Wikivoyage talk:Changing username

RFC: User rename requests

Swept in from the pub

I've gotten two requests for user renames lately that I'm not sure what to do with since we don't really have any guidelines on the subject. After reading through w:Wikipedia:Changing username I'd suggest that we create a page similar to w:Wikipedia:Changing username/Simple that reflects the following:

1. Any rename request must acknowledge having read something we create that will be similar to w:Wikipedia:Changing username#Must read, so that it is clear the user understands caveats and downsides of a rename.
2. If the target user name is not registered on Wikivoyage and does not have edits on any other WMF wiki, then a rename can be done.
3. If the target user name is registered on Wikivoyage or has edits on any other WMF wiki, then a rename will only be done if the user can prove that they own both accounts.

Thoughts and suggestions? The third point above might be too restrictive in cases where someone is trying to deal with global username conflicts, but I'm not sure how we can safely allow renames here when the desired username is already in use, so someone who knows more and can make a suggestion please comment. I can draft a policy page for further comment if there is general agreement that the above makes sense. -- Ryan • (talk) • 18:05, 29 March 2014 (UTC)

Keep in mind that sometimes people request renames that do not understand English well; they have edits here because of Wikidata, or removing deleted images, or something of the like. In regards to the latter, there is usurpation (renaming the offending account to something like OldName (usurped)), but if that user has edits already, it becomes problematic. --Rschen7754 19:27, 29 March 2014 (UTC)

The problem with renaming users when there might be a global conflict is that I don't understand issues around global usernames, so I'm unwilling to personally perform a rename when there is a global conflict barring clear guidance on when doing so is OK. However, that means that users attempting to resolve global username conflicts cannot do so on Wikivoyage until we come up with such guidance. Ideally such conflicts could be handled entirely from meta, but since they aren't, can someone provide a pointer to documentation (or write something up here) on when and how a global conflict can be addressed so that we can draft local guidelines? I'm never going to "usurp" a username unless there is a clear process for ensuring that the usurped user is actually obsolete, for example. -- Ryan • (talk) • 19:55, 29 March 2014 (UTC)

User:Wrh2 You may want to ask around on Meta (m:Rename practices may be helpful), but from what I know, the general guideline for usurping is that they have 0 edits anywhere, on any wiki (which can be checked with Special:CentralAuth). The requester is responsible for running Special:MergeAccount to merge their accounts back together. Also, renames of accounts where there are close to 100,000 edits (counting imported) will likely crash the database and should not be done. Rschen7754 20:20, 1 April 2014 (UTC)

Please see Wikivoyage:Changing username for a proposed draft. I've added "See also" links to meta at the bottom of the new page for individuals who need to resolve global conflicts. -- Ryan • (talk) • 17:52, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

@LtPowers: for feedback, since he's the only other active bureaucrat. -- Ryan • (talk) • 19:17, 6 April 2014 (UTC)

So we'd do a rename even if the target account has edits here? Powers ^(talk) 00:11, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

I don't think that it is technically possible to rename an account using an existing username (the target account would have to be renamed first), but if I've written something into the rename policy page that seems to indicate otherwise please update the draft policy page to make this point clear. -- Ryan • (talk) • 00:25, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

I imagined a much cleaner process like simply the policy page and then the request page, followed by archives. I don't think we need extra subpages for "open" and "closed" requests. TeleComNasSprVen (talk) 00:34, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

The process is simple - see Wikivoyage:Changing username#Instructions. The user clicks on a link, fills in three fields, and the request is initiated. It's the same thing that's done on Wikipedia. -- Ryan • (talk) • 01:11, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Any further comment on the Wikivoyage:Changing username page? At the moment our process for renaming users is completely ad-hoc, so if there are no further comments, and since it's better to have some guidance for users seeking a rename rather than nothing at all (as we currently do), I'd like to remove the "draft" notice from the page and start asking anyone with a rename request to follow the instructions on that page. -- Ryan • (talk) • 04:32, 9 April 2014 (UTC)

