The username for you.

[Azimuth]

Five Steps to Getting the Perfect Username
by Eoco

Following Kage’s post from the SGC User Blogs on Wednesday, I got to thinking about how to create a really good username. After a bit of though, I came up with 5 simple steps that will secure you an entry to username heaven.

Username Nirvana, after the jump.

Step 1 - Keep it short

No one likes a long username - they’re hard to remember, take a long time to type in and are often hard to read. I’m not suggesting that you have a username that’s shorter than 4 characters, but for usernames, shorter is always better. I would say 10 characters is an absolute maximum, but 6 or 7 is where you should be aiming for. If you can think of something shorter, then go with that.

Step 2 - Make it abstract

A common mistake people make when picking a username is trying to name it after someone or something else. I don’t care if you’re Just Cause’s biggest fan, and I doubt anyone else does. ‘Eoco’ means nothing, well not intentionally anyway (The Essential Oil Company annoy me), and neither should your username. Don’t call yourself David Beckham, Masterchief, IKEA, Fuji FinePix S9100 9.0 MP Digital Camera or any other proper noun that you can think of. Wanna know how I came up with ‘Eoco’? I saw an anagram and amongst the jumbled up letters was the word ‘Eoco’. It was short and totally abstract. Your username must mean nothing.

Step 3 - Only use the alphabet

Do not use a single number or piece of punctuation in your name. ‘3oco’ or ‘?0c0′ are nowhere near as effective as ‘Eoco’. Numbers and punctuation merely show that the username you actually wanted was unavailable. If it’s unavailable, think of a new one - don’t try and get around it.

Step 4 - It must be one word

You username must not contain a single space. Not even one. If it’s two words, then it isn’t short enough and you’ve broken the first rule. By having more than one word you are reducing the impact it has as a memorable name. This doesn’t mean you can just skip the space and have two words as one word. ‘HaloFan’ is just as useless as ‘Halo Fan’, likewise ‘IAmAwesome’ is just as rubbish as ‘I Am Awesome’.

Step 5 - Make it easy to spell

This is simple enough, your username must be easy to spell. Calling your self ‘Cappuccino’ is not going to help anyone, you included. If someone wants to PM you, or add you to a friends list it only takes one typo to add the wrong person, or presume you don’t exist. Of course if you want a good username you shouldn’t try to make a pattern using letters. ‘XxEocoxX’ or ‘0oEoco0′ looks ridiculous and just makes it harder to remember and spell.

There we go, 5 steps to getting the perfect username. Obey all these and you should be well on your way to username heaven.

Spare rib sauce. (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2008/08/five-steps-to-getting-the-perfect-username.html)

I'm not entirely sure I agree with step 2, as I think using proper words - within reason - is acceptable. Names of film and game characters? No. It doesn't matter how long you spend doing up your hair each morning, you're still not <moron> from <jrpg>, sorry. Have you noticed how all the cool people on this forum (me and my cronies) have names that are least somewhat original? It's not a coincidence.

[Serminigo]

Pretty bad steps I think. People should just make their username whatever sticks, if Serminigo5 feels right, I would change my username. If Serminigogogogogo stuck more than just plain Serminigo, that is the username i would use.

[Isengard]

In all my gaming life I've ever only used two different ones. I don't really care what it is so long as it's not typical, aka 'master chief002' or 'cloud13330'. Otherwise who really gives a damn :D.

[Domanskip]

Spare rib sauce. (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2008/08/five-steps-to-getting-the-perfect-username.html)

I'm not entirely sure I agree with step 2, as I think using proper words - within reason - is acceptable. Names of film and game characters? No. It doesn't matter how long you spend doing up your hair each morning, you're still not <moron> from <jrpg>, sorry. Have you noticed how all the cool people on this forum (me and my cronies) have names that are least somewhat original? It's not a coincidence.

Interesting. I agree with his points mostly due to the fact that my username is in accordance with them ;)

EDIT: The worst nicks are those taken from Anime.... more specifically Naruto. The amount of those one sees around....

