Yes! Heck, it doesn't have to be your real name!

Honestly, I don't care one way or another. People seem to come and go here with regularity; not at all like it was when "we" were Gardenweb.

Oh, that HU_##### isn't all the same person?

I find the HU annoying, to say the least. Can you imagine trying to follow a thread where a bunch of them were posting and conversing?

Catbuilder, lol. I mean all the various iterations of the HU-1234... I just like knowing how to categorize these people from one another, for connections to other posts they may make.

If they don’t care enough to invest in creating a name, then they aren’t invested in an outcome to their 3 word Dilemma no picture no diagram problems either. They’re just confusing Houzz with Google. Google’s predictive text for searches is a lot smarter than Houzz’s, or most of those posters. It’s not worth investing any time in them at all, since they aren’t.

It doesn’t bother me. I just read the numbers same as I would read letters.

Yes, nicknames somewhat different from long chain of numbers make it easier to follow a thread, especially if severeal threads were opened. Then you a) tend to remember b) keep a bigger picture in mind

Makes one more invested, to a degree. Something a bit more distinguishable to rely on..

I understand why people just take the first assigned name, they might think they're in and out soon. But it's hard to know in advance, really.

PS I can't read numbers as I read letters..it's interesting. If there were say only two or three or ok, maybe four numbers..then yes. Long chain of numbers makes it too much for me

Enduring, I was making a point! I totally agree with you. For awhile I kept wondering why HU kept making new posts asking the same question, until I realized that there was a different number attached. I also agree that these HUs are not invested in the process and so don't really pay attention to their posts.

Can a HU ##### even ever come back to find their post?

Catbuilder , I thought you might be making that humorous point, but I wasn’t sure so I played both sides of that fence. I also agree with the comment about investment in the process. I always appreciate your posts.

Like catbuilder, I thought that HU#### was the same person. I couldn't figure out how they could be so nice in one post on a thread, and then turn around and be nasty in another. LOL

I think the HU names are as fake as the fake names, so it makes no difference to me what names people choose to create or not create.

It's the herd mentality at play - HU12345 can be nasty, but won't get called on it because most people can't single him out from all the other HU - somethings surrounding him/her. Protection in numbers.

It's not always possible. I have a user name if using my PC, but if I use my phone or tablet, HOUZZ automatically changes it to an H##### name, and I can't do anything about it.

I think it's going a little too far suggesting HUs have conspired with other HUs to maintain their HUness in order to avoid being called out for being nasty. C'mon.

Jay - you might need to recalibrate your humour meter.

Besides, the HUs don't have a lock on nastiness. Plenty of that can be routinely enjoyed from regulars with names.

@AJCN, I don't have that change in name when I use the tablet. That is interesting.

AJCN here,

It‘s odd and not consistent. Switches randomly. Gave up trying to get HOUZZ to fix it; too busy.

AJCN, that is just weird.

So do we all have a secret HU# assigned to us by Houzz! When we joked we were just numbers to Houzz, it seems we were right! LOL

Often, when I click on the HU#’s “name”, I find no activity, no posts, no idea books, no daily interaction. I think the HU should be replaced with H&R. (hit and run).

Maybe, it is a sign of the future? “HU-4444444” do you take this HU-%%%%% to be your lawfully wedded spouse?"

Hi all,

Just to clarify on those usernames: Those names are the default usernames assigned when someone doesn't create one upon sign up. There is also a field for a first and last name in your profile and that is what displays with your posts, if you fill that out. It doesn't need to be your real name.

For privacy reasons, we are not able to create a username that takes any information from their other signup credentials (email address, for instance) so they end up being pretty generic.

There are real people behind those accounts, but for their own reasons, they haven't created a name on the site. I agree, it's easier to connect with other users with a name that is easier to remember and differentiate, so gentle encouragement is fine. Please treat those users with the same kindness you would any other member.

Hi Jinx,

I can assure you that no one is banned for no reason. If there is content you feel should be reviewed for violating our Terms or the Discussions Code of Conduct, I absolutely encourage you to flag it, so our team can take a look. Thanks!

HouzzUser - of course!!! (I did not connect those dots.)

For a long time I too thought HU was the same person and just figured they had a lot going on. lol!

" and just figured they had a lot going on "-aaaaaaaaaaa!!!

thank you for making my morning!!!

Emily: you know, the problem that your thoughtful and insightful users have identified is that Houzz's identifiers are numbers. You are causing this problem, and it never used to exist before, in Gardenweb. Why can't Houzz assign a name to new users if they won't choose one?

I am thinking of the Xbox world, where gamers are assigned a nonsense name like happypenguin, or pawthought, or relentlessboat. Names like this would solve the issues that your users are identifying here. The numbers are weird and distasteful and bothersome.

Numbers are not weird and distasteful and bothersome. I’m an engineer. I love numbers!

Wired (for) numbers ... :-)

For a while when I first came across the HU name, I thought it was an asian name.

Emily, I agree with Mrs. S. What was so much fun years ago was getting to know everyone by “name”. I still remember the great gang we had 10 years ago and I always looked forward to their ideas and suggestions. Now, I wouldn’t know one HU from another HU.

And they're really not bots, like the hordes wandering around over on Twitter? Who knew!