Done -- Ryan • (talk) • 05:43, 10 April 2014 (UTC)

Historically speaking, before the merge with Wikimedia Foundation servers, has the Wikivoyage community ever saw a need to rename user accounts? Was it ever done on an ad hoc basis, where users were aware of the bureaucrat technical capabilities and contacted one individually/privately? TeleComNasSprVen (talk) 00:28, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Rename requests have historically been handled on an ad-hoc basis. -- Ryan • (talk) • 01:11, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Recent request to stewards

One of your users has requested and was rejected for a username change, this was due to the SUL account already being taken (you gave the right advice). The user was given some advice in IRC that was probably not the best. From a steward's perspective, no person should be named to that of an existing SUL account just because the local account name is not taken. The reason for this is that when true globalised accounts arrive the existing SUL account will get the base username, and this user will be moved to a horrid variation, so won't own it and their edit signatures will not point to the right place. Always the best advice to give a user is to choose an account that is not used, and you can send them to Special:GlobalUsers and Special:ListUsers and if they are both clear on the local wiki, then they can have the SUL account. Thanks for listening. Billinghurst (talk) 09:52, 8 June 2014 (UTC) (steward)

@wrh2: think that this advice relates to a request to you. Billinghurst (talk) 09:54, 8 June 2014 (UTC)

I believe the request in question is Wikivoyage:Changing username#D_abhi → Abhinav. Our current guideline is to only allow a rename when the new name is in use elsewhere if the user can prove they own both accounts on all wikis, but in this case the user posted a link showing edits from both accounts. Is there a more reliable way to determine whether or not to allow a rename, such as a page on meta that spells this out? Users are told by stewards that they must request renames from local bureaucrats, but it's very tough for us to know all of the nuances of when a rename is going to cause global problems. -- Ryan • (talk) • 17:42, 8 June 2014 (UTC)

Closing this process?

See Wikivoyage:Travellers'_pub#Wikivoyage:Changing_username. --Rschen7754 16:31, 25 October 2014 (UTC)

Possible Restart

Dear Wikivoyage Community, As much of you know, I had been using this account on and off for over 2-3 years. There have been frequently good edits, however I feel the overall contributions of this account has been negative. As I understand, official renaming is global, which is not within my interest at the moment. Zanygenius on Wikipedia for example, is a largely good faith account. So, for WV, I feel that the best way for me is to delete some of my old edits here, or turn this account into an archive, and start a new one. I will link the two accounts clearly, to avoid confusion. Thank you for your opinions, and I certainly wish to become a better contributer in the future. _{-Signed, the amazing Zanygenius.} 19:41, 26 April 2019 (UTC)

Zanygenius - Unlike Wikipedia, there's nothing within Wikivoyage policy that prohibits you from simply starting a new account (just as long as you're not trying to "mimic another account for the purposes of causing confusion", but it doesn't sound like you are). As for your old account, for copyright purposes we don't revision-delete old edits unless we have a really good reason to do so (i.e. hate speech, doxing, etc.) -- AndreCarrotflower (talk) 22:08, 26 April 2019 (UTC)

@AndreCarrotflower: Thank you for replying. No, I don't intend to mimic the old account. So I guess my move is okay? _{-Signed, the amazing Zanygenius (chat) Please visit Rfc} 23:07, 26 April 2019 (UTC)

It wouldn’t be a “move”. You’d just be starting over again from square one with a new name. Your old edits would still exist and still be attributed to the Zanygenius name - there’s not much we can do about that, for copyright reasons - though of course you’re free to edit your new userpage to make it clear that the two accounts belong to the same person. — AndreCarrotflower (talk) 23:12, 26 April 2019 (UTC)

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘@AndreCarrotflower: Sounds good, thanks. _{-Signed, the amazing Zanygenius (chat) Please visit Rfc} 23:31, 26 April 2019 (UTC)

Okay I created the new account. :) _{-Signed, the amazing Zanygenius (chat) Please visit Rfc} 03:08, 27 April 2019 (UTC)

Done