or to reattribute edits made without an account (that is, contributions from an IP address). Only registered accounts can be renamed, and can only be renamed to a new, unused account name.
Instructions
Please follow the procedure carefully or your request will not be fulfilled.
- Check that the new name you want does not exist by searching Special:Listusers, you must capitalize the first letter of the username! If you do not, the search will fail; Atkinspedia does not allow usernames that begin with a lowercase letter. NOTE: Do not create an account under the new name if available.
- Add your request in the "current requests" section. Make sure that you are logged in. For security reasons, bureaucrats will not effect a name change if the request comes from an unauthorized user.
Once fulfilled
- Your old account will be deleted from the database. All edits and other user data (including preferences, watchlist, and password) from your old account will be reattributed to your new account.
- Move your old user & talk pages to the newly created username.
- If you want to prevent impersonation, recreate the old username and contact an Admin to permanently block the old account.
Privacy implications
Your request will remain logged here and the name change itself will be logged. This is done for transparency so that all Atkinspedians may be fully informed about name changes that have been made. There is no provision for renaming accounts without logging the change.
Current requests
- Please note that renaming users puts a large load on the database. Please do not request a rename unless it is necessary. If you have only a few edits, see the alternatives above.
- Preface your request with a heading, thus: === Target username ===
- Please make your request in the form of "Please change [current username] to [desired username]."
- Sign your name at the end with four tildes: ~~~~
- If your change request is granted, be sure to Move your userpage [alt-m] to your new userpage location (do not simply copy and paste your userpage text).
Theoryinpractice
Please change User:Panagos to User:Theoryinpractice. --Panagos 17:24, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
Other requests
Requests to usurp an existing account with no edits
Occasionally, someone will request to be renamed to an account that exists (has been registered) but has not made any edits. While there is precedent for making such changes, as yet there are no guidelines for handling such requests. If you like, you may note your desire on this subpage. Current practice by many bureaucrats is to refuse to perform these requests without a specific policy allowing it.