[BattleMoose]

/me violates step 1 & 4

/care

[Serminigo]

Just decapitalize the M and it counts as one word.

[dislekcia]

Hah. Eat it point 5!

A good nickname also tends to have a natural shortening to it: dis, Mik, Azi, Aeq, etc.

Yes, I'm counting my nick as good. It's been with me for nearly half my life now. In many ways it means "me" a lot more than my actual name. Just like Miktar means "him".

[EtienneK]

Never really understood why you need a nickname in the first place?

[wir]

EDIT: The worst nicks are those taken from Anime.... more specifically Naruto. The amount of those one sees around....
Venom. Venom. Venom. Venom. What is that, a 'k'..? Oh, it's VENOM. Venom... IF I SEE ONE MORE DAMNED VENOM!!!
[/mrgrey]


Step 2 - Make it abstract

A common mistake people make when picking a username is trying to name it after someone or something else. I don?t care if you?re Just Cause?s biggest fan, and I doubt anyone else does. ?Eoco? means nothing, well not intentionally anyway (The Essential Oil Company annoy me), and neither should your username. Don?t call yourself David Beckham, Masterchief, IKEA, Fuji FinePix S9100 9.0 MP Digital Camera or any other proper noun that you can think of. Wanna know how I came up with ?Eoco?? I saw an anagram and amongst the jumbled up letters was the word ?Eoco?. It was short and totally abstract. Your username must mean nothing.
<3

[Random-Hero]

<<<< Random-Hero... Always have been and will be

[ioiiooio]

*ahem*

Step 1: Check.

Step 2: Check.

Step 3, 4 & 5: Check!

Does that make me a cool people? :)

[Gazza_N]

Never really understood why you need a nickname in the first place?
Because anonymity is bliss?

I phail at step 3, which I used to circumvent Step 4. Underscores are evil. I'm just going to nip off and shoot myself quickly.

[george]

I had a nickname once. I thought about her for days. She was original and awesome and we had a certain connection. Or so I thought.

But one day I registered on a forum and I realised that she was already being used by someone else. At first I did not want to believe, but a bit of googling gave the proof I so desperately wanted to ignore. Guys and girls all around the world were using her. Using her to log in every day (sometimes more than once a day) on websites, forums, newsgroups, even games.

I was devastated and decided that never again will I be betrayed. From now on, I'll just be known as ... george.

[Domanskip]

Venom. Venom. Venom. Venom. What is that, a 'k'..? Oh, it's VENOM. Venom... IF I SEE ONE MORE DAMNED VENOM!!!
[/mrgrey]


<3

Yeah. Acid's nice.

[CrashHelmut]

Well, "Fuji FinePix S9100 9.0 MP Digital Camera" was already registered.

I am violating steps 1, 2, 4 and 5. At least my nick has a nice shortening to it. Weird when someone actually uses Helmut though (it is not my real name, but there was a real Helmut that got called Crash-Helmet).

Nice one george. *golf clap*

[Cleric]

Because anonymity is bliss?
lol, I was going to post the same thing, but couldn't remember how to spell anonymity, and feared the wrath of Chippit/onona/Azi.

[ImANinjaItsTrue]

Whatever!The whole notion of a guide to creating a user name is retarded imo.Geez.
There is only one rule that should really count, and that is that the owner should like it.
Fricken forum nazis!!!

I use different niks all the time.People bitch at me.Life goes on.
kisses

[Chevron]

I use different niks all the time.People bitch at me.Life goes on.
kisses

What's the point of having an online identity of you don't have the same nick on different sites?

[Cleric]

What's the point of having an online identity of you don't have the same nick on different sites?

Because then you can be a doos/troll on one site, and move on without consequence.

(Different thought: we would have missed the whole Mik VS NeoGAF if he didn't use the same name across sights.)

