User Name Not Long Enough

Hi Administrator,
I had an account with biggerpockets.com for a little while now. When you launched the new forum/profiles I can not use my existing user name. It says That it is too long " ExpertHomeOffers" .

So none of my old or new posts lead to my profile.

Can you help.
Thanks,

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10630 posts
46531 Influence
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Icon_minipost Feb 18 '08, 09:30 PM

Usernames are limited to 15 characters. Please let me know what you'd like to change your username to (15 chars or less) and we can get you up and running here.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

Joshua Dorkin, BiggerPockets, Inc.
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Icon_minipost Feb 18 '08, 09:40 PM

Having a software background I am surprised that anyone builds software these days that has limits on the length of strings. There are many technical ways to remove the issue.

There could be a business reason (avoidance of strings that are really ads). That is a different issue and not a technical limit.

Lets see what Josh can tell us about why the limit exists.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10630 posts
46531 Influence
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Icon_minipost Feb 18 '08, 10:02 PM

There is a 15 character limit because that is what we set it at.

Having a software background I am surprised that anyone builds software these days that has limits on the length of strings. There are many technical ways to remove the issue.

I guess we're still surprising you, John.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

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Icon_minipost Feb 18 '08, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by "biggerpo"

There is a 15 character limit because that is what we set it at.

Having a software background I am surprised that anyone builds software these days that has limits on the length of strings. There are many technical ways to remove the issue.

I guess we're still surprising you, John.

Josh,

Surprised if it is anything other than a business decision. There is no technical reason that will stand up.

What is the business advantage?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

Ray Keziah

Real Estate Investor · Ewa Beach, Hawaii

27 posts
186 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Feb 18 '08, 10:54 PM

I also couldn't sign on to my old profile because of a hyphen so I started a new account. Can I get my old one back?

Ray Keziah

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10630 posts
46531 Influence
24 Awards

Icon_minipost Feb 18 '08, 11:05 PM

Hey Ray -
PM me with the current account and let me know about the old one. We'll link them up for you.

As for our decision to limit usernames, it is actually because of template issues.

John - If you want to discuss our business model or strategies, feel free to PM me and we can discuss. I don't have the time, nor the need to answer every question of yours regarding our every decision for each feature on the site.

We've talked about this in the past.

Sometimes you just need to learn to take things for what they are, and move on with your life.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:43AM

Shaun Greer

Real Estate Investor · Boise, Idaho

39 posts
30 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Feb 25 '08, 10:15 PM

Well it's been over a week and I still do not have my profile fixed? I know you guys are busy but it would be nice to have my account set up correctly.
Thanks,

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:46AM

Chad Blankenbaker

General Contractor · Winnetka, IL

99 posts
11 Influence
1 Award

Icon_minipost Feb 25 '08, 10:23 PM

I think Josh explained that you are limited to 15 letters as I see it you have 16 in your name. Adjust your name length and he will fix it as he stated in his message.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:46AM

Shaun Greer

Real Estate Investor · Boise, Idaho

39 posts
30 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Feb 25 '08, 10:41 PM

That is what is weird. I can only log in if I use ExpertHomeOffer.

So my user name only has 15 letter.

But when I post my name shows up as ExpertHomeOffers.

I have no issue with using my new user name that has 15 letters. I would just like it if my profile worked and If I could keep my hitory of posts.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:46AM

Ryan Steele

Real Estate Investor · Chicago, Illinois

957 posts
96 Influence
3 Awards

Icon_minipost Feb 26 '08, 07:48 AM

I was just thinking about this. I agree with Josh that since it is his site and he works his tail off he has no need to explain it.

I will offer this though. I content that many people will want to at least use their names as their ID.

I started thinking if I knew of anyone that had 15 letters in their names. Turns out I do. THe WCRT has over 400 members, actually 419 right now. Of that, 71 of them have names that are over 15 characters in their name, NOT INCLUDING a space, dash, or underscore between the names.

Just food for thought guys!

Keep on keeping it Bigger Pockets!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:46AM

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Icon_minipost Feb 26 '08, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by "OGStilts"

I think Josh explained that you are limited to 15 letters as I see it you have 16 in your name. Adjust your name length and he will fix it as he stated in his message.

It seems you misunderstood the problem. His active ID is 15 characters while the profile shows 16. A housekeeping issue from the change over appears to be more accurate.

I am sure Josh can have someone look at it so that the two match.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:46AM

Shaun Greer

Real Estate Investor · Boise, Idaho

39 posts
30 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Feb 29 '08, 01:49 AM

still no reply????
I guess I'm just one member out of many so I don't matter :<

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:47AM

Shaun Greer

Real Estate Investor · Boise, Idaho

39 posts
30 Influence
2 Awards

Icon_minipost Mar 24 '08, 08:34 AM

Thanks Josh,
My account is working great...thanks for your efforts.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:55AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

10630 posts
46531 Influence
24 Awards

Icon_minipost Mar 24 '08, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by "ExpertHomeOffer"

still no reply????
I guess I'm just one member out of many so I don't matter :<

You definitely matter, as do all the others. Sometimes, we get focused on other things and lose our way. I didn't get back to you and a few others who were having account issues, but hopefully we've been able to get everyone taken care of now.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:55AM