Migration of users from Slashdot

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The problem

Slashdot users are a community, where users are known by nicks. Starting with a new set of nicks would disrupt the years--long network of acquaintances, etc.

Preserving nicks

A simple system could be build, which would allow for safe and authorised migration of nicks of willing users.

If anyone would want to register on Altslashdot with a nick that already exists on Slashdot, the user would be presented with a generated key. The user would then need to post any comment on Slashdot, that would contain that key. The migrating user would then present a link to that comment in the registration form.

suggestion: Maybe post it in their Journal instead of polluting the public forums? Just make sure it's a Journal post and not at reply when validating.

Then, we would know, that a user with a nick we know from Slashdot is really that user, and not a copycat.

All nicks used on Slashdot would be reserved to be taken by their respective user to the new site,

  • either for a certain period of time (one year, for example);
  • or without any limit, for late-comers, to avoid trolling, and to encourage nick-innovation among new users.

Preserving UIDs

As above with Preserving Nicks, UIDs are a valued commodity. When AltSlashDot goes online, it should determine what the last registered UID on Slashdot is at that moment. That is the Cutoff UID.

  • Anyone who registers will get an initial AltSlashDot UID, which should start at 1.
  • They also get a Slashdot UID, which is initially null and won't be displayed
  • Once someone confirms their account, their Slashdot UID should also carry over
  • When posting, both UIDs should be displayed with ??? UI-- like halcyon1234(834388 /.) [2 alt/.]-- obviously in a UI that doesn't suck. =)

Suggestion: 2 UIDs seems overly complex. Why not use the original Slashdot UID for those who verify them, and otherwise hand out new UIDs starting with (Cutoff UID +1)?

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