[Paradox]

I only violate step two :>

[Lysis]

Same I only violate step two, but honestly step two is a bit extreme. IMHO it should state that names taken from popular TV shows/games/movies etc. should not be used.

[Kensei]

Hah. Eat it point 5!

A good nickname also tends to have a natural shortening to it: dis, Mik, Azi, Aeq, etc.

So am I 'Ken' now? :D

I think I pass all 5 of the 'rules' and, before I get slapped for saying I took my nick from anime or (as it is now popular) the series Heroes, neither one is true. I think its hard for people to fathom that someone can love the idea of a sword saint without being an otaku :D

[Kharrak]

I kinda violate step two, which I agree is a bit too extreme.

I've always had my nick, was the first one I came up with and it stuck. Never saw much reason to change it for anything...

(luckily most people don't seem to notice where my nick comes from >_>)

[Chippit]

Do I win?

[VoXoV]

I wish I had a nick that I liked...

Mine changes every 2 weeks.

ITS SO HARD TO CHOOSE!!!

BTW, I hate the nick I use on the forums, it sucks... a lot.

[brazed]

Guess I was years ahead of my time when I first got my nck.

[Gambit]

Have you noticed how all the cool people on this forum (me and my cronies) have names that are least somewhat original? It's not a coincidence.

No... this is quite disappointing. What is this forum coming to.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z16/Gambit_ZA/fail-integration.jpg

[Telur]

---------

[Elaiwyn]

I tend to change my nick about once a year. The old nick/me does not seem to fit quite snugly anymore as I have grown as a person since I started posting under that name.

[Ruandre]

Do I win?I think so Chip! :D

[Azimuth]

Whatever!The whole notion of a guide to creating a user name is retarded imo.Geez.
There is only one rule that should really count, and that is that the owner should like it.
Fricken forum nazis!!!

I use different niks all the time.People bitch at me.Life goes on.
kisses

Your username is ****ing stupid.

[Ruandre]

I've shortened SkullHozer to 'Hozer for TF2.

Yes, it's a dreadful moniker.

I'll spare a couple of seconds to hang my head in shame... done!

So, IRL names ftw?

[Gazza_N]

Not really. For instance, there are at least two other Gareths on the forum that I know of asides from myself, making things a leeeeetle finicky. Unless, like, we use G4R37H, GARETH123, etc, blah. :P

[Ruandre]

True. I don't have that problem with Ruandr? though :)

[Oeaks]

Hmm, my nick seems to break all the rules, even if it is shortened (though McKilt seems to only break rule 5, people have misspelt/mispronounced it quite a bit)

My alter-nick, Oeaks, wins however.

[Domanskip]

Your username is ****ing stupid.

God I loved this post. Seriously.

[Aequitas]

My favorite nick is "lady lolsnake the 1st, duke of worcestershire, half price vegetables on tuesdays, with a chance of late afternoon thundershowers"

But i usually shorten it to "Aequitas" .... just easier to spell :P

I break rule 1 "Your username must mean nothing."
and probably rule 5 .... depending on who you ask.

[wir]

I actually didn't know what my nick meant until a few years ago. At the time of choosing, I was completely oblivious of it's German meaning.

[Tryxst3r]

I am in violation of step 2 (sort of), 3 and 5. At least my nick is 100% original. :)

[Toi]

I am in violation of step 2 (sort of), 3 and 5. At least my nick is 100% original. :)


I highly doubt it.

[Takiro]

I think I followed the guide quite well. And even that thing by Dis works, Tak!

[GhOsT_828]

My favorite nick is "lady lolsnake the 1st, duke of worcestershire, half price vegetables on tuesdays, with a chance of late afternoon thundershowers"

But i usually shorten it to "Aequitas" .... just easier to spell :P

And lulz were had.
The guide isn't very good imo, but I appear to follow it to a degree.

[Machine]

I was originally Machineboyyy (I added the extra y's for originality) but it was too long, especially in the case of adding a clan tag.

So I've been known as just Machine since 2006.

