to not understand issue with name changing on mn? why is it a problem??

[Diel]

Like the title says, why is it a ptoblem if a user name changes on here? Or why do some posters have issues with certain usernames? Please enlighten me and can't work it out...😊

[WorraLiberty]

It depends on the reason for the name change.

NC to be a goady little shit = Problem

NC for privacy = Not a problem

[ErrolTheDragon]

And NC within a thread to pretend to be more than one person is called being a sock puppet and is against the rules.

[TaintedAngel]

I don't think it is a problem when posters name change. Some do it regularly so not to be outed in RL.
People sometimes mention if they have name changed if they feel their topic of conversation might appear to be a bit far fetched and when people look at their posting history would think that this 'out there' post is their first ever communication on here and so it would appear they could be trolling. So they sometimes declare it to show they are not new here and do have a posting history just not with their current NN.
I'm not aware of people disliking some NN'S. It's only newer members who's names are uswr12334544555 because that is annoying and is easily resolved by the member just taking the time to create a username before they begin to post.

[PinkiePiesCupcakes]

I NC when I feel I've shared enough bout me than I'd want someone to piece together. Not that anyone would be sad enough to do, but I just feel better for it.

I dislike all these User1289863681073689205674928764894 posters I see ATM, I don't trust them nd often don't respond on that very basis.

[Diel]

I just don't understand why someone would nc to be a goady little shit, why not do that under your regular name? Afterall it's not your real name. Feel I'm missing something :D

[Diel]

Thanks, bit clearer now :)

[misson]

I've name changed recently because I felt I had given away too much information about myself.

Am very aware though that this might make people especially if they check out my now non existent posting history.

[ImissGrannyW]

I NC'd to do a post that was about something in my life that was quite extreme. It was outing (which was why I NC'd to do it, because if anyone linked it to anything I posted under THIS name, it would have outed me, and the subject was private even most of my family didn't know about it - it was about my mum)

The thread was quite controversial, and several people reported me. One poster posted that my thread was outing, so I contacted MNHQ about it, to ask if MNHQ thought it was. It was a Saturday night (and late) so I guess the 'B-team' were on, but the response I got back was "we've looked into this posters history, and she doesn't seem to be a troll'.

I replied "erm, no, I know I'm not a troll because I'm the OP, and I know what I posted about was true, but you haven't answered my question".
They didn't come back to me.

[TwentyCups]

I have three usernames that I post under, although they are all similar. This one is just an abbreviation of my original.
The other is for when I post about sensitive topics. I don't want someone to advance search me and see all the private things. Bit paranoid that if someone IRL read my posts they would know it was me. If it's posted as TwentyCups I don't mind people IRL reading it.

[BewitchedBotheredandBewildered]

I don't have a problem with people name changing; I understand lots of reasons for doing it.

I like when people don't though, it's nice to build up a picture of people and recognise them, and that's reciprocal.

They might be NCing to be goady shits but I'd never recognise the posting style - I don't concentrate that much!

Some people like to establish friendships here and some people are here for other reasons and that's not an issue.

[WhisperingLoudly]

Additionally any name containing numbers (e.g. WhisperingLoudly22) make me think the poster lacks imagination as do nonsensical faux spoonerisms e.g. LaintedPady BellowYag

[WhisperingLoudly]

The name changing is fine unless you're a GF

[LaPharisienne]

I only NC when posting something that would/ might out me. Otherwise keep to this one. Agreed on the building up an idea of different posters - often nice ( tho sometimes allows you to discount goady posts thinking - oh yes, it's THAT poster again).

[Yamadori]

Name changing is a fairly good idea if, for instance, you have previously mentioned a champion gymnast DS, twin toddler ginger-haired DD's, a DP who is a firefighter and have posted a photo of your new kitten. It might dawn on you that you're pretty identifiable if anyone recognises something in a post and searches on your name. You don't want them finding out that your brother steals knickers off washing lines, or you have inoperable piles, or that you've reported your neighbour to the council...

[ComfortingKormaBalls]

its usually the non name changers.

They trade off their names being recognised and see themselves as stalwarts and matriarchs. Its OK if they are known for being 'experts' in a particular field and offer lots of advice...Pigletjohn, Flowery etc

You can change your user name and activate 'make your page visible to other Mumsnetters?' option, so if you hover on the user name and see a hand you can click and see how long the poster has been registered.

[UsernameHistory]

I think it's the name changing and ability to here which makes people so nasty - the anonymity makes it easier for them. Of course the MN royalty keep their name so people will 'recognise' them here.

On other forum(s) I use, there's no name changing and no stupid fear of 'being outed' and there's a real community spirit and people are much more pleasant, much less confrontational and much more likely to offer (and receive) help in RL.

I think the fear of being outed is because no one would want to be known as their obnoxious MN alter-ego.

[steff13]

Some subjects are truly sensitive and so a name change makes sense. Of course, I'm convinced everyone on mumsnet (aside from me) is part of MI6, and that's why they're so concerned about being "outed."

[Gowgirl]

I don't name change, mainly because I lost my origanal user name by forgetting my log in details, Its the userrandomnumbers that I don't like! Most name changes arnt actually that far from the original though...

[Sparklingbrook]

As others have said it's far easier to troll on a site where name changing is so easy.

Or to be a GF or bitchplopper.

If you upset everyone under one name just change it and do it all over again under another. Easy.

It's really not difficult to understand why it causes so many problems.

[bruffin]

I thiught the username "user**" was generated by mn for new members,but mn should make them change immediately, because it is vey confusing.

As for namechanging,it should be banned and if you need to change for senditive reasons then have ti approach Mn

[WaitrosePigeon]

Bitchplopper

[Sparklingbrook]

Name changing is not allowed on Gransnet IIRC. They can obviously be trusted.

[Sparklingbrook]

Or not trusted. Depending.

[MargaretCavendish]

I think it's the name changing and ability to here which makes people so nasty - the anonymity makes it easier for them. Of course the MN royalty keep their name so people will 'recognise' them here.

So name-changing produces trolls but keeping your name means you're a narcissistic 'mumsnet celebrity'? Not easy to win under your system! But of course it's everyone else who's nasty...