How can 2 different users have the same username?

Manchester, United...
Level Contributor
319 posts
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Hi,

A TA user has accused me of posting spam, despite me not doing so - they are confusing me with a poster who has the same username.

A link to my profile is: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members-forums/MarkW632

A link to the poster who is supposedly posting spam is: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members-forums/101MarkW

So, the links to our profiles are different, mine is /MarkW632, whereas the other user is /101MarkW and clearly we have 2 distinct profiles. Yet when we post in the forums, we both appear as Mark W. How is this permittable? Shouldn't TA insist on different usernames?

South Pole
Level Contributor
15,381 posts
35 reviews
177 helpful votes
1. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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i think this happens when members select 'friendly names'.....a strange innovation (part of the warm and fuzzy strategy) that TA introduced some time ago

better to revert to your orginal screen name (if indeed u can).

Calgary, Canada
Level Contributor
27,830 posts
97 reviews
224 helpful votes
2. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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I think you probably don't have to worry, as the other Mark W will probably not be allowed to post again, after spamming the forum.

Manchester, United...
Level Contributor
319 posts
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
3. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Thanks for your help guys - the only problem is this vigilante who is convinced that I am spamming has already posted repeatedly in another thread that I'm spamming and as a result no one has engaged with my question abut my trip - they probably think there is no point in responding to me as I'm just here to spam.

Thanks for clearing it up though.

Edited: 7 years ago
Washington State
Destination Expert
for Yosemite National Park
Level Contributor
87,982 posts
188 reviews
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4. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Mark W ~ you might want to choose your own distinctive avatar (upload your own photo) or to ask TA to change your TA name to MarkW632.

I'm not a fan of the 'friendly name.' It's too easy to be confused.

Manchester, United...
Level Contributor
319 posts
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
5. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Thanks for your suggestions guys. If TA changed my username, would I loose all my previous threads? I'd like to keep them.

Cabarete, Dominican...
Destination Expert
for Cabarete
Level Contributor
49,526 posts
268 reviews
265 helpful votes
6. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Don't worry, Mark. A user name change will not delete your previous forum posts or review.

Silvia

Manchester, United...
Level Contributor
319 posts
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
7. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Thanks for your help guys - I'll ask TA to change my username.

Manchester, United...
Level Contributor
319 posts
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
8. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Does anyone know how I ask TA to change my name? I don't know how to contact them!

Calgary, Canada
Level Contributor
27,830 posts
97 reviews
224 helpful votes
9. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Go to http://www.tripadvisor.ca/GeneralSupport > select Sign in & Registration > then select Change my screen name

You can also use this form to contact TA moderators directly about this member. They might even set him/her straight on whether you were the spammer or not:

Go to http://www.tripadvisor.ca/GeneralSupport > select Forums, Private Messages, and Traveler Articles > then select Help Using the Forums

The message you type in the comment box here will go directly and privately to TA moderators.

Manchester, United...
Level Contributor
319 posts
4 reviews
5 helpful votes
10. Re: How can 2 different users have the same username?
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Thanks very much ;-)

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