I'd like to set up my 2.0.3 vB to give the registered user an optional text field that (if not blank) is displayed wherever the logname is normally displayed.

I.e. my logname is hwitten but I'd like to display Heinz.
Hello Heinz in emails is much friendlier than Hello hwitten :-)

Anyone done it? Anyone want to do it? Can it be done (reasonably easy/reasonable cost)?

Heinz

i too would like this hack, and i think it is done, because i think i have seen something like:

Username: <you vbb username>
Screen name: <your prefered name on the screen>
password...
... etc

can this be done, or is it already done?

You can just add a custom field, and use it for the Screen Name.
If you want to use that field for the emails, you would have to change email_notify template, and replace $touser[username] with $touser[field5] but change 5 to the ID of the custom field you added.
To use this new screen name on the posts, replace $post[username] with $post[field5], and again, change the ID.

By custom field I assume you mean add a field to the user table in mySQL?

Or alternatively use one of the icq,aim,yahoo fields as a screen name field?

Thanks very much for pointing out where/what the required changes need to be made. I think I can handle that ok.

Heinz

No problem. :)

You can add custom fields in your admin cp - User profile fields => Add.

You've just opened the floodgates for me.

Thank you VERY much. And thanks to the vB crew for thinking flexibility duirng design :-)

Heinz

No problem. :)