My nickname "Machine Boy" was given to me in real life by a close friend of mine and not in a gaming/computer situation.

[Kaboos]

My nick isn't original (aside from the spelling) but it serves it's purpose - short and easy to remember. :|

[EtienneK]

I'm actually thinking of starting to use the nickname "Etiko" :P First 3 and last 2 letters of my name and surname respectfully.

Fits the 5 steps perfectly.

[ImANinjaItsTrue]

Your username is ****ing stupid.

wow.

[Azimuth]

You just realised it too, did you? ^_^

[EtienneK]

wow.

Best nick I've ever seen was PapaKakaMamaFaka.

[ImANinjaItsTrue]

i realised what an unbelievable arshole you are.

[EtienneK]

i realised what an unbelievable arshole you are.

"Junior Member"

Kid... you still have a lot to learn about this place...

[ImANinjaItsTrue]

I guess i do. And there I was thinking it was just an online forum for a gaming magazine.
Ill shut the **** up from now on.sorry

[Azimuth]

i realised what an unbelievable arshole you are.

Oh, I very much doubt that. You cannot even begin to imagine.

http://apnu.runswithscissors.com/images/skeletor.jpg

Ha. Ha. Ha.

[KFC]

KFC isnt really that rare :P
But it has a double meaning...
Anyways, good tips thou, Azi

[Takiro]

Oh, I very much doubt that. You cannot even begin to imagine.


Ha. Ha. Ha.

Azi is one of my favorite people right now! :D

[BlaQ]

lol@ImANinjaItsTrue

Anyway, according to that guide, my nickname is pretty good. :)

[L0S]

To be honest I am growing tired of Lucifer. I have a few friends calling me Mufasa, but I would rather not use Mufasa.

So i might just use a nickname I used a long time ago, one such as Raus :)

I have just grown use to Lucifer.

[VoXoV]

I thought of one... VoXoV

I like it coz its symmetrical :)

What do you think?

[wir]

It's pretty unique, I reckon. Good.

[Gambit]

Azi is one of my favorite people right now! :D

Jesus guys please stop being such ****ing suck ups

[Chevron]

Jesus guys please stop being such ****ing suck ups

:)

So I'm not the only one that has been noticing this lately.


It's pretty unique, I reckon. Good.

Something can't be pretty unique. Either it's unique or not. There's no middle ground. Something can be pretty different or innovative though.

[Skeedish]

:)
Something can't be pretty unique. Either it's unique or not. There's no middle ground. Something can be pretty different or innovative though.

I'm not certain about that - it depends on how you look at it. I'm faily sure I've posted this somewhere else before, but anways:

Granted, 'unique' means that there is only one of it, so can't have varying degrees. However, to say something is 'very unique' would mean that it is unique in a very alternative way - the last remaining tiger would be unique, but the last remaining vegetarian tiger would be very unique. Sort of.

[Cleric]

Lol. While I get your argument, Chev is right. It's either unique or not.

[Toi]

My mom says I'm unique. :p

[Chevron]

My mom says I'm unique. :p

You are unique. Just like everyone else.

:)

[Toi]

^^ I wish more people would realize this.

[Chevron]

^^ I wish more people would realize this.

What?

That you're unique or that you're like everyone else?

[Toi]

What?

That you're unique or that you're like everyone else?


No that everyone is unique. As soon as your different people think your weird, funny ain't it.

[KFC]

lol that true

[Azimuth]

Jesus guys please stop being such ****ing suck ups

Deployment of Skeletor is always a popularity boost. Did you miss the memo?

[Gambit]

Deployment of Skeletor is always a popularity boost. Did you miss the memo?

No no I got it...

[Chuluka]

Its coz she's female, thats why they suck up to her

[Gambit]

Its coz she's female, thats why they suck up to her

No I don't think so.

[EtienneK]

Its coz she's female, thats why they suck up to her

I've also noticed this. Wusses. The bunch of you.

