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@Nickname

What Is the @Nickname Used for?

Example of a Member's @Nickname under their Community Post

The @Nickname is a short name used to mention another Member when you're writing a post in any of the Community forums.

Unlike just typing in their first name or their Display Name in a very normal and casual away, the advantage of adding their @Nickame is that after your post is submitted, an email is immediately sent to that person to let them know they were just mentioned in a new Community Post.

Everyone has an @Nickname. When you become a member, the name you entered to be your Username during the signup process is also automatically used as your @Nickname. However, after signup, you are free to change your @Nickname at any time.

How the @nickname will look after you submit your post

Notification Emails

Below is an example of how the notification email will look that is sent to anyone mentioned with their @Nickname in a Community Post.

To: Mearl
From: Scan Your Entire Life

Hi Mearl Bisel,
We wanted you to know Curtis Bisel just personally mentioned you in a new Community forum post.

Post Topic's Name: “Naming Scanned Photos: How to Get 5-Digits From a 3-Digit Start Number.”

Post URL: https://www.scanyourentirelife.com/member/community/general-discussion/naming-scanned-photos/#post-xxx

This is an automated message sent by Scan Your Entire Life.

The recipient merely needs to:

  1. Login to their Membership account
  2. Click on the Post URL link in the notification email they received and they will be taken directly to the Community Post where they were mentioned

@Nicknames Are Clickable!

If you click on someone's @Nickname in a published Community Post, you will be taken to that Member's personalized Profile Page.

Give it a try! Here's my @Nickname: @curtis

How to Use an @nickname to Mention a Member

For detailed step-by-step instructions how to @mention someone in a Community Post, check out this article:  How to Mention a Member

Where the @Nicknames are Displayed

A Member's @Nickname is shown in the information block next to any post they have written in the Community forums.

How to Change Your @Nickname

You can change your @Nickname at any time on your Profile Settings page.

Each person has to have a unique @Nickname that isn't already being used by another Member. So, if you try to change your @Nickname to another name that's already taken, you will be asked to select another name.

Tips

  • Length: The shorter the @Nickname, arguably the better. Most people prefer to use their common first name they like to be addressed by (e.g. “@Jack,” “@Janet,” or “@Chrissy”). It makes it easier for others to remember, and likely also easier for others to add them to a post they are writing.
  • Timing: It's best to change your @Nickname early into your membership, before anyone has the chance to use it in a Community Post.
  • Security: For security reasons, it's actually a smart idea to make your own @Nickname be different from your Username (used for logging in) that you created signing up to be a Member. In order for someone with malicious intent to access your account, all they need to know is (1) your email address or Username, and (2) your password. Since your @Nickname starts out being the same as your Username, other Members will see your @Nickname — hence your Username. Already knowing one of the two gets them 50% of the way. While odds are incredibly low another Member would try and break into your account, it's always a good idea to be aware of all the ways to prevent as many undesirable possibilities from ever happening.