Would it be difficult to code it/would it be less taxing to the server, to design this, so that there was a main page (of the registered users list function whateverer) that had the alphabet at the top of the page. Each letter of the alphabet would link to names that start with that letter (e.g. if I clicked D I'd get a page with DavidA, DavidB, DavidC, DavidE, DavidF, DavidG, DXMachina)
Then, on the registration form, we could link to the main page, and tell people to check, to make sure the names they're selecting aren't too close. We could provide an example that we already have a KristinT, so they shouldn't register as Kristen_T).
Just a thought.
If someone wants to send me the current list, I'll go ahead with Cindy's idea and host it off my wazooweb or wiki site. This is slam-dunk simple.
eta: it would look something like this.
We could provide an example that we already have a KristinT, so they shouldn't register as Kristen_T).
I'm okay with this, if you want use this example. However, it could be made stronger by pointing out that there was first a Kristen, too.
EDIT: Actually, I think it's covered well by Bon-Bon's post here: bon bon "Bureaucracy 2: Like Sartre, Only Longer" Apr 6, 2004 2:59:51 pm PDT
That list of names idea has been updated, using actual names taken from some threadsucks. list.
The thing is automated now, so that a file of unordered names will be processed into the tables/pages.
Gus is the script automatically capitalizing all the names it finds? Because you know how some people get when they're capitalized.
DX, yes. The sort order that pops out is non-intuitive, otherwise. I suppose I could fix it up at display time. I'd like to get a better sense that folks think it will be of some use, before fiddling with it much more, though.
Cranky. (eta: about the errant capitalisation)
I also have some poorly-verbalised hesitation here.
I
know
it's not efficient, but I'm not agog with the idea of a pages with all the user names available to unregistered users. It's sort of naked-making. I know it's completely ineffective in my case, but I wouldn't want my name there.
I'll work on articulating or abstracting that, but I got nothing better at the moment.
None of this is to say that I won't go along with community desire, and it's not like opt-out can co-exist with a useful list.
Implementing an opt-out would be easy. The capitals thing is pretty straightforward, as well.
Unregistered users can read the user names when they read the threads, so I am having a little trouble getting a handle on what is troubling ita, here. Anyway, if it bugs you, it bugs you. I don't suspect there will be enough opt-outs to invalidate the primary use of the list. I am seeing that use as avoiding near-duplicates, and giving examples of what names are like around here.
