Did you know that if you name-change, your user status could totally out you?

[Jacksmania]

User status is that thing that pops up when you hover over some posters' name. (Sorry if you already knew this.)

If you name-change, your user status doesn't automatically change. Which could totally out you if someone's paying attention!


I realized this a while ago but remembered it earlier earlier when I noticed someone's name change hadn't included user status.

[Jacksmania]

And apparently I'm the only one who cares.

Right then. I shall award myself a and toddle off.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Hi Jacks - how are you? Long time no chat!! I don't even know if I have a 'hover' at the moment but it's something I would forget to change if I did!!

[Astelia]

Hi Chipping, no you don't have a hover status. I am always name changing so am concerned about Jack's finding. I will investigate my status just in case I have a hover thingy.

[Jacksmania]

Hi Chipping!!!!
I had a status thingy for a while. 'twas terribly original :o "keep calm and drink lots of wine". Got completely busted by someone when I name-changed and they on so innocently said "didn't I see you on a thread about such-and-such tonight, I laughed at your status thing" and I was [crap] and immediately deleted my status thing.

Found myself in the reverse position tonight, recognized someone hover thingy and went, "hmmm, that's so-and-so under a different nn".

I wonder if MNHQ have realized?

[Jacksmania]

Apols for typos, can't type on the iPad.

[ZombTEE]

It's been mentioned before Jacks but I don't remember what HQ's response was.

[TheDogsRolex]

Never had a hover status, had no idea what one is but I did check it out tonight after I saw this as i'm always concerned about privacy. I do think mn should have a look! Well, no I think they bloody well should!

[Sparklingbrook]

I don't name change. The name changing thing confuses me because I like to know who I am talking to.

What are the main reasons for name changing?

[FergusSingsTheBlues]

Maybe when you want to have a good bitch about your DH, MIL...when normally you're all good, or if you make a total fanny of yourself on another thread and are dying of shame the next day, or if you need to talk about summat embarassing like earning £££££ and having no idea how to spend it...

I confess to name changing twice....

[Sparklingbrook]

I see your point. I don't discuss controversial family stuff on here and am usually found on the lighthearted threads so I am probably safe.

[ZombTEE]

I understand why people name change but I've never done it for the reasons Ferguss says. Just for holidays.

::Twirl::



And if you don't have a profile, you don't have to worry about it, BTW, as you only have a hoverererererer if you have a public profile.

[Astelia]

I live in a small expat community so I like the anonymity that name changes give me.

[Nagoo]

yes I knew it can happen.

I have PM'd a person to tell them their hoverer was hanging out.

[HelenMumsnet]

@ZombTEE

It's been mentioned before Jacks but I don't remember what HQ's response was.

Nor can we!

Guess best solution would be a warning note by the bit in MyMumsnet where you select your user status?

[ZombTEE]

That would be helpful, Helen, and easy to implement, I would think.

Is there not a thread about this in SS? Or was it in _Chat and went poof?

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Helen - it would be good to have a flash up/reminder when you 'name change'.

[Jacksmania]

Yes - would be good to have something pop up that said "you name-changed but your status is still the same and although most people wouldn't notice, there will be that one annoying person Jacks who will and although she's fortunately not a terrible cunt and wouldn't out you, you never know, someone else might, and you don't want that to happen, do you? Dooooooooooo you?"

:o

Or perhaps something more succinct.

[Pinot]

Helen, you said you'd look into it I quite like the fact it could out knobbynamechangers though

Have you had a chance to read the email I sent you this morning?

[ZombTEE]

::sits on Pinot::

[SuePurblybilt]

Can we please call them by their name? They are hoverererers.
As you were.

[imperialstateknickers]

I'd like a hovererer but don't seem to have one. How do you get them?

[ZombTEE]

Isn't that what I said Sue?

Did I not have enough 'ererererer's?

[SuePurblybilt]

Not you, my lamb of joy, it was a general point. We must have standards.

[HelenMumsnet]

@Pinot

Helen, you said you'd look into it I quite like the fact it could out knobbynamechangers though

Have you had a chance to read the email I sent you this morning?

Erm, no - sorry. Not really meant to be working today, Pinot

Was it specifically for me? Or could the MNHQer on duty sort you out?

[ZombTEE]

Oh okay, Sue. I was afraid I truly didn't have enough 'erererer's.

Lamb of joy? Do you also have a lamb of sadness? A lamb of sorrow? A lamb of pain?

There's a song there somewhere...