You get a lot of requests to change usernames and you have a policy against doing so. Understood.
There is a feature set on some boards that allows a user to change the way their username appears to other members. It does not change the registered username and the Mods and Admins can still see the registered username in Administration screens. Nothing is changed in the member database and all violations and warnings remain intact filed under the registered username. It only affects the way the usernames are displayed on boads and posts.
I've allowed this on other boards I manage using other software, but I don't know if there is a modification for it in VBulletin.
Just something to consider that might satisfy both interests.
There is a feature set on some boards that allows a user to change the way their username appears to other members. It does not change the registered username and the Mods and Admins can still see the registered username in Administration screens. Nothing is changed in the member database and all violations and warnings remain intact filed under the registered username. It only affects the way the usernames are displayed on boads and posts.
I've allowed this on other boards I manage using other software, but I don't know if there is a modification for it in VBulletin.
Just something to consider that might satisfy both interests.