For those who want more civil discussion...

Science Chic wrote: Back when I first started posting on community forums, I was perplexed about what seemed a silly rule that actually had to be written out in the TOS to not change other members' nics. I hadn't seen the history of what people had done until I took over here. And all I can say is, wow how immature. Frankly, it's the same thing with changing our elected leader's name. The President of the United States, whether you agree with him or not, should be accorded some modicum of respect.

I think it's sad that that kind of rule actually has to be stated. If you don't like someone's nic, or you don't like them, just don't type their nic! How hard is that? If you don't like them, then take it to the Ring and vent or have it out with them if they oblige responding to you. While not spelled out in our TOS, we do not allow members to mimic or use other members nic if they change it for a time, as that is impersonation and confusing to guests and other members if someone new is using an old nic, not to mention the potential for abuse is high because every time I've seen it done, it's because the person taking on the new nic has an agenda against the person who previously used that nic. Let's be mature here, and just not go there.

After thinking about it, I agree that even putting stars in a nic is changing it and it shouldn't be done. Whether you don't intend it to be a "starred out curse word" or not, other people are taking it that way and it's disrespectful. If you don't like their nic, don't type it, there's plenty of ways to indicate that you are speaking to them otherwise.

Just my $0.02. I really don't want to start making additional, stricter, spelled out rules, because then we head to Pinecam-land and just encourage people to rebel and break the rules for the sheer enjoyment of being asses. But, if we could all agree not to do this, I'd be happy.

on that note wrote: You can feel free to copy and paste this:

We are trying to have a discussion about a topic and the most you can do to further that discussion is to try and distract by typing my name in a way that can not only be interpreted as shit, but then say directly that you feel I have no soul. This is not only far too deep for an on line discussion, it just feels childish. I am happy to defend my perspectives, I just ask that limit your name calling and defend your perspective. You actions make it seem like you don't have much confidence in what you are saying.

or

I would just move name calling threads to the Ring. So perhaps you could report the post and request this. If enough threads get moved there, we can have an all out shit show there or people will have incentive to stop having entire threads moved because they ruined them. The classmates will start to get more and more pissed at the offender, and hopefully not at the teacher.