What characters are valid in usernames when registering?

When registering a new account, usernames can use alphanumeric Latin script characters (any number "0-9" or letter of any case "aA-zZ") and a limited set of special characters: apostrophes ' , hyphens - , underscores _ , periods . , and/or spaces.

Can I change my username?

You can PM one of the Administrators to request a username change, but they reserve the right to deny requests if it is deemed inappropriate. After a successful name change, there is a cooldown of three months before you can request again.

Why do people sometimes have silly names?

During events or holiday seasons, users are sometimes granted the ability to display a different, temporary name. You can set your preferred display name under: Edit Profile → Appearance

Why was my username changed to a number?

Usernames that break the site rules get removed and your account name gets changes to your user ID. If your user name was changed to your ID can reach out to an Administrator to request a new username.

What does each name color mean?

When users register to the site they have the option to pick between three default colors:

• Light Blue (#97ACEF)
• Pink (#F185C9)
• Purple (#7C60B0)

When a user is inactive, i.e. they haven't logged in in over a month, their username becomes italicized and the preferred color is faded. (This inactive style also applies to accounts that have a custom color.)

• Light Blue (#657091)
• Pink (#925C7E)
• Purple (#584A72)

Additionally there are some color codes for users who have broken the rules and have been issued some sort of site infraction:

• Temporarily Banned (#A6D9DB)
• Account Disabled (#775555)

Why is my name color different from the above?

During some Holiday seasons, like in October for Halloween or in December for Christmas, etc., the standard name colors are temporarily replaced with alternate colors. When there is an extra special event ongoing, sometimes the usernames will be set to use cycling rainbow colors.

How do I change my preferred name color?

Users can choose between three default colors: Light Blue, Pink, and Purple. To change your preferred color go to Edit Profile.

Why do some users have custom colors? What do they mean?

The ability to set a custom color is reserved for Staff members, so long as they are staff. Some users are granted permanent custom colors, such as former Administrators and, in the past, winners of specific contests or users who have made extraordinary contributions to the site.

What to the icons next to people's names mean?

Icons are used next to usernames to differentiate various roles people have around the site, or to confer a special status within the community. The following are icons that you will see around the site, and each one of them will have a description when hovered.

• Coin - has donated money to the site
• Cake - currently that user's birthday
• Blue Mushroom - users who actively, and officially, help the staff team
• Green Flower - staff members of the site
• Golden Feather - staff members who are also section managers
• Red Star - the administrators of the site
• Wrench - the bots do various things around site

Some users are in special groups, what do they mean? How can I get a group?

Occasionally users will be granted special permission to manage a non-staff usergroup for a team that is active within the community, nowadays this is reserved for site affiliates. In the past, users were permitted to make team groups and create special forums for organizing hack projects, that is no longer granted.