[onona]

Maybe it's because unlike many others on this site, Azimuth is actually a mature adult who contributes legible, constructive, intelligent posts, instead of dull old schoolyard crap, like whinging and accusing others of "sucking up" simply for posting something friendly.

Just a thought.

[ImANinjaItsTrue]

Ya.I think shes a ****ing forum nazi and i hate her.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s235/revmyspace2/graphics/Misc/Funny/0_funny_oh_no_you_didnt.gif

[onona]

Awww cute, someone's invoked Godwin's Law. Slow clap for you.

It doesn't really say much for the state of your life if you feel such strong emotions as "hate" for people on the internet that you've never met and know nothing about. How delightfully emo.

[Azimuth]

Oh, boohoo.

[Gambit]

Maybe it's because unlike many others on this site, Azimuth is actually a mature adult who contributes legible, constructive, intelligent posts, instead of dull old schoolyard crap, like whinging and accusing others of "sucking up" simply for posting something friendly.

Just a thought.

I agree but things have changed. When I say that I need only refer to the last paragraph in her first post on this thread, I am sorry that was quite out of character almost like she's developed some kind of god complex due to the massive amounts of sucking up, I have seen that for weeks now. The reason is not her gender but who she is (in NAG).

[onona]

Perhaps that particular brand of dry humour is being wasted here.

[ImANinjaItsTrue]

Maybe it's because unlike many others on this site, Azimuth is actually a mature adult who contributes legible, constructive, intelligent posts, instead of dull old schoolyard crap, like whinging and accusing others of "sucking up" simply for posting something friendly.

Just a thought.

Im sorry, you are absolutely right!Like "your nik is ****ing stupid".I get it now, truly mature, constructive and intelligent.Im sorry

[Azimuth]

I agree but things have changed. When I say that I need only refer to the last paragraph in her first post on this thread, I am sorry that was quite out of character almost like she's developed some kind of god complex due to the massive amounts of sucking up, I have seen that for weeks now. The reason is not her gender but who she is (in NAG).

People of Eternia! I stand before the Great Eye of the galaxy. Chosen by destiny by the powers of Greyskull! This inevitable moment will transpire before your eyes, even as He-Man himself bears witness to it. Now. I, Skeletor, am Master of the Universe! YES! Yes ... I feel it, the power ... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am ... I am a part of the cosmos! The power flows... Flows through me! Of what consequence are you now? This planet, these people. They are NOTHING to me! The universe is power! Real, unstoppable POWER! and I am that force! I am that power! KNEEL BEFORE YOUR MASTER! Fool! you are no longer my EQUAL! I am more than man! MORE THAN LIFE! I ... am ... a ... GOD! Now. You ... will ... KNEEEEEL! KNEEEEL!

[Cleric]

That needed a soundtrack


/Cringer hides

[Chevron]

People of Eternia! I stand before the Great Eye of the galaxy. Chosen by destiny by the powers of Greyskull! This inevitable moment will transpire before your eyes, even as He-Man himself bears witness to it. Now. I, Skeletor, am Master of the Universe! YES! Yes ... I feel it, the power ... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am ... I am a part of the cosmos! The power flows... Flows through me! Of what consequence are you now? This planet, these people. They are NOTHING to me! The universe is power! Real, unstoppable POWER! and I am that force! I am that power! KNEEL BEFORE YOUR MASTER! Fool! you are no longer my EQUAL! I am more than man! MORE THAN LIFE! I ... am ... a ... GOD! Now. You ... will ... KNEEEEEL! KNEEEEL!

I lol'ed.

[onona]

That needed a soundtrack


No, what it needs is gold armour with little snakes and stuff on it.

[onona]

Here we go.

http://www.starman-imaging.com/jan06/mastuniv1765wa.jpg

[Azimuth]

Now that's a hat.

[Cleric]

How have I not seen that movie? I'm ashamed.

Anyway, I think that this wins for the most derailed thread of the week.

