Page 2 | to think most MN members would like to be able to click on any given username and see when they joined the site and how many posts they've made?

LindorDoubleChoc · 2025-06-10T18:54:50+00:00

It would be an easily added helpful tool in assessing - for those who care - who might be a troll or other type of fake (say AI) poster. I has been in operation for years on other forums I use, along with no name changing without quite a convoluted process of emailing and asking permission and giving reasons. I'm sure HQ are never going to modify the name changing facility now, but maybe they would listen if there was enough feeling in favour of establishing some sort of poster history (albeit quite minor) on the site? Please vote! Thank you.

RomanCavalryChoir · 10/06/2025 20:35

The most that could realistically be done is something very vague like been a member for at least 1 year, 6 months or whatever figure they want to use, and has made at least 500 posts. Or similar. Some threshold that makes it unlikely the person is a troll, unless a particularly dedicated and forward planning one.

nomas · 10/06/2025 20:33

Mintsj · 10/06/2025 20:21

I think that it would be fine to have something saying:
member since 2016, 684 posts. I name change all the time. I don’t want someone I know reading what I’ve put online. I wouldn’t care though if someone knew when I joined and how many posts I’d made, so long as they couldn’t see the posts that were made under different names.

I think some people would still try and track with you, based on year of joining and number of posts.

I think MNHQ doesn’t want to go back to the days of cliques.

I can just imagine posters saying ‘check my profile, don’t you know who I am, I have been here since 2003!’

RomanCavalryChoir · 10/06/2025 20:31

This comes up periodically. It's a bad idea, and the reason they don't do it is because on a site with this level of usage, there needs to be as little identifying information as possible. People will be recognisable by their joining date and rough post numbers.

So it's never going to happen.

PomeloOud · 10/06/2025 20:30

I think I joined in 2006, can’t remember.

But I was on ‘the list’ if anyone remembers that, so it might not look like I’ve been a member as long as I had to re- register with a different email.

Mingenious · 10/06/2025 20:30

I’d be all for year of joining, there’s lots of us who have been here for getting on to 20 years which in itself is wild 😂

Fuck losing name changes though, it’s one of the absolute best things about the site!

Rvethetgergwtbteh · 10/06/2025 20:29

I also think even if the feature told you the number of posts somebody has written/replied to it would leave people vulnerable to either being called a troll unfairly or being told they have no life because they post too frequently. Mumsnet can be unkind enough at times.

XenoBitch · 10/06/2025 20:27

Surely that is troll hunting, and not allowed?

Rvethetgergwtbteh · 10/06/2025 20:25

I name change a lot because I’ve put a lot of identifying information on here. If someone could do that, I know somebody who knew me would recognise me very easily because things that have happened to me have been very specific.

So, no I would leave mumsnet if they introduced that feature because the whole point of mumsnet is it is largely anonymous.

Mintsj · 10/06/2025 20:21

I think that it would be fine to have something saying:
member since 2016, 684 posts. I name change all the time. I don’t want someone I know reading what I’ve put online. I wouldn’t care though if someone knew when I joined and how many posts I’d made, so long as they couldn’t see the posts that were made under different names.

NanCydrewandtheclueinthename · 10/06/2025 20:21

No. It’s easy enough to spot an AI thread once you get used to them.

ArtemisiaTheArtist · 10/06/2025 20:21

I change my name every six months and I've been here for about 15 years. This is because of my work and my personal life: I don't want to be outed.

nomas · 10/06/2025 20:20

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:18

19 years. Trolling has always been an issue but AI is new.

Show quote history

I haven’t seen an influx of AI threads. Do you have any examples?

ScottBakula · 10/06/2025 20:20

So you think that someone that joined last week that needs help with pfb having a temperature or DV or as in my case the very sudden death of a partner or something less worrying like the best way to get stains out of clothing , which vac to buy , what book to read .

All of them and the 1000s of others should be treated with scepticism?

Nurseryquestions86 · 10/06/2025 20:20

SO WHY MENTION NAME CHANGING?

In answer to your other questions no I don't care how long people have been posting, literally means nothing to me.

FinchAddict · 10/06/2025 20:19

I'm not bothered if I post on a thread of a troll. I either feel I have something to offer or not. I hope it is also useful to others.

Original poster

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:18

nomas · 10/06/2025 20:16

Longevity is no indication of a genuine post.

How long have you ben on MN? There were trolls that were on MN for years.

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19 years. Trolling has always been an issue but AI is new.

OP posts:

screwyou · 10/06/2025 20:18

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:08

I don't want to "sort out" the trolls, I just don't want to waste time on them. I agree that trolling decisions should be up to HQ.

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Well then don't, if they seem like a troll report and move on. I like the anonymity of MN.

AmyDuPlantier · 10/06/2025 20:16

Dunno, I’ve literally never wondered or felt the need to find out who’s who and how long they’ve been around, but can see why others might.

Jollyjollyjollygoodie · 10/06/2025 20:16

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:13

See the post immediately after yours. Don't you want to know if you are replying to a genuine thread? Are you honestly not bothered? I find that fascinating.

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Honestly I’m not bothered. And anyway, there’s no foolproof way of knowing anything when you use internet forums.

Original poster

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:16

Nurseryquestions86 · 10/06/2025 20:15

God no. I never used to think about it but then I posted something and some freak show replied quoting things I'd said over the years and tried to catch me out (they couldn't as I hadn't lied about anything) It was really off putting and now I name change regularly.

IT'S NOT ABOUT NAME CHANGING.

OP posts:

nomas · 10/06/2025 20:16

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:13

See the post immediately after yours. Don't you want to know if you are replying to a genuine thread? Are you honestly not bothered? I find that fascinating.

Show quote history

Longevity is no indication of a genuine post.

How long have you ben on MN? There were trolls that were on MN for years.

Original poster

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:15

TheFlakyAquaSloth · 10/06/2025 20:11

I change most days. Normally because someone makes a sly comment and I’m ADHD and struggle. I wouldn’t want to be on here unless I could change.

It's not about name changing, as I clearly said.

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Nurseryquestions86 · 10/06/2025 20:15

God no. I never used to think about it but then I posted something and some freak show replied quoting things I'd said over the years and tried to catch me out (they couldn't as I hadn't lied about anything) It was really off putting and now I name change regularly.

FinchAddict · 10/06/2025 20:15

I change username often and don't want to lose that functionality. In the beginning nearly 20 years ago I had the same username forever, but so many threads are being picked up by the media that I don't want my whole posting history available.

Original poster

LindorDoubleChoc · 10/06/2025 20:13

Jollyjollyjollygoodie · 10/06/2025 20:00

I haven’t the slightest interest in knowing that information about other posters. Why would you?

See the post immediately after yours. Don't you want to know if you are replying to a genuine thread? Are you honestly not bothered? I find that fascinating.

OP posts: