I consider the common name threads to be an exercise in futility. Let me explain why I think that.

There are basically three ways in which a name can be entered in a profile.

1) Just the way it appears in the credits
2) As the result of a CLT search
3) As the result of a common name thread

In order to go further than just entering what you see in the credits, a user would have to know that the person has been credited in more than one way. You can't do a CLT search unless you know what to search for. And few, if any, users would go looking for a common name thread unless they knew that the person has been getting different credits.

Furthermore the rules state:

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To determine whether to enter the name directly as credited, or to use the "Credited As" field, use the Credit Lookup tool.

There is no requirements, or even support, for common name threads in the rules. The problem, I believe, is that the rules do not define what the meaning of "common name" is. Given the quote above, I would think that the intention is that the common name should be the one that occurs most frequently in the Profiler credits. However, many users seem to have taken the approach that it must mean the most common credit in the actual film credits.

The reason for the common name is not to document the most common name in the actual film credits. The reason for the common name is to allow proper linkage. It's bad enough to have two different ways to add credits. Adding a third way doesn't help, quite the opposite.

Now, I don't really expect that we'll get anything resembling proper linkage using today's system, with or without common name threads. But I look at the common name threads and I think "What a waste of energy".

If contributors would follow the rules and enter the name in the credits, and not what they want the spelling to be the clt wouldn't be a train wreck. But alot of contributors can't even get produced years, original titles correct.

And when a common name thread is done and credits are confirmed for each film, do you think they would update the online and correct the credit, No. The problem is not just the program, the problem is also the contributors that know the credit in the on-line profile for their version of the film is wrong but don't contribute a change to correct it. But continue to bitch about how common name threads that have been done years ago, are still incorrect in the CLT. Takes just as much time to post a thread response as it does to upload a correction in a profile.

Quoting scotthm:

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Quoting ateo357:

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If contributors would follow the rules and enter the name in the credits, and not what they want the spelling to be the clt wouldn't be a train wreck.

Correct.  But the damage to the CLT has been done and it's not likely to be undone.

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With that type of thinking, I think we should all quit contributing any new profiles, any BY updates, Common name updates, any corrections what so ever. Leave the database as it is.
anyone in agreement raise your hand.

Just need to know if there is enough room at the we-do-nothing table for all the rest of us.

Quoting ateo357:

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With that type of thinking, I think we should all quit contributing any new profiles, any BY updates, Common name updates, any corrections what so ever. Leave the database as it is.
anyone in agreement raise your hand.

Just need to know if there is enough room at the we-do-nothing table for all the rest of us.

It seems like most people have.  Almost all of the pending updates I've seen, for quite some time, are common name, BY, or credit updates.

Quoting ateo357:

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With that type of thinking, I think we should all quit contributing any new profiles, any BY updates, Common name updates, any corrections what so ever. Leave the database as it is.

You're a little too inclusive but have the general idea.

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Quoting Kathy:

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Ken has pinned a thread dedicated Common Names so it seems invelos does support it.

What means support ? He has also pinned a thread dedicated to Images from movies, that have nothing to do with rules.

Totally agree, Gunnar.

The entire common name concept is fatally flawed and will never result in accurate linking not matter how much time is wasted on it.

On a rare occasion, I will submit a new profile using strictly "as credited". I make no attempt at "correcting" existing cast/crew lists since more times than not, they become pissing contests with voters.

Quoting GSyren:

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Having some people relying on the CLT and some other using the common name threads just adds to the confusion instead of helping.

And that's not counting those who just rely on IMDB.

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