Hackers' Pub Introduces Flexible Username Changes: Breaking the Fediverse Norm

Hackers' Pub, an ActivityPub-enabled social network, introduces a unique feature allowing users a one-time username change, a departure from the typical fediverse practice of permanent usernames. This policy acknowledges the evolving nature of personal identity, offering flexibility while maintaining network stability. When a username is changed, it becomes available for others, creating opportunities for new users to acquire desirable names. To prevent broken links, permalinks containing the original username will function until the username is claimed by someone else. This is made possible by using UUID-based actor URIs that don't include the username, unlike platforms like Mastodon where the username is embedded in the URI. Inspired by GitHub's username policy, Hackers' Pub aims to balance identity evolution with the benefits of federation. This approach allows users to correct initial username choices, evolve their online identity, and maintain their content history and social connections. This policy represents an experiment in fediverse identity management, testing whether flexibility can coexist with the stability required for federation, potentially influencing other platforms to adopt similar approaches.