Username vs. ID#

[Zrr]

I simply cannot decide on this, and since I'm in the very early stages of coding this thing, I really need to. I don't want to have to go back and change everything (again because I've already done it once).

Do you prefer sites that address members by their username, or have a separate login/username and address members by a #?

For example; Neopets does the username thing, whereas Aywas does the # thing.

I can see the pros of both. I know that a user ID is required for coding purposes, but I'm not sure I want to use them for things like a link to the profile or something instead of the username.

What are your preferences, and why?

[Aevix]

I personally think ID's are better. You can be proud of getting fun numbers, and they're always consistent.. And it makes it easier (or so it seems) to change the username. I find using them just fine for linking n' whatnot.. At least you can rely that the ID number of a person hasn't changed. Usernames, if the option is available, will change, so using just a username can have iffyspots if people are changing it.

[FallenAngel]

I think usernames are better.
People get too "clawy" over numbers.
I was upset at my KS number because I had problem IRL and didn't get to sign in before most of the people even though I was a beta tester.
None the less, my number is low, but when accounts are numbers, the lower the number, the more privileged people feel.
Also, people make extra accounts just to sell later on for low numbers.

[SpottyWolf]

As from a programming standpoint, id #'s are better. It's easier to keep track of your members and it helps keep things unique. Its easier to pass numbers than letters for many various reasons.

[vplspride]

Click this link - I have chosen to remove my comments related to this subject matter.

[SpottyWolf]

We use both for public viewing [i.e., Imperial (1)], messaging, item transfers, admin tasks, etc. use ID#.

You can do both to help keep things secure, as it will just cross reference. I take it from a security standpoint: you can SQL inject characters (letters) but you can't SQL inject numbers. So your more secure.

[vplspride]

Click this link - I have chosen to remove my comments related to this subject matter.

[SpottyWolf]

Not a clue ... I don't program so you're speaking Greek to me.

I'm sorta learning programming. SQL injections are really bad!

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_injection

[cpvr]

I think usernames are better.
People get too "clawy" over numbers.
I was upset at my KS number because I had problem IRL and didn't get to sign in before most of the people even though I was a beta tester.
None the less, my number is low, but when accounts are numbers, the lower the number, the more privileged people feel.
Also, people make extra accounts just to sell later on for low numbers.

I always like usernames. I don't really care about the ID part unless it's a sim game or something. I don't see a point in selling low ID accounts either. What happened to the good old days when sites only used usernames?

[Grotesque]

For indexing in the DB, integers are faster than strings