[Azimuth]

:O

Sacre bleu! It's only the greatest **** film ever.

[Cyberninja]

People of Eternia! I stand before the Great Eye of the galaxy. Chosen by destiny by the powers of Greyskull! This inevitable moment will transpire before your eyes, even as He-Man himself bears witness to it. Now. I, Skeletor, am Master of the Universe! YES! Yes ... I feel it, the power ... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am ... I am a part of the cosmos! The power flows... Flows through me! Of what consequence are you now? This planet, these people. They are NOTHING to me! The universe is power! Real, unstoppable POWER! and I am that force! I am that power! KNEEL BEFORE YOUR MASTER! Fool! you are no longer my EQUAL! I am more than man! MORE THAN LIFE! I ... am ... a ... GOD! Now. You ... will ... KNEEEEEL! KNEEEEL!

You know, I actually enjoyed that movie back then. Yes, I was young. :P Some of the lines in the cartoon series are even funnier. Specifically the dialogue between Skeletor and Evilyn. :p

[onona]

Tsk tsk, Cleric. You should go and sit in the corner. First, you don't have Skate. Now, you've never seen Masters of the Universe? It's only, like, the coolest piece of ****ty 80's trash ever. I own it on original VHS and DVD. That's how good it is. You'll **** your pants when Skeletor comes gliding down the road on his battlefloat.

Now, go. And find it. And be enlightened.

[GhOsT_828]

I remember that movie. "Yes, ladies and gents! Epic is now available in VHS format!" /end_crappy_sales_pitch

[dangarratt]

To continue the derailment - Azi already has world (NAG) domination. She's so terrified the Naglings (particularly the noobs) that none may stand in her way (apart from Chevron).
Quite amusing really.
And now she has back-up! Her clone, onona, will climb into you if she doesn't,

Be afraid, be very afraid..... <cue Twilight Zone muzak>

(and don't take things too seriously - Ninja dude, it was an obvious post to make - if Azi hadn't made it someone else would have - consider it your baptism of fire!)

[onona]

Her clone, onona

Actually, Azimuth is my clone, not the other way around.

[Squirly]

Well which one of you has the goatee?

That's the clone.

[Kensei]

Actually, Azimuth is my clone, not the other way around.

Isn't she an hour older though?

Edit: I forgot, she is staying at your house in London... yes, she is your clone :P

[Azimuth]

Thirty seconds older.

And wiser.

And cooler.

Besides, I got the extra teeth.

[Kharrak]

Besides, I got the extra teeth.

My imagination is aflutter.

[onona]

Well which one of you has the goatee?

That's the clone.

This is real life, not Futurama.

[KFC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azimuth
Sorry I just need to post that :P :P

[Graal]

Your username is ****ing stupid.

Haha, I agree. Not trying to be a troll though.

I don't think I violated any of the steps, I just recieved a divine blessing from somewhere above and the nick struck me. I was walking along when I thought of it and it kinda stuck so I just had to use it here.

On another forum I violate the steps, my nick there is Halororor, it sucks but I've been using it for so long that I hesitate to change it. People always forget how many 'or's I have.

[dangarratt]

The extra teeth?
I'm not sure I want to know more!

[Oeaks]

Tsk tsk, Cleric. You should go and sit in the corner. First, you don't have Skate. Now, you've never seen Masters of the Universe? It's only, like, the coolest piece of ****ty 80's trash ever. I own it on original VHS and DVD. That's how good it is. You'll **** your pants when Skeletor comes gliding down the road on his battlefloat.

Now, go. And find it. And be enlightened.

You mean to say that it beats Flash Gordon? :O

I must watch this movie!

[onona]

Yes, it's even better than Flash Gordon.

[Chuluka]

Flash Gordon is 80's. bad special effects and a theme song by Queen (which makes it rock so hard:D)

[maxdamage]

I only violate step two :>

Well it seems I also violate step 2 but I don't care as I am a Carmageddon fan hence my username! :D