Most forums allow a "signature" to be added at the bottom of all your posts. It can get REALLY annoying when gifs and things are allowed, or if they get really long, or are used to promote crap. But as a text only, with limited characters, and following the usual HB rules about self-promotion, it can really help to be able to distinguish between users quickly. I don't always think to look at the username, and frequently I forget them, so I don't really "get to know" people by remembering, oh that's the same person who made this or that comment. Signatures can help with that since you tend to automatically notice them in the process of reading through. It can get messy though, so I understand if that one's not feasible.