Day: November 21, 2010

Jessica Lyon over at Phoenix posts a blog article of Display Names and new SL account names. This isn’t precisely a new topic – I commented on Display Name in particular a while back myself.

Like Jessica, I think that one the whole, the concept of Display Names is good – why shouldn’t people be allowed to adopt an alias for roleplay? What I have had – and still have – is concerns about the actual execution of the new system – particularly that:

• Anyone can adopt any name they like – including the name of any other avatar (unless said avatar has a name ending in “Linden”, it now seems). Sorry, but I don’t particularly care how many other people share me name in real life; within the virtual environment I *am* ‘Inara Pey’  – I’ve invested time and effort in developing this avatar, and defining exactly what of me I’d like to reveal through her. I’ve done this for Second Life, for a number OS Grids I jump about to and for Blue Mars; in all but the latter, I’ve even gone to the extent of ensuring Inara appears consistently (save for the available fashions) in each world. What’s more, I’ve also spent money in SL in helping her to mature over the years to her current appearance. That someone else can arbitrarily grab her name and use it as they please, does tick me off I have to admit
• Display Names take precedence over actual avatar names. This means that anyone grabbing my name will be seen by others using Display Name capable Viewers as “Inara Pey” first. They’ll also show up on Contacts and on people’s SL “dashboard” as their chosen Display Name. While there are means to reveal the actual avatar name – and leaving aside any opportunities for mischief-making on the part of those “borrowing” another avatar’s name, this is something of an open door for confusion, angst and annoyance.

While not absolute show-stoppers, it would have been better if LL had ring-fenced existing avatar names as they have now apparently done with the name “Linden” – if only to prevent the cries of outrage when people do find their name re-used.

The one good that that seems to have been implemented since Display Names was announced is that both the Display Name and the avatar name are now displayed in-world by default, rather than just the Display Name with the option of displaying both. While people can still opt to hide the avatar name from their view, this simple step removes some of the confusion.

Although the risk of confusion / angst does still exist elsewhere – such as only seeing Display Names in Contacts, and the chat and IM windows. I’ve experienced this first hand myself when I’ve logged in on the Beta Viewer to find the likes of “The Lord of the Flies”, and “Belinda’s Babe” sitting in my Contacts list and thinking, “Who the devil is THAT?” Do I IM them and ask “ER, ‘suse, me but who are you?” with the risk that a) I feel two inches short of a complete twit for having to ask; and b) they actually get miffed at me for not simply knowing who they are without the need to ask. Granted, both are little niggles, but such storms-in-teacups have been known to ruin friendships.

Display Name capabilities are coming to TPVs as well – Phoenix will have it soon, and doubtless others will, while the Viewer 2.x variants may already support it. It’s good to read from Jessica that Phoenix will provide options to see people’s actual avatar names in chat and IMs.

There has been much scaremongering around the subject of Display Names – such as they will invalidate the use of things likes security tools, and that Display Names are “yet another tool” for griefing. As such, and as Jessica comments in her blog, scripts are already doing the rounds that can ban avatars on the basis of them using Display Names: and this is akin to people who ban people on the strength (literally and figuratively) on the basis of their Avatar Rendering Cost. Such scripts are simply unwarranted and are one thing related to Display Names I’d personally see nipped in the bud before we see two many pairs of jackboots sitting in people’s closets alongside the ones that have labelled “ARC Police”.

As far as security tools are concerned – I can state without hesitation that Display Name do not circumvent them – at least, not the decent ones. These utilise the Avatar Key which remains constant, no matter what Display Name an individual chooses to use. The same goes for the sim  / parcel ban options. True, it would have been helpful if LL themselves had responded to the questions raised on this matter when first raised in their own blog (however obvious the answer appears) – but that’s just par for the course where they are concerned.

As to the idea that Display Names will be the next “big thing” for griefers – no, I don’t see it. Yes, I’m sure some will find their names used by others – but I think in the vast majority of instances, this will be for fun, not malice. Should anyone discover that their name is being used maliciously – then the Abuse Report form is there to be used.

While not absolutely perfect, Display Names could be a lot of fun for many people, allowing them to assume names more suited to their role-play characters – and they should really be treated as such, not as “yet another LL evil” as some out there are portraying them.