Can anyone tell me how long it takes (if ever) for a user's log-in name to die and become available to be re-registered by someone else?

It's just that I've been on here a good number of years now, and some fool has registered my prefered user name. And I'm yet to see him/her post anything

 

I don't think they become available again, even after a period of extended inactivity.

 

Ahh well, looks as if I'll remain known as ALi-B (until I loose the password for both my alias, and e-mail )