I like the unable to search by name only in archived messages

[zippitippitoes]

..am I the only one who does?

I think it's better because it makes it harder to find all someone's posts..it's more anonymous

[zippitippitoes]

I am the only one!!!

[GeorginaA]

Noooo it's a pain. Half of the time I haven't a clue what words were in the post I remember, but do remember who said them! I find name only much easier to search by!

[Marina]

Haven't inspected the new archive search but agree with you that searching by name only could be a stalker's tool, so yes, I'm pleased too!

[zippitippitoes]

that is exactly my reasoning marina

[Marina]

OK, so supposing someone who knew you were a Mner decided to have a good feet-up trawl of the types of things you've spoken about in the past, Georgina, though?
Am thinking abusive exps here or even some current partners whose behaviour is very frightening...

[GeorginaA]

Hmm... but the internet is a public place.

I've always written stuff with that knowledge (whether on message boards, usenet or blog) that it is searchable. (It'll be searchable on google anyway). That's why you train your kids to not give personal details away on the web, after all!

False sense of security, imo.

[Kelly1978]

I spoke to tech abt it on another thread and it should be coming back. It is really handy. In any case my way round it is to put in username and then a really common word as search term such as 'and'.

[zippitippitoes]

I think there's a difference between being searchable and bringing it all up at once. I also think it makes for a more pleasant atmosphere if people can't check up on you because they don't like something you've written. So search for information but not necessarily information about an individual poster.

[Marina]

MNHQ is not responsible for Google. It is for Mumsnet. Whatever or not you choose to reveal Georgina, the simple fact is that many women on here talk in detail about extremely difficult situations. Often because they cannot currently find a way through the crisis in RL and need that outlet, and the support they get from other posters. There are several threads currently where abusive partners and even fathers could find information that they might then use to further terrorise the women in question.
Having a "no search by name alone" policy would protect those women just a little.
I am sorry they are thinking of reinstating it to be honest.

[Kelly1978]

I can see where there is room for misuse, but the information is available in any case, through google. I fnd it really useful, to check for my old posts. I also use it to check out if I'm interested in something on the for sale boards - to see if they are a regular poster.

[Kelly1978]

If people want to be private they can change their name. I think it is very good that mn has that feature.

[GeorginaA]

Yes Marina - but most people change their names for that.

And - don't you think it's useful to be able to check previous threads that led up to a situation in order to be able to help properly? I quite often have a vague memory of something that happened a little while back that had a bearing, but can't think of the exact details so want to reread to check before I put my foot in it (doesn't stop me putting my foot in it, but at least I do it in full knowledge ).

[zippitippitoes]

actually google may list posts for a name but if you click you don't get the individual message now you get a whole list of threads and if you click cached you get nothing

[Marina]

I can see pros and cons for name-only searching, true enough.
But name changes will still be findable on shared PCs. Only just now someone was asking about Carla. If she has name-changed her h will soon find her new name, I bet, and name-only searching can do that.
Not sure what is for the best really. Maybe the searing awfulness of what some Mners are posting about lately has coloured my judgement :(

[GeorginaA]

True Marina :(

It's a shame to lose the functionality and usefulness just because of a minority who abuse it :(

[Securlurking]

Well I think it is right not to have it, if you really want to find all the posts someone has done then you still can - it just takes some donkey work. I have always thought the system is hugely up for abuse however didn't know that this could be changed.

The point of chat names is anonimity, this is just a way of helping to preserve that annonimity IMO which is much more valuable than being able to do a quick background check on posters (which is kind of creepy IMO anyway).

[SaintGeorge]

I hate the lack of this search.

I can't even find my own posts which is just down right silly.

[Socci]

I agree with GeorginaA. I have used the name search to find posts in the SN section that are long gone and as someone said I can usually only remember who said them and one key word. So I hope it is reinstated as it has been a valuable resource for me rather than just from a nosey pov.

[zippitippitoes]

socci so that is fine keyword plus posters name

but not just the posters name IYSWIM

[SaintGeorge]

Keywords don't always work though.

[Socci]

We're all anonymous anyway though and if people post something and they don't want anyone to know who they are they can change their name. Whatever I post I am never under the illusion that all and sundry couldn't read it.