Advice: Should artists be able to start over with new pseudonyms in review communities?

[bornesb.livejournal.com]

Hi all,

I run a review community on a standalone website and FurAffinity. I am a little unsure on how to handle artist/maker pseudonyms.

When a maker goes by many different names, currently I pick what I believe the "most popular" one is and put all reviews under that name, with a little subtext that says "this maker has also gone by the names B, C, and D."
However, when viewing a list of all makers that have reviews, only the first name shows in the list. You have to know the most popular name, then click it, then see what the pseudonyms have been for that listed name (as well as populate the list of reviews associated with every name for that maker).

The "problem" arises when a maker with negative reviews switches accounts and decides to "start over." Should I update the old name, since the new name is the only active one now? Should I make an entirely "new person" and allow the maker an actual fresh start, not linking the new name to the past name?

I want to represent both sides of the issue fairly. I want people reading reviews to be informed, but I also don't want to needlessly mar a maker's reputation if they are genuinely trying to get a new start. I'm open to some insight.

Thank you.

EDIT:

I decided to make a 'new person' in the list of makers for the new name. Then when someone clicks that name, it just duplicates the page content of the old name so the viewer knows all the different names are actually the same person. I didn't modify the reviews themselves, only the categorization. I also decided it'd be a case-by-case basis thing. There's no way to really keep up with all these names. The only reason I knew about one of them was because a past reviewer informed me.

Anyway, thank you for the help.

Comments

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

Personally, I believe in allowing others to be able to make a complete decision on whether or not to work with someone based on their entire history. As a buyer I would really like to know if an artist has a track record of poor communication, abusive behavior, etc.

When it comes to working here we actually will update the tags to include as many known names, but unfortunately we are hindered by a character limit.

[laughsatthunder.livejournal.com]

Use the old and new name. Sadly switching usernames shouldn't warrant someone to go back to old practices and get away with it.

Or, rather, "While I was under NameA I was pretty bad with _______, but now I'm under NameB so you can't hold me accountable for those actions while I carry them out under this name instead and then some."

[dinogrrl.livejournal.com]

No, I would not allow a clean slate just because someone changed their online name. A name change has no bearing on the person actually changing their poor business practices. If someone really wants to start over, they can do that by making amends for past wrongs--changing their name doesn't excuse bad behavior, and it doesn't help the people they've hurt.

Honestly, if I commissioned someone based on what I did or did not see on your site, had trouble with them, found out they were notorious for past trouble under different aliases, and learned that you KNEW that but chose not to disclose it...I would be beyond ticked.

[bearprince.livejournal.com]

I personally believe that if an artist is truly turning over a new leaf, that the new actions they're taking will speak for themselves. Showing that they're currently doing well will do all the work necessary to wipe the slate clean, as it were.

IMO, artists should be able to own up to past mistakes, not hide them. That immediately sets off alarm for me, since this is MUCH too often used as a way to avoid previous owed commissions and poor reputations, etc etc.

[lexgoyle.livejournal.com]

I believe they should be linked for the simple fact it's it simply allows a problematic artist to hide from the problem by using a new alias which would sort of in a way defeat the purpose of this site.

Just because someone may be trying to turn a new leaf does not mean they should be allowed to run away from past problems. That's the price you pay for bad service and it sticks with you.