Hijacking of user name!!

The computer should be programmed to recognise /disallow several similar character patterns though Baggs

That would certainly be the ideal. Fat chance with limited tech.

I do think HQ could be more careful when I complained it was Bluebell and Bluebel1 the last being a figure 1 instead of a letter l which look exactly the same It definitely wasn’t her fault and she was more than happy to change which was lovely
I too would be rather suspicious why the 10 the first option would be to add a 1 or 2 not a 10

Thank you marydoll I wondered if I was imagining things!

Oh, but I have always been a lady, contrary to public opinion.

Gosh! I wonder what's going on? Who'll be next ladymarydoll or MawBroon10?

There is a Grannybaggs, who posted yesterday.
Stranger and stranger.

Oops Jane10
However I have seen a username incorporating “-baggs”
Tried a search without success, anybody else seen it?

Already Jane10? I do hope you're wrong!

Maybe lady Jane 10 is an historian? She could have used Grey instead though.

MawBroon I made up the ladybaggs as an example. Don't worry! I have my suspicions as to who this mysterious new person is.

I haven't seen her posts, Jane10, but I feel sure that I would never confuse her name with yours. I do completely understand your concerns, but I wonder if she chose the name without being aware of your username? It's possible.

I doubt GNHQ have the resources to 'hand filter' usernames. I agree Baggs, and I have no knowledge of software programming, algorithms and so on, so I've always presumed there's no way to stop these similarities. However, Gillybob has posted upthread that it is quite easy to have software that 'forbids new names with too many (digits) similarities to one already in use.' I do think this should be done as several people have been upset recently by near identical usernames.

I'd have gone for Grey or even misspelt it Gray. I do get confused with a couple of names with Lucky in.

The “coincidence” of Baggs/LadyBaggs and Jane10/LadyJane10 is surely more than chance?
I think GNHQ need to look at what Gillybob says and revise their procedures.

The computer should be programmed to recognise /disallow several similar character patterns though Baggs

Of all possible names to come up with? Look out for ladybaggs!

I expect it's a programmed algorithm that prevents two usernames being the same. If only one character is different, that'll be enough for the computer to let it through. I doubt GNHQ have the resources to 'hand filter' usernames.

I can understand choosing LadyJane but adding the. 10

Whilst it may not have been deliberate I do think that HQ should prevent names being used which are so similar to an existing one

It's on the 'Should the BBC be doing this thread'. Just when it felt safe to be venturing into a political and news thread. Curiouser and curiouser...

It could be non-deliberate. I imagine that new members often have not read much on the forums when they register so ladyj mightn't have already seen your username, jane10.

Not seen any posts from ladyjane yet Jane10 but hopefully her writing style will be totally different to yours and easy to spot. Still a buggeration though.

It feels deliberate! I post a lot except on games threads.

Jane10, It is rather odd, but I wonder if it is just a coincidence and she has never seen any of your posts.
Anyway, we will know that it is you posting, so don't worry. We all have our own styles when posting on threads.
Hope you get it sorted out.

So wrong to allow this Jane10,

I find it strange too Jane10 but not sure how a new member would know that the name was too similar to one already being used unless of course it was deliberate.

We write software at work and apparently it would be easy to stop. Just have a system that forbids new names with too many (digits) similarities to one already in use.