SP user name - and a plea to the Forgetful One

Isabel H · Post by **Isabel H** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:48 pm

Can anyone explain why it is impossible to change one's user name on SP, or have the administrator change it? When I joined I was new to computing and didn't choose a particularly distinctive user name as I didn't foresee needing to use it without the password too. There was nothing at that time to indicate that the name I chose was already in use.
However, to get a forgotten password reminder all that's needed is to submit one's user name, and an automatic reminder is sent. Problems arise if someone with the same user name forgets their password, because the system can't distinguish which one it is. It seems my user name is shared with a forgetful person or persons, as I keep getting unwanted reminders, and each time have to log in with the new password to re-set it to my own one. After another unwanted reminder earlier this month I asked SP if I could make my user name more distinctive to avoid this happening, pointing out that as well as it being annoying for me, the intended recipient presumably was not getting the reminder he or she had requested. Their response was that it wasn't possible to change the user name, and the other person would no doubt contact them if they did not get a reminder. Today I have had three!

Forgetful One, if you should be reading this and are still waiting for the reminder you have requested several times, first contact SP, and then make a note of your password, please!

trish1 · Post by **trish1** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:54 am

Isabel - my thoughts

It would not be possible for the forgetful person to have the same user name as yours. It would seem they "think" they have your username and consequently when they can't log in, assume the password is wrong.

When they get no response to the "forgot password" option - because it is your user name & you get the response - they seems to be asking again and again.

Many internet sites etc treat a user ID/name as a unique identifying item and it cannot be changed. This usually relates to the design features of the software being used. You can always start a completely new account, but would, of course, not have your old SP history under the new ID.

I don't see a happy solution until the other user realises that your user name is not their user name.

Trish

Post by **emanday** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:47 am

I was thinking that as well Trish.

I'm sure when I first registered with SP I tried a couple of my favourite usernames and got a message on screen that they were unavailable as they were already in use. Most sites have this safeguard as a unique username is just as important as the password, being part of the login security.

Post by **Anne H** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:44 pm

Hopefully the 'forgetful one' will eventually start wondering why they aren't getting an email response from SP and contact them by snail mail with his/her complete name and address...I think SP will be able to sort her out then.

Regards,
Anne H

Isabel H · Post by **Isabel H** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:15 pm

trish1 wrote: It would not be possible for the forgetful person to have the same user name as yours. It would seem they "think" they have your username and consequently when they can't log in, assume the password is wrong.

Trish, you may be right about that - although it was someone at SP who originally gave me the shared user name explanation of why I was getting reminders that I hadn't requested. I suppose if someone forgets their password they are just as likely to forget their user name too, especially if they have several for different sites.
Setting up another account would be just as inconvenient as having to re-set my password, so I shall have to put up with it, though this time I won't re-set until I need to use SP again, in case any more reminders are on their way!
Isabel