Release names of inactive users

[Ketchup]

If I look on the Forum home page right now, I see:
"Members: 361,366, Active Members: 5,862"

Now, I don't know how long it takes for a member to become inactive, but it seems to me there are a lot of good names that will never be used again since they are forever tied to that member.

How about a time-out period in cases like this? If no one uses a name in say, 5 years, it is back on the market. If the original user comes back, they would then be directed to choose a different name.

 

[cabri]

What happens to existing posts by the original user?

 

[Ketchup]

Ah, the reason I posted this. Found that a user name similar to mine was being used. Hit the search button, no results found.

But to answer your question, I have a couple ideas:
1. remove the posts from years ago. Most of these threads get locked when someone replies years later, so I don't know the reason they are kept anyway (except that there is no reason to).
2. Remove the user name. If/when that person comes back, those posts can then be given the user's new name.

 

[HeXen]

Ah, the reason I posted this. Found that a user name similar to mine was being used. Hit the search button, no results found.

But to answer your question, I have a couple ideas:
1. remove the posts from years ago. Most of these threads get locked when someone replies years later, so I don't know the reason they are kept anyway (except that there is no reason to).
2. Remove the user name. If/when that person comes back, those posts can then be given the user's new name.

I sometimes find answers to my questions from old threads when I google. I don't think tossing out what may be very good or limited information about something is a good idea.
When I was doing research on isobaric enclosure design, I had to read a lot of very old threads at times just because it's not a commonly used design these days...not here of course but still to the point.

It's possible that some posters only log in a couple times a year or less when they have a tech question. There are a few forums that I very rarely log into, would be confusing if I couldn't get in all of a sudden.

 

[Ketchup]

I sometimes find answers to my questions from old threads when I google. I don't think tossing out what may be very good or limited information about something is a good idea.
When I was doing research on isobaric enclosure design, I had to read a lot of very old threads at times just because it's not a commonly used design these days...not here of course but still to the point.

It's possible that some posters only log in a couple times a year or less when they have a tech question. There are a few forums that I very rarely log into, would be confusing if I couldn't get in all of a sudden.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[olds]

New users can ask to use a name not in use. At least it's happened before.