Suggestions

Restricting maximum length and banning certain characters I can live with as these cause real problems to the site programmers.

But, is there really a problem with members sharing the same name? I don't think so. Phil also has a valid point if it were introduced then it would be nigh on impossible to enforce retrospectively.

So for all those wanting to be called InspectorGreenPen , you would welcome them and see it as not being a problem.

I would not be that pleased to see another Persephone, I would live with it.. but would not want the other person's comments attributed to me.

Persie

I think everyone should have individual board names to prevent confusion to whom a comment is attributed to.

For example: There could be a discussion where two people with the same board name offer an opinion, one in a polite, perfectly reasonable way and one in a nasty, abusive way. The second contributor's comment could then erroneously be attributed to the first contributor resulting in an avoidable situation.

When I have joined other forums I have been asked to choose a board name on application, so don't see it as a problem that GR should also have unique board names

hi.
i think it would be a good idea if genes asked new members for a board name,but when i started in 2004 it was ok to use your own name so thats what i did.but although ive not had any serious trouble with people mixing me up with other SUZANNE"S ,i agree that sometimes it can become a problem.x