Restrict usernames to alphanumeric and underscore

This is a vB 3.5.x port of the same mini mod.
( https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=73559 )

What is this Plugin about?

Are you tired of seeing in your forums usernames like these?:
1.- The Super Boy (spaces)
2.- my_new_name (underscore abuse)
3.- im?a??nd?b?ar (international characters)

Well, with this simple addon you can prevent that from happening from now on (it can't correct already spoiled usernames). When a user tries to register using one of those chars, a nice error message makes sure the user picks another "normal" name.

Installation instructions
1.- Download the attached .xml
2.- Go to Admin Control Panel => Plugin System => Manage Products => Add/Import Product => and browse for the the location where you downloaded the .xml
3.- Hit Import
4.- To configure it (not really needed, but it is there), go to Vbulletin Forum Options => Restrict Usernames on registration

By default this addon prevents spaces and any char other than numbers and (english) letters while allowing underscore.

**
Fixed to work with 3.6.8 and 3.7

[the Sandman]

How does this interact with the default User Registration Options > Illegal User Names settings? I have some names and symbols in there already. Should I just leave them there? Remove the symbols and leave the words?

[Reynaldovb]

Originally Posted by the Sandman

How does this interact with the default User Registration Options > Illegal User Names settings? I have some names and symbols in there already. Should I just leave them there? Remove the symbols and leave the words?

As far as I know, that option is to prevent users from registering certain names, like "support", "password", "system" etc etc

This mod goes beyond that. You can still enter names on that vB setting, but the mod will prevent people from using any symbols that you hadnt explicity allowed (through the mod options).

[the Sandman]

Originally Posted by Reynaldovb

As far as I know, that option is to prevent users from registering certain names, like "support", "password", "system" etc etc

This mod goes beyond that. You can still enter names on that vB setting, but the mod will prevent people from using any symbols that you hadnt explicity allowed (through the mod options).

It works for symbols as well - you just enter them one at a time with a space between them. There are two problems with using the default system for symbols though - you have to list them all, and if the user tries to register using one of them they don't get a message telling them why - they think the username is taken. So your solution is definitely better. I was just wondering how the two systems interact - which is checked first, yours or the default?

BTW, here's what I currently have in my default illegal username field:

 admin moderator ' ! @ # $ % ^ &* ( ) + | - = \ { [ } } : ; ' " < , > ? / ~ ` ' www .com

I suppose I should remove all the symbols and leave the words?

[Reynaldovb]

I have no idea, which one goes first. It would probably be the best idea to delete the symbols and leave just names there.

[the Sandman]

Originally Posted by Reynaldovb

I have no idea, which one goes first. It would probably be the best idea to delete the symbols and leave just names there.

I did a test before removing the symbols from my default illegal user name field - the default system comes first FWIW.

Thanks! Great hack!

[Tk1]

Thanks alot Reynaldovb!
That was pretty quick of you to come up with the port!

Very Happy!!

[XFSImperial]

Thanks, I've been wanting something like this to block out all the annoying symbols people manage to find.

*installs*

[sportsoutlaw]

Does this plugin allow you to use 1 underscore and just prevent the use of multiple underscores?

[Reynaldovb]

Originally Posted by sportsoutlaw

Does this plugin allow you to use 1 underscore and just prevent the use of multiple underscores?

Hmmm. not really, people can use the allowed chars multiple times. I guess that is an idea for a next version ;-)

By the way, did you mean multiple underscores like this:
my_nick_name

or like this:

my___nickname

[moonclamp]

What happens to users who already have illegal characters? Will they still be able to login or update their info?