Thoughts on User Name Identity in Second Life

I do not have a lot of history in Second Life. I signed up for my first account sometime in 2005 ish I think, but only used it for a couple of days, and have had various other accounts since then that did not last much longer. My current avatar has just passed his 1st rez day though, and I feel I have been around long enough to and some thoughts and commentary on different topics. The discussion around bringing back last names in Second Life is heating up with the recent announcements from Linden Labs that they will be making a change to bring them back. I thought it would be fun to throw my own thoughts into the pile.

Relaxing in my forest - Display Names are all that is needed

My belief is that the display name functionality in Second Life is an elegant solution to identity. I can name myself what I want, I can change my name as I see fit, I can create the name identity that I want, really it just works. It seems to me that the biggest issue with the use of display names isn't the names themselves, but rather that people continue to see usernames in world. In my opinion, if name tags did not show usernames, this issue would not be as big as it is. I have read many complaints, but when I ask people in world it always seems to come down to either a) everyone should have a last name because it makes avatars seem more real (the culture of SL argument) or b) I hate seeing some noob named james4367 (the lack of options when last names are removed argument).

The issue with point b is simple to address by not viewing usernames in world. I stopped doing it and only use the display name option, such a simple solution. Point a is a bit more tricky to answer, but I would say that identity in world is very much a personal thing. Some people dont want a last name and some people want a first, middle and last. Some people want to use crazy characters that no one can read, and I personally like just having my first name. Regardless of what you desire, the display name function allows the perfect level of flexibility. My user name is something I login with, something that ties my inventory and other inworld assets, and is truly only important to Linden Labs. My display name is what is important in world, it is my identity as I want you to see it. 

I do realize that having joined, and stayed in Second Life, after display names were introduced in September of 2010 I do not have the same cultural attachment to the tradition first name/last name structure. I do recall though creating an account in 2007 and being frustrated to no end trying to pick a first/last name combo I liked.  I ended up with the awful name Towlie Mayo (I was watching a lot of South Park at the time) and have to say ugh, what an awful name to have in world. However, as a username that only Linden Labs really has to care about it makes little difference. I recently was able to recover this avatar and he now goes by the display name Bastion Bux.

One real issue I do see with display names is that by necessity they are not unique. Anyone in Second Life can share my display name, which is simply Sean. This raises a concern about impersonation. What happens if a person decides to grief a sim and use a different avatars name? What happens if I need to complain about a user and send in the non-unique display name associated with the account? Certainly these are important issues that need addressing and serious thought. Some of this comes down to proper access to instructional materials around using the viewer. For example, knowing that you can right click on any avatar and report them solves the issue when one needs to make a complaint. It seems to me that one of the reasons to only allow names to be changed once a week is to prevent this sort of behavior. These issues can be addressed and perhaps time is better spent trying to fix a few issues with the current system rather than re-inventing an old system.

I know it is not a popular argument, but looking to how these type of identity vs. account issues are addressed on the Internet generally shows a system very similar to what we see in Second Life with user names and display names. I think that there are enough similarities with how social networks are formed on the broader web and in Second Life to see how a similar solution can work with both. I hope that Linden Labs looks to established web based communities when thinking how to develop anything new around the naming issue.

Linden Labs seems to be devoting a lot of resources to combat this issue. I am hopeful that in changing to allow last names again that Linden Labs does not break what I think is a very workable system. I look forward to the new system announcement in February sometime, and to a time when developers can begin working on other issues important to Second Life.

What do you think? What am I overlooking? Let me know if you agree or disagree, and how you think names should change or stay the same in Second Life. If you have not read it, I suggest taking a look at the official wiki page for display names and user names.