@Nickname
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.
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.
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:
- Login to their Membership account
- 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
For detailed step-by-step instructions how to @mention someone in a Community Post, check out this article: How to Mention a Member
A Member's @Nickname is shown in the information block next to any post they have written in the Community forums.
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.
- 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.