User talk:Smithteacher

April 2014

Welcome to Wikipedia. I noticed that your username, "Smithteacher", may not comply with our username policy. Please note that you may not use a username that represents the name of a company, group, organization, product, or website. Examples of usernames that are not allowed include "XYZ Company", "MyWidgetsUSA.com", and "Trammel Museum of Art". However, you are invited to use a username that contains such a name if it identifies you personally, such as "Mark at WidgetsUSA", "Jack Smith at the XY Foundation", and "WidgetFan87". Please also note that Wikipedia does not allow accounts to be shared by multiple people, and that you may not advocate for or promote any company, group, organization, product, or website, regardless of your username. Moreover, I recommend that you read our conflict of interest guideline. If you are a single individual and are willing to contribute to Wikipedia in an unbiased manner, please create a new account or request a username change that complies with our username policy. If you believe that your username does not violate our policy, please leave a note here explaining why. Thank you. Ging287 (talk) 22:23, 10 April 2014 (UTC)

Okay, I'm seriously thinking of filing formal complaints at this point. Wikipedia has been thus far the most ungrateful, controlling group of people I have ever encountered on the Internet. I have been on computers since my Commodore 128 in 1985 and ran my own BBS during the same period. This is so incredibly sad as I have been an open source advocate and utilized open source programs, and given back at the same time, but this just feels like people wanting to exert unnecessary control. My last name is Smith!! Am I really not allowed to use my last name? I am a Smith who is a teacher! Teacher does not fall under "company, group, organization, product, or website." It's a job. How in the world is this violating any terms of service? Is there a personal problem you have with me by chance? This feels quite vindictive at this point. I am eagerly awaiting your response. --Smithteacher (talk) 22:37, 10 April 2014 (UTC)