I don't know about anybody else but when signing up for a new site, unless the site really is new and not simply new to you, you tend to find all the sensible names are gone*. To combat this and to save myself about an hour of going through the "that username had been taken, please re-enter the last four pages of information and try a new username" screens, I tend to choose things that are unlikely to have been taken.

Hence the name.

But the downside of this is if you actually become fond of your account you're stuck with a name you might not, had you been given the opportunity to choose your ideal name, have chosen.

Now I can understand that for whatever reason don't want people changing their names, I suspect it has something to do with the watermarks but whatever the reason you can't. They do suggest that you can always feel free to make a new account, I'm sure Einstein was involved with such a radical area of thinking.

However they could, it seems, make this easier than it is, possibly facilities to automatically redirect people clicking on your old user name to your new account if you so choose; something that automatically updates your watcher's list to your new account; even, where possible, the option to add older pictures to your account rather than having to re-upload them; the ability to transfer your remaining premium account time; and why not the ability to take your old watch list and your favourite collection with you.

I'm sure there are many more useful little things people can think of, these few spring to mind as I'm typing this. But we get nothing to help facilitate a change in name which to me seems a little short-sighted as very few people can get a name they’ll be totally happy with in three months, let alone years down the line.


*You know, things like Darth Vader, Devastating Dave, and obviously Austin Powers.

For the record,I'm not hysterical, should you be momentarily concerned for my welfare.