Fill in the blanks, track your alias on Usernamecheck.com
Written on 27th October 2008
9 COMMENTS 
Ernst-Jan Pfauth, editor in chief
Until two weeks ago, you’d regularly find articles of Robin Wauters on The Next Web Blog. The last post the next web enthusiast & Plugg organizer wrote, was titled Matt Mullenweg snaps up PollDaddy. The next day, Michael Arrington snapped up Robin Wauters. Yes, our Belgian editor got promoted to TechCrunch. Goodbye, farewell and trackback!
Well, yesterday I received the first trackback from Wauters, now it’s my time to return the favor. Not just because he’s a great guy, but mostly because he discovered a cool tool: Usernamecheck.com.
It took me or two or three usernames before I realized it’s better to have one. Not just because it’s easier to remember, but also for personal branding matters. So I chose “dutchproblogger”. I’m sure you have an alias as well: Usernamecheck allows you to see whether that nickname is still available on 68 services.
According to TechCrunch commenters, the service isn’t functioning perfectly, yet you’ll get the idea anyhow.
As you can see, I suck at registering with the right username, some are more fanatic about it:
So be ahead of the “asswipes” out there and fill in the blanks, a.s.a.p.!
The Next Web Blog is closely associated with The Next Web Conference which is held annually in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. At this event speakers from all over the world come together to talk about, and show off, the future of the Web. (More info 
By Reinier on Oct 27, 2008
That’s funny, you can find long forgotten login experiments back. Like this totally forgotten one: http://batje.blogspot.com/ very minimalistic aproach i had back then.
Reply
By Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten on Oct 27, 2008
Is ‘asswipe’ taken? ;-)
Reply
By Frank herrman on Oct 27, 2008
If you have a unique username it’s also an easy way to check for which services you already registered :-).
Reply
By Luca F. on Oct 27, 2008
well, did Wouter trackback to CNET? :-)
http://news.cnet.com/usernamec.....available/
Reply
By Matthew on Oct 27, 2008
@Luca F: I think Robin got it from me just a couple of days before(!): http://www.matthewkimberley.co.....ick-steps/
Reply
CNET one is from September…
I just find it funny knowing the “good” relationships between TC adn CNET :-)
Reply
It’s a Sunday afternoon post for crying out loud.
I noticed the app before CNET wrote about it, but didn’t blog about it at the time. Also, I’m wondering why you think I shouldn’t write about it if someone else already has in the past. Is there like a law against that I’m not aware of?
It’s not a question of relationships, I just linked to CNET in one of my last posts.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008.....s-awesome/
Reply
Robin,
I think you took this way too personally…
I am sure your post is genuine and that you just did not notice it had been done by CNET before.
Just a small mistake, nothing wrong with that, we are all humans.
I found it “funny” from a reader point view, as we have often read exchanges between CNET and TC about these things…
I personally like your posts very much and doesn’t surprise me TC decided to hire you. All the best in your new role on TC…
Reply
Robin, no offense intended, in fact, I’m flattered that I was the thinking about the same sort of stuff as the Great Robin Wauters … don’t mind me, I’ll get my coat
Reply