Guys, remember when I told Username some time back that everyone needs a friend who will tell them when they're being a dick? Just in case they didn't realize somehow? No? Well, I am prepared to be that friend. Quite a few of you are being dicks for no honestly good reason by throwing a huge fit about something that is, quite frankly, not all that damn important.
Now, don't think I am getting all high and mighty here. Aaron's initial post made me rather unhappy when I first read it as well and I could have been stuck being a dick too, had I not had the benefit of seeing six pages of other people overreacting like hell.
Some folks put in reasoned arguments and asked honest questions to figure this out and make their suggestions. People like Tifabelle, whom I agree with fully in that the aka field is not that big a deal, is not a horrible Nazi-esque requirement on us all. I agree with all those who have pointed out that this needs to be in the rules with a clearly defined process for taking action when the rule is broken, but I sympathize with staff as I've been in their shoes in the past regarding getting people to sit down and figure these things out. As for those who bawwed about "Who does it hurt?" and the like, seriously rules have to be enforced. Even if they didn't have reasons for it, which were spelled out multiple times, until the rule changes it must be enforced or the mods look lazy and weak. More people will push the boundaries of more rules. Its human fucking nature. Again, it does need to be in the actual forum rules, but the principle is the same.
I wanna make sure I have one thing clear, the aka field requirements can be mildly different for those who change their names more or less frequently right? Like, folk like myself who only change names after months or years of use can just keep one or two names they've used for long periods correct? Whilst those who change their names within days or weeks every time need a somewhat longer list to help everyone keep up?
Anyway, that's my thoughts on the matter. I've thanked posts on both sides where good points were made (and some that just made me laugh) so don't think I am attacking anyone. I don't mean to insult anyone at all here. Just saying, calm down a bit. Aka fields are not a big enough torture to be a dick about, total or otherwise.