All caps names

How do you feel about names that are all caps?

As SL ages, I see more and more folks coming in with names spelled in all caps.

What are your thoughts on this? Should it be possible? Does it say anything about the person behind the avie?

My feeling it that it shouldn't be possible - i.e., even if you type the name in all caps when making an account, the system should simply change it to the first letter capitalized only. I guess the reason I feel this way is because I subscribe to the "oldschool" belief that it's shouting.

I agree with you Nolan, and I often feel bad for people who are stuck with an all lowercase first name because, well, it looks out of place. I think the system should automatically be correcting the case of names at sign-up, but allowing things like "DeMarco" etc...

I agree. It does seem to be shouting when words are all in caps. I know people that seem not to notice, and type in all caps in IMs and e-mail. It is annoying. I just think it is too hard for LL to figure out if a name is in all caps, or should have caps in the middle, or what. I wish you could change it after the name is created. So if someone my mistake signs up with all caps, they can change their name to the correct capitalization later.

Heh, its funny you mention this, because I have a boss who types every single e-mail he sends in capital letters. It doesn't matter what the subject is... sales are down, Jim's wife just had a baby, we're looking for new people... iit's all in capital letters. After a while, it seems to dull the effect that writing in all capital letters has.

Anywho, as for the first name issue, I think it would be optimal if the signup screen would, upon detecting an abnormal capitalization selection, go to another screen that would ask the user to confirm that this is the way they want their name, after explaining briefly that the majority of users choose traditionally capitalized names and whatnot. That waqy, if someone really watns that name in all capitals, they can still have it, but for those who may've made a mistake, they have the opportunity to correct it.

--BL

I think a simple notice at registration that advises new residents to name themselves as a name might appear on a credit card or diploma might even do the trick. I do feel bad for people who are saddled with IRC-style names in SL, like "horselover234 Templar" or something, because it does look so out of place.

I think they're forced to use all caps because Heylookatmewoohoolookatmelookatmeoverherelookatme is too long.

I Dunno I Lik Using All Caps Cuz Its Fun Adn Stuff Lol I Think Its Cool Too So Do All My Frinds But I Only Have One Haha I Hav A Dog To An Somtims He Types Btter Then Me Rolf

hahah!
I agree that it looks like crap.
It also makes me immediately question the IQ or age of the person doing it.


I dont like the idea of having anything automatically corrected though. Mostly just cause I hate being told what I can and cannot have, but I could also see valid reasons for lots of different combinations of upper and lower case names as well. From the (hideous to me), acronym style names like "PJ," to double names like"JohnHenry."

.

In retrospect, I agree with you.

I like Dnate's idea where it would ask you if you're sure you want it all caps.

Occasionally it is intentional, but not showboating.

I don't know... an allusion to Čapek's work might be considered showboating by some.

Curses! I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling avs.

I don't think the system should stop non typical capitalisation. Different sub cultures may use things such as capitalisation in different ways. The BDSM scene uses capitalisation as a marker - many submissives have entirely lower case first names.

I like Enabran's idea, though, of simply telling one up-front during the registration process the typical format of names. That way a person will know from the get-go, and can thus make an informed choice.

Does my name count?

DNA

No. Especailly because it is an acronym. Based upon my overlooking the acronym issue, and after further consideration based on points made by some of those who responded to this thread, I wouldn't want to see them change the way things are with respect to choosing names. Just a pop up maybe, asking one to confirm that they want all caps or all lower case, just in case they didn't realize that they typed it in that manner, would be nice. Probably wishful thinking, and I do realize it's not a priority, they have much bigger fish to fry!

whatever

Just let them have their names the way they like them.

YALL R SNOBZ

LL have been known to change the capitalisation of names in the past... if you ask them really nicely.

Ok, I will tell Philip. Damn! I had him convinced, and all it took was some Krispy Kremes!

Caps people, you're lucky, this time!

Welcome back Aaron - and agreed!

I think running text being used for name selection, as well as text in game through a similar filter as the one in the forums is a great idea. It could be entirely client side so that when someone hits enter to send a message, its parsed before being sent to the SL servers.

-Flip

Count me one of the few, but I prefer my lowercase m. It's all about choices and thank you LL for all the choices you give me!

People are people,

Simple but oft forgotten.

Political correctness, liberalism, hate speech, now the shift key.

Capitalization activists, the next special interest group.

Back in my day activists were known as busybodies who minded OTHER peoples business

Its about the individual, not confirmity. Another simple idea oft forgotten. Expression is natural. Clothes, houses, language, personality, names and letters.

CREATIVITY!

How silly we get when we mind other peoples business.


I'm making a case for either upper or lower or both.


How else is someone to know you? If you follow ALL the rules? you are NO one, except the letter of the law.



THE ABOVE discussion was off the cuff and designed to impress the impressionable and get me dates.



The Professor

Please IM if interested.

Well, apparently some folks are reading this as me (or other posters) trying to dictate, or sweating the small stuff.

I'm not, and I have adjusted my thoughts based upon the feedback provided. If you'll notice, I didn't really judge anyone over it in my thread starter post, although I did state that I think it's akin to shouting. I didn't speak about all lowercase - I know the D/s significance of this, and have friends who have their names in all lower case for this very reason.

I have simply observed more new folks choosing to have their name in all caps, and asked for some feedback. I apologize if I have ruffled any feathers or stressed anyone out.