Yes, the only way to change/modify your username is to PM John. He'll sometimes get around to doing it.
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Facile remedium est ubertati; sterilia nullo labore vincuntur. I think pearls are lovely, especially when you need something to clutch. ~ AzTheta
The Real World Can't Hear You ~ GC Troll
Remember, if you get a new user name, you lose your post count.
No you don't. I asked John to modify my username and the post count didn't change. And when I had to create a second account because my main account was temporarily disabled, when it got fixed all of my posts were merged.