Why must handles start with a letter?

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere but I wanted to upload an image on a character page and even though I was using a .jpg, I could not get the code from it. I'm wondering if it is to do with my username? On the Get Known/Administrivia page, it says "If your handle starts with a digit or punctuation, or ends with punctuation, certain critical site functions will not work."

I'm usually just happy adding tropes to existing pages but I'm wondering why having a username that starts with a digit or has punctuation would affect any functions at all, like having a Troper page. I didn't realise this was a thing when I created my account quite a few years ago; I just used my You Tube name. And what else can you do if have an acceptable handle?

Thanks in advance.

Your handle also serves as a Wiki Word that links to an article in the Tropers namespace. Example: Fighteer. Many of our site functions use this generated link: these include private messages and the aforementioned tropers page. Handles beginning with digits are not valid wiki words and thus these functions don't work.

I have never heard of any issues with the image uploader related to usernames, but I suppose it's possible.

At one point we had no particular rules for usernames and so anyone could make anything they wanted, even if it messed with site features. These days the signup screen will block invalid usernames, but there is no way to retroactively change existing ones. Your only option if you want a compliant handle is to delete your account and make a new one.

Sorry, I missed your reply; I thought I would get an email about that.

Anyway, thanks for answering. I guess I wouldn't really be losing anything by setting up a new account; I'm just attached to this one I guess! I assume it's OK to use the same email address?

I don't know if the paging system will work for your username: ~Tropers/{{1Thunderfire}}

Yes, deleting your account frees your email address to be used again. No, as stated, we cannot link your history